2009. What a great time to reflect on 2008. This post will serve as our "Christmas Card" since we didn't get one out in time. Wow, what a year. A new baby boy, two beautiful girls turning 4 and 6, trips to the beach and to see family. Chad is now the Director of the Intellectual Property Office at the University and also Associate Director of Innovista Research Campus. He participated in two triathalons this year.

Trey was born on Saturday, April 5th at 10:30 am. Interestingly, I went into labor at MIDNIGHT the past two kids. At least Trey was born 3 hours earlier than Hannah. He was 8lbs at birth and is now 20.5 lbs at less than 9m. All of our children have brown eyes and blonde hair. Trey was pretty laid back, although he suffers with reflux, but has recently become quite fiesty. Now that he can express himself a little more, he does so. He squeals in pleasure AND displeasure, screams, says "mama" - but smiles almost all the time. He is a joy to have around. He is crawling, pulling up and traveling around furniture, and can sit up well.

My sister had a baby 2 months later, named her Samantha Kelly, and she and Trey have lots of fun together. Samantha can't defend herself yet, so Trey considers her a baby doll to play with. Trey also has many other friends his same age, many of my friends had babies around the same time (Jennifer, Vanessa, Liz, Christina, Amanda ... am I forgetting anyone?).

Hannah and Sarah started ballet this year. Hannah's class is fun and worshipful, with some basic technique, form and areas of discipline. We started Sarah out with Ballet 1 and she is doing very well. Both girls LOVE ballet and can't wait for dance night.
Hannah is in 4k and is also loving her preschool year and teachers. I began homeschooling Sarah this year, first grade, and we too are having a good time.

Our house flooded in 2007 and we moved back in almost one year ago. I am starting to feel moved-in now and have started to entertain more at the house. We put a new floor on the back porch in 2008 (wood) and had some exterior painted.

We joined another church in December 2008 after being at FBC for 13 years. We also looked around for an Awana program and choir, which the girls love. Sarah and Hannah sang in the "Christmas Present" musical in December, which was a highlight after practicing for several months. Both of the girls love to sing, dance, and act! Their voices are lovely, especially when they are singing for the Lord.

Hannah was so cute today explaining to Trey why Jesus died on the cross. Sarah in her prayers tonight thanked God for sending Jesus to be "our righteous man" with no evil in his heart. I receive so much insight into their thoughts when I listen to them pray or talk to each other.

My brother, wife and kids are still in Birmingham AL. My sister is in Florence with her two children. My sister was diagnosed with brain cancer in 1991 and after several surgeries and many rounds of chemo, radiation, it disappeared about 6y ago. Unfortunately, it returned in July 2008. She is taking chemo again and her last trip to Duke (monday) shows that it is preventing the cancer from growing, thus killing the cancer cells. We are prayerful that God will perform a complete healing in her.

Chad's brothers all live in Greenville, with the exception of Robert who went to USC this year.

We are thankful for all of our friends and family and hope you will keep up with us in 2009 via this blog.