Dear Friends and Family,

The Merriest of Christmas' to you and best wishes for a Happy New Year!

This is my first attempt at an electronic Christmas card.  Please forgive the informal transfer method.  I admit I really dislike writing-out Christmas cards, but I do love receiving them.  So I guess I better return the courtesy if we're going to stay on your greetings list!

This has been a year of many changes for us.  Our family dynamic has shifted so much with the loss our precious daughter Rowan in early 2009, and as we work through our grief and move forward in our lives, we find lots of changes come with that.  All are good, but bittersweet, as they happen without Rowan around cheering us on.  We miss her so, as you can imagine.  Our hearts are heavy, but rest assured, we are healing, and moving through our grief as we should.  Time does heal most wounds.  The loss of a child is not something you ever fully get over, but you can move forward.  And I have no doubt it is what Rowan would want for us.  Thank you to all who have been so supportive and loving to us over these difficult months.  We could not have gone through it without you.

Laurel.  Oh how she has changed and grown.  She's just completed her first year of preschool, and loves it.  Over the last 12 months she has left behind her crib, diapers, her pacifier, and moved onto Barbies, her doll house, spelling her name, and bossing our cat, Jezebel, around.  She'd been talking about Santa since Halloween, and reminding me on nearly a daily basis, that I better be good, or Santa will not bring me a present.  She is a great joy in our life. And we're very proud of her.  For the first time in many years our house is no longer baby-zone-central.  The gates have come down, and most of the baby gear is gone.

However, the baby gates may come back, as we are looking for a new family dog.  Our beloved Molly, passed away last year (2009 was a tough year for us) and I really miss her companionship.  She was an awesome dog, even though she'd sneak food from the table, and mope about when she was feeling neglected.  I can only hope that we'll find another dog who can be loved as much as we loved her. 

Bryan has been traveling much for his job this year.  A big change for our household.  And he's spent so much time in Europe that I've been teasing him that he may lose his American citizenship.  Its probably not a joking mater, but he has been gone for roughly 6 weeks this year.  He's getting very familiar with the customs of Germany.  He's tried lots of new foods, and seen some amazing sights (The Black Forest in Germany is a highlight).  His German co-workers are very hospitable and seem to have an endless ability to entertain. Next year he is looking forward to trips to China, Brazil, and Germany. 

And changes for myself this year, the best change is setting up my sewing area and getting involved with my local quilting guild.  I've taken lots of sewing classes, and my craft is improving.  This has been an important outlet for my grief.  Getting the creative juices flowing is energizing and therapeutic.  Of course its also incredible time consuming.  So my many other activities, like gardening, photography, keeping house, laundry, have been pushed to the bottom of the to-do pile.  Oh well.  Those pursuits will wait for me. 

The highlight of the year is our trip to Norway in August.  We so enjoyed the scenery, our time with good friends, and being together.  If you want to review our trip, you can the 700+ photos here (we got a bit carried away with the camera - but it is a beautiful country).

It was a good year and we are grateful for all the many god things in our life.  We have our health, good employment, a warm home.  All things that can easily be taken for granted, as many of our friends and neighbors are going without during these difficult economic times. We must remember this, not just now, but everyday.

And of course we have each other and all of you.

To all of you who received this message today.  Our warmest wishes to you for a peaceful, happy holiday season.  And healthy New Year!

Bryan, Colleen, our Angel Rowan, and Laurel Eliza Sibthorp