2012 In Review
December's Christmas Greeting
Dear Friends and Family,
Sitting in a sun-drenched living room, listening to the cool wind blow the chimes on the deck, enjoying a rare moment of quiet with a sleeping infant and kids off for some recreational time with their dad. A tall, wild-looking Christmas tree stands in the corner proudly supporting years of collected ornaments dangling from wide-spaced branches.
Life is good, remarkably, miraculously good. In fact, I recognize we are living a very charmed period of our lives, one that we'll look back on one day as some of the BEST of days. Past experiences and my current profession make me exquisitely aware of the fragility and unpredictable nature of life. We live lives in the constant flux of change, so I find myself yearning to slow down time, allow for these delicious moments with young, funny, beautiful children to be fully lived, fully appreciated, fully noticed and enjoyed. The whine-free moments, that is.
2012 was a banner year for us. For half the year, I waddled around pregnant, delighting in the kicks and flips of a little life inside. Despite years of working with pregnant women, doing deliveries and advising on the nuts and bolts of making babies, there is no substitute for the experience. The mystery and magic of life created left me enchanted and amazed. Pregnancy also offered a rare bonding experience with some of my patients pregnant at the same time. I had an unhide-able condition giving people an instant glimpse into my personal life. The connections it created formed special bonds with patients that continue to grow as we raise our babies together. Love that about Family Medicine.
As my ever-expanding belly reminded us of the shrinking space of our wee cabin, we made the decision to finally invest in a location, set down some roots in a place we've grown to love... a place that has meant recreation, relaxation and healing to us over the years. We landed in a perch high in the mountains above Evergreen, on a little patch of land covered in trees. We now watch the sun rise over the city every morning in splashes of pinks and oranges, observe cloud formations drifting by and sinking into the valley below, breathe in fresh pine air and relax in the quiet of country living. It is a piece of heaven, a true escape when work is done. It will be a great place to call home and to raise mountain-goat-like, nature-loving children. Patrick and I have long loved city life and are glad to work our respective jobs in multicultural, busy urban locations; but the peace and quiet of home is an equally wonderful retreat. Come visit!
In July we welcomed Samara Anne into our family and she has completely captured our hearts with her big blue eyes, toothless grin and infectious giggle. Cici instantly turned into her second mother and Solomon has been fiercely protective of his baby sister. After fretting a bit about how a 3rd baby would rock our family dynamic, I now enjoy watching our remarkable children easily take on the responsibilities of big siblinghood. Sweet Samara takes it all in, delights in her big sis and brother, and has perfected the ability to nap amidst noisy chaos.
Cici and Solomon continue to thrive, grow and entertain us with their colorful personalities. They started preschool this year, and love it, their teachers and the friend's they've made. Cici is mature beyond her years and at the young age of 3 (now 4!) was an incredible help to me when I brought home a newborn. She is kind, compassionate, nurturing, smart and funny, and has a bright sparkle in her eye. Solomon is a boy’s boy who loves to help his dad outside, ride his bike, wrestle and practice flying around the house with his super powers. He also wears his heart on his sleeve and still loves to cuddle. Both children tease their parents as much as they get teased and have sparkling senses of humor.
I am married to my best friend. One of the highlights of my year was holding his hand in the labor suite of the hospital, sharing the intimate moment of welcoming a life into the world--a life that represents our love for each other, a life that carries a little bit of both of us in the fiber of her being. Patrick is an incredible father and partner. Despite our crazy schedules, he still finds time to make me laugh.
I continue to work in community health and love my job and coworkers. Through their personal stories, my patients illustrate the difficulty of living lives challenged with unemployment, undocumentation, lack of insurance, violence, tragedy, and depression. Yet my patients also amaze me with their resilience and ability to keep moving forward despite incredible life circumstances. I am continually reminded of my own blessed life, am thankful for it every day, and inspired by many.
I love the holidays because they ask us to slow down, cozy up together under the twinkle of lights and take stock of the good things in our lives. Thank you being those good things. Life is worth living thanks to the relationships it allows us to form. For us, life is valuable, better, memorable because of you. May your holiday be merry and bright.
Love,
Kim
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I love you family and friends. This year we went on a hike. Then we started preschool and I like preschool. I like my cousin, but sometimes he goes in time-out. Once me and Caden locked Daddy and Tonton and Pop-pop on the porch and Daddy had to swing like a monkey. Then we um had swim lessons; I do like swim lessons, but my Daddy only watches me at swim lessons. I like to ride my big kid bike. Merry Christmas everybody.
Love,
Solomon
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I love you family and friends. I love you cousins.... and... (sigh, smile) uh, Merry Christmas. This year we went to swim lessons, we went to school. I like preschool because all my friends are there. We moved to a new house and I know what our road is called: Squaw Mountain Trail. And I became a big sister. I like Samara. I like being a big sister ‘cause I like to play with her. This year I learned how to ride my big-kid bike. And that's all. Merry Christmas
Love,
Valancia
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ahhhhhh-ah ah ah sbzzzzts (toothless grin)
Love,
Samara
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2012 was a pretty awesome year. Momentous and fun events include the following:
1) The birth of Samara Anne...who has captured all of our hearts and earned a nickname "Bunky." I love Samara's half smile, gorgeous blue eyes, and her insistence on being held at all times. Kim is already talking about a fourth while I am simultaneously looking into the living conditions at the local loony bins.
2) Purchasing a beautiful house in the middle of the Rocky Mountains. While I am arguably the most unqualified person to own a house due to my inability to fix anything (thanks Dad!) I have to say that hanging out on 5 acres of tree covered land in Colorado is not a bad way to live.
3) Marrying two really good friends Shawn and Lyndsey in August. Highlights included a reception with an oxygen table and a hookah bar.
4) Seeing children from Haiti come home to their forever families. After two years of working what can only be described as the most bizarre and frustrating job ever as a Haiti adoption coordinator for over 70 families, I was thrilled to see 8 children from Haiti actually have their adoptions finalized and arrive home to live with their adoptive families. It's likely that our adoption program will have between 40-50 children come next year making it one of the largest and most successful Haiti adoptions programs in the country. I feel good about that.
5) Watching Valancia and Solomon naturally and beautifully take on their new roles as big sister and big brother. As amazing as Samara's presence in our family has been, it has been equally remarkable to watch Valancia and Solomon care for Samara. They are gentle, loving, and incredibly sensitive to the needs of their little sister. These two continue to amaze even their most ardent admirers.
6) Valancia was the only child in her preschool class who knew what a trapezoid was! I have no idea where she learned that, but it's becoming increasingly evident that she will be smarter than her father in the next 1-2 years.
7) Watching Solomon discover superheroes. My son has decided that men wearing tights and capes are the greatest thing ever. Solomon insists that he also has superpowers like Spiderman. When I asked him what super power he has, he replied, ‘I can toot on people.”
8)2012 was a very good year in terms of discovering new music. My favorites from this year are River City Extension, Blind Pilot, and The Lumineers. If you are interested in really good folk/rock music let me know and I'll burn you a CD.
9) The purchase of a 1976 Ford truck with a snow plow. Like Bunky, this truck has captured all of our hearts and has also been given a nickname; "Rusty." We look forward to Rusty clearing our driveway after big storms
and being a part of our family for a very long time.
Merry Christmas!!
Love, Patrick
