Christmas Letter 2009

Dear Friends and Family,

Its Christmas time again and amongst other things, that means taking the time to recap and take stock of the previous year. In preparation for this letter, we were looking over last year's letter and were reminded just how much has happened in the last 12 months. Amongst other things, we got a job, a house, a pregnancy, and a year full of new memories. But we won't get ahead of ourselves. Here are some of the most significant events of 2009 in no particular order.

One of the earliest and most anticipated things that happened this year was that Eric got a great job. He is now working at the U.S. Dream Academy as the National Mentor Program Manager. During the 8 months he spent funemployed, Eric spent a great deal of time trying to seek out what God really desired for him professionally. Through much prayer and discussion, he really felt led to work for an organization that focused on helping underprivileged kids. This was further reinforced by the fact that Dream Academy, who provides after-school education and mentoring for children with an incarcerated parent, was one of only two organizations (both working with inner-city kids) that interviewed him. The job has been a great fit allowing Eric to use his relational skills and systems thinking to improve their mentor program. We were also blessed that this position allows Ashley to stay home. Ashley is considering working part-time but is very mindful that our little family is about to grow.

Speaking of which, for those of you who hadn't heard, we are pregnant again! Baby Lapointe is due some time around May 4th, and this week, we found out that we are going to have a little boy. Stefanie and George are having another little girl (their due date is 16 days before ours) so George and Eric are excited that the gender swing is going to sway a little bit more in their direction. Audrey and Baby Lapointe will be sharing a room and Audrey has already stated that she is ready to share her toys and her old crib now that she has a "big girl bed".

Our new house, which we bought in June of this year has been just wonderful. We felt at home the very first night, which for change-sensitive Ashley, was a pretty big deal. Our house is on the same street as George and Stefanie so our daughters get to play together several times a week. We love our neighborhood and have really enjoyed city life. This is also a good opportunity to publicly thank Eric's Mom and Step-Dad Luis without whom we never could have survived the move. Their generosity and warm welcome were an amazing example to us and we will forever be grateful for their hospitality. One of Audrey's favorites activities so far has been the zoo pass which we have enjoyed several times as a family and Ashley and Audrey have had a chance to enjoy with the Mom's group from church a few times as well.

I think we said it last year but it bears repeating that the hardest thing about moving is being so far from friends. Thank you to all of you that have kept up with us. You have no idea how much those texts, facebook posts, and phone calls have meant to us. One nice thing about finally getting settled in June was that we were able to begin getting plugged into our community and making friends. We found a great church called Faith Christian Fellowship that we have been attending for several month. Actually, its not accurate to say we found it because it was the church George and Stefanie attended before George became the High School Pastor at Grace Fellowship Church in Timonium. Being the oldest child, I think Eric is still having a hard time introducing himself as "Stefanie's brother" when people recognize the name. The church is really focused on reconciliation and we love worshiping with believers from varied and diverse backgrounds.

This year has also provided us the opportunity to spend more time with East Coast family that we hadn't had much of an opportunity to connect with in the last several years. We had a chance to spend a few weekends with Ashley's uncle Scott and his wife Laura at their beautiful house on the Chesapeake, and spent time with Ashley's aunt Karen and Eugene. Karen and Eugene have given Audrey such amazing gifts that whenever she doesn't know who gave her something, her first questions is, "Aunt Karen gave it to me"? Ashley also had a chance to spend time with her uncle Jon and his family from Georgia for the unfortunate passing of her Grandmother. Though it was a somber event, it marked the first time all of her paternal cousins had been together in 8 years.

All in all we would have to say that 2009 was a truly great year. We feel that God has blessed us in virtually every area of our lives and though there certainly have been challenges (like Eric's 45 minute commute to work each way), we cannot help but be thankful. We appreciate all you friends and family and want to offer an open invitation for a place to stay if you ever want to come out to Baltimore. Just don't come late April/early May...we'll be busy.

With much love,

Eric, Ashley, Audrey and Baby Lapointe