Our (Mostly Honest, Slightly Sarcastic) Christmas Letter

Dear Family, Friends and General Acquaintances, 

Paul began his 9^th year at Mentalix, a fingerprint software company.  While he still runs around like a headless chicken most days doing everything from IT for the people in the office, handling the Help Desk for client issues, managing the new Card Conversion Division (including HR related drama for those employees), traveling to fabulous places like San Diego, CA and also not so fabulous locations like Keene, TX, performing software tests, He was promoted to Technical Operations Manager and enjoys being familiar with so many aspects of the company.  Occasionally he is able to go sailing either at Lake Grapevine or Lake Lewisville with some racers who enjoy winning. I’m not sure if this helps appease his desire to own a boat or only makes it worse.  Once he is making millions from the code he writes for various apps in his spare time he will buy his own boat so our boys can grow up sailing like he did.

Caryn is mostly a SAHM (the chauffeur, event organizer, errand runner, repair technician and lately a lot of refereeing) and continues to work part-time in her pajamas (aka working from home) as the Director of Finance for the Christian non-profit, Sigma Phi Lambda, Inc.  Most notably she cooks fresh meals daily and the house is never dirty.  In her spare time she enjoys catching up on the last years “must read” books, scrapbooking….can’t remember the last time that happened  and finding more projects on Pinterest that may or may not get done.  

Gabriel turned four in October and now tests our patience as a bossy pants and arguer is such a big help with his little brother and practices his debate skills for what will surely be a lucrative career as a lawyer.  He is a giver and a helper especially if the helping involves being outside with his daddy.  He is bilingual and is currently learning his 3^rd language because he is a genius and and clearly Harvard bound.  Gabriel enjoys building with LEGOs and playing with his wooden train set.  He is so advanced with his building and problem solving skills that the Dallas Transport Authority will be contacting him soon to help find a solution to the traffic congestion across the North Dallas metroplex.  We as parents take all the credit for his highly developed abilities. 

David had his first birthday in June.  As a child in the 90^th percentiles for height and weight we will begin investing in our retirement plan by training him for football as a defensive end next year.  He gets into everything and is the reason Caryn is physically exhausted and keeps a large bottle of ibuprofen stocked in the cabinet is an inquisitive child with a lot of energy. He loves his big brother (Bubba) and has a great encourager in him for things Mommy doesn’t want him to do.  David is an expert at locking himself in closets, emptying drawers and cabinets in record time loves playing hide and seek and finding new things to play with.  Having mastered his ABC’s by the age of one and memorized The Lord's Prayer by fifteen months, David is now learning to count to 100.  We are so blessed to have two  gifted children!

Merry Christmas!

The Bells

Celebrating 9 years of marriage this month (but it only feels like 3 1/2).

David's Christmas Story Moment

  

From the movie "The Christmas Story"

Today was the special Christmas Carols program by Gabriel's preschool class so I came prepared to get stuff done between drop off and the program.  Seventeen month old David was bundled up for the 30 degree weather in a sweater and thick sweater hooded coat and knit cap.   When I hoisted him out of the car he was determined to carry his lunch box.  On the way in I had David's hand in my right hand and my left arm was full of purse, books for work and David's backpack.  So we began the trek from the parking lot to the church.  Halfway to the sidewalk, we are crossing the lane of traffic of other parents arriving when David trips.  I manage to keep him from hitting the pavement by holding his arm.  But he dangles mid-way (still holding his lunch box) and makes zero attempt to stand up again.  My go-with-the-flow child decided it was too difficult to try and stand up with all of the layers he had on and would just lay down.  In the middle of the parking lot.  My left arm is full.  I cannot lift a 28 pounder with one arm.  Not when he WANTS to lay down in a lounging position in the street.  Cars were beginning to pile up as they waited for me to drag his lifeless body out of the way.  But I knew someone would call CPS if I resorted to pulling him by the hood.  So I squatted (wearing boots by the way) and managed to get my arm half way around his middle and I hobbled us to the sidewalk where Gabriel stood patiently waiting.  And Gabriel was probably wondering how David gets away with stuff like this.  So it begins, my eldest child.  So it begins.

My embarrassment and frustration were replaced with laughter by the time we got inside.  Because if we can't laugh at ourselves, well, that's just no fun at all.