“Know the value of time; snatch, seize, and enjoy every minute of it.” - Philip Chesterfield

Christmas is a time to remember and celebrate the gift of Christ’s birth, our family, and our friendships. This year has been a great year of change for the better. Brenda and I are now called mom and dad for the first time. I appreciate all the parents out there that much more. Arianna is a great baby, but there is a lot of work involved...all worth it. She is constantly making us laugh.

The most significant event of the year was the birth of our little Arianna in April. Yes...we have a new “boss”. Arianna has reddish hair, white skin, and big blue eyes. I think she is quite patriotic.

It’s amazing how much she’s grown and changed in 8 short months. At the beginning she had a varied diet of milk, milk, and more milk. What happened to the 4 food groups? I found it amazing she could grow at all. If I drank only milk, I’d be sick and lose a lot of weight. Instead, she’s grown from 6.5 lbs to 18 lbs. Amazing! Now she’s at the stage where she can push herself backwards into a corner. Then she’s stuck and we smile. Arianna is already starting to use some sign language to let us know what she needs and is busy learning to walk holding unto the furniture and our fingers.

She sure likes to burp a lot...and then there is the vomiting and pooping. Those body functions take on an importance I never knew before, especially when they land on you. She’s quite a curious girl. She likes to watch and see everything that is going on. It’s funny how she’ll stare at other babies her age as if to say “Why are YOU crying? Grow up...what’s your problem?” Babies are so competitive these days. You need to get them started on the baby Einstein videos while they are still in the womb...or they won't get into the preschool you want.

The Jetta was too small so we needed to make a change with our cars. Brenda fought it, but we got a mini-van. It sure is practical, but not at all what will make you feel sexy. Unfortunately, none of the younger women stare at me anymore (Brenda says I should write that I am being sarcastic - just in case you thought I was serious). Early on, Arianna had little neck control. I understand where they got the bobble head idea. I just put her in the back of the van with a baseball cap on and we’re good to go.

When Arianna makes faces and coos it almost brings me to tears. She is so adorable, precious, and beautiful. It is fun just feeding her to see her being nourished by a bottle. It’s amazing to think that every one of us started out this helpless. Having a daughter has helped us both to understand more about God.

For example, at 5 months Arianna was just able to sit up. I’d prop her up and put a toy just out of her reach so that she would go out on her own and try to get it. She’d move and sometimes fall and need my help to get out of her “situation”. She’d yell and let me know “Daddy! I need your help.” Maybe God puts things WE WANT just out of our reach so that we need to make a move of faith to get them. When we get in trouble we need to call on our Father. The little mistakes we make won’t hurt us...they just might delay us on the way to our goal.

Sometimes, we get worried if we don't hear any sound from her room when she’s supposed to be sleeping. “Is she OK? Is she still alive?” Strange thing is that I appreciate to hear her cry because at least I know she's OK...or soon will be. Maybe God wants to hear us complain more. He needs us to cry out to Him. At least then He knows that we're there and not ignoring Him. We're saying "daddy, I need you! Help me. I'm not feeling well."

Tim is still working at Target (although we no longer own Marshall Field’s or Mervyn’s), consulting, and doing magic and juggling shows. He’s the president of the Minnesota Fellowship of Christian Entertainers and in April produced a big variety show at our church. We donated all the proceeds to Angel Tree to help kids whose parents are in prison. Brenda resigned from her position at Allina after 4 years and continues building her marketing consulting business after she had a few dedicated months with the baby. Brenda often comments that it is hard to believe that she is actually a mother, but I think she is such a talented woman that she makes it look easy.

This past year we visited Chicago three times for work and had the chance to visit with friends while we were there. Tim also traveled to hot Phoenix, AZ in August for a conference. After 20+ year with the same haircut, Tim got a new spiky one that’s closer to the American Idol Clay Aiken look...but I don't plan to launch a new singing career.

In the summer we enjoyed many bike rides with Arianna in back. We saw an incredible concert at Orchestra Hall, saw Triple Espresso (again), had a great time being affected by the forces of physics at ValleyFair, and enjoyed the following movies: Shrek 2, The Incredibles, The Notebook, and Elf. The Happiest baby and toddler on the block videos really helped, too!

We are so blessed by our family and friends. It has been a year of great introductions and role changes. Our parents are relishing being grandparents, nieces and nephews are excited to be cousins and we are encouraged to know we are surrounded by so many who know more than us on this journey called parenthood. It has been a year of firsts for us: first smile, first time to roll over, first time sleeping through the night...the list can go on and on. It reminds us how precious time is and how grateful we are to be able to enjoy it. We pray that you and yours will relish each moment and live it to the fullest!

May God Bless You All! Love,
Tim, Brenda, and Arianna

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