Dear Friends and Family,

I had every intention to write a letter to include in the Christmas cards this year, but that didn’t happen. This is a crazy time of the year! Christmas has become way too materialistic, focused on buying, giving and getting instead of Jesus Christ, so I am downsizing quite a bit. It still has kept me a little busy buying gifts. I’ve also been busy wrapping up 2007 finances and starting 2008 at work and getting ready for Bailey’s first birthday party! It’s hard to believe that it has been almost a year since he was born. Time flies by way too fast.

I have been anticipating making Bailey’s 1st birthday cake for over a year now, but after turning down Natalee’s initial offer to make the cake, I called her back to tell her she can do it. I enjoy decorating cakes, but I am extremely messy, so there’s no telling what the house would look like when all of the guests arrive. I HATE cleaning up the mess and washing all of the decorating utensils. Natalee LOVES making cakes any chance she gets. I’m sure it will be an awesome cake. I just hope she doesn’t spend a whole lot of time on it (another reason I don’t do many cakes).

Looking back on the past year, I am thankful for so many things. First of all, I’m thankful that the Lord gave us Bailey. He has been such a blessing. He is a very sweet little boy and I hope he stays that way! I'm thankful that he has been sleeping through the night since he was six weeks old. I’m thankful for Travis being a stay at home dad. We both didn't want Bailey to go to daycare, but I know that staying home with "the boy" is hundred times harder than what he was doing before. I’m thankful for all of my family and friends who have helped us out so much since Bailey was born. All of the baby things, new, used and borrowed have been so helpful. We're glad to have so many wonderful people in our lives!

It is amazing how much Bailey has grown in less than a year. Looking back at old pictures, he hardly looks like the same baby. We’ve definitely have had our share of memories: pushing up, rolling over, attempting food, sitting up, crawling, chasing the cat and now on the verge of walking. I’m glad to say this boy now eats just about everything - it just took three months to get it down. What a struggle!

I recently joined a Ron Paul meetup group. Bailey has gone with me to two meetings. Travis calls me a Paul-tard, but I don’t care. I truly embrace his message of freedom and liberty as well as having a smaller government. For Bailey’s sake, I fear the direction this country is going. It’s time to get back to a constitutional government.

I pray that 2007 was a good year for you and that 2008 will be an even better year for us all. I pray that you have a merry Christmas and blessed New Year!

Love,
Jaime

Then and Now....

(YIKES!!! 10 days to go!)