Christmas Morning in Danville

Christmas Letter 2008!

Happy Holidays!!! We hope this finds everybody enjoying the joys of family and companionship this holiday season. Wow, has it been a busy year!!! It has also been pretty stressful. We started the slow process of moving the family to Philadelphia this year, although Rob has to stay in Danville until June 2009. The move has been hard on everybody, with difficulty selling the house in the current market, getting the kids set up in a new neighborhood and schools, and having the family separated all week. We’ve really been cherishing the weekends we get to spend together.

Rob has been occupied all year with his position as Chief Resident for his residency. It has been a lot of extra work, and he’s glad it’s finally over. During the spring, Rob interviewed at Neuroradiology fellowships, and found out in June that he will be going to the prestigious University of Pennsylvania for a 1 year of fellowship. Now he’s contemplating finding a “real” job. Hopefully we will start the process this spring and have something in place by the time fellowship starts in July.

Everyone else’s year gives a clue on Lisa’s year. Our lack of a definite plan for the future – not really being able to look ahead any further than next week – really raises the stress levels. Selling the house was awful. Going back to selling the house after the first deal fell through and we already had everything torn apart from packing was even worse – especially with all the crazy people who came looking in the down market and thought we should pay them to buy the house! I am very thankful that any sort of computerized match process is over for our family and I am looking forward to the end when we can finally know that we are staying put. I have gotten involved in things with the kids schools but am limited in what I can do when our time here is so short. I’m thankful that both the kids are doing well in school. I don’t know if I’m looking forward to all the craziness and stress I know is ahead of us in the year ahead, but I know that we will be fine and I remind myself that there are a lot worse stresses that we could be facing which helps keep it in prospective.

Lauryn started 2^nd grade this year. There are a lot of new things to learn, but she’s made new friends (which mean new parties to go to). She has started taking French classes and is doing really well. Soon she’ll be able to talk to her Auntie Christine without her parents knowing what she’s saying. The new neighborhood is much better for riding bikes, which Lauryn really likes. She has been out riding with Leah. She had a great time at the island. She’s really looking forward to getting some time in ski school and on the slopes this winter.

Robert Angus wants everybody to know that he rode on the “Phoenix” this year for the first time. It is a “big kid” roller coaster at our local amusement park (Knoebels), and he had a blast. He started kindergarten this year and he has lots of fun. He has been learning so much at school. He loves his teacher, his school bus driver, and all the friends he’s made. He even likes homework!

Here’s hoping everybody has a safe and happy holiday season, and a great 2009. It looks like it will be another busy year for us, but hopefully with the family moving back together and the end of Rob’s medical training, it will be a lot easier!