It's a lot of reading, but blogging is the new journal, Right?

We debated the whole Christmas letter issue this year in our household. I LOVE receiving them but felt kind of cheesy sending them. Growing up we'd always get a few sent to my family that we'd all just laugh at. The whole"my child is perfect and in every honors class including PE, plays three instruments and just won the state championship in soccer" isn't really my style. I'm pretty sure that all parents think their children are the greatest ( and they should) but does the rest of the world need to hear each parent's misguided opinion. I remember a conversation a few years ago where my roommate and I ( both teachers) were listening to some friends tell us that their child was BRILL ANT, of the Genius stature. They were really concerned about this kid's education and thought for sure they would have to send the kid away to some special school because he was sooooooooooo much more advanced than other children. The kid was three. The kid is now in kindergarten. At a public school. And can't even read yet. Not really a Genius in my book. That whole tangent is to say that parents can go a little overboard. But I do love the Christmas updates. I love hearing from college roommates, cousins, and friends who I don't keep up with near as much as I should. The letters give me those updates. SO..................Here are the Carlile Family updates:

Blake- He's now in his internship for becoming a paramedic. He loves what he's doing and he really has a knack for it. At church he teaches the 11 & 12 year old boys in primary. He comes home with the funniest stories. He's a father, at 25. He admitted the either day that he doesn't really like babies. They are "kinda boring to him." Sweet. ( Does he know we have a 6 month old?) He loves to play with Ellis but doesn't always like doing the other stuff like diapers, putting him to bed or cleaning up after him. All humor aside, Blake is a wonderful Dad and I've grown to love him even more seeing him in this role.

Melissa- I'm still teaching 8th grade US history honors. I've got great students and I love my school. I started a new class this year and it is exhausting. I teach AVID which is basically study & life skills to 11 year olds. At church I teach the Miamaids (14-16 girls). I just can't escape that age group. I'm slower than I once was and dream of being a fast runner again. I'm a little softer physically and emotionally these days. I love being a mother and I just can't get enough of E.

Ellis- He's 6 months old now. WOW. How did that happen? He lost all of his dark hair and now has blonde peach fuzz everywhere. He's got the biggest butt I've ever seen on a baby. He's sitting up and eating peas& sweet potatoes now. He drools everywhere and has to wear a bib or all of his shirts are soaking wet. He loves to go on runs and loves to be outside. He started sleeping in his big boy crib this week and is no longer in the same room with us. He loves playing with his cousins and gets really excited to see his neighbor friend Avery. She's two but she plays so nice with him and he giggles whenever he sees her. He's a total mommas boy too. Which I hate ( no one else can put him to sleep, with out a total meltdown on his part), but I kind of love it at the same time. (The whole working mom scenario is just a hotbed of guilt!) He's my favorite and I have to admit that could just stare that him all night long. This morning when I went to kiss him goodbye, he was smiling in his sleep. My love.

So that is the Carlile's update for 2009. Welcome in 2010 and all the surprises it may bring since our 2009 suprise was such a great one!

And for those friends that did send Christmas letters, keep them coming.....we didn't make fun of yours.