2009 Newsletter

Dear Friends and Family:
2009 was a very memorable year for our family, filled with growth. We have shared adventure, drudgery, chaos, uncertainty, pleasure, pain, joy and excitement. Our stress levels are finally settling down as we get more comfortable with our new life as civilian homeowners in Maryland, with a full house of 4 children!

John had a crazy busy year. He had his first opportunity to teach at the college level. This was an upper division History class at one of Columbia Colleges’ satellite campus. His last day serving the United States army, wearing the combat uniform was in May. What a fun change it has been to be able to wear real clothing ( ; He had the opportunity before that to complete an intensive solo search for our new home. He accomplished the mission, and we were able to jump all of the necessary hurdles to become homeowners in June. He also began his new job as an intelligence analyst in June, while we were still hotel dwellers. He is relishing the new challenges and opportunities it has brought. It is wonderful to see him come home with a smile on his face and know that he loves what he is doing. What a blessing receiving this job has been in our lives!

My year (Susie), has been occupied with gestating, caring for young children, cooking, cleaning, birthing, moving. You know, the norm for the past six years of my life. Education has been the high point of my year, in a few ways. I’ve had the opportunity to begin studying music again, and am thoroughly enjoying the continued training and development. I look forward to seeing where that road leads. I’m also focusing on the last obstacle to completing my Masters program, and am busily writing my Masters Thesis. I am eager to finish this project I began 3 or 4 years ago.

Christopher has grown by leaps and bounds this year. Our itinerant author and illustrator (shouldn’t every household have one?), is constantly drawing and writing, often creating short non-fiction ‘books’. He is attending the local public school this year and excelling (of course, that’s because they placed him in Kindergarten even though he’s already done the course work). He’s enjoyed making new friends, and loves the neighbor children and our big backyard. As spirited and stubborn as ever, his drive is beginning to pay off in a strong desire to please and to learn. His sweet voice is often heard in the home, singing a favorite song.

Theodore is our sometimes sweet, sometimes sneaky, imaginative little chap. He loves to do anything his brother is doing, and adores playing with his sisters all day. A little knight in shining armor, he loves to play castle, hear stories of adventure and intrigue, and try to save the princess. He has a stellar memory, and will be eager to read like his brother soon. All big boy, he is claiming his status as the oldest in the house with Christopher at school during the day.

Sophia has turned into an independent, energetic and sweet little girl. She is beginning to carry tunes, and loves to imitate me with my warm-up exercises, or sing along with her brothers, or share bedtime songs with Daddy. She is part girly girl, playing dress up, wanting to be ‘bootiful’, dancing, and part tomboy, always wrestling with her brothers, climbing, running, and keeping up with their boy exploits. She is blossoming into a lovely, albeit independent, girl and we so enjoy watching her vocabulary and knowledge of the world expand.

Lori has had a busy year, just entering this outside world over 7 months ago. She is strong and determined, but full of love and tenderness. Although she is eager to move and learn, she prefers to be in the same room with Mom or Dad, and preferably in our arms. She is a little cuddle bug, and gets lots of love from both her parents and siblings. She is a truly sweet child and we feel so blessed to have her as a new addition to our family.

We are eager to see what the new year brings, although we hope to have a much less eventful year to share when the next newsletter rolls around. We’ve had enough excitement this year to last awhile. Our travels to see family out west, then cross country to Maryland, job search, move, and baby have all been sources of joy and stress at the same time. We are looking forward to continuing to involve ourselves in the community, make our house a home, garden, and continue our learning paths- wherever they may lead. May God bless each of you loved ones, far and near.


Best wishes for the New Year!
The Kapeleris Family