New Years 2006

Dear Friends,
Would you look at the time! Clearly we missed the Christmas card window, so in a sober moment (Guests arriving, child in time out, and presents to wrap) we realized that a New Years greeting was the necessary alternative. We hope your Christmas was fun and meaningful and that you take some time to reflect as we prepare to step into a new year ahead. Here’s our year in review

January-February: With blueprints in hand, we embarked on a renovation of our beloved 1931 bungalow and added a master suite upstairs and a sunroom out the back. We also experienced the humorously tragic pitfalls of “man falling through ceiling” and “we’re under budget… we’re way over budget”, but all in all, we love our new space.

March: While the construction continued… we trekked up to Maine for younger (but wiser) brother James’ wedding to the newest member of the Simpson family… Jane!

April: We celebrated our 6th wedding anniversary and where Kim upstaged Dan’s gift by announcing she was pregnant with bebe #2! Meanwhile, the construction continued.

May: Hello Florida! After joining Kim’s mom and family for Mothers Day, Dan’s job at AIM brought a new boss and opportunity to lead a sales team.

June-July-August: Jamieson stole the show in June by completing a key rite of passage for every man… potty trained and proud of it! The house is finally finished, but the trim painting just begins…

September: With 4 months of pregnancy left, we headed off to Italy for a 2 week “Italian Holiday” to Rome, Sienna, Cinque Terre, Florence, Venice, and Milan. At the Roman Trevi Fountain, we opened our sealed envelope to discover we are having a BOY! Thought our luggage never arrived,


we loved the food, culture, and necessary shopping in Italy. Meanwhile, Jamieson went for a 2-week adventure with his “Mom-Mom” and Aunt Joy and family who now reside 3 hrs away in Eastern TN. Special thanks to them – again! We got home just in time for Jamieson’s 3rd birthday party!

October: Back to our routine, Kim relocated her counseling practice to a new office closer to home that God provided… and she started studying for her big licensure exam. Then back to Florida for Kim’s brother Matt’s (and Sarah) wedding – where Dan played the part of last minute wedding singer!

November: We celebrated Kim’s birthday on the 19th Then, Dan was blessed with another career opportunity and was asked to develop Blue Cross Blue Shield plans for the company in a sales/business development role. In the Christmas spirit, Jamieson and Dan selected a tree – and before December came, we were ready.

December: Kim took – and passed her big exam – and one celebration led to another with Dan’s birthday on the 8th. Christmas brought Kim’s parents, brother Jeremy and surprise guest Brittney (Jeremy’s fiannce) to our home. We were stirred by the performance of Handel’s Messiah at the new symphony center, played golf, and played with Jamieson. Now that the gifts are all opened, and the decorating and planning evolved into memories and photographs, Advent was the glue that held everything together and infused meaning. We hold dearly the quiet time together to sing and light the advent candles with Jamieson each Sunday night – as we read the scriptures and highlighted Hope, Peace, Love, and Joy. We hope your year is filled with these things as you reflect on your Christmas, now past, and build anticipation for the New Year,

Dan, Kim, Jamieson… and bebe boy #2.