Christmas Greetings from the Caldwells

Christmas greetings from our house to yours this beautiful Christmas season! The big news around here is that Western Washington is having its first white Christmas in many years, with record low temperatures, too. We’ve seen a record 20+ inches of snowfall over the past week and the children even got to start their Winter break 3 days early. If it wasn’t so cold and we had more winter gear, they might enjoy it a little more, though they did make the snowman seen here.

2008 has been a good year for the Caldwells, not as much big news as previous years, which is kind of nice. Paul had a couple job changes. He started the year out as an Inventory Manager, and then tried his hand at car sales. Of course with the declining economy that wasn’t the best move and he found it a lot tougher than he had anticipated in the beginning. After another job search he landed at AutoZone in August and he is now managing his own store 30 miles away and enjoying it.

My home-based consulting business has gone very well this year with one client/contract after another. Right now I am awaiting word on a new contract. (They came to me and requested that I respond to the RFP so though it’s not a guarantee; it feels very positive.) If I’m awarded the contract, I will be the Project Coordinator for a newly formed County Parent Advocacy Coalition. It is a part-time position and will keep me busy for 2009. I will basically be the go-to person assisting families and their sons/daughters with disabilities, providing them with information and resources regarding local services available. It will also mean some travel away from home, working with legislators in Olympia as we advocate on behalf of families in our county. However; I am very excited about the potential for this position and what it will mean for our county families and individuals with developmental disabilities. It is a huge blessing to have the opportunity to be paid for my passion and to continue working out of my home office, with Hannah Mae close at hand.

Speaking of home, our girls are growing and changing every day as children do. Life with each of them is so much fun. We are proud of each of them in her own special way. Jeanna is 12 and in 7th grade this year. She had straight A’s her first term and is working hard to maintain her 4.0 gpa. She is playing her violin in the orchestra for the 4th year in a row and is getting very good on it. She just wrapped up her first volleyball season on her school team and seemed to enjoy it. She attends a couple of different girls/youth groups and has quite the social calendar. Whenever she’s not otherwise booked, I hire her to help me out babysitting her sisters. (Such a relief to be able to get out the door without 5+ extra bodies all the time.)

Jessica is 9 and in 2nd grade in a regular classroom. She is continuing to progress in every area, though certainly at her own pace. She is learning to read with expression and is now reading signs out loud as we drive around town. She continues to amaze us in so many different ways. A big challenge for her right now is trying to figure out the latest member of our family – young Hannah Mae… Jessica finds her unpredictable and can’t quite figure out what toddlers just doesn’t understand yet.

Haley is 8 and in 3rd grade and a smart cookie, too. She is making excellent grades in every subject and is a wonderful and compassionate, protective “little” sister to Jessica at school. Haley is also a very responsible young lady and quite a wonderful “Mother’s Little Helper”. She helps out lots with Hannah Mae, especially in the entertainment department. They are especially fond of “chasing” each other around the kitchen and laughing their heads off at the silliest little things. I love listening to their big and little girl giggles! (There is never a dull moment at our house between the hours of 7 am and 9 pm…) Jeanna, Haley and Jessica attend GEMS (Girls Everywhere Meeting the Savior) Girls club together and really enjoy it.

Molly turns 5 in a couple weeks and is in preschool this year. She comes and visits about once a week or so. She is very precocious and a ball of energy (like Haley and Hannah Mae). We have some very precious quiet tender moments with her as well. She especially likes to come with us on special family outings and we do our best to include her in them as much as possible. She’s a great little story-teller and especially loves to help “wash the dishes” (…or anyone close by) with the sprayer.

And then there’s Hannah Mae who is now 19 months old, busy as can be and into everything!!! We are a gated community around here with no less than 4 gates up around the house, door knob covers on every door and door locks on every cupboard. It’s a good thing I have so many extra sets of eyes and hands as they certainly help me keep an eye on her and keep her from too much mischief. She is talking lots and putting a couple words together at a time now. Her/our biggest achievement has been that I am finally able to put her to bed awake and she gets herself to sleep without having to be held or rocked. Though we’re going through some minor withdrawals (Paul more so than me…), it does feel very good not to have her attached to me so much!

We are so thankful for my Mom & Dad living a mile away from us now. Mom is Jessica’s personal care assistant on weekday afternoons, helping Jessica with her homework, bathing, and “chores”. This is a huge help and benefit to all of us. Couldn’t ask for a caregiver who loves Jessica more or who is easier to work with! Next best thing to mom or dad is always “Mimi”! All of us love having her here every day. Mom is a hard worker and always on the go.

Dad continues to have his health issues. He is recovering right now from rotator cuff surgery a couple weeks back. He is funny as ever and knows just how to keep us all laughing. (He was the “funny guy” behind the photographer for our family pictures.) They have been pastoring here in Mt. Vernon in one capacity or another ever since they got here and are right now in a bit of a transition. Dad continues to preach and fill-in whenever/wherever he can and they are both a breath of fresh air wherever they go.

Paul & I continue to lead/host a small group in our home every week and we have made the best friends ever through this group. The group continues to grow and we thoroughly enjoy this avenue of ministry and outreach together. We love our church family and all the wonderful amazing friendships in our life.

Marriage and family is a delight for Paul and I and our 5 girls together. Paul spoils me rotten (and I try to spoil him back…) Paul surprised me last weekend with a wonderful “second” honeymoon as we escaped to the Salish Lodge and Spa overlooking the beautiful Snoqualmie Falls. He took care of all the details including child-care arrangements and even packed their bags. It was an amazing heavenly 36 hours alone together in the most romantic atmosphere ever. I am so-o-o blessed!

We would love to hear from you and your family and especially love seeing your pictures too. We pray this letter finds you enjoying this holy season as we celebrate the birth of our risen Savior. Have a very Merry CHRISTmas and may His richest blessings be yours in 2009!

Love and Blessings,

The Caldwells
Joy-Grace & Paul
Jeanna, Jessica, Haley, Molly & Hannah Mae.

P.S. Here’s a Christmas poem for you, written by Haley (with a bit of help from me), just for fun.



I look outside
And what do I see?
I see snowflakes falling
In front of me

Snowflakes are beautiful
Snowflakes are light
Snowflakes are falling
It’s quite the sight

It’s icy and cold
It’s fluffy and white
Slippery and wet
Reflecting the lights

The trees now transformed
With blankets of white
As the snowflakes fell
All through the night

There’s three more days
‘Til Christmas Eve
To open the gifts
We will receive

Christmas is coming
Not fast enough
For all of the kids
Who want lots of stuff

Is it all about stuff
Or what is the reason
For all the traditions
Of the holiday season?

The reason for Christmas
Is all about giving
Love, hope, and peace on earth
It’s Christ we’re celebrating

With family gathered
‘round the tree
While Papa reads
The Christmas story

We take a moment
To reflect
On Jesus Christ
The Best friend we’ve met.