(Our Christmas letter as told by Aaron)
Wow! We have not had a year like this roller coaster ride before . . .
Hannah turned 4 in February and is as cute as ever! She and Joshua are like two peas in a pod. She is the best big sister any brother could ever ask. Hannah stays busy at preschool, story time at the library and just started AWANA, a church program. I participated in AWANA when I was her age and still cling to my old 3-legged race record - sadly my highest sporting achievement to date.
April turned out to be a very important month for the future of the Meier’s. I was let go from Maritz after 9 ½ years. Maritz was my first job out of college and was the only company I had known in my professional career. I have so many fond memories of my decade there that one page wouldn’t do it. I met Julie there, traveled all over the world, went to the Masters and brought home over 3,000 bottles of shampoo & conditioner from hotels!
The summer saw a flurry of travel for us. We went to the always fun and festive Murray Family vacation in Destin, FL. We spent a week in the sun, beach & ocean. In July, we headed north to MN to see the Meier’s, a couple of interviews for me, and for Julie to work a Maritz program. Julie also experienced her first taste of having hot chocolate on the Fourth of July! That’s right, since fireworks don’t start in MN until late into the night, because it stays light so long, it became very chilly. So from the beach in FL in June to hot chocolate in July!
My unemployment experience lasted long enough and I landed a great job with Edward Jones as a Financial Advisor at the end of July. I was extremely excited to roll up the sleeves and get to it and that is exactly what happened. Lots of work was required to be licensed and I can proudly say that Aaron H. Meier is open for business!
This year has definitely had its share of ups and downs. We found out we were pregnant on Julie’s birthday and couldn’t have been more excited. Just as we finished telling everyone about our great news, we found out at 12 weeks that we had lost the baby. We were devastated, but we know that God will use this hardship for good.
But on the upswing a few highlights from 2009 include:
• A January trip to Colorado Springs to visit the St. Clair’s and meet our new nephew Levi. Stayed at the famous Broadmoor Hotel. Met up with our old Maritz friends Brian & Gina, & Julie was even able to hit the slopes one afternoon.
• Julie experienced her first “friends” trip to Kiawah Island, SC. Julie said the house they stayed in made the Biltmore Estate she visited in NC earlier that year look like a fixer-upper.
• Watching the US World Cup Soccer qualifying round at LP Field (the USA won!)
• A boys only trip (Joshua and myself) traveling to Los Angeles to see cousin Matt & Gwen get married
• Hannah dancing on the big stage at her first dance recital.
• Our 3rd annual successful Sew Much More project blessing little girls across the world as well blessing the over 100 volunteers that made it happen. 374 dresses were sent to Africa, Brazil & Mexico.
• Julie & the kids flying to MN for cousin Robert & Brooke’s wedding.
Joshua just turned two in December and is really coming into his own and flexing his “independent” wings by memorizing the word no for every question asked of him by his parents. He is all about sports and especially loves his new basketball hoop where he can already beat me in 1 on 1.
We have had an eventful year but in the end nothing has changed . . . God sent His Son to be born into a manger for our eternal salvation and for that we are forever grateful. Wishing you & yours a very Merry Christmas.
Love, The Meier’s
