A Christmas Note

As 2010 is coming to a close it is time for me to pen (type) another Christmas letter. We have had a wonderful, blessed year that has brought many changes for our family.
In February, Jess was promoted to a "team lead" position. That means that he is the direct supervisor for 12 or so individuals under him working alongside another team lead who manages the other 12 employees that make up their supervisor's team. Jess has really stepped up to the plate in this position and is constantly working to make his team and Nelnet more efficient. His most recent work accomplishment was winning the gingerbread house building contest in his department. He's humble about winning blaming it on the lack of competition, but it was his stellar baking and icing skills that really set his apart.

Jess has also been busy enduring/enjoying (I always mix those up) several athletic events. Jess finished two half-marathons this year and earned medals in two of his athletic conquests. We are so proud of him for persevering through each race and continuing to train for the next one. He is already looking ahead to competing in the Omaha olympic distance triathlon among other races next year. Most importantly, Jess has been able to train for all of these events mostly over his lunch hour saving the majority of his weekends and evenings to spend with Jack and me.

Jack is a constant whirlwind of activity and joy. There is not a single day where we are not aching from laughter at some of the things he says. He's turned into a true little boy and there is not one bit of toddler left in him. This year he transitioned into two different classrooms. We were very sad to move on from Kayla and Amy since they helped make Jack's school such an important part of our lives, but it was time for Jack to go to what he still calls "the big kid room."

After spending the summer in the big kid room, Jack moved upstairs to a room with seven little boys and NO girls, except for the teacher. We have loved this transition and have become really good friends with Jack's teacher Liz. I regularly spend a half an hour in Jack's room when I come to pick him up because I just chat with Liz and the friends while they finish their snacks.

Jack has also started gymnastics once a week. It has been so much fun to watch Jack develop his skills each week. Almost always, his favorite activity is the trampoline and I don't blame him. I would love to get to do that portion of the lessons as well.

This year also brought about several changes for me. In May I graduated law school. I'm not sure where the three years that included the birth of Jack, all of my legal learning, and the beginning of a wonderful working relationship went, but I couldn't have been any happier in May...except for the looming bar exam. I took the bar exam in July and found out in September that I had passed!! I am a licensed attorney in the state of Iowa anxiously awaiting (checking my mailbox every day) admission to the state of Nebraska on motion.

I quit my clerking position to study for the bar and while I was studying I found myself unemployed and pregnant. Fear not, my clerking position opened up for the semester (thanks to my cousin/replacement Zach) and Joy has since decided to hire me as an associate. I cannot believe my good fortune to be employed in this market as several of my classmates are still searching for positions. I'm also so excited to stay on in our office as I enjoy everyone there and really like the work I'm doing.

We were sad to say goodbye to Blackie last spring but have had fun welcoming Roxie into our family. Often we forget that she's a puppy and then realize that she's a really good dog for a puppy. We were also sad to see several close friends move away this summer. They each are following wonderful opportunities, but it has been sad to have them so far away.

As we enter 2011, we are anxiously awaiting the arrival of our new little addition to our family. We couldn't be happier about this change to our family although it once again thrusts us to the edge of the unknown. We hope that in the new year God grants us as many blessings and as much joy as he has this year. We also pray that these blessings and joy are with you all as well during the holiday season and throughout the year.

Merry Christmas!

Love,
Abby, Jess, and Jack