Christmas update, 2009

Merry Christmas from The Hausam Family!!

As the year draws to a close, we’ve been thinking about how important numbers have become to all of us in 2009. Gas prices, stock prices, home prices, even coffee prices. So, since you’ve already got numbers on the brain, here are some numbers that have meant a lot to the Hausams this year.

- 15 trips to the store to buy new pants for the boys. They won’t stop growing!
- 30 days of below zero temperatures here in Minneapolis.
- 2 bee stings, both boys on the same day!
- 1597 bed time prayers.
- 400 water balloons, filled for boys birthday parties.
- 14 days in Norway with Jon’s parents, visiting my dad and Margaret.
- 10 ice cream cones (Soft Is) a day, while in Norway (that’s each of us).
- 24 hours in Holland, on our way back from Norway.
- 0 speeding tickets (a record for us).
- 410 days of braces, DONE! Jake is SO happy to have them off!
- 1315 loads of laundry.
- 2500 gallons of water, to make the ice rink in the backyard.
- 45 days of company ☺, LOVE it!
- 365 days of feeling blessed with this life that God has given us!

Our year started out at The Mayo Clinic, where Liz’s twin, Jess, had open-heart surgery in January. The surgery went very well, and the doctors were able to repair a hole and replace her pulmonary valve. She pulled through that surgery like a little trooper, as always! Jessie’s courage and strength never cease to amaze us. She is one incredible woman, and her faith and trust in God is so inspiring to us all! For more details about the surgery etc., check out her CaringBridge Site.

Jake is 10, and is in 4th grade. He takes his role as the only first born in this household very seriously. He seems to think that he is the only responsible person living here, at times. In his defense, he might have something there… A few weeks ago, I thanked him for reminding me to return a movie on its due date. He told me that living with all of us 2nd born was like being the manager of a hotel. Nice. As a first born, he already has the rest of his life mapped out. He tells us that when he grows up, he wants to be an airplane pilot. We spend a lot of time at the airport, watching planes land. He loves his school, hanging out with his friends, playing army in the backyard, skiing, knee boarding, golfing and playing baseball. He is also very excited to be taking drum lessons, and is happy that those 2 years of piano are paying off!

Luke is 8, and is in 2nd grade. He is just like his mama, in more ways than one. Sometimes my mom just laughs as she observes the similarities, especially if he isn’t on his best behavior (heaven forbid). Luke keeps us all entertained. He has more facial expressions than I have ever seen on any humans face. He loves playing outside with his little buddies in our neighborhood, no matter how cold or hot it is ☺. He recently told me that he grows up, he’ll need to marry a girl who likes the snow, because he‘ll want to play in the snow with her (he loves winter). He had a blast playing baseball and basketball, this year. He has already told us that he will be playing football, next fall, much to his mama’s dismay (you know, the whole injury thing). There is no stoppin’ this little guy! He also loves to draw, a gift that he definitely inherited from Jon, as I have a hard time just drawing a stick person.

After 9 years at Griffin International Companies, Jon decided that it was time to dive head first into the business world by owning a company. Early in 2009, Renovocom was born www.renovocom.com. He is super excited and passionate about this new adventure. We are so grateful to God for His unfailing provision and guidance.

Liz’s little sister, Caroline, and her fiancée, Randy, are getting married next July! We couldn’t be happier for them, and look forward celebrating with them, next summer!

Other highlights this year were, our Jacobsen-Hausam San Diego family vacation in March, our MN reunion with Jon’s brother and his family in June, experiencing Norway with Jon’s parent’s in August, and hosting family and friends that came to visit, throughout the year. We look forward to Jon’s parent’s arrival on 12/8, and Liz’s dad on 12/24…it will be so nice to have them all here with us for Christmas.

Whether we see you on a regular basis, or only correspond through Christmas letters, we feel very blessed to be able to keep in touch with you. May the promise that was fulfilled on that holy night bring peace and love to you this Christmas.

With Love,

Jon, Liz, Jake & Luke