The very late family Newsletter for 2008

Happy Chinese New Year,
This past year has brought lots of changes to our family. Most notably, we had a baby boy in September. I’d like to blame the lateness of this letter on the baby, but it isn’t really all that fair to him. We still live in Suffolk, Virginia, and have really settled in here. We have done some traveling to see family this year. We went to Fairfax, VA, Ithaca, Rochester, and Syracuse, New York; Ayer, Massachusetts, and New Haven, Connecticut. Karl also made it to Hawaii, San Diego, Phoenix, Las Vegas, and Denver on business and to see his nieces get married. Although we are far away from most of the family, it was fun to spend a lot of time this year with our closest family members, Heather’s sister and her family.

Emily & Sydney absolutely love school! Emily finished Kindergarten in June and began 1st grade in September. She loves her teachers, loves reading and art, and is enjoying being 6. She is also a wonderful helper with her baby brother. Sydney is in preschool this year. She is as creative as ever, and as feisty as ever! She is a big hit with her teachers at school & at church. She makes it easy to forget she is only 4. They absolutely adore tigers. They like to dress up like them, to draw them and to collect all kinds of tigers.

Both girls were expecting a baby who was more like their cousin Caleb (who is almost 2) who moved & talked, than like an actual newborn baby, so it is only as Josh gets a little older that they are realizing he really is a baby too, not just a bundle in Mom's lap. They are excited to teach him things, and love making him smile. Josh is a wonderful happy little fellow. We love how his smile lights up his face and it is so great to have in our family at last.

Karl and I are struggling with the challenges of life, but hoping we are meeting them well more days than not! Karl has a heavy work load, and a lot of stress at work. He is also dealing with some recent medical issues, like diabetes, which we hope can be turned around with diet and exercise! Sadly it will mean less candy and raw brownie batter!

The kids and the house keep me busy, but I enjoy getting the one on one time just with Josh. I took some time off from my regular design work this year and focused on more creative pursuits like scrapbooking, stamping, and photography. I still love to read and will fall into a book any chance I get! I have made many good friends here and enjoy the time we have spent in this area.

We don't know where we will be next year, but hope it will go as well as this past year has gone for us. We hope this year has started well for you, and wish you all the best in these uncertain times.

With love,
The Pilz Family

I am proud of me!

I actually got a lot done today. This was the kids first day at school for a full day in 5 days! We had a lack of snow day and 4 half days. It was really amazing when 2pm rolled around to see what I had accomplished. what I am most proud of is that I have a clear craft desk! Yeah! Now I can get back into my scrapbooking and stamping! Yeah haw!

Phrases taken out of context

If you just heard this..."Emily, I can balance my poo on your feet." You might be alarmed, repulsed, or confused. Never fear, this was said in reference to Winnie the Pooh, who was perched on top of Emily's feet. But hey, it made us laugh.

Snow Day

School was cancelled today for snow. Odd thing was the snow (a 1-5" snowfall) never came. Thankfully the YMCA was open and we were able to get there and blow off a little steam. We heard all weekend that we had a Winter Storm warning in affect. We saw a few flurries today but that was it. North Carolina got lucky though:)

Doctor Day

Josh is 17lbs 3oz and 26.5 inches. He is healthy but not actually cutting a tooth. The white spot is an epstein pearl. He is teething though. Yeah me! I tried to get him in his crib tonight, but was not successful as of yet. He is sleeping in my bed right now. Sigh!

Sydney on the other hand is not healthy. She got a double whammy strep & UTI. Poor kiddo! No school for her today or tomorrow. They are not sure what kind of UTI it is, so they are culturing the bacteria over the weekend. Oddly enough she is not complaining about feeling sick, but she is just low energy, and not really hungry. She isn't even that whiney. I have never had one, so I have never had one, so I did not know that it feels like it is burning you when you go to the bathroom. I think she has had more than one of these, but I didn't know it. She has complained about "hot pee" before. Now I know! She isn't even really complaining about it either. But she has a 103.5 fever, so it is definitely not ok in her body.

Just need to rant for a moment

OK, does anyone else know about the lead free Consumer Act going into place on Feb 10th? Toys, clothing, anything market for children under 13 and made here in the US must be tested for lead. This means at the manufacturing level and on the second hand level-By ebay, thrift, & consignment stores! I found out about it by accident on craigslist, and it just shocked me that our government thought this was a great idea. By all means let's make it harder for families to buy inexpensive things for the children.

This is a article from a political talk show, but I think it nicely covers the common sense side of things. I emailed my congressperson, but since it has already been passed, the only thing I think people can do it make enough of a fuss that we can make get it interpreted better, or possibly junked. Bottom line, buy any second hand items before this law takes effect, because those store may go out of business next month.

Glenn Beck Link

But if you feel so inclined, read more and contact your congressperson too!

Primary Quote

This wasn't my child, but I was teaching sharing time today and we were talking about the War in Heaven. When I asked who was fighting, one little boy replied "The French". It was just so funny!

Emily this afternoon for snack was assembling apple slices, coating them with peanut butter and rolling them in goldfish. People eat apples & cheese, and apples and Peanut butter, but this takes that combo to a whole new level.

My Grandma would be so proud!

Today while reading scriptures, Sydney mentioned something about a friend and me, then she stopped and corrected herself and said her friends name and I! We went over this once a few weeks ago at dinner and she remembered and corrected herself! Oh and did I forget to mention she was doing the reading???? The mind reels!

Baby Teeth

I think my baby is working on his first tooth. I see something white in his gums!!! He isn't even 4 months old yet!

Happy New Year!!

So, Thanksgiving, and Christmas went by in a blur! We have been having a great but very busy time these past few weeks. We went to Connecticut and Massachusetts for Thanksgiving to spend time with my side of the family. We spent some a day with my sister on our way North which was wonderful since they could not join the rest of us in CT. We celebrated Turkey day on Friday this year so we could spend Thursday traveling. It was really weird to know the majority of America was dining on turkey while we were at McDonald's. I wanted to go up to the other diners and say "What's your excuse?" The trip home was incredibly slow! It should have been 9 hours of driving time, 12 including stops. It took 17 1/2 total. Yuck! I was not the driver, but what a long time to spend on the car! Josh was as good as he could be, but after 12 hours, when his little bottom hit the car seat again, he just crumpled up and started to wail. I felt so incredibly bad for him. I had a book (the 4th Twilight book) so my trip flew by faster than any one else's did.

The last month of school went to quickly. I did not feel prepared for Christmas this year. I was working on so many different projects, and none seemed to get done on the time schedule I wanted! But, the big day came and went and everyone had a good time. I am dabbling in jewelery making, sewing, stamps and a bunch of other things as well as my design projects. Our office and bedroom are a mess right now!

In fact, the other day Emily asked why we (Karl and I) got dessert since our room was messy. She said I know it's messy I was in there today! How rude!