2008 Recap

It's amazing how fast a year can seem as you recap all of the fun (and even not-so-fun) times in one place, isn't it? Here is a copy of our Christmas letter that actually turned into a New Year's letter :o) I tried to scan the letter with the cool backdrop that was with it, but it just didn't work. Here's the text...

Greetings and Happy New Year!

2008 was filled with many blessings for the Irwins, as well as a few hardships. However, as we consider the past year, it is evident that God has blessed us immensely. A quick recap of our 2008:

We were able to wrap up our January with a whirlwind trip to Hawaii as we celebrated Steve’s Dad’s retirement as a pilot with American Airlines. We were blessed to be on Captain Irwin’s final flights to and from Hawaii. Though it was a very short trip (less than 24 hours in Hawaii, actually), we were so lucky to be able to share in that special time with family.

In March, we were blessed to be able to send Steve for a “Guys Week” with his Dad, where they spent time skiing in Mammoth Lakes (which I would venture to say may be the favorite place of each of them). From what I heard, it was a great time, and I even heard rumors of some beard-growing from my normally clean-shaven husband. Now if that isn’t a Guy’s Week, what is?

We received a surprise blessing in April, as we discovered we were expecting our first child! We were so excited and anticipated a December 21st arrival. Unfortunately, with that blessing came one of our hardships of the year…over Memorial Day weekend in May, Liesl miscarried our baby 10 weeks and 1 day into the pregnancy. How amazing, though, as we truly were lifted up by the prayers and support of our family and friends from all over the country. Thank you, Lord, for our friends and family! May was also the official half-way point of Steve’s schooling, as he completed his 2nd year at the University of Oklahoma’s School of Meteorology. He has continued his employment with the National Severe Storms Lab, even taking on a leadership role with the summer S.H.A.V.E. (Severe Hazards Analysis and Verification Experiment) project and gaining some valuable experience!

June was a fun-filled month for Liesl, as she had the opportunity to participate in a professional musical production of The Sound of Music with Lyric Theatre of Oklahoma City. She was in the Nun Chorus, and made some valuable friendships through the experience.

In July, we were blessed with the opportunity to take a little vacation up to Branson, MO. Norman got to stay home with Grandpa and Grandma Irwin. It was the first time in Branson for both of us, and we really enjoyed it! We took a dinner cruise along the river, visited a couple wineries, spent a lot of time along the shops at the Promenade (highly recommend that!), and just enjoyed each other while Steve didn’t have to think about school/work, and Liesl had some time off work.

In August, before Steve started his Junior year of school, we had the opportunity to take a camping trip in some record heat. We made some memories, that’s for sure, with a heat index of 112 most of the time. Lots of cold showers, and sweating. Still, we do love camping and it was a wonderful way to wrap up our summer. Liesl was also blessed to be able to participate in another musical, Annie Get Your Gun, at the Jewel Box Theatre in Oklahoma City during August/September. She performed with that theatre last year, and it was fun to re-connect and also make new friends!

September brought some change. After almost 2 years with the Department of Surgery at the OU Health Sciences Center, Liesl was offered a too-good-to-pass-up opportunity with Chesapeake Energy Corporation. It is a great company that values their employees and she is really enjoying it. Another huge blessing.

In October, we were blessed to spend some more time with extended family as we headed to Colorado to be a part of Steve’s cousin’s wedding, and then we celebrated our 3rd Anniversary on October 8th. In November we had the privilege of hosting Liesl’s parents and brother for Thanksgiving. We sure miss our families, so we cherish the times we get to spend with them.

December has come and gone already…it’s hard to believe another year has passed. We wish your families many blessings as we celebrate the birth of God’s Son. In a time where the world has seen a lot of change and many hardships, it is a comfort to know we serve a God who is not surprised by any of this, and—better yet—has it under his sovereign control. What a blessing that is!

Hope you and your families had a wonderful holiday season, and we wish you a happy 2009!
With love,
Steve and Liesl Irwin