How do you write a Christmas letter about 2008?

To say that 2008 has been a whirlwind year is a gross understatement. The ramp-up in January came to an abrupt halt when our son, Adam, decided to arrive early. Lydia's record-time labor has sort of set the pace for the year - expecting the unexpected.

As we grew used to the 24/7 nature of parenting an infant, the Internet really proved helpful to keep track of things like Adam's first doctor visit, his early cry sounds, early victories in sleeping, pictures from his first trip outside the house, and other firsts you wouldn't find in a baby book.

In March, our ebay and paypal accounts were compromised (lesson: change your password and make it strong,) but we thankfully ended up with no loss.

The summer was spent on the road, on what Lydia called the Great Hymnalpalooza Tour of 2008. At work, we launched the LifeWay Worship Project, which included the 2008 edition of Baptist Hymnal. We made a trial run trip to Atlanta to meet Aunt Allison (who was featured on TBS's "Movie and a Makeover" this year!) and then hit the road, going to Ridgecrest, the SBC annual meeting, Glorieta and Austin for the National Worship Leader Conference. It was capped off on August 8, 2008 with the Nashville PraiSing event at the Schermerhorn Symphony Center.

Lydia has been working twenty-four hours a day at being Adam's mom, but taking time to be involved with her Missions in the Morning group and her Moms Together book group. She's been able to help with things like the Nashville Baptist Association Toy Store.

In September, we visited Texas to meet the relatives. In October, we visited a pumpkin farm with our good friends the Owens, Patrick and his team launched lifewayworship.com, and Adam got his first tooth, but by far, the biggest news in October was the arrival of Adam's new cousin Zoe.

The rest of the year has been a blur, primarily because Lydia had some post-Adam surgery done in the first week of November which has slowed her down. We did manage to get to Kentucky to visit Adam's second and third cousins on his mother's side, and Adam got his picture taken with Santa.

We're still teaching Sunday School and singing in the choir, and you can find us often on Facebook connecting with friends old and new. We're looking forward to 2009 and all the new ways that God will teach us how His Christmas incarnation continues to touch our lives and yours all year long.

Love,

Patrick, Lydia and Adam