tor·tu·ous adjective
full of twists, turns, or bends; twisting, winding, or crooked: a tortuous path.
A Tortuous Timeline—The Reese Family’s Experiences in 2011
January – Katie finishes up teaching at North Lenoir High School and begins life as a full-time mom. Kaden eats his first rice cereal and enters the world of real food!
February –Kaden gets his first tooth, just before his six month birthday.
March – Kaden tries his first park swing. Chad and Katie continue to change lots of diapers.
April – Kaden and Katie fly to Utah and take a road trip with her parents to Washington. In Moses Lake, Kaden sees cows for the first time, meets his Grandpa Great, and plays with some of the same toys his mother did as a child. The tour of Washington then continues to Seattle, where they visit the Tulip Festival in Skagit Valley, explore Pike Place Market, and eat a plethora of delicious foods (all prepared by amazing family members).
May – Chad and Katie close on their first rental property, meaning they will don painting garb for the next month and a half while completing their renovation project.
June – The unexpected happens when Chad is told he will not be employed after August, due to company downsizing. His search for a new job begins. Katie, Chad, and Kaden introduce Katie’s aunt MalaRee and cousins Chloe, Hayden, and Sterling to the beauty of North Carolina beaches (and ocean water warm enough for swimming) when they come for a short visit. Chad and Katie become landlords when their first tenant moves into their rental property.
July— Chad kindly lets Katie and Kaden fly to Utah for another two week visit with her family. Kaden takes his first steps a few days following their return. Chad catches his first sail fish while deep sea fishing with his dad, brother, and sister-in-law.
August—Kaden celebrates his first birthday at his circus-themed shindig, eagerly devouring his funfetti cupcake. Katie signs a contract with Lenoir County Schools and returns to the work force as a high school English teacher. Chad stays home with Kaden as a full-time dad. Hurricane Irene leaves the family with no electricity (and thus with no air conditioning) for five days.
September – Chad’s parents generously take the family to Myrtle Beach, South Carolina for a weekend getaway. Katie’s brother, Bryan, comes at the end of the month for a weekend visit during military leave.
October – Kaden, with a perfected roar, makes an adorable lion cub on Halloween.
November –Chad is offered a job with Capital Bank in Raleigh, giving everyone something extra to be thankful for (just in time for Thanksgiving). A “For Sale” sign appears in the Reese’s front yard. Katie informs her principal she will be moving at the start of the new semester (end of January).
December – Chad starts his job in Raleigh, leaving Katie as a single mom four nights a week. Chad’s dodge ball team wins the championship tournament for the third year in a row. Suitcases are packed for Utah, where Christmas festivities will be enjoyed with Katie’s family.
Our Dear Family and Friends,
What a year it has been! While the tortuous path we’ve been on this year may not be what we had in mind, it has certainly been full of blessings in disguise. We are excited for the many changes the New Year promises for our family. As we celebrate Christmas and contemplate the birth of our Savior, Jesus Christ, our hearts are filled with gratitude for him. We are thankful also for a loving Heavenly Father, who has been aware of our needs through the many twists and turns we have experienced this year. We hope you have a wonderful holiday season. We love you! --Chad, Katie, and Kaden Reese
You guys are ridiculously cute.
ReplyDeleteThat does sound like quite a year! You should look Marya up in Raleigh, that's cool you will both be in the same city after teaching at good old Lehi High.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful family! Sounds like quite the year - :)
ReplyDeleteLove the pictures! Congrats on Chad's job. I know Mrs. Joy is going to miss having you all in Kinston!
ReplyDeleteI am grateful I got to see you TWICE this year! It was so fun doing lunch. We hope we get to see you again soon. xxx
ReplyDeletethanks for our christmas card! it was so fun to get in the mail. isn't it amazing how much can change in a year? blows my mind every single december. here's to a calm 2012!!
ReplyDeleteps- i'm so happy that chad found a job. what a relief!
ReplyDeleteI am so glad chad got a job. I loved getting you Christmas letter and would love to see you if you have anytime the next time you come home. I hope to run into your Dad at the Nursery like my sister use to do. What a year you have had. I can relate with all the twists and turns just in a different way.
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