I always regret not writing a Christmas letter, which after such a life altering year I really should have just done it. Better late than never.
Dearest Friends and Family,
Greetings from Alamogordo, New Mexico! Yup, this year has yet again brought lots of unexpected change to the Sweat family! Let's recap shall we?
In January both Chris and Helena got baptized at our church by the same pastor that married us. We had a huge brunch afterwards and had a truly blessed day and are so excited that Chris and Helena are truly part of Gods family.
In February Helena had swim lesson at the gym! She did great and continues to love the water!
In April both April and Helena went on a girls trip to Lakeland, Florida to spend time with April's family friend Tina and the Witty Family. We had a great time, and Helena did fantastic on the flights! We had planned a trip to the beach but Helena got sick the night before we left, so the beach trip is still on the list.
Once we returned back from Florida we got the devastating news that Chris had lost his job.
We had lots of family visit this month, a visit from Great-Grandma Mog and Grandma Sweat, and a trip over Easter weekend from Grandpa and Grandma Madrid.
April also got a new position and promotion at CenturyLink to Marketing Analyst!
In May we celebrated Helena's First Birthday with an Owl themed party! She had a great time and she celebrated by taking her very first steps on her first birthday! ...It truly is amazing the change that happens in the first twelve months of life.
Grandpa and Grandma Madrid were there for the party, and Grandpa and Grandma Sweat visited of Memorial Day weekend!
In June we traveled to Scottsbluff, NE for a possible work opportunity for Chris. It was a fun little get away.
In July we celebrated the 4th of July with the Sweat Family and had a lot of fun at a nearby park watching fireworks. The Madrid grandparents also visited for a annual outing to a Colorado Rockies game.
Our family got two big unexpected pieces of news in August. The first was the news of baby number two on the way (a baby BOY coming April 2016)! The second was when April's work announced a 1000 person lay-off, and that April was one of the one's being laid off.
After 12 years with CenturyLink (Qwest) April was laid off the beginning of September. By the end of the month Chris was getting recruited by Aramark to work at a hospital in Alamogordo, NM. By October First we had decided to move. Our beautiful house was on the market 2 and half days before going under contract and closed on 11/30. Our Halloween was spent with movers at our house and staying the night in a hotel room.
We're still getting used to living in a super small town and we miss our home and friends desperately. A huge blessing in all of this change is the opportunity for Chris gives April the opportunity to be a stay at home mom, which is something she has wanted since she had to return to work after Helena was born.
Our baby boy is happy and healthy and we are treasuring our time with Helena as a only child. April is trying not to focus too much on the fact that she will be a mom of two under two (granted even if only for a few weeks) next year and focus on her beautiful family.
We are grateful for all of God's blessings for our parents coming to visit us as much as they did and trying to make Alamogordo feel like home.
Who knows what 2016 will bring, but what we do know is that it'll bring more life altering love! We wish you and yours the same in the New Year!
Blessings and Cheers,
Chris, April, Helena, and baby boy
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