In an effort to minimize paper waste, we decided to publish our annual Christmas letter via this blog! Since most everyone these days are "online," we hope this way to catch-up with us is not an inconvenience.
We hope this blog finds you all well and in the Christmas spirit... The Lord has certainly abundantly blessed our lives this past year. We pray He will bless yours accordingly! 2009 has been a year full of wonder, change and growth.
Last year at this time, we found out that our expected bundle-of-joy had an "XY" chromosome; in other words, the baby was a girl! We went round and round about names, almost until the moment she arrived. My pregnancy was nothing short of trying, as I spent a full month in the hospital before her arrival due to preterm labor and other complications mostly attributed to gestational diabetes. Our thanks and love go out to many of you who visited, called and encouraged me during that time.
Then, at the ripe gestational age of 37 weeks (exactly), she arrived. Perfect. Beautiful. Answered prayer. And full-term! We named her Giana Rosalene Briggs, as Giana means "God's gracious gift." And Rosalene is my two dear grandmother's names combined- Rosaria and Arlene. Since she was born on Cinco de Mayo, we often called her our little burrito, as she loves to be swaddled up tight! :o)
Since Giana's arrival in May, life has gone by like a flash! It is true that time flies when you're having fun. That, and then you begin to measure time by watching a little life grow and develop. Babies aren't babies for long! We're happy to report that Giana is crawling, pulling up and trying to walk already- very mobile for a 7 month old. We hope she waits after the Christmas season to walk independently, otherwise we'll be chasing her nonstop to get away from the pretty tree! :o) Giana is really a happy, healthy, beautiful baby girl. She's been a real delight. She has a BIG personality for such a small girl; and she's got a smile that could melt an iceberg. She's already accustomed to being the Princess in the house. And we're okay with that as long as she knows she is God's Little Princess.
Even though we're parents now, we have still filled the role of "student" in 2009. Arthur is a senior in his undergraduate studies at Liberty University toward a Bachelors in Religious Studies. He hopes to finish his degree by next fall, which is a huge accomplishment amid years of deployment and other military service that had him put his education on hold. I spent this year in various placements for my practicum and internship experiences, which have officially earned me my Masters degree. I graduate December 19th with a Masters of Education in Science Degree in Counseling. We feel the Lord has given us educational opportunities not only to use professionally, but to further His Kingdom. We hope furthering our education opens doors for us down the road. The grand plan is for Arthur to get out of the Army in 2011 to pursue his Masters in Divinity and re-enter the Army in 2014/2015 as a Chaplain. We're excited to see the path the Lord has lain before us!!
Our year in a nutshell has two highlights: Giana and College. Hopefully the second will give the first a better future! All in all, God has blessed us with happiness and health. We're still loving Virginia Beach and the friends we've made who have become like family. Our church community has lovingly embraced us and has made us feel at home time and time again throughout 2009. We are happy to be in this place and in these moments, for such a time as this! We wish you all a blessed 2010 full of more love, happiness and fond memories than your heart can hold!
Love,
Arthur, Jessica & Giana Briggs
We hope this blog finds you all well and in the Christmas spirit... The Lord has certainly abundantly blessed our lives this past year. We pray He will bless yours accordingly! 2009 has been a year full of wonder, change and growth.
Last year at this time, we found out that our expected bundle-of-joy had an "XY" chromosome; in other words, the baby was a girl! We went round and round about names, almost until the moment she arrived. My pregnancy was nothing short of trying, as I spent a full month in the hospital before her arrival due to preterm labor and other complications mostly attributed to gestational diabetes. Our thanks and love go out to many of you who visited, called and encouraged me during that time.
Then, at the ripe gestational age of 37 weeks (exactly), she arrived. Perfect. Beautiful. Answered prayer. And full-term! We named her Giana Rosalene Briggs, as Giana means "God's gracious gift." And Rosalene is my two dear grandmother's names combined- Rosaria and Arlene. Since she was born on Cinco de Mayo, we often called her our little burrito, as she loves to be swaddled up tight! :o)
Since Giana's arrival in May, life has gone by like a flash! It is true that time flies when you're having fun. That, and then you begin to measure time by watching a little life grow and develop. Babies aren't babies for long! We're happy to report that Giana is crawling, pulling up and trying to walk already- very mobile for a 7 month old. We hope she waits after the Christmas season to walk independently, otherwise we'll be chasing her nonstop to get away from the pretty tree! :o) Giana is really a happy, healthy, beautiful baby girl. She's been a real delight. She has a BIG personality for such a small girl; and she's got a smile that could melt an iceberg. She's already accustomed to being the Princess in the house. And we're okay with that as long as she knows she is God's Little Princess.
Even though we're parents now, we have still filled the role of "student" in 2009. Arthur is a senior in his undergraduate studies at Liberty University toward a Bachelors in Religious Studies. He hopes to finish his degree by next fall, which is a huge accomplishment amid years of deployment and other military service that had him put his education on hold. I spent this year in various placements for my practicum and internship experiences, which have officially earned me my Masters degree. I graduate December 19th with a Masters of Education in Science Degree in Counseling. We feel the Lord has given us educational opportunities not only to use professionally, but to further His Kingdom. We hope furthering our education opens doors for us down the road. The grand plan is for Arthur to get out of the Army in 2011 to pursue his Masters in Divinity and re-enter the Army in 2014/2015 as a Chaplain. We're excited to see the path the Lord has lain before us!!
Our year in a nutshell has two highlights: Giana and College. Hopefully the second will give the first a better future! All in all, God has blessed us with happiness and health. We're still loving Virginia Beach and the friends we've made who have become like family. Our church community has lovingly embraced us and has made us feel at home time and time again throughout 2009. We are happy to be in this place and in these moments, for such a time as this! We wish you all a blessed 2010 full of more love, happiness and fond memories than your heart can hold!
Love,
Arthur, Jessica & Giana Briggs
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