Merry Christmas to all

I wanted to wish everyone a very Merry Christmas this year. Its been a long bittersweet year for a lot of people. Lots of highs and many more lows! I know we've all been there. But please, at tihs time of year - remember your loved ones, remember my mom. just know they are in heaven looking down at us and are with us in spirit. Celebrating all the while with us. Its hard to feel it many days - but please try. My mom would want us to be happy and remember her joy and smiles and laugh. She would not want us to sit and be sad all the time or remembering that bad times at the end. So - go out and smile and laugh for my mom. have the Friday at 4's that she started at Citizens. If there were anyone in my office or cube land - I'd start that too. unfortunately - very few people are left.

Be thankful for the ones you have with you now. If you are fighting or for some strange reason, can't remember why you don't talk to someone - mend that fence now. You don't know when you will have that chance again! This is the time. Make 2005 a year of change and loving the life and people you do have. Its hard - but do it. I know I cherish as much time as I can get with my family. I want us to be happy and we will be. Heck - we have a cute little boy that will live through mom's spirit and love. He'll start talking about her someday like he was there - so just do that.

sorry for the craziness - not sure what that's about - I just need to have mom remembered - so remember your loved ones. I know many people are struggling with many other issues - so take care of yourselves and live every day like its your last. Don't go to bed mad or angry - always kiss your family good night.

I hope the snow doesn't hit everyone too hard this week - drive careful and ring in the new year!
love,
Gail (and gang)

Dedication, Rolling and sitting

Well we have had a big week! Last Sunday, Nate was dedicated at grandpa Doug's church! It was very special. That is the same place Uncle Marcus and I were dedciated at years ago! We had lots of the family from Michigan there to share in the day (with a few friends added in too). Nate even had his Aunt Jen and Ann from NY here for the special day. He LOVED being with both of them. His aunt Jen and him got along great! He loves her tons and tons.

Today we celebrated the Wilcox Christmas with aunt Darlene and gang. We had a good time. Nate started to roll over from back to front. He still needed a tad assitance, but almost has it. He also was able to sit up with out any assistance holding him up. Well both tasks need a LOT of practice. The sitting up MUST be monitored because he likes to tumble over still. It only lasts a few minutes. But today was the longest. It was just a fun day.

Nate also helped us do some Christmas shopping yesterday. He had fun flirting with anyone and everyone that would take a look at him. He impressed one man so much that he actually gave Nate $1! That was really sweet. WEll this week is a 4 day week for the holiday. We'll be spending lots of time with the family for Christmas eve and day. We'll miss Grandma, aunt Jen and Tj though. Next year!

Better get going - big week at work this week. The Big three are totally pulling all their work out of our plants. So we'll be shutting down much sooner than they ever anticipated. What fun that will be. HOpefully we'll make it through this week! But I"m allowed to look for jobs at work now - so that is good.

Time to get going - both of us are exhausted today. Long and busy weekend.

Big update

Well this will have to be a big update - I didn't realize its been so long since the last post - ops.

Life just has been really busy with the holidays and all that. Nate's doing great - he's enjoying his cereal a lot. He's also adjusted to the soy formula - it seems to be helping! WE haven't given him cold medicine for about a week now! So that is a huge plus! He's happy as can be. He's making new noises of "glee" now. Its cute. I guess he had a belly bustin laugh yesterday at daycare. They had him laying on the floor with another little boy and then suddenly just heard someone laughing! It was Nate! They said it was the cutest thing! WE can't wait to hear it ourselves! But he's just as happy as can be, so that is good.

Last night, we attended a candlelight service to remember mom and grandpa and everyone else. It was really nice. Nate wanted to talk through the whole thing. Craig did take him out to another room - a large empty room. So he realized how his voice can echo Craig said! He was enjoying that new excitement as well! Craig said he was really talking up a storm - very loudly and making all sorts of noises to hear them echo! Too cute.

He's also 5 months old yesterday! Yeah - getting big and out growing clothes left and right. This weekend we are having him dedicated in dad's church! So that will be nice - we are very excited. Craig's sister and "aunt" Ann are coming in for it as well. So this will be a very special event for our family.

Us - doing great. Craig's finally got some interviews going to find a replacement for his job so he can focus on the promotion to manager! That will really help - he's enjoying his job a lot too! My job - well Oxford Automotive finally declared bankruptcy this past week! So life has been interesting and finally coming to an end. They did start laying people off this week -b ut I was told I should be ok - probably till March 31st. That is the deadline -either there will be nothing, or they will sell the operating plants by then. WE hope for the sale. One company is very interested, but slow in making things final. And with this weeks move - the plants are now on the auction block for the highest bidder. So we'll see. IF the interested party gets moving - its possible I can stay there. One good thing, they are looking at office space in Plymouth! Yeah - closer to home and Nate's daycare!!!! Bad thing - 15-20% pay cut fromt he start! Now that will be a huge hit to anyone. But things can change with the wind - so until its done and over I'm there. I don't know if I totally trust some people that say I"m safe till the end of March -

Other than that - I've been enjoying 8 days of vacation - I haven't had a full week since before thanksgiving and won't until next year! I took another 2 days this week and 2 more next! Yeah. Then I"m getting the week between the holidays off as well - can't wait! I'm so spoiled at this point.

Well I should go - the house is a mess and needs some major attention.
Love,
Gail - and family