Goodbye 2008!

This year has been filled with some major events, both in the Brazile household and all over the world. As we reflect on lessons learned and the milestones we were blessed to see, we look ahead to 2009 with hope, anticipation of great things to come and the relief of leaving some things behind.

The resolution of the Brazile household this year is simple: to separate our lives into that which we'll make time for, and that which we won't. This will encompass everything from more travel and healthier lifestyles to spending more time with Kenn and watching her grow.

We can't wait to take you on this fantastic ride with us as we move and shake our way through what will be an amazing year! The best is yet to come...have an awesomely reflective day, and a rocking new year!!! Stay tuned!

Love,

The Braziles

A Literacy PSA from Kennedy...on Christmas Morning!

A Very Merry!...

Hi All!

Christmas was amazing! The Braziles are really big on giving ,so we enjoyed speaking to relatives and hearing how much they enjoyed their gifts. As for us, we got the biggest, best, most amazing present ever on Christmas Eve!!! I told Kenna 'I love YOU!', and she answered, 'I of OOOH!'...I teared up with amazement, and KB just stared at her in awe!

We surprised Kenn on Christmas morning with a new playroom (formerly the unused dining room) equipped with an ABCs playmat, new toys and books! Amid playing, our gracious and amazing little one stopped playing to get up and give us both hugs! As a parent, knowing that on some level she's conscious of her blessings brings us so much joy. And it is absolutely hilarious that she goes "awwwww" whenever she does something sweet! Kyle and I also enjoyed opening our present from her, a framed picture decorated with snowflakes and her little fingerprints. She made t in school, and KB has already claimed it for his desk at work.

In other news, Kenn had her checkup on Christmas Eve, and while she is average in height and a lightweight, out girl is in the 99th percentile for development! The doctor was super impressed wit her vocabulary, and ability to finish songs like "Ring around the Rosie" and "Wheels on the Bus". She even got extra points for closing a book I was holding and saying "Eee N". Translation...the end!

Auntie Sharma...

This past weekend, Kenn met her Auntie Sharma, the third in my Chicago trilogy of girlfriends. Can you say head over heels!?! Kenn doesn't have a great history of taking to women quickly. She loves her Godmom Pori and although she loves her Grammy and my sister (Auntie Joi), you better believe they had to work hard for that relationship! Auntie Sharma, however, was loved right away!

She literally spent the weekend hugging and chatting it up with her. She took to Auntie Keish and Auntie Carmin much the same way, but hands down, Auntie Sharma's her fav of the three. I'm so glad she loves them just as much as I do!

In other news, after receiving Kenn's gifts by shipment from her Auntie Seela and Uncle Daran (Kyle's brother and our sister in law), along with gifts from Grammy and Pops, we have decided to turn our vacant dining area into Kenn's playroom...pictures are forthcoming!

Little Miss Opinionated!

So, lately its been becoming increasingly clear that

A.) Kenn has her own ideas about how life should go
B.) Kenn is in control
C.) We're just here for the ride.

For several reasons, including that Kyle and I both work in Chapel Hill now, we moved Kenn to an awesome Christian school closer to where we work. The teachers are very engaging, she learns something new everyday, and its immaculately clean. When picking her up from school the other day, she told her daddy 'bye' and waved followed by her signature blowing of the kiss. Nothing abnormal to us, since they say bye bye ALL the time, even when she's not leaving.

Her teachers then turn to us and ask "Does Kennedy talk much at home?". We both end up laughing because we initially thought they were kidding...but, they were not... Turns out the little one who hums her ABCs while walking around the house, constantly command us to say ahh, put our hands up and sit down (yes, she really owns us) doesn't say a word during the day. We think she just has to get used to them, but she's aware of what she's doing...when asked if she talks to her teachers, she shook her head NO in a way that makes me think she's hazing her teachers...and maybe even her friends...

We're home again today, so I'll let you know if things change when she goes back on Monday...

In other news, Auntie Sharma's coming to town tomorrow, and cousin John is sick :(...

Welcome!

Hi All!

We've officially moved into our new cyber house. I had some time to work on it since the little one is at home sick today :(. Now that she's at her new school, she's adjusting to a whole new set of germs. She's also adjusting to new dietary options. We don't give her much sugar at home, and since they don't drain the fruit cups at school like we do (obsessive, I know!), the sugary syrup messes with her tummy a bit. She also had a wicked cough, so we took a sick trip to the doctor.

We saw a new pediatrician at her office, and he was awesomely thorough. You get doctors these days who act a little like their herding cattle. This one sat down, and even chatted it up with Kenn before examining her!

Tonight, we'll probably add on to the Christmas decor in our house. I'll let you know how it goes!