2005 Christmas Yearly Update

December 2005

Dear family and friends,

It is that time once again to look back over this past year and catch up with family and friends.  We look forward to hearing from each of you and your families at this time of year, to see how God has sustained and blessed you.  We have had a year of changes, but are so thankful for how God worked everything out according to His purpose and plan.

The beginning of 2005 started with Ethan taking his first steps.  He accomplished this independent feat while walking to Uncle Zach’s arms on New Year’s Eve last year.  What an exciting New Year’s gift!  So, since the beginning of the year, Ethan has not only been walking, but running too, and keeping his mommy and daddy busy trying to keep up!  Ethan turned 1 year old on Feb. 3, 2005.  So, at the time of this letter, the nearly 3 foot tall “not so little” guy is only 2 months away from turning 2!  He started attending a half day preschool program twice weekly at our church in August.  He enjoys playing with all of his new little school friends and singing, reading, painting, and drawing.  He is learning new words every day, although he is “choosy” as to when and who he will share his vocabulary with.  Lately, the words of choice are “elf,” “snowman,” “Rudolph,” “star,” “dentist,” . . . all words from his favorite DVD, “Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer.” J 

This past summer brought many changes to our schedules and work lives.  At the end of June, we felt the Lord leading us to follow His lead and for Jill to quit her job at Milliken, where she had been working for the past 2 ½ years, in the Cost Accounting department.  We had been feeling that she should be at home with Ethan ever since she went back to work full time when he was 3 months old.  So, we finally took the step of faith, and Jill turned in her four week notice mid June.  Well, then on June 30^th, Scott was unexpectedly let go from his job at 84 Lumber.  We did not understand why this would be happening, especially since we thought we were submitting to God’s will for our family.  But even though Milliken offered to let Jill stay on at her job for as long as needed, we still felt like God was saying, “Trust Me.”  So, Jill’s last day was on July 15^th, as planned, and Scott began looking for another job.

Thankfully, Scott was able to secure a new job at Huttig Building Products at the beginning of August, and has been working there as an Inside Salesman for premium clad windows and doors.  Although his commute is about 30 minutes now, as opposed to his prior 10 minute commute, it is worth it to be in a job that is both rewarding and enjoyable.  He is excited to be a part of a company that sold building materials to 85% of America’s new home starts last year.

While Scott is working during the day at his 8 – 5 job, Jill is now at home working her day job watching Ethan full time.  She also is babysitting a friend’s little girl, who is 4 days younger than Ethan, three days a week.  So, it is a little taste of what it would be like to have another one, or should we say what it would be like to have twins! J  Then in the evenings, Jill commutes her 30 minutes (1 hour with traffic) to Level One Central Leasing Solutions, where she works a part time 20 hour a week job as a marketing associate selling apartment homes to customers throughout the nation.  Her evening work hours are Mondays – Thursdays from 6:30 – 12 midnight.  So, then after returning home a little before 1 am, she tries to squeeze in a little sleep before the day shift of watching the kids begins again at 7:30 am.    (over)à

While it is a hectic schedule, Jill is grateful to have more time with Ethan during the daytimes now.  Family time with all three of us is limited to mainly Fridays – Sundays now, but we are thankful for the time we do have together.  We look forward to the day when we are able to have Jill’s only job be that of a “stay at home mom,” without the added evening job. J  All in God’s perfect timing though!
We continue to enjoy having our families close by.  We were able to take a much needed vacation to Hilton Head Island, SC with Scott’s parents in July.  Ethan absolutely LOVED the beach.  It was never an option to enter the waves any other way than running and diving in head first!  Swimming lessons aren’t too far away at all.  Jill’s parents continue to live nearby as well, where Jill’s mom helps out with watching Ethan in the evening times, when Jill is getting ready to leave for her part time job and Scott hasn’t arrived home from work yet.  It is definitely nice for Ethan to have both sets of grandparents nearby!  Jill’s sisters continue to do well also.  Megan is still living in Baltimore, MD where she works the night shift as an ER nurse.  Stacy and her husband, Zach, are still in Gainesville, FL, where Stacy teaches over 40 piano students and Zach is pursuing his Doctorate degree at the University of Florida.  We enjoy frequent visits throughout the year from Aunt Megan, Aunt Stacy, and Uncle Zach!  J

We hope all is well with you and your families.  Please stay in touch and let us know how you are!  We would love to hear from you or have you stop by anytime you’re in the Spartanburg, SC area!  (We’re only a short drive to the mountains and/or beaches!)

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

Scott, Jill, and Ethan Brisken