Xoxoxoxox

12/12/12

Dear family and friends,

Holiday hugs and kisses from South Carolina to ya’ll this Christmas. We are celebrating on our own this year—one of many family firsts we can chalk up to 2012. Each “first” has brought with it a sense of magic, anxiety, thrill, and--of course--a whole lot of love.

Jonny had too many firsts to count this year. Our lives changed in March when we opened the fated “match day” letter to read where we were headed for the next phase of our lives (medical residency). I don’t think I’ve ever seen Jonny so nervous—rivaled only by the night he proposed to me. But even that is a tough call.  We read that we would be in South Carolina for transitional year (one year) and then back to the Huntsman Cancer Institute for four years of Radiation Oncology training. An MD graduation and cross country move later, he started his first “real” job, began setting his alarm at 4am to round on his first patients and signed “Dr. Frandsen” on his first set prescriptions.  As difficult as it can be, he loves his job and keeps life balanced with healthy doses of recreation. Jonny finished his first 100 mile bike race, “The Blue Ridge Breakaway,” (placing in the top 20, might I add). It was an amazing first.

We love exploring our new Southern territory.  A string of miracles led our family to rent a little cottage on a lake during our stay in SC. We packed only what we could fit in our cars and drove across the country (a definite first) toward our new home on Sunward Path.  It is a magical place where I let the laundry hang dry while I read to the boys on the porch swing. The best afternoons begin in the canoe and end with a contest to see who can jump the furthest off the dock.  More than anything in SC, we love the people we’ve met.  We were immediately enveloped by the ward out here (our first non-student ward). I joined my first active book club, became a part of the Young Women’s organization, and chipped away at the first few chapters for that book I want to write.

Aaron’s year has been one big first after the next.  He moved for the first time, learned how to swim on his own, joined his first flag football team, started his first year in public school (4k), read his first book, started practicing on his first violin, owned his first few pet frogs, and ran wild in the Atlantic Ocean for the first time.  He faces every first with such courage, masking his fears by flexing his muscles.  He loves to be strong (and is as determined as ever to show is strength), but has a sensitive soul that still makes my heart melt. 

Our jolly Jared Jonathan had a few firsts of his own.  This year he started speaking in full sentences (so sudden it was as if the words dropped out of the blue). He threw his first real tantrums, sat around his first campfire, met his uncle Jake (home from a mission) for the first time, and stole his first few hearts (his nursery leaders).  But who wouldn’t love a little guy who sings to himself, gives plenty of hugs and goes around saying, “I look awesome!” Even if he has learned exactly how to get under Aaron’s skin, he is so loved.

We hope your holidays are filled with a whole lot of love. Thank you for your influence in our lives.  XOXO-Jonny, Mel, Aaron and JJ Frandsen

melifrandsen@gmail.com * jonathanfrandsen@gmail.com