Christmas time 2009!

"Caroline 3 years, William 1 year, Kathryn 5 months"

It has been a while since my last post! As usual, we have stayed busy in the Tarpley house! For those of you who missed our Chritmas card this year, I want to post our annual Christmas letter! Enjoy!

Merry Christmas from the Tarpley’s 2009
Volume V
Dear Friends,

We hope this letter finds you and your family well! The year of 2009 has been one of excitement and adventures (to say the least)!! As you can tell by our picture, we have introduced a little one into our lives! Kathryn Alice Tarpley was born June 26th, 2009. She weighed only 5lbs. 14.5oz, and was 19 inches long! She was born happy and healthy, and named after each of our Grandmothers (Catherine Pawley was Joel’s Grandmother and Mildred Alice Hankla was my Grandmother). We feel like a part of each of them lives on through her. She has her daddy’s grin, my father’s eyes, and my fireball personality!


"Kathryn like to taste EVERYTHING!"

She is our little bundle of joy, and she has truly rocked our world!! Kathryn has tested us both in every possible way! We have been blessed with colic (hence my sarcasm), we never get as much sleep as we want or need, and some days we struggle just to make it to the shower….. But in the same ways that she has tested us, she has taught us so much. She has shown us the true meaning of unconditional love and the importance of slowing down and enjoying the moment. She has made our love stronger, our home happier, and the future brighter. She has taught us how quickly the time goes by, and to cherish all of our moments with her (even the terrible, horrible, no good very bad days!)!

In addition to being a new daddy, Joel is in his 5th year at Camp Creek Elementary School as a P.E. teacher. He continues to love his job, and the kiddos adore him! Joel officially wrapped up his career as a graduate student at UGA (4 years and 2 degrees later)! He graduated a few weeks after Kathryn was born! He finished with a Masters AND a Specialist in Educational Administration & Policy. We are so proud of him! Baby Kathryn LOVES her Daddy (almost as much as her Daddy loves her). It is true; she is going to be a Daddy’s girl!

As for me, I have learned to slow down for the first time in my life. I am working PRN a few days a month as a nurse at Emory, and I continue to work as a coach at Dynamo Swim Club in the evenings (this is my real passion). I have been so blessed to be able to have the kind of job that will allow me to stay home and raise our baby girl. I continue to coach in the summer at Leslie Beach Club. This summer was a rough one (when I was 8 ½ months pregnant on the pool deck)! I could not have made it through without the love and support of my penguins (you know who you are…. Thank you!).

Our four-legged children Maddie and Dooley have adjusted well to baby Kathryn joining our lives. When she first came home from the hospital, I think they were both waiting for her to return from wherever she came from! Maddie is getting older in her age (she will be 10 in January!), and will let Kathryn play on her for a little while. Dooley is Kathryn’s favorite play buddy because she always up for any excitement and has a very fascinating tail!


"Kathryn with her sisters Maddie (9 years) & Dooley (5 years)"

As Joel and I wait in anticipation for the Joy of Christmas to arrive, we realize that we are blessed beyond measure. God has given us such an awesome gift! He challenges us every day to trust Him, show kindness, and give love. As we all rush through this busy season, slow down and remember the reason we celebrate:

Once in royal David's city stood a lowly cattle shed,
Where a mother laid her baby in a manger for His bed:
Mary was that mother mild, Jesus Christ her little child.
He came down to earth from heaven, Who is God and Lord of all,
And His shelter was a stable, And His cradle was a stall;
With the poor, and mean, and lowly, Lived on earth our Saviour Holy.

Thank you for being a part of our lives! We hope to see all of you soon!
With Love,

Joel, Amanda, Kathryn, Maddie, & Dooley


"This picture says it all...... Merry Christmas"