Happy Holidays!

Happy Holidays from the Loftus Quartet! We thought we would attempt a holiday letter this year to let everyone know that we are healthy, happy, and optimistic that 2011 will be another great year for our little family. As we reflect on 2010, we realize time is moving at much too fast a momentum and life gets busier and busier with each passing moment. We hope this letter finds everyone in good health and joyful hearts. I’ll be brief in our family update and do my best to stick to the facts :o)

Martin J.Loftus once told me that boys should be born wearing helmets. Martin T. Loftus wasn’t sure what to make of that statement being that his father’s knowledge of this must have been based on his own childhood, but 2010 proved my father-in-law’s statement to be true. Christian is 100% boy and I find myself repeatedly stating, “Slow down, sit down, settle down, calm down, quiet down…” Apparently “down” is the common denominator in most phrases used towards our tenacious three-year-old. However, amongst all that wonderful energy, there lies a sweet and lovable little man. He adores his father and at least 104 times a day he claims that he will grow up to be a “fixer-helper” with his dad because HIS dad, and ONLY HIS dad, can fix anything in the whole world and they are the best buddies ever!

It is amazing how with your first child you cannot wait for their first words and phrases and then with your second child, you realize that as soon as they begin talking, silence as you know it will cease to exist. Christian’s speech has exploded this year and I cherish that adorable way he pronounces words with the “r” sound, but as you can imagine, we hardly get two words in while our children are awake.

Marissa is now in the 1st grade (unbelievable!) and her speech and pronunciation is starting to sound more like her brother’s…I guess we could blame her teeth for that, or rather, the lack there of; this has been a year of frequent visits from the tooth fairy. The lack of teeth has not slowed her down in regards to being a little chatterbox at school though! Regardless of her articulation, her reading and writing skills are sky-rocketing and she is excelling in all school subjects. This year, she has taken great interest in history. She’s always eager to learn more about Native Americans, Pilgrims, Colonial times and more recently, Maryland history. We took a couple trips this year to historical landmarks. We visited Uncle Greg and Aunt Diana in Colonial Williamsburg and then visited friends in Massachusetts to see Plymouth Rock and Plimoth Plantation.

Marissa’s obvious true love is music. This is apparent in her non-stop singing. She is in her third year of piano lessons and she is progressing beautifully. I like to say that Marissa wakes up with a “song in her heart”. The happier she is, the more she sings. She finds music in just about every moment of the day and it is both wonderful and challenging to hear the music coming from every cell in her body. We will be amazed if Marissa doesn’t grow to have some career in musical arts. We do our best to teach her appropriate moments to share her melodious delight, but we’re quickly realizing that we are characters in the musical production, “The Life and Song of Marissa Loftus”. We’ll be sure and notify you all when this hits Broadway.

Marty and I are working hard, as usual, and there isn’t much to report on the business front. We’re still in business and that’s a blessing in itself based on the previous years in this economy! Our businesses were not immune to the struggles 2009 and 2010 brought upon so many, but we buckled down and persevered and we truly hope 2011 brings brighter days for all! Marty has started another business venture and we’re optimistic that it will do well. He’s working with a partner and they started the business, LB HOMES, a design and build company. As you know, Marty loves new projects and I think this will be something he can really sink his teeth into!
Our main goal for 2010 was improving our health, both physically and mentally. We both lost a substantial amount of weight and in my efforts to keep up with my young husband; I pushed myself to extreme goals and competed in a Women’s Figure Competition, a division of Body Building. I did very well, considering it was my first time competing in this athletic event. I worked with an amazing personal trainer for over 6 months and got into the best shape of my life! I was so fascinated by the science and the process that I went on to achieve a certificate in personal training myself.

Marty was an immense support and trained and dieted alongside me. He researched everything from supplements to diet plans, bought kitchen equipment, developed workout routines, tolerated “carb cycling”, etc. It gave us something to work on together and we truly enjoyed the process. We were both competitive and supportive towards each other and I believe we discovered another element in our friendship through it all. I would say that both Marty and I are in top shape and feeling very good!

Marty and I just returned from our annual trip to Cabo San Lucas, Mexico. We had a wonderful 5 days as a couple and enjoyed the weather, the food, the peace…but definitely missed the kids and home. We’re back just in time for the freezing temperatures, snow and holiday bustle. We will be spending Christmas here in Annapolis and then heading to Bethany Beach for the New Year. We hope that everyone’s holiday season is filled with love, laughter, family and friends and may 2011 bring prosperity and many blessings for all!

Loving Life

I think that my greatest achievement has been becoming a mother. My kids are an absolute joy and even in the trying moments, I see that they are beautiful people who love life.

My daugther is just about the happiest person I've ever known. She sings, dances, talks (a little too much at school) and rarely has a bad day. She's so thoughtful and is great at problem solving because she looks for a solution that makes everyone happy. I've always been a little strict with her, but that's because I want to instill strong values and a good work ethic; looking at who she is at 6 years old, I feel confident that she will grow to be an amazing woman!

I was thinking the other day about who Marissa really is and what makes her so happy and I realized that the answer is really so simple. Marissa LOVES life. She finds joy and beauty in just about everything around her. She's optimistic; she's a dreamer, but she always creates her own happiness. What a great lesson for us all to learn! She doesn't rely on others to fulfill her life, she strives to bring happiness to others and she is confident that the world is full of magic and love.

You know, I believe she's right! How could anyone argue that when they see the kindness of a stranger, the love and friendship of siblings, the devotion of parents to their children and the perseverance of humanity in a crazy world. Obviously, with beauty and love comes ugliness and hate, but I'll take Marissa's stance, "love your life and take each moment with a smile!"

Before 30

My birthday came and went and man was it lovely! My husband made sure that I had a relaxing weekend and I really enjoyed myself!

As I reflected back on my 29 years, I realize that I am truly a blessed individual and I have so much to be thankful for. I can't believe how my life has turned out and I know that I too often take my life for granted.

Not that I think 30 is old, but since it is noted as a "milestone" in life, I will go ahead and create a list of things that I would like to accomplish this year.

1. Run a half marathon
2. Participate in the warrior dash
3. have a real start to my first book
4. travel wine country
5. take latin dance lessons


I'm sure that the list will grow. I've got 364 days to go, so I better get crackin'!

Turning 29

My birthday is in less than a week. I'm entering my last year of my twenties and I can't tell you how much I've looked forward to my thirties! However, now that I'm approaching 30, I'm starting to feel like time is moving too fast. My twenties were hard. I had a lot of growing pains, but I had a lot of joy too! I met my husband, got married, had two beautiful children, started a business... I have so much to be thankful for!

I can't help but wonder what my thirties will bring... What will I accomplish and what things do I have around the corner? I'm going to create a list of things that I would like to do before turning the big 3-0 and I'm also going to compile a list of things that I would like to do in my thirties! I'm excited, I think that my life is moving in a fabulous direction and I look forward to what this next decade will bring!

Harmony

I'm not sure I should even breathe this aloud; perhaps I'll jinx myself or spoil the moment. I'll do my best to not sound as though I'm gloating, but I can honestly say that my life is pretty damn near perfect. It's about time, too! After the year we've had, it is sweet relief to be able to openly admit that things are going so well. Mind you, we still have the daily issues, the bump and grind of hard work and the challenges of the not-so-hot economy. But overall, I feel that life, my life, has found harmony.

My children are at an extremely fun age. I didn't think I would enjoy Marissa being 6 as much as I do, but its turning out to be one of my most favorite stages! She's such a sweet sweet girl! She's smart and enthusiastic and just so full of life! I love it! She has really blossomed at school and even though she's a bit of a chatter box, I think for the most part she's doing very well. She's quieter at home and more thoughtful. She's also much more helpful than she's ever been. She does chores, helps with her brother and her and I share the most interesting conversations. She is an absolute delight...

Christian has hit the terrible 3's. Whoever came up with the "terrible 2's" obviously never had children. 2's were a breeze! 3's are a nightmare! Well, only a nightmare when the 3 year old doesn't get his way. Christian is talkative, funny, strong-willed and persistent. He's enjoyable because he's communicating so much better, but because he's communicating so much better...he's also much more demanding. Well, at least I know that this is just a phase and soon I'll be wishing he was still 3 and allowing me to cuddle him in my lap. As we know, boys grow up and their mother will not always be their number 1 gal. I'll take this while I can and appreciate him being so young.

Marty is my best friend. We're closer now than we've ever been in the almost 9 years we've been together. He's a saint. I say that a million times, I know, but its the truth. He's solid and steady and just always knows how to handle any situation. He's my level head and my voice of reason; anyone that knows me knows I definitely need a voice of reason! I just feel so connected to him and confident in our relationship. I don't question his love for me or the kids and I know that I bring so much to his life as well. I feel balanced.

Life is good. I definitely feel like I see the rainbow I've been searching for!

My Baby Boy is THREE

It's hard to believe that Christian is already three. He is just the sweetest little guy in the whole world. He is constantly cracking jokes, giving kisses and hugs and the stuff he says will just make you turn your head and listen!

This year, we celebrated with a Monster Party. He loved every minute of it. We had the party at a local park and we could not have asked for better weather.

I wish I could say that I love how big he is getting, but its hard for me to see my "baby" grow so fast. With Marissa, I couldn't wait for each milestone, but with Christian each day is just one step closer the realization that I no longer have a baby boy. He's wise beyond his years and has the best sense of humor. He's curious and strong and thoughtful and inquistive. He's so much like his daddy.

Speaking of daddy, Christian absolutely adores Marty. He follows him around, mimics everything that he does and will brush me off to the side to spend some quality time with his "best bud". I don't really mind it, as I love to see my husband in this role. I really do love my Loftus men. Christian constantly tells me that his daddy is his buddy and that when he grows up he's going to be a "fixer helper" like his dad and build things.

Christian is all boy; running, jumping, climbing and crashing. My father in law wasn't lying when he said most boys should be born with helmets on; all they do is run into walls. That pretty much sums up Christian's activity level. He's athletic and nimble. I have a feeling he's going to wear me out!

So here begins another year, I anticipate great things for my young man. I'm so proud of him; of both my children. They are such good little people!

A good day!

Today was a beautiful day. I watched my brother, Michael, stand there with his wife, Jessica and have their daughter baptized. It was such a blessing to witness...

My brother was always my sidekick. He was my best friend, my buddy, my partner in crime and my guinea pig in everything that I did as a child. He's 5 years younger than I am, but I have always felt extremely close to him. He married the second sweetest girl in the entire world and together they have the sweetest girl in then entire world, Savannah.

I stood there today, one row behind them, watching them as they held their daughter, standing with her sister, Heather and his best friend, Vince. Vince's girlfriend, Ronnie, snapping pictures, Vince's brothers (might as well be Michael's brothers too) Tyson, taking a video, the youngest brother of the Leone boys, Jonathan, beaming with pride (all four men dressed in matching shirts, vests and bowties!) you get the idea... EVERYONE played a huge part in today's events. Heather got emotional while standing there as Savannah was being blessed; that's when I lost it.

I looked around the room and I didn't see a baptizm; I saw a family--love. People standing in this little church, proclaiming to God, "We love this child." It gave my heart wings. During the ceremony, Savannah smiled, cooed and pointed at my two children. I was so touched by all the happiness, love and adoration that our family shared.

We went back to my parents' home for a reception. There we ate, chatted, laughed... It was such a nice time. Jessica's family visiting with our family; the Leone's (all debonair men) showing their support to my brother and his new little family. I felt 100% at peace. As my husband, kids and I headed home, I was overwhelmed with comfort and love. I was so proud of my brother and so touched to see how loved he, his wife and his child are by so many.

I can't really put into words the feelings that were silently passed through all the people today. All I can say is that family is made up of many things. It does not require anything except that those included are willing to stop the world to be there for those they care about. We celebrated a life being committed to Christ; what we witnessed was a family being committed to each other.

It was a good day; a very good day.