Happy New Year!

Happy New Year to all of our friends and family, and thanks for everything you have done for us in the past year. 2007 was as eventful as one year can be, I think! Our lives have been pretty crazy since we got married in October of 2006. About 8 weeks after the wedding, we found out that we were going to have a baby, so that really sped up our house search! Luckily, we found one that was perfect for us, and we passed papers on February 1. We moved on the 18th, with much help from family and friends in terms of painting, cleaning, and carrying boxes. We needed all the help we could get since Maghan was about 4 months pregnant at the time. While Dave was working on the house, Maghan was finishing her Master's Degree, and finally finished in May. After the BHS school year ended in June, we had a little over a month to prepare for Mairead. We needed a break, too-- not too many people get married, get pregnant, buy a house, move, finish a Master's Degree, and have a baby, all within 9 months! Thankfully, Dave worked really hard to make things happen at the house, and we had so many people helping us. We couldn't have done it without all of you!

Obviously, the best day of 2007 was July 29th at about 2:17pm when Mairead came into the world. We were so blessed to finally meet our beautiful baby girl. The scariest moments of our lives came in the next few days, though, when she had the stroke. Again, we got through that week with the love and support of so many people. That event made us realize how important life is, and we treasure every day of it with Mairead. Since that day she has been amazing, always surprising us with her growth and her discoveries. We are very hopeful that she will not suffer any lasting effects of the stroke, and she is becoming a strong, smart, and beautiful little girl.

After Mairead's birth, we celebrated with Katie and Steve as they were married in September. We know that they had a tough year, too, and we wish them nothing but happiness in 2008. Also in September, we celebrated another wedding when Mom (Dorothy) and Ivan were married on the 22nd! There was definitely a lot of happiness and love around us this fall, and we were happy to share in that with our families.

The holidays were very special this year since Mairead was there to celebrate with us. We know how much she is loved, and we hope that this blog helps to keep you all involved in her life. We look forward to sharing her and all of her milestones as she grows in 2008. Again, thanks to all of you who have been so supportive this past year.

I'll end with an Irish toast for New Year's...

May you be poor in misfortune, rich in blessings, slow to make enemies and quick to make friends. And may you know nothing but happiness from this day forward