Christmas Card 2015

Dear Friends and Family,

Previously, on the Fairbank Family Christmas Cards, our favorite foursome was firmly entrenched in Dillon, Montana after three years of traipsing back and forth across the country after law school and internships. Things were bound to slow down for a while…or were they? Here’s a sneak peek at what they’ve been up to this season:

Joe gets an electronic ear, joining the robot revolution- We loved it in Dillon. I had a great job working with some truly wonderful people, and we had many delightful friends. But then I found out I was a candidate for a hybrid cochlear implant, and our plans for the future changed. We moved to southern Salt Lake City, where I could be near my team of doctors and specialists (not to mention supportive family) to get me through the surgery and several months’ rehab to follow. I got the implant in October, and although I still have a lot of work to do, my ability to hear speech has already improved dramatically. We couldn’t be more pleased with the results so far.

Emily dabbles in human smuggling- Emily put down roots quickly in Dillon. She built close relationships with many good people, especially the young women she had charge of through our church. It was not unusual for me to come home from work to find anywhere from one to fifteen teenagers and/or young mothers and/or missionaries eating my food! When we decided to leave Montana so I could get my implant, it was hard for Emily to leave all that behind. Luckily, we have a souvenir from our year in Montana—a baby girl! She is due in early April.

AJ quietly begins his application to Harvard- AJ has been a real sport in the midst of all this chaos. He had to switch preschools and learn a new address and everything. But at least he got to go back to Dillon for the primary music program. AJ mostly copes with the stress through academic enrichment. He has started taking violin lessons from his Gammie in addition to his piano lessons. And he has taken to reading with a passion. His preschool teacher tells us he is reading at a third-grade level! At this rate we can expect him in Harvard by his tenth birthday. Good luck, AJ.

Andy restores balance to the Force- Andy has been working tirelessly all year to maintain the balance in our life and family. We left behind all those friends who used to share our meals, so Andy is eating enough for four teenagers. AJ has been throwing fewer tantrums, so Andy has taken up the torch of inexplicable fits of violence. With the potty training, he could tell we missed washing wet pants, so he obliged there, too. And whenever life gets us down, he’s the first to brighten the room with his charm and exuberant spirit.

We have been truly blessed this year. Yes, there have been a lot of changes, but these are good changes. When we follow God’s direction He does bless us for it. May the Lord bless you all this Christmas season.

Love,

The Fairbanks