2011 Year in Review

Happiest and Merriest to All of You, Our Loved Ones!


Thank you for stopping by to read our 3rd annual Christmas/Year in Review Letter. And thank you again for understanding our desire to be more cost effective and "green" with our yearly update.

2011... Wow- what a year it has been!

We have hosted a number of family members in our home this year, which has been fun. We were fortunate enough to host my parents and my sister several times. However, the most memorable guests we had (and the most fun) were here during the first 2 weeks in July. My sister-in-law, Margarita, visited with my niece (Rosie) and my nephews (Frankie, Alex and Adrian). We hadn't seen Margarita, Frankie and Alex since 2007, so this visit was highly anticipated and thoroughly enjoyed. From birthday parties and shopping to family picnics and New York City- we had a blast fitting nearly 5 years into 2 weeks!

Our year has been significantly less eventful than last year. No weddings or injured bones this year, but recovery was high on both mine and Brandon's list (his knee and my ankle). And we've worked hard at it.
The business I began last year was forced to take a back seat to several unfortunate circumstances for me and my partners. We did, however, host a Clothing Swap that we named Stop in Swap. It was a great experience and a venture we plan on further pursuing. I did have a chance to do a bit of tutoring earlier in the year, which was quite an experience for me, since I've never done it before. I also have been babysitting a couple days a week since August, for a good friend of mine. The kids are 2, 3 and 6, and a joyful hand full. I have learned so much from these children and have enjoyed seeing "the fruits of my labor."

Brandon is still working diligently at the hospital and serving faithfully with the Air National Guard. We have been praying about his desire to go full time into law enforcement. We are hoping a position will open up soon for him in the right place.

Much of this year was dedicated to raising money for Brittany, the daughter of one of my business partners. (Note: I have been given permission by Brittany and her family to share her story.) Brittany is 21 years old but has been battling Acute Myeloid Leukemia since she was 14. A few years ago she was also diagnosed with an auto immune disease. This year we've had a bowling fundraiser, a car race fundraiser, a spaghetti dinner fundraiser, a letter fundraiser and an Entertainment book fundraiser (which, incidentally, is still going on until January 5th- contact me if you'd like one). Currently, Brittany is undergoing treatment at the National Institute of Health in Bethesda, MD. She originally went there for a 1 week study on auto immune diseases; however, during her time there the medical staff discovered some things that her regular doctors have missed all these years. The most major discovery the doctors at the NIH have discovered is that Brittany is in need of a bone marrow transplant. Fortunately, a donor was recently discovered, and she will hopefully have her surgery at the beginning of the new year. I am passionate about helping Brittany fight this debilitating disease. Please seriously consider helping her with a financial blessing during this time. For more information on Brittany and to make a donation to her, please visit www.brittsblessings.com. This young woman and her family need our support in the most severe way. If this was you or your child, you would be desperate for help. So, please- HELP! And if you absolutely have no way of helping Brittany, than please keep her, her parents and her siblings in your daily prayers.

Please, also continue to pray for us. I am still in dire need of a job. We are struggling badly, but we know that God is still working on our behalf. He is faithful and just, and we trust Him completely.

We pray for you and yours often. Although, we may not speak to many of you on a regular basis, we never forget to pray for you. Please don't forget to keep us updated on your life. And please update us with any address or phone number changes, birthdays, special occasions, etc.

Hopefully we'll have more to share with you in 2012. After all, that "post marriage-second year of marriage-have a baby already" pressure is on. We are praying for God's will in this area.

We love you all and wish you the brightest of Christmases and the most blessed of New Years.

Our Love and Best from Our Home to Yours,
Brandon and Camille


"Hail the heaven-born Prince of Peace!
Hail the Son of Righteousness!
Light and life to all He brings
Risen with healing in His wings
Mild He lays His glory by
Born that man no more may die
Born to raise the sons of earth
Born to give them second birth
Hark! The herald angels sing
'Glory to the newborn King!'"