Merry Christmas 2009

We have good news and bad news as we wrap up this year.  Heavy on our minds is James’ diagnosis of cancer in November.  The doctor assures him there is a 95% survival rate and with his family history and personal health, his survival rate is even higher.  We have appreciated the many prayers offered on his behalf.   He has wrapped up his first week of chemo and tolerated the process.  Through it all, he has maintained a positive attitude marked by his characteristic sense of humor.

On a more cheerful note, here are some highlights from 2009: 

• We celebrated John’s graduation with a large luncheon entitled “It took a village.”  He spent the last 18 years in Round Rock School District so we had many, many people to thank.  We had hoped John would be in supported employment, but the agency that coordinates that program deemed him unemployable.  We were able to find an adult day-hab facility (Mimi’s) where John goes each day from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.  David goes to work late and Barbara rushes down the toll road after school to pick him up, so the hours are working for us.  When not at Mimi’s, John spends hours searching the internet and particularly likes to do so at David’s office. 
• Russell and Sarah Jane became parents with the birth of Victoria on August 7.  Russell will graduate from University of Texas Law School in May . Sarah Jane has returned to work at U.T. Law coordinating continuing legal education workshops.  Russ spent half of the summer clerking for a large Houston firm. He is an editor for the U.T.  environmental law journal.  We enjoy having them in Austin.   Check out their blog magnanimousmurdocks.blogspot.com 
•  Rachel is in the second half of her Presidential Management Fellowship in Washington, D.C.  She recently wrapped up a rotation with the Department of Justice as a prosecutor for the District of Columbia.  She has now returned to normal work hours and her earlier rotation position with the G.S.A.   Being in the nation's capital has given her many opportunities including a great spot at the Inauguration in January. She has made several trips to NYC and enjoys living on the east coast.  Check out her blog  RachelDownUnder.blogspot.com 
•  With Harris (5) starting kindergarten in August, James and Emily became school parents.  Jack (4) will start school next fall.    They remain in Idaho Falls where James is clerking for a district judge (and very happy to have good health insurance.)  Emily has begun working from home a few hours a week for the local NPR station.  Will turns 3 in May, a month after baby #4 (a girl) is due.   As James' treatments continue, please keep them in your prayers.  Their blog is   Murdocksandsons.blogspot.com  
  
• Barbara just returned from spending Thanksgiving with Rachel.  It was Barbara’s first trip to D.C. in over 25 years.  They spent Thanksgiving Day at the Smithsonian, and then headed to NYC for a Broadway play (“South Pacific”) and Saturday matinee at the Metropolitan Opera.  A big change for this year was getting a new car.  Having set a goal of 200,000 miles on her Expedition, Barbara succumbed to Cash for Clunkers and traded it in at only 190K.  It was a very reliable part of the family for 12 years.  If she drives the new Honda CRV for 12 years, Harris and Jack will both be old enough to drive it!
  
• David, Barbara and John reconnected with many extended family members at a Murdock reunion in Beaver, Utah the end of July.  Earlier that month, we met with all our children and grandchildren in Salt Lake including a few days at Barbara’s sister’s cabin in Oakley, Utah.  Next August, David will mark 20 years as a developer with BMC Software.  John's loves to spend  time with David.  A perfect Sunday for John is to eat out at IHOP, go to church and eat a donut at the end of the service, stop at 7-11 and then spend some quality time at BMC.  Check out David's blog at davidmaus.blogspot.com