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2002 Christmas Letter Welcome
back to the continuing saga of the Soupiset family. January
- When we last left the Soupiset family they were spending the tail
end of 2001 living in a Residence Inn hotel suite because their home
was being “repaired” by a “plumber” because of some
“problems” that had arisen. The whole process was basically
the housing equivalent of Chinese Water Torture. By mid January, the
Soupisets were living back on Chevy Chase Drive with renewed resolve
to put their Incredible Shrinking House on the market. February
- Paul and Amy began house-hunting while work on the house continued.
Toolbox won big at the local, regional and national ADDY awards this
year, and the local shindig saw a nervous, tuxedoed Paul reading from
a teleprompter for the first time. Paul and friends also saw Bob Dylan
in Austin. March
- As if Thanksgiving and Christmas of 2001 weren’t enough, we ended
up having to spend yet one more week in the hotel as the “builders”
finished “working” on our “bathroom.” April
- Put our house on the market. May
- Spent the entire month of May cleaning house, it seems. June
- We spent many hours preparing for Vacation Bible School. Within the
period of one week we participated in VBS, sold our house, bought our
new house and left for a weeks’ vacation. Please make note of our
new address: 127 Irvington Dr. Everything else is the same. (zip code
and telephone number) We actually only moved 4 blocks, but we are now
proud owners of a second bathroom. The extended
Syler/Hall clan was on hand to enjoy the July 4th week and to witness
the re-launch of Tom Hall’s 18-foot, 1964 Grady White Hatteras
Weekender, a wooden boat that Sue and Tom had spent years restoring.
The first day we were in Chatham, Jordan learned to ride a two-wheeler.
Later the entire family took a bike excursion along a trails-for-rails
path near the adjacent town of Orleans. Jordan cycled all ten miles
after having learned two days prior. Highlights of the trip included
seal watching, Paul’s requisite sand-castling, and Amy catching
a foul ball at the Chatham A’s baseball game. August
was sketched in lazy brushstrokes; Amy and the kids spent a week tanning,
wading, swimming and jet-skiing at Horseshoe Bay with close friend Amy
Thomas and her kids. Paul and Martin Thomas joined the gang for a long
weekend and perfected Martin’s now-famous salsa
recipe. September
marked the loss of summer’s leisure. Jordan began first grade at
Woodridge Elementary, Abigail embarked on her preschool adventures at
Alamo Heights Methodist, and Kate even went to Mothers’ Day Out
once in a while to give Mama a break. Amy started her eighth year in
Bible Study Fellowship – she’s teaching three-year-olds –
and Abi started her fourth year of BSF. October
brought a visiting brother (Syler and fam in from Chicago), a and three
goals (Jordan began soccer this year). We also embarked upon uncharted
territory: we began hosting a Home Group at our house; five couples
meet at our home each Wednesday for prayer, support, lively discussion
and fostering deepening relationships. This also meant it was time to
leave the safe nest of our old, cherished Home Group that had become
home to us. Paul still makes time to meet with the men of the old group
weekly, including the mentorship of Bill Mitchell and some close friends. November. Mark and
Robin Soupiset gave birth to Hailey Soupiset, a cute little munchkin
that we can’t wait to get to know better. December signaled the close of another year. Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers, Christmas celebrations in San Antonio, a getaway for two down at the Westin Hotel, Alamobowl, and writing our annual Christmas letter... that's all for this year. May you have peace, joy and faith for the New Year. Paul,
Amy & The kids.
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