Annual Family Valentine's Letter 2014

Happy Valentine's Day to all our loved ones!

Was it really only a year ago that we wrote our 2013 Valentine's Day letter?!?  We've had so much happening since then - exciting milestones, new experiences, and many blessings.

To update you, last March, after 8 months of interviewing and travel, Richard "matched" at Tampa General Hospital (USF) in the Emergency Medicine residency.  We were thrilled to continue Richard's medical education at such a well-respected institution (not to mention one that's warm, on the coast, and near family - yay!).

In April, we celebrated Avery's 1st birthday and Richard's last day of medical school.  The entire Talbot family and many from the Barber clan came to Ft. Lauderdale in May for Richard's graduation and a Florida vacation extravaganza.  It was a fantastic get-together with family and friends, and a nice farewell to the city we called home the last 4 years. 

After saying goodbye to our visitors, we said hello to Tampa  - our home for the next 3 years.  We bought a home - our first! - in South Tampa (only 10 minutes from the hospital!) and love living here.  It's been a blast - and also a mess - to tackle a few renovations; each one makes the house feel more like home.  We're especially grateful to Jillian's parents (ie: willing skilled labor) visiting and helping us capitalize on our makeovers. 

This July, Richard will officially retire his "intern" status and begin his 2nd year of residency.  He makes intern year look easy despite the long hours and extensive reading.  He's a wonderful husband and father and Avery and I can't get enough of him, but we'll have to learn to share!  We anticipate the arrival of a new Talbot in July.  We couldn't be happier to become a family of four!  Avery will be an excellent big sister as she's a warm, charming, helpful, and curious girl.  She adds so much fun and enjoyment to our lives.  When she turned 1, I officially retired from paid employment.  It's been a wonderful blessing to stay home and support the crew full time - it's the best job I've ever had.

More and more we realize it's our relationships with family, friends, and our Father in Heaven that are truly the greatest sources of happiness and love in our lives, and through these relationships our lives grow in meaning and purpose.  We strive to constantly strengthen those relationships and are so grateful for your friendship.  We hope the rest of your year is filled with love, and we leave you with ours.

Sincerely,

The Talbot family - Richard, Jillian, Avery, and Baby Talbot