Christmas Letter 2024
Dear Friends and Family,
Listen, we aren’t getting any younger around here. My hairline knows it, my arthritic shoulders know it, and my kids definitely know it. With that in mind, we packed up this summer and moved from Florida back to Texas. In 2013 Heidi and I moved to Pensacola with 3-year orders; we left 11 years later with 4 kids. That wasn’t expected, but we’re grateful it worked out that way. We are blessed to have healthy, happy, and helpful family in DFW and wanted to get back before that inevitably changes with time. Plus, what better moment to buy a house than during record inflation and sky-high interest rates? Double the price, double the fun!
We landed in Plano, TX. Our house has a big pool, nice patio, and a park just down the street. We only saw it one time, in the rain, before we bought it. I missed some things during the inspection like the pool leak, plumbing problems, and oven that has never worked. But hey, if it were all easy, we wouldn’t have any good stories, right? The upside? For the first time in 20 years, we didn’t have to drive 24 hours with four kids for the holidays. Who knew Thanksgiving could actually be relaxing? (Apparently, the rest of you did.)
One of my favorite things this year is when I would I’d meet someone new. Inevitably they would ask how many kids I have, “4” their eyes would widen, then they would ask the ages and I would hit them with “ 2, 4, 6, 8—in Heidi, we appreciate.” It was the best. One because the rhythmic flow was on point, but also because Heidi really is the 9-year running MVP of the family for a reason. She is pretty great.
In addition to keeping all of us alive, fed, and clothed (no small task), Heidi has taken on the role of homeschool teacher for Lily and Dexter this year. It’s been incredible to see how far they’ve come so quickly. She also joined me at the gym and can officially say she’s now logged more workouts than babies born in the last seven years—progress!
As for me, I finished up at Velocity in September and have spent the past few months taking a break before diving into my next adventure: buying a small business. Since everyone asks, I am looking for something that is in DFW, with a retiring seller, a non-discretionary product or service, has over $600k in SDE, and with more than a 10-year history. Know anyone? I also transitioned to the VTU in the Navy Reserves, which I describe as “barely still in the Navy.” I’m reserving myself for World War IV and voting against World War III. Meanwhile, Climb Capital continues to grow, and I’m spending more time there again.
The kids refuse to stop growing, no matter how often I ask them to slow down. The oldest three are all in gymnastics, all ride bikes, and swim like fish; and Huxton isn’t far behind. They play enough in the front yard that we are known as 'that family' in the neighborhood.
Lily – 8, Even though she might butt heads with the teacher sometimes she has already finished third grade reading, is still very helpful, but apparently can’ t see because asking to pick up her room has a different meaning to her than the rest of us.
Dexter – 7, Football guy. He kept up with my fantasy football team better than me. He has started reading and is athletically gifted in a way that didn’t come from me.
Max – 4, Our theologian, always knows his Sunday School lesson, but still has some work to do as he prays “I hope Jesus has fun in Heaven” every night.
Huxton – 2, He still finds a way to always have a bump on his head, loves his siblings, and completely melts if even slightly corrected.
We traveled more this year than ever before, thanks to fewer diapers and the airplane. I logged over 140 hours of flight time, most of it with family. We’ve flown everywhere: breakfast runs, meetings in Florida, back and forth to Texas, and even a same-day trip to Indiana and back for a family reunion. Our biggest adventure was a week-long trip to New Mexico for the Balloon Fiesta, then on to Scottsdale for a GoBundance conference, visits with family in Lake Havasu, and hitting California before heading home. This week, we’re capping it all off at Disney World with the Dexter family, it should be epic.
Leaving Pensacola, our friends, and our church after a decade was hard. Those were our people, and we miss them dearly. After becoming temporary professional church visitors and lots of prayers, we’ve found a new home at Prestonwood. It’s a little different searching for “your people” in a 7,000-seat sanctuary, but we’re getting there.
It’s not if you come to Dallas, it’s when. Come see us, we are glad to continue to serve you our three staples of tacos, pizza, or BBQ; and the kids will gladly overshare every detail of our family life while burning off some energy in the pool or at the park.
We wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.
God Bless,
Jeremy, Heidi, Lily, Dexter, Maxwell, and Huxton
