Twas the Rowan Letter of Christmas, when all through Mark’s mind not an idea was stirring, not of any kind. The paper was blank as was Mark’s stare, in hopes that a decent idea soon would be there.

The children were jumping on their beds, while trying to punch each other in their heads. And mamma in her ‘kerchief, and I in my cap … juuust kidding I’m not doing this. And what the what is a kerchief? Anybody .. anybody???

I hope you are ready to enjoy this holiday season, since the world ends next year. Thanks a lot, Mayans. Drink lots of eggnog and eat loads of figgy pudding (another Christmas mystery) because the aliens are going to horde it all.

Well, it’s no mystery that I have the best family in the world. I looked it up on Wikipedia to confirm and Jenny is the number one wife and mother of all time. Right on schedule she birthed our fourth child in seven years. Now that is production, folks, or REproduction. God’s says multiply and we say yes sir. Jenny has the most rewarding/difficult job known to mankind and she does it marvelously. Keep it up, all you moms. We wouldn’t be here without you, literally and figuratively.

Elena Kay has been sweeping in the awards in 1st grade. It took her about 3.8 seconds to win Citizen of the Month in September and in November she was the Holland Husky Hero. No, she hasn’t gained a lot of weight. Husky is the mascot. It does mean she was the best behaved. A trait she obviously inherited from her father. She is into reading books (I told her its overrated, but she continues to learn to read.) and her teacher Mrs. Dozier loves her the mostest. (She didn’t say that, but I could deduce as much from the parent/teacher conference. A parent knows these things.)

Cassia is busy learning the finer things of education in pre-school. Her teacher is sooooo hawt. One of the endearing aspects of Cassia is her love for ugly things. That’s why she likes me so much!!! I had to say it before you thought it. She will always pick out the strangest/weirdest toy. She has a heart for the downtrodden, meaning she is predestined to be a Redskins fan. Cassia is the most quotable of the bunch, i.e. a recent exchange between her and Elena Kay … EK: Get away! C: Never! I’m your sister!!!

Josiah. What can I say? He pees in the potty and poops in his pants. He makes us laugh constantly. Although, we’re usually not laughing after a pooping in the pants episode. Sounds funny, but it’s not. His Tai Kwan Do skills are quite impressive for an almost 3 year old. He has no formal training, but he has a God-given proclivity to kick and punch things (which may or may not be his sisters). Despite his fighting prowess, he is the quickest to give hugs and kisses to anyone within arms reach.

Adalyn arrived July 19th and our mantra has been “4, no more!” She rocks a fo-hawk like it ain’t no thang and likes to tell us all about her day in the middle of the night sometimes. She has no lack for attention, and it is plain to see where the term “babied” comes from. Sometimes the babying annoys the snot out of her when it is coming from her older siblings, though. She has dimples −− a Rowan kid first and she is my sweet Lil Pee Peeps.

I surely do love some Christmas. The whole season is good for the soul. Mostly because it’s a reminder of what is best for the soul. Giving, sharing, spending time with loved ones are all wonderful traditions of the season, but it is the recollection that Jesus was sent to the earth to redeem our souls that is a true wonder. I always like to end on a serious note, but in reality its the most joyful news I can share about our family. Jesus is the center of it all and without him Christmas would be a real drag. And it would just be called Mas

… not very catchy. We love you. Have the best 2012 ever!

Love … The Rowans

This is my favorite Hackworth video.

A.) It’s cute B.) It’s funny C.) They are my kids so I have to like it.

Not so long, long ago, in a galaxy very, very near (actually the same galaxy) the House of Mark and Jenny ventured into the great unknown which was known by the name of the YEAR 2010. The young, heroic, good-looking duo brought along with them three trusty companions – Princess Elena Kay, Lady Cassia and Josiah the Small Yet Mighty. This clan of titans would face the harrowing feats of Tenth Year of Glorious Matrimony, First Day of School, Pee Pee in the Potty and The Breaking of the First Christmas Ornament. It is a tale great triumph. One not suited for the faint of heart but for those who are steeped in renowned valor … and plenty of diaper wipes.

The heroic journey starts and ends with the bravest of souls, the fairest of them all and mother of the house, Jennifer Lee-ave me alone for 5 minutes, kids! Rowan. Day in and day out she battles the diminutive Rowans and their fight against the Dreaded Time of Napping and the Eating of Thine Sustenance. Her beauty, joy and love are ever present and continually sway the wee ones to tread the path of truth and goodness. Without her the clan would surely perish. One can only live so long on cheese and crackers.

Gallant tribe leader, Mark Steven with a “V” because it’s manlier Rowan, has only one hope that his kindred would be happy evermore and that his football team would cease to offend the nostrils of those that partake of their objectionable play. Good fortune from the Lord Most High smiled on this portly yet handsome sir by bestowing the duties of Director of Marketing at his place of employ. He also saw fit to grow a rather impressive beard to fight the frigid chill of his dwelling in Virginia Beach.

Elena Kay Shortcake Rowan bestowed on herself a stately middle name inspired by a heroine of fruity proportions. She also walks the halls of education to better herself and increase knowledge so that one day she may conquer all set before her. Shortcake’s valiant effort in academia has awarded her many useless trinkets that can be easily lost in the Rowan abode. Daily she grows in beauty inside and out and makes her father and mother most proud.

Cassia Marie Dora Rowan is in the very midst of the small ones, learning from her elder sister and torturing or being tortured by her younger brother. Her will is strong as are her hugs. She has the guile and wit to bring the sternest of characters to their knees all while prancing about on her tippy toes. She easily befriends the schoolboys which somewhat troubles her father. Fear not! He has a contrivance, one which includes many weapons of mass destruction.

Josiah Lee-der of the Pack Rowan is a merry chap with a quick smile, hearty laugh but a growl in his belly. (No, he doesn’t need a diaper change.) After two dancing princesses, the lad brings a welcome addition of fortitude and grit to the tiny companions. He will hurl a lifeless object at a moments notice. Whether it be breakable or not, it is of no concern to him. He lives a life of endangerment and surprise. Some say, he is a tiny white Papa Lee.

Ah, Christmastime, such a joyous time of the year! It’s a wonderful time to reflect on life and remember how great it really is. Our wonderful adventure would not be possible without the greatest hero all, the Lover of our soul, Jesus Christ. He makes all things possible and loves us beyond reason. Have a blessed and happy holiday season.

Love … The Rowans

I don’t know about you, but I’m simply having a wonderful Christmastime! Yeah! I’m pretty sure I actually like Christmas more as I get older. Maybe it’s sharing it with the best wife and kids on the planet or it could be the fact that I more appreciate what Christmas really is about in my maturity or possibly it’s because of all the parties I get to go to. Anyway I’m glad to be here now. I hope you are too.

2009 was supa-fine. We started it off by increasing the manliness of the household twofold. And no I didn’t gain 200 lbs. Josiah Lee Rowan healthily and happily arrived on February 4th. He is quite the stud and continues to be very cheery despite the fact that his favorite football team is less competitive than Gobi Desert Synchronized Swimming Team. Go Skins! Fire Snyder!

Next up in the family is Cassia who is the most cuddly, cute awesomeness you’ll ever meet. She has greatly benefited from having an older sis to show her the ropes in counting, singing the ABCs, going potty, etc. She’ll turn 3 next month and she has mastered these tasks with ease. Cassia is always quick to tell you that she loves you. A lesson we can all take from her.

The lovely Elena Kay just turned 5 the other day and enjoyed a My Little Pony party with all her pals. Among her aspirations in life are being a ballerina and … well, I think that covers it right now. She’s very focused and talented, of course. Mommy and Elena Kay have been doing preschool all year and she has learned a lot. Elena Kay has done well, too. The best news of the year is that Elena Kay accepted Jesus as her Savior. We’re thankful and proud of our little mighty woman of God!

Jenny, the matriarch of the family, is still smokin’ hot after bearing 3 children in case you haven’t seen her or had forgotten. She’s taken up making totally awesome fondant cakes for friends and family. Beauty and talent, wow. Also, she has been given the opportunity to share her testimony at Wave Women which is a great privilege. Many people have been touched by her wisdom and experience.

I’m loving life … having fun making rock music with friends, glad to have a job at Hackworth Reprographics and have my web design side work with Rowde, honored to lead a great group of young married couples with Jenny and most importantly ecstatic to share life with Jenny, Elena Kay, Cassia & Josiah. I’ve just pumped myself up after writing this. Woohoo!

This time of year brings reflection and vision. Be thankful for what we have and live life with no regrets. See 2010 as more than just another year to get older, but as opportunity to expand life. We can do things we’ve never done, love more than ever before, and change lives each day. A life of no regrets always starts with a God of no limits. We can do all things through Jesus. Christmas is a reminder that He came to give us that opportunity. Love God. Love Others.

Love,

The Rowans

Tis the season to be jahrry, fa ra ra ra ra ra ra ra ra! The Rowans have completed another spectacular year, and hope that you have experienced the same. We had all kinds of great things happen in 2008 with the most awesome being that we are expecting number 3 … Josiah Lee. He’ll be here in February. We are prolific.

So, here’s the breakdown… Jenny is the most amazing wife/mother of all time. While raising the two most adorable girls on planet earth, she takes care of the house, leads two small groups at church, makes some scrumptious eateries, grows a baby in her belly (with the help of God) and makes me the happiest man alive amongst other things.

Elena Kay is masterpiece theatre – intrigue, suspense and delight. She prances around singing and betending (That’s “pretending” for those that don’t speak Elenakese.) and dropping random hilarious quips unbeknownst to her. Recently, Jenny and I were talking at dinner about buying something when Elena Kay put this one on us, “But we don’t have any money.” We then laughed our heads off. And then we cried.

Cassia loves to shake what her mama gave her. She’s all about gettin’ the groove on when a sweet jam is playing. She is also one of the most polite children in all of childrendom. She’ll say “thank you” for any occasion whether it’s appropriate or not. Besides Elena Kay, Cassia’s best friend is Dora the Explorer. She can spot a Dora toy from 5,000 yards.

Josiah is very well behaved.

I have been working at Hackworth Reprographics for a year now, and it has been great. I do a lot of different things with job number one being that I keep the Internet running. You can thank me later. Some of my friends and I have banded together and started a band. It’s a lot of fun and you can catch us at a city near you on our upcoming world tour. Otherwise, I continue to enjoy leading a young married cell group with Jenny, and I do some other stuff that is not that exciting so I’ll spare you the details. I am in first place in my fantasy football league, though!

The current “economic downturn” gives us a chance to refocus on the true meaning of Christmas, Charlie Brown. Which can be summed up with these lyrics from a song I penned:

“A little baby in a manger sent to earth to save us all. Never heard a story stranger. All of heaven stands in awe. Merry Christmas to you, here’s your life and heaven, too. The greatest gift ever given. Because of you, Jesus, my life is really worth living.”

Merry Christmas, may next year be your best ever. Love…The Rowans.

It’s Christmas all over again …. all over again! It’s that time of year when we tell you what’s been happening with the Rowans and you sit and read totally enraptured with pure amazement and glorious wonder. Yeah, it’s that good, people. Life is good and God is great and we are all blessed to be alive.

Lets review the instant replay. (I have football playing in the background.) Ok, its not so instant but you get a recap of our lives this year in less than 5 minutes. So, that’s quick. Most excitingly we added to our already awesome family. Cassia Marie joined the clan on Jan. 22. Once again we have managed to produce an incredibly beautiful child despite me being the father. It’s a miracle! Cassia loves to dance and eat. She has added much joy and poop. That’s the way we roll around here. We just throw it right out there.

Elena Kay just turned three in December, and we had a wonderful Disney princesses party. We actually had two four foot Jasmines on our walls. The things you do for those you love. Elena Kay is great. She loves her princesses and always has a beautiful song to sing and it’s usually “A Whole New World” from Aladdin.

Jenny continues to be the stalwart of the family as she is with the girls day in and day out. Her love, grace and passion are reflected in the lives of Elena Kay and Cassia. I am one blessed man. That is for sure. Jenny leads a women’s life group at church that meets at Starbucks. The girls get together, drink coffee, and encourage each other and more than likely do a whole lot of talking. Jenny also was hired on at a future fortune 500 company called Rowde Group as an Account Executive. She says the boss is unbelievably good looking and sexy.

We both continue to have the privilege of leading a young married life group that has over 40 people on the roster. They don’t all show up when we meet and that’s why we can fit them in our town home. It has really been a blessing to be a part of speaking into the lives of the couples in our group. We’re looking forward to even greater things for the future.

I ditched teaching in June and conversely was able to take a 5½ month vacation. (Some people might call it unemployment.) It was wonderful to spend an inordinate amount of time with the family while making very little money, but I started a new job in December. I’m working for Hackworth Reprographics as a Web Developer/IT guy. After four days, it’s going superbly! I am also continuing to do side work with Rowde. It’s been going really well since I hired this hot chick name Jenny.

I’m running out of space so I guess it’s time to wrap it up … like a good tackle. (Football is still on, and the Ravens are not wrapping up.) Life brings its many ups and downs, but it is our choice on which one we will put our focus. Now is a good time to remember the good things and make it a resolution to focus on the good more often. I know I am thankful for my amazing family and friends. Most importantly, I am grateful for the greatest friend of all, Jesus Christ. As John 15:13 says “Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends.” Let’s focus on why Jesus came during this season … to lay his life down for us so we could have life more abundantly. Have a blessed Christmas!