Well, we truly have been blessed this past year as a family. We have had many opportunities to learn and grow. We have connected with friends old and new. We have been priviledged to spend time with family, and to make some changes in ours.
As the new year begins, we have many new goals and challenges ahead. As many of you may already know, we have had difficulty getting pregnant. In August, I finally saw a specialist that is working with me to get some hormonal things balanced. After those have been remedied, we are hopeful that we will be able to bring a new little one into our family. The kids want a little brother or sister (depending on which one you ask) so desperately, and I truly hope to experience the miracle of childbirth.
Peter has been blessed with work. In times when the construction industry has had a major slow down, Peter has been working full time and then some. We are truly grateful for this blessing in our lives. He continues to work for a wonderful company that really makes him feel important and valuable. I am truly grateful for this. Peter is the cub scout master, a responsibility he takes seriously. The boys really seem to love him, and so do the parents. That makes it nice. Peter also serves as a ward missionary. He has done this for several years now, and loves every minute of it.
Alexandra turned 11 in November, but it seems like she is going on 16. The things these kids face today. I don't envy them at all. She has had to stand by her beliefs and convictions several times. At her young age, she has had several boys ask her to "go out" with them. When I asked what that meant, she told me that it means they go places together, hold hands and kiss. "You know mom, they go on dates." I was so shocked at how young these kids are starting to participate in grown up things. But, bless her, she told them that she was not allowed to date until she was 16 and that she is to young to have those kinds of relationships. I am so grateful that somehow, somewhere, she is developing her own sense of a testimony in the gospel in a world that would teach her otherwise.
Jaysen is... well, he is Jaysen. A peculiar child at times with a unique sense of humor. He likes to make up jokes that make absolutely no sense to anyone but himself. It is quite entertaining. He is finally starting to do better in school and his attitude seems to be mellowing a bit. His anger seems to be more under control and as a mother, I am EXTREMELY thankful for this. He is beginning to appreciate the things he has in life. He is gaining an understanding of what it means to be responsible for ones actions. He loves spending time with Peter learning to do "man of the house" things, and working on earning his scouting merit badges.
Both of the kids have recently picked up one of my favorite hobbies.....Scrapbooking. We enjoy spending time together doing this. Even Peter has started to participate. Peter used to call it "crapbooking" because I have so much scrapbooking "crap." I am glad he now calls it by its proper name. He spends time putting together his mission scrapbook while the kids work on their own and I try to catch up on the last 10 years of life.
As for myself, I have been very busy at work. I continue to try and balance work and home and all of the responsibilities that come with both. Some days I am more successful than others. I am also very busy with my church calling, which I love. I am still learning a lot about what it entails and all of the responsibilities that are a part of it as well. I am truly grateful for my Savior Jesus Christ and all that He has blessed us with.
As the new year begins, I hope that each of you look forward to all that it has to bring and face any challenges with a positive outlook. There is always a silver lining somewhere... you just have to find it. May the Lord bless you and may you find peace and comfort in His atonement.
