2008 Retrospective

We have so much to be grateful for.

2008....

Although the company T was working for couldn't afford to pay him full time anymore as of - I think it was May - he was able to turn that around and go out on his own. Although not as stable and consistent as my personality would prefer, he has worked and has kept us (mostly) afloat. I am especially grateful for my job during this time. Consistency is good for me. I love teaching. Most days. :)

This fall I started teaching honors classes, which has been very rewarding, mostly since that population is more respectful and fun to work with than the mainstream kids. Although I love the mainstream kids, too. Each group poses unique challenges.

E started high school in the fall which has been a very positive thing for her - for the most part. She just received her semester report card and earned a 4.0 GPA! High school is good for her. She has good friends, a niche, and she makes an effort to do well at everything she undertakes. The future looks bright. And so do her teeth! She got her braces off right before Christmas! Between that and the new three-barrel curling iron she got for Christmas, her cuteness factor is getting into my discomfort zone.

K started 6th grade and continues playing the saxophone. He is really getting good! In the spring he played baseball, and in the fall he played football...until he fractured his foot in five places. Poor guy. That was a very big challenge for him, but he put on a brave face and didn't whine or complain a bit.


The other kids rallied around him and fetched things for him - when they weren't doing tricks on his crutches. So he was in a cast for his 12th birthday. When he turned 12 he experienced one of the most important events in his life. He received the Aaronic Priesthood. I am so proud of him and the choices he's made that have helped him get to that point. A couple of weeks later - after he got his walking boot - he was able to pass the sacrament for the first time. What an awesome privilege. He's an amazing young man.

M also had an important event this year. He turned eight years old and was baptized!

I am so proud of the choices he has made and it was a very special day that I hope he will always remember. I'm so thankful that he has the gift of the Holy Ghost, now. I know it can help so much! M has become an avid reader this year, in addition to his avid Lego-ing. He read the first three Harry Potter books and is partway through the fourth. He is a smart kid, and an amazing artist. At his parent-teacher conference, his teacher shared with me what an original and clever kid he is. His cool art projects set a standard in his class that other kids see and follow. He has turned into our resident comedian as well, and has some mad mime skills. Seriously incredible.

A had a big year this year as she graduated from preschool and started Kindergarten.

It was difficult for her to leave her awesome Toybox preschool class and all her friends there. We were so thankful for the wonderful experiences she had there, but it was time for her to move up! She loves Kindergarten and is a very good student. It's so exciting to see and help her learn to read. I love picking up my three kids at school every day and seeing them ambulating toward the van in their own very diverse ways. They're so awesome.

2009...It's going to be a good one. I am so thankful for the gospel and for the blessings that we have been given. As long as we are faithful and diligent, as long as we keep close to the Lord and stick together, all will be well. I love a new year!