2008: A Year in Review

This year has been busy and wonderful. We are so greatly blessed in our lives, even amid many challenges and trials we face. We have truly appreciated this past year for all that we have come to know and understand, for our personal growth and faith in Jesus Christ, and especially for family members and friends who love, care for, pray, and support us in our daily lives.

In January Jason was working for Magleby Companies framing and a 2nd job as a server at Applebee’s. I was staying at home with the children and serving as the co-ward nursery leader over 5 nurseries, all while we lived in my parent’s basement (Jerry & Diann Ellis). President Gordon B. Hinckley died. And we had the usual illnesses acquainted with winter. I went to the temple several times over the course of the next few months. We also received some unexpected blessings, financially speaking.

In February Jason and I finally saw a dentist after 5 to 8 years of not seeing one. We were both in good health and I had only one cavity and had my crown replaced. Deborah, my mother-in-law, came out for a visit. We got rid of our cell phones. And I spent a lot of time with a dear friend of mine, Ashley.

March is usually a busy month around our home—Daniel turned 3 & Joseph 2. It was also the first time we took the kids to the zoo and they loved the zebras and the train. I sang with a friend at a musical fireside. We helped a friend move. We had Easter dinner with my parents. And then we moved out of my parent’s basement into our own apartment 2 miles away—Thanks Dad & Daniel for helping us move our things.

April was general conference. Jason was called to be the 2nd counselor in the Elder’s Quorum. I had fun at some Mary Kay clinics learning how to properly apply makeup.

May was Mother’s Day, which Jason always makes special for me. Jason broke his nose (it was a hairline fracture). And Jason quit his 2nd job at Applebee’s. I was called to be the ward Compassionate Service Leader.

June was Father’s Day. Daniel had his first speech and behavioral assessments and he qualified for the preschool program. We celebrated pioneer day. My sister Lori and her family came and visited with my parents. And we also hiked as a family up to some waterfalls in Pleasant Grove—after which the boys both had a horrible flu.

In July I went on a “hike” with my friend Mary and the kids to Bridal Veil Falls in Provo Canyon. I also finally was able to see the Emma Smith movie. Jason also started the process of applying to UVU (Utah Valley University). Jason also sustained an injury at work and required a few stitches on his right leg. The 4th of July was fun & we enjoyed many events.

In August we celebrated our 5th wedding anniversary. Deborah, Stephen, and Adam came out for a wonderful visit and kindly gave Jason & me a nice break with a day away. And amazingly we got some beautiful family pictures done. Daniel also started going to preschool.

September was a fun month. Jason turned 28 this year. I went to Time Out for Women (Like a LDS woman’s conference with lots of fun) with some wonderful friend’s of mine. And my sister Angela came out to visit in between job contracts in Iraq.

October had another General Conference. Also it was Halloween. Daniel was Spider Man and Joseph was a dinosaur. For our ward party I dressed up as a witch, and for Halloween night I was “a lady,” as Daniel put it. Daniel also started to call ghosts “Holy Ghost’s”—He would often run around with a sheet over his head and chase you while saying, “I be Holy Ghost.”

November was busy. I had my 25th birthday (Our auto insurance rates dropped). I also had a girl’s night in birthday party complete with great company, pajamas, the Emma Smith movie, and of course a chocolate dessert. I started teaching an Enrichment focus group about cooking. And we had an absolutely wonderful Thanksgiving at my Mom’s along with most of my family. Oh, and Jason quit his job as a framer and started working for SOS Staffing at US Synthetics making synthetic diamonds and tungsten carbide drill bits—We’re hoping he gets hired on full-time when his probation is up because the company really takes care of its employees.

December is not quite over yet. So far, we went on the “Polar Express” train ride to the North Pole (in Heber City, UT) & ate at Dairy Keen (they have everything trains in the restaurant & the boys loved it). We went and saw the lights & nativities at Temple Square. Daniel was officially diagnosed as having Asperger’s Syndrome—which explains he behavior. Jason was released from the Elder’s Quorum as 2nd counselor and was sustained as the Elder’s Quorum secretary in a new presidency. We finally got to play in the snow. Coming up is….Daniel’s first of a series of Doctor’s appointments, sledding, and Christmas here and at my Mom’s.