2008, where did this year go? It went by so quickly it almost feels like we got robbed, Oh wait, maybe that’s because…. we did, in April. Coming home from a family vacation to find what’s left of your belongings strewn carelessly about is definitely memorable, though not necessarily noteworthy. Thankfully, that’s not the only interesting thing to have happened to us this year. It can only get better from here.
As usual, we put so many miles on our car this year, it almost feels like we went to Africa and back, Oh wait, maybe that’s because…. we did. It was an amazing once in a lifetime adventure and we didn’t even get Malaria or West Nile Virus or anything else, that we know of. Although the Red Cross still won’t take our blood. Are we missing something here?
We’ve been so busy, it almost feels like we had another kid, oh wait, maybe that’s because…. we did (sort of). Riley got home from his mission in February. We were thrilled to have him home for two months then almost as thrilled to have him leave again in April; funny how that works. It was mutual of course. He was ready for a lot more fun and excitement, and a lot less physical labor than we had to offer. Unlike the past two years, our interaction with him now is much more than a weekly email and we love being a part of his many adventures, although we’re not nearly as informed of his whereabouts, daily habits and dress and grooming standards. He’s found a new love, in gymnastics, learning it, and teaching it to easily distracted, busy, if not hyper, younger versions of himself. I think I may be enjoying this experience as much as he is.
We had a lot of fun this summer, but it almost felt like something was missing, oh wait, maybe that’s because…. someone was, Katelyn. She spent several months in Israel, studying at the BYU Jerusalem center. We had some anxiety about her going, especially after the initial orientation I attended with her where the reality of the situations in the Middle East were made pointedly clear, but that was quickly replaced with gratitude as her many amazing opportunities and experiences unfolded there. The birth of our Savior, celebrated at this time, has even more meaning to her this year having just visited Nazareth, Bethlehem and Galilee. She is now safely back in Provo and I use that term loosely as I know what driving and everything else is like in that town with 30,000 crazed college students.
It seems like we spent a lot of time in the bleachers of our high school football stadium, oh wait, maybe that’s because…. we did. Jace just finished a very exciting and successful football season and career. His team made it all the way to the semi finals before losing their first and only game of the year. He was selected “Defensive player of the Year” for his league. I admit, I cried a little, and gagged a lot, washing that big ole’ sweaty, smelly #76 jersey for the last time. L We retired it to a place of honor, (the back of his closet), in a special private family ceremony. It looks like he’ll be attending college in Utah as he has only applied to schools there, some Red and some Blue, some false and some true. We, of course, will support him attending the college of our, or oops, we mean his choice.
You know, it seems like we’ve had double the high school activity and drama this year, oh wait, maybe that’s because…. we have. Lindsey is now a lowly little freshman. She is glad for the friendship of her older, cooler, upperclassman cousin, McKenzie, as she rarely gets that senior older brother of hers to acknowledge her existence there. She does although, recognize her dependence on them both for that all too important link to high school socialization and freedom…transportation. She continues with her many athletic endeavors, volleyball, basketball, softball, and had fun perfecting her wakeboarding and surfing skills this summer at Lake Powell with my family. She’s a typical teenage techno-junkie, constantly texting, chatting or downloading.
It seems Michael spends more andmore time scheming, planning, if not actually catching, the things he likes to eat, oh wait, maybe that’s because…. he does; crab, shrimp and salmon, just to name a few.
It seems like this letter is long enough already, oh wait, maybe that’s because…. it is. Sorry! At this holiday season we’re especially grateful for each other and all of you. We hope it feels like Christmas at your house, because…IT IS!!!!
1 comment:
kate, you have such a cute little family!!
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