2013 has been one heck of a year! Jake got married in January, we started looking for a new home in February and by mid April, we bought a new home and moved by May. In June I attended my first CRHS graduation and realized I could stay here for a long time. In July we traveled to Utah for a family reunion and saw Grandma Ellis and Wickham. We also got to hang out with my Uncle Jerry! Always a fun time with him! August I was back to work and Ammon started with a new babysitter. Gavin started Kindergarten, Lily started 2nd grade with her dad as her teacher and Jessica started Middle School! AND my sister was diagnosed with Acute Myeloid Leukemia. That was scary, but through faith, fasting and prayer she has been able to get a transplant and is now on the road to complete recovery - we hope! The kids still pray for her recovery every day.
This semester Jessica auditioned for and made the PG13 choir and has been invited to participate in Imagination Station, a STEM extracurricular activity through the ASPIRE program. She was also selected as a SPOT student in science and has excelled this year in school. She is quite good at doing hair and making bows. Her talents grow everyday. She was instrumental in getting all our Christmas goodies done for coworkers and teachers.
Lily is still cute and funny. She is maturing and preparing to get baptized next Spring. This semester she and Gavin made it into the high school musical as extra children in the show. They have a small part, but they are enjoying the attention. Lily is taking a musical theatre class and did a great job learning "It's a Hard Knock Life." Now she is practicing Pinkalicious. She got the main part and has a few solos. She tries every day to let her light shine bright. Her Spanish is improving all the time. How lucky to have her dad as her teacher! I also made the scary commitment of starting a girl scout troop for Lily. We have 7 girls in the troop and it keeps me very busy, but Lily and Jessica are enjoying the fun they have with their troops. Last Saturday we held a Girl Scout Holiday party with both of their troops and had a lot of fun. The girls made cookies and hair bows and had a white elephant gift exchange.
Gavin started Kindergarten with a broken arm. He was worried about what kind of first impression that would make and how that might stop him from being able to play on the playground. He said he was shy, but no one would believe that. He is the first to say hello to a stranger and future friend. I'm told often how cute and adorable he is. He's also very sweet and likes to try and help when he isn't "distracted." He played his first season of soccer this fall and earned the most improved player. For a family who is not very athletic, he did pretty well. He also auditioned for the high school musical, Ragtime with his sisters and was chosen as an extra. He is enjoying all the attention from these big kids who also think he is adorable. Gavin has been my first child to be nominated for TAG testing by someone ELSE! I of course believe ALL my children are gifted and talented. We declined the offer for this year, but he is being pulled for enrichment. It's hard to keep that boy focused, on task and entertained for sure. I really feel sorry for anyone who tries to get him to do something other than his own agenda, but he manages to charm everyone anyway!
Ammon was tested for and qualified for ECI services this past summer. Working with his therapist, he has come a long way in a few short months. In June he was swimming or belly crawling on the floor and finally pulled himself up. After a month of work, he learned how to crawl on all fours and strengthened his core muscles. By October, he took his first steps. By November, just in time for his 18 month b-day, he finally found his land legs and now he is walking everywhere and getting into everything. We're still waiting for him to learn more than grunts and moans and "mama" and "dada", but he's a happy boy and we love his delight in the new skills he is learning each day!
A few weeks ago, my cousin and his family moved to town! They found a house two minutes from us and we are thrilled to have them so close!
Jhonny was released from the Elder's Quorum presidency when we moved and 1 short week later was called to the same position in the new ward. Lol. He is busy with work, Life Vantage, and his calling. I am busy being a school counselor, mom, chauffeur, Girl Scout leader, nursery worker, emergency preparedness specialist in the ward and completing a stake assignment once a week. Phew! This season I am looking forward to some rest and relaxation. The past few weeks have been very busy keeping up with all the kids and work parties and callings. Hopefully we will be able to find the true meaning of Christmas and enjoy each other this next few weeks. We can't wait for a visit from my parents over the New Year! The kids have missed them.
