The Annual Christmas Newsletter 2010 Edition

I haven't blogged in months, but it's time for my annual Christmas newsletter.  I'm being totally lazy and copying some the highlights/lowlights from an early post this fall -- with just a few additions (in RED for your convenience).  Anyway, if you're interested at all in what the Huts have been up to in 2010, please read on...

• January - May was a big blur.  It was really devoted to my dad and writing John's grandma's personal history.  They were both at CareSource Hospice Center together and I would go there almost every day to visit.  My sweet dad passed away on May 20th and Faye followed on May 29th.  It was a highly draining and emotional, but spiritual time for our family.   These are experiences I couldn't possibly even try to describe in a blog.
• In January, my friend April threw some freelance work my way for the Dental Assisting School of Utah where she works as Marketing Director.  John and I converted their website and made updates, set-up a CRM system, and I did some web content and admin stuff.  I still help them out when needed.
• In March, I started freelancing for a New Jersey based company getinterviews.com that my friend Liz referred me to.  I write and edit resumes for them.  I never thought I'd like it, but it's kind of a fun gig.  When it's busy, I can spend 15 hours a week doing that.
• I've started a personal history business: Remember Your Story.  I'm working on my mom's right now to add to my portfolio and John and I are doing the website.
• I'm working on a children's book and a novel -- both are going VERY slowly.
• Still doing a lot of other freelance gigs - and to supplement my income, I've been substituting in the Special Education classes up at Katie's school when things are slow.  It's genuinely fun!
• John is still Sales & Marketing Director at Aquaveo (a water modeling software company).  But, he's been working a lot in Provo.  In August, they merged the South Jordan and Provo offices, so he's been working in Provo since then.  Ugh.  John went to BYU, but never lived in Provo.  He took SL Center classes and commuted when he needed to.  He says he's used to it and it will be fine.  I say that it's been 11 years since he graduated and he was single most of that time.  It's going to be TOTALLY different now that he's married, has a kid, and is busy with church.  But, we're not in a position to move right now, so we're just going to try and make it work.
• We've pretty much stayed put with all that's gone on, but we did get to go to Idaho and Jackson Hole in July, which was a total blast!  We spent a couple of weekends in Heber at John's mom and step-dad's cabin.
• In June, I put on a Stake Carnival (I'm Stake Cultural Arts Director).  It was one of the hardest things I've done for a church calling.  Mainly because of my dad's health and his death, I didn't plan well at all and didn't delegate much.  Most of it ended up on my plate; a lesson I learned the hard way and will NEVER do again.  But... it was a huge hit, so that's good!
• In July, John got to travel to Shanghai, China for work!  I really wanted to go, but we just couldn't pull it off.  Fortunately, I've been to Beijing, so at least he didn't go somewhere that I was dying to visit.  He  was gone 10 days for a conference... and he even ate Chinese food!  That's a big deal for him since he's uber-picky.
• Katie is doing great.   We had a low-key summer.  No camps, no lessons.  It was actually really nice.  We did compete in the South Jordan Chalk Art festival with our neighbors Linda and Maddie.  We won first place in the Family Category!  Katie finally lost some teeth, so that was the great achievement of the summer!  She started 4th grade!!!  She was put in the ELP program this fall and we're very proud of our smart-cookie.  She also won 1st place in the Music Category of Reflections for the 3 - 5th graders.  She even got to go skiing on a field trip and fell in love with it.
• I'm an aunt again to cute baby Scarlett: Jimmy and Libby's daughter.  I'm a great-aunt again x 3.  My nephew Sparky and his wife Holly had their cute baby Austin in February.  Liz and Marshall had cute Drake in August.   And my niece Aisha and her husband Brad had a cute baby last week named Lydia!
• Been helping out my mom a lot.  She's doing well considering everything.  We (her fam) remodeled her bedroom -- something that wasn't done in probably 30 years.  It's really good for her to have a new room after all the years it was like a hospital wing.  Been working on my dad's library which may just be the death of me.  But it has been a fascinating process!  A bunch of us are going on a cruise with her to the Western Caribbean in January: Jimmy, me, John, Katie, Brad, Lisa, and all their kids.  Should be fun!
• Just when I think we've made progress with our house, something else happens.  Our back fence fell down (John's in the process of replacing it now) and we have to do some plumbing work downstairs.  The garage is tilting and the back is rotted.  Arson sounds like a good option right now.
• Katie and I  COMPLETED Harry Potter Lego Wii.  We did get a Wii Fit in April, so we're not complete couch potatoes.  I've actually lost 22 - 25 lbs. (depends on the day; it fluctuates -- and with the holidays, I may have put on more!), which I'm crediting Weight Watchers, the Wii Fit, and walking Bailey, but...
• ... on the bad side, I got sciatica after going on a school field trip up Red Butte in April.  It was snowing really bad and we hiked 2 miles.  On the way down the mountain, I totally strained my left leg.  It's finally getting better, but it has taken MONTHS!
• Then there's Bailey... the dog who lived!  Still love him!
• We are SO grateful for our blessings.  Even with a challenging year, all I can really say is how thankful I am for all I have.  I can't say enough good things about John and Katie; they both put up with a lot and I'm so grateful for them.  We have had so many wonderful, spiritual experiences this year and I know that our Heavenly Father loves us and is watching out for us.  We are so grateful for terrific family and friends.  We hope you ALL have a wonderful holiday season and a terrific 2011!

The Huts