Merry Christmas!

Don't fall off your chair...yes, it is I posting.  What a year this has been!  Highs and lows, joy and sorrow, fun and challenge; all rolled into a wonderful year. 

taken in July?

Trevor and Jessica and Shad are doing well in CA.  Shad has had 3 rounds of chemo and they are planning surgery in January to take out what is left. 7mm, so tiny but so powerful too.  We are hoping and praying for good results, please join us in the battle.  Shad, when not on chemo, is a happy, energetic 4 year old who loves lego and Star Wars.  Trevor got a land transfer and is enjoying his new station.  He has been finishing up his BA online. He is a wonderful dad and help for his family.  Jessica takes wonderful care of Shad, a more than full time job.  Best benefits are kisses and hugs from Shad (and Trevor too:)  She has started a crochet business and makes the cutest hats.  She too is headed back to school for her masters.  Go Jessica!

Brendon married Emily in the Mesa Temple in October.  Ahh...wedded bliss...they are soooo cute together.  A little background on our newest member of the family; she grew up in CA and Tempe, she graduated from BYUI, she served a mission to temple square (I always thought that would be a fun mission, she said it was), she currently works for a real estate co. in Phx in their marketing dept.  They live in Peoria, in a rental her parents own.  Brendon will finish at ASU in May.  He passed his first Actuary exam and will take the second in February.  They are so happy and we are thankful for that.

Kevra is in her 2nd year at NAU and really loving it.  She has taken to the cold well and says we are a bunch of babies when we complain about 60 degrees.  She works in Student Services and will also be a TA in the Math dept next semester (no, she is an accounting major).  Kevra had a baby tooth that never came out...well long story short, it got a cavity and we pulled it last July.  Thus began the long process of pulling the other tooth down, making room for it, straightening her teeth, etc.  She got braces on the top to help this process.  Shad asked her why she had necklaces on her teeth:)  It should all be finished by fall.  We get to see her every 3-4 weeks cuz she has to come home for ortho appts.  She sent her missionary out in November, doing okay.  Missing him, but living life too.  So fun to have her home for a few weeks of break.

Jordon is now taller than both his parents, which he loves.  He still is trying to surpass Trevor, but has not made it yet.  He is enjoying Dobson, he marched with the band which he loved.  They took 4th in the super state competition (don't know why they call it that, but they do).  We went and it was really fun to watch.  He likes seminary and has been trying hard to keep up with his classes.  We rotated rooms after Brendon left, so he is in a new room, painted by him.  He thought it was going to be the pits to be home with just Sterling and I, but he has decided it is not so bad and is getting used to the quiet.

Sterling has had a wild year at work.  Their company is in letigation with 2 companies that owe them big money.  It has been a challenge to stay a float, but he has done so will and I am proud of him.  He and I went on two trips, the one to South Carolina with my brother and his wife in July...that was really fun. We also went to Denver in September. We stayed at the most gorgeous hotel called the Broadmor.  Way more expensive then we could ever afford, but we didn't pay for it:)  It was a nice, relaxing trip.  Sterling had meetings part of the time, I just walked, shopped, read and napped.

We missed Jessica and Shad, they were at the hospital.

  
I am enjoying my job, really like the new principal. I still meet and make cards once a month and paint with friends each week.  Both are a good creative outlet.  Finally got my craft room after Brendon moved out.  Still getting it organized.  RS is a continuous learning experience.  It is both wonderful and heartbreaking.  The hardest part about being a RS pres is all the things that people don't see and don't know that you are dealing with.  I am fortunate to have the most awesome sisters and support in our ward.  Am so grateful, words can't express.

We are almost ready for Christmas.  It changes as your family grows and changes.  I want to bear testimony that I know Christ lives, that he came to earth and lived so that we would know the right pattern of living and died so that life could continue with those we love.  I am so grateful for this blessing that he so freely gave. 

Kiss and hug those you love and tell them of your love......Merry Christmas:)