2008 Newsletter

What a great year! I'm amazed at quickly the time has flown and already we are welcoming in 2009 in a few days. Here's a recount from our family -

Jhonny broke out with Halliburton in April and has been dealing with the frustrations of the oil field. The biggest transition has been in getting used to the schedule and being gone for days at a time. In his spare time he has been busy doing home improvement projects. He teaches the Deacon's quorum on Sundays and tries to make it to Mutual on Wednesday nights.

In June I gave birth to Gavin 3 weeks early due to PIH. It took a while to recover, but I soon found myself looking for more to do with my time. I took on a babysitting job to earn money for dance lessons for the girls and joined the local MOPS chapter. The biggest transition came when I was released as a counselor and pianist in the primary and called to be the Relief Society President of our Branch.

Jessica turned 6 in June and started First grade. She is at the top of her class and has E's on her report card in all her subjects and conduct. The biggest accomplishment came last summer when she shocked the primary by reading her own talk. Everyone broke out in applause and she had a big grin on her face. Her reading has only soared since then. Jessica is also involved in her fourth year of dance. Jessica has been a big helper and great big sister to Lily and Gavin.

Lily turned 2 last April and has been celebrating her birthday every day since it seems. Whenever her dad brings home a treat or when I pull out a new (hand-me-down) outfit she shrieks with pleasure at her new "birthday" present. Lily started dance lessons this year at Lisa's dance and after two lessons of the Mom and Me she was more than ready to move on to the pre-ballet class by herself. Lily loves to learn and play and is always doing something new. For a kid who hasn't grown more than 32 inches in the last year, she sure has gotten "big." Her latest accomplishment is getting potty trained! Yeah!! Mom is most excited about that one. Lily continues to entertain us around here with her antics and latest phrases.

Gavin was born June 16th and has been steady on his growth chart. He has a big grin and loves attention. He is finally sleeping through the night, rolling over and almost sitting by himself. He is a cuddly baby who loves the most expensive pacifier. I'll do anything to prevent another thumb sucker. He also cries alot when he isn't getting enough attention to which his sisters are a great help. We look forward to seeing him grow and develop. He is babbling at us and when he's upset it sounds a lot like, "Mama".

Our family took a couple of vacations this year enjoying Zion's Park in Utah for my grandmother's 80th birthday/family reunion. It was great to see cousins that have grown and catch up on everyone.

We also took a weekend to go to Grapevine and visit the Great Wolf Lodge in September. It was loads of fun and we made some great memories there.We are optomistic about the future. Even though we may pass through some tough times, we are sure of the Lord's tender mercies and his watchful care. We are grateful for our testimonies and the blessings of the gospel. We wish you all a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

Please excuse the mess and neglect. . .Relief Society President under construction

"Have you ever been married to a Relief Society President before?" This was the question I posed when my husband asked if all Relief Society Presidents spend so much time on their calling. I couldn't answer that, because I've never lived with one before. I was out on my own when Mom got that calling. She attested to me that yes - this job is time consuming and very near the equivalent of a Bishop. So I'm thinking probably - um - yes, I'm sure other Relief Society Presidents spend so much time on their calling, but perhaps not since other RS Presidents have a full commitee including a VT supervisor, secretary, a whole Enrichment commitee and not to mention three teachers to help her do her job. I've got 2 counselors and 1 teacher. So I may spend a little more time than most. . .but that is the beauty of living in a branch.
On a happier note - I think things are going very well so far. I'm more excited about Visiting Teaching than I think I've ever been. Perhaps it's because with the help of the missionary couple in our ward that has spent the past four months hunting down every member on our records, I now have a better understanding of all the members I've never met - which is quite a few. I've never felt quite so concerned for the welfare of so many all at once and I've never been quite so impressed or inspired so maybe it's the extra energy boost of the Spirit that is keeping me going?
In the beginning I was daunted and worried about finding the time to meet all the needs of our branch. But as I've fallen into this role and learned my duties, I've gotten excited. My counselors are wonderful and supporting. I know I'm on the right track when they are thinking exactly what I'm thinking and they say okay let's do it - even when I'm not sure they want to take on more responsibilities. They're awesome! They're on fire and they are getting me geared up too! I loved our lesson on unity and working together for a common goal. That's what we need. Unity to pull this all off.
And the highlight of my week other than the great program that our Choir director put together for Sunday- was Friday night when I dragged my family out to go caroling and visiting to some neighbors and some of the less active sisters on my VT route. No one begrudged our coming and it was a good feeling to wish some people a Merry Christmas and let them know we care. Santa even came along for our visits! It was pretty nice and my favorite part about Christmas so far.
Now if only I can get around to wrapping all the gifts I've got hidden around the house.
I'm hoping the next couple of days will be my own. Hoping. But I've hoped that before with less luck. So. . .?
Merry Christmas! I hope that you all are able to feel the Spirit of Christmas or rather the Love of our Savior during this hectic time!
And I do know that with a little experience things will level out and I'll get that balance my family and my sisters need from me.

La Macarena. . .Gavin style

Not sure how Gavin feels about all that lovin. . .

Visitors. . .

We enjoyed the company of our friends over the weekend after Thanksgiving. Too bad some of us caught a stomach bug. Otherwise it was great fun having them here. The highlights: kids playing and a trip to see Twighlight (without the kids), just hangin out and a photo shoot before they headed home.

Lily and Dawson had a great time. They were inseperable most of the weekend.

Jessica, Jeffrey and Dylan taking turns on the computer game. Too bad it was so cold outside. (Although that didn't stop them all from hitting the sandbox more than once.)

Picture fun. . .Gee, do ya have to leave? Lily was pretty determined to go too. We discussed trading kids for a week. "I'm going with Dawson," Lily informed us after hearing the hypothetical plans. Hmmm, she seemed pretty willing to trade me in for a new mom if it meant more time with her friend and extra attention for being "too cute."

Lily the problem solver. . .

How do you wash your hands when you're too short to reach the faucet?

Where there's a will, there's a way.

Sorry I've been a bit incognito

It's finally out of the bag so I can post again. The biggest thing on my mind for the past couple of weeks has been this new calling I officially recieved yesterday. It came as quite a surprise as it's the one calling I would never ask for or consider myself as a candidate for, but somehow my name came up multiple times and here I am, the new Relief Society President of the Rockdale Branch. You may think, "What?" As did I, but I have been reassured many times that I am the right person for this job. We shall see. I'm certainly willing to give it a shot if that's what the Lord wants me to do. I look forward to lots of growth in the near future.
As with any new challenge, I am sure the Lord will qualify me for this new job. I have no doubt about that. I'm looking forward to getting things under way and discussing stuff with my presidency. When asked what I would do if I were called to this position my immediate response was, "I'd call me some really good counselors." Well, someone must have listened to my request, because I got two of the best ones I could have asked for.
So I could say that I don't really have a clue as to how to be a Relief Society President, but I feel that's a pretty weak excuse, because huh - the Lord knows what I need to know and I guess he'll let me know if I'm not doing it right. And then there's this handy thing called a handbook - so I really have no excuse. As my support people have said and I know from past experience in other positions when I "haven't had a clue" - the Spirit will guide and teach me along the way. What more can I do? I have a way of learning things pretty fast - so I'm not really too worried yet about all that I don't know. I guess I've gotten away with being free from the fire for a while and it's time to stretch again. Lucky me!
Anyway - now you know. That's what's been keeping me away from the bloggersphere for a while. I hope to post more soon. I do have some pics from Thanksgiving with our friends and a few other fun things. . . more later if I can.