2009 at a Glance...

2009 brought many things to our family. First, Sarah has developed like crazy. Gone are the days I can call her a baby—she’s now a full blown 2 year old talking machine. At the beginning of 2009 Sarah was just learning how to crawl up things, like on the piano bench. Now she can move a chair, climb onto it, and play the piano anytime her little heart desires. She is so tall, she doesn’t even need to stand on her tippy toes to see what is on the table and if she wants something on the counter, then by all means she reaches up and grabs it.

Jordan and I have learned it is unwise to buy glass cups. Sarah is Mommy’s little helper and puts all dishes in the sink when she finds them, full, used, or otherwise. Glass and hard, porcelain sinks don’t match. One shatters, and it’s not the sink. For Christmas Jordan tried to surprise me with new cups, but I already knew that’s what I would be getting. I can’t complain, we were running low!!

Sarah’s vocabulary went from about ten words at the beginning of 2009 to around 400 words and growing. She can speak in complete sentences, sometimes connecting 4-5 words in one sentence. Recently Sarah has begun singing. One day she just stopped listening to Mommy sing and joined her! Let me tell you what a surprise that was. I was utterly shocked since Sarah was singing most of the words correctly, on key, and up to tempo. Wow, I was stunned. She also will match any note a singer holds out in a song and she’ll match pitch almost perfectly. Not many 2 year olds can do that…well, that I know of. My hopes of Sarah being musically inclined just may be realized in the coming years.

The Stake Musical Anna and I worked so hard on came to life in March 2009. It was a lot of work, a lot of stress, and a lot of time spent on this project, but it was well worth it. The youth are constantly asking Anna and me when the next Musical will be. Of course we don’t know when. I wish I could say soon, or next month we’ll be starting, but we haven’t heard back from the Stake Presidency yet on when they wish to begin the next Musical. When we began this, they all said this would be something we did annually. Now, I don’t know what they meant by annually, but I’m glad I was able to do this Musical and look forward to do another whenever they are ready for it. The script is written, the music is already altered for cleaner language, and we’re ready to roll…whenever the word is said.

Since the Musical, many of the youth have joined choirs, theater groups, and have done extracurricular activities based on theater or music. It really makes me feel as if I did something good for these youth, and the adults who felt they had been forgotten in the wards and stake. I believe had we not done the Musical, many of the younger kids and youth wouldn’t have had the courage or desire to participate in other music/theater things. Many have told us had we not done the Musical, they would’ve never had the courage to audition in front of their friends. Or, they’ve said they would’ve never thought they’d be prepared to audition for a lead role and have confidence or experience they’d need to actually get the part they wanted. I’m so glad to have brought something good to my stake and to others who enjoyed watching the Musical as much as others enjoyed being in it.

In April of last year, Sarah began swimming lessons. She was apprehensive at first, but soon grew a love and warmth for the water just as her mother has. Sarah loves, repeat, loves to swim! Whenever we went to Bear Lake, Sarah wanted to plunge right into the water, despite the cold. She even wanted to jump off the boat in the summer whenever she could. But, Mommy wouldn’t allow her do to that…yet. When she’s older and a more advanced swimmer, I won’t mind one bit at all. Until then, however, she will remain safely in the boat unless I’m in the water with her. Jordan is afraid of water, so he won’t be getting in with her any time soon—or ever for that fact.

Jordan and I celebrated our 5 year anniversary in January last year. To celebrate, we went on an Alaskan Cruise in May. It was so much fun! We left Sarah with Nana and Bompa for a week, which was the hardest thing to do, and left for a vacation for two. We spent a day in Seattle, visited the sites there, and then got on our cruise the next day. We stopped in Ketichan, Juneau, Skagway, and then Victoria, Canada. It was a blast and I hope to one day do it again. What a trip and so many memories made.

We had many fun camping trips this year. We first went to Smith and Morehouse near Kamas, UT. It was beautiful there and I can’t wait to go back again. Daisy Mae also had a fun time playing in the river. Sarah didn’t like that it rained (as it did on every vacation after we got back from Alaska save 2) and didn’t fall asleep the first night. I got her to sleep in a sleeping bag next to me, but I was kept awake all night by a little 2 year old trying to push me out of my own sleeping bag and off my own mattress. Thank goodness the next camping trip, which we took to Cottonwood so Anna and Karina could see where my book took place, Sarah slept much better. It did rain, but it was spotty rain. We were lucky enough we could take Daisy with us since we camped on the opposite side of the lake. She loved fishing, hiking, and enjoying the outdoors with us. I almost think Daisy had more fun than we did. Especially drying off by the fire.

Sarah learned how to drive boats this year as well (with the help of an adult that is). She loves driving the big boat with Nana and Bompa. She’s not too keen on sharing the steering wheel, since she wanted to do everything by herself, but relented. She also helped Daddy drive the small fishing boat on our little fishing trips together. Of course it was much harder for her to stay going slow. She wanted to rev the engine and go fast, fast, fast. Is this a sign? Should I be worried?...For now I’ll embrace the fact she loves the water, unlike her Daddy, and loves boats, unlike her Mommy.

She is also learning her ABC’s and can count to ten. Sarah loves to spend her days coloring and telling Mommy, Daddy, and Anna what letters to write on her works of art. Most of the time she asks for the letters B and S. B for BYU, and S because her name begins with S. But I must admit it is a little embarrassing in church when Sarah is coloring and loudly requests us to write the letters B-S on her paper.

Jordan was released from being a Scout Master over the 12 and 13 year old boys this summer and was called to be an advisor to the Priests. So now he’s working with 16-18 year old boys. He really likes it a lot, especially since these boys were the first boys he taught as Deacons. He is looking forward to camping trips, special activities, and spending time helping them each prepare for their missions. I know Jordan will do a fantastic job helping these youth reach their goals and full potentials. I’m glad to support him 100% in his calling, as always, and I’m glad he gets his “guy time” too. Being in a house full of women can be overwhelming, I do admit.

I was released as Ward Historian and called to be a Sunbeam teacher in May. At first I was really intimidated by the calling. I feel I work much better with older, more mature kids. I don’t like speaking down to anyone because of their age and sometimes I feel I lose little kids in explanations. But, I thought the Lord must be prepping me for when Sarah is that age. I accepted the calling and began teaching 3-4 year olds about the gospel. I can honestly say I really enjoy the calling. It’s had its ups and downs, but it is really fun teaching little kids about prophets, Heavenly Father and Jesus, and our church. All I can say is…the things kids say. I’ve learned a lot about other families in the ward.

Sarah accomplished another large feat after her 2^nd birthday. Potty training 101 was enforced in full right after Sarah turned 2. I was completely devoted and dedicated to train Sarah. She was in Nursery in church, hated diapers, and I believed was mature enough to be trained. After Anna and I sat with her for 45 minutes one night, she finally went on her little singing toilet. That very night I went out and bought poster board, stickers, and poster putty. I hung the potty chart in the bathroom and each and every time Sarah went on the toilet, she got a sticker. Once she went enough times, she got a prize. Sarah’s very first prize was a Hannah Montana purse. She loves her little purse and carries it with her as often as she remembers to bring it with her when she goes shopping with Mommy and Auntie Anna. Now she’s potty trained and in her very own big girl bed (she has my old daybed I had as a little girl).

Officially I have finished my Life Saga books. Book one, An Unforeseen Life, was completed last year. In the mean time, I’ve written A Forsaken Life (book 2), A Provisional Life (book 3), and the fourth and final book An Enduring Life. Many youth in my ward have read the books and thoroughly enjoy them. I have yet to find a literary agent, but my thoughts are now turning towards self publishing. With as many youth who are reading the books now enjoy them, I think it just may be my ticket in. However, I’m currently writing another series, a sci-fi I began many years ago before the Life Saga, and plan on finishing book 1 first. Anna believes this book is my ticket into the publishing world and insists I must finish that book and seek representation before I jump to self publishing. With her enthusiasm and encouragement, I’m going to wait…for now. We’ll see what my loyal and faithful readers have to say once they read my book about Elementals.

Jordan and I made it a goal this last year to finish our basement. We’re really close to making that goal. In fact, by the end of January, we’ll have carpet put in the basement. We’re painting and tiling in the coming weeks, so hopefully come February Anna will move into the basement. Then come Valentine’s Day we’re hoping to have a full working bathroom and kitchenette. We’ll see…I really hope we’ll have things done by then!!

Sarah has worked hard all year and has learned to say prayers every night before she goes to bed, has a prayer over every meal, and has family prayer every night. In fact, when I mention it’s bedtime she will sometimes remind me (before I can remind everyone else) that we need to say a prayer and brush our teeth. What a good little angel, when I was young I would’ve done anything to not have to brush my teeth. I suppose, however, that it does postpone bedtime by ten minutes or so. No complaints here.

Now I have a 2 ½ year old running around my home, a gimp dog (Daisy tore her ACL and had it replaced) who is recovering each and every day, a busy husband who is always working on the basement, and all the love I have ever needed surrounding me at all times. I’m grateful for all I have been given and continue to receive. I’m grateful Jordan and I both have jobs during this economic downfall and that we’re able to support our family when so many others are struggling right now. I’m eternally grateful for the gospel in my life and for the knowledge I have about a Heavenly Father who loves me, cares for me, and knows all my trials, feelings, and struggles. This year has taught me much and has given me much. I hope 2010 brings more memories, joys, and love into my life just as 2009 did.