Merry Christmas One and All!!

I wish everyone a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! I am planning on having one myself!

I just wanted to write a little about this year so far, 2008. Some of my favorite memories from this year are:

1. Grand Canyon. Our first official trip with Sarah Marie. How could I forget the long drive to Arizona with a little 8 month old?! Sarah took the drive pretty well considering. She didn’t, however, like to be alone in the back seat of the car, so either Jordan or I had to ride in the back with her. As soon as we got to the Grand Canyon Sarah was better, mostly because she was out of the car! Perhaps she gets claustrophobic like Nana…? Justin and Lindsey met us there the following day and they we were off to explore the Canyon. It was beautiful there, flowers were in bloom, the weather was nice (although the wind blew often), and the sun was out. A complete change from SLC that still had snow on the ground! We didn’t explore down into the Canyon, I was afraid to take a baby down on the steep, narrow trails, but we did see every lookout point we could. My favorite moment of the trip: Sarah falling asleep in her backpack and snoring!! Cutest moment ever!!

2. Cottonwood! How could I possible not mention the most wonderful place in the world?! Sarah’s very first trip to heaven on earth. The weather was perfect for doing pretty much anything! 4-wheeling, hiking, and we can’t forget fishing! Luckily Nana watched Sarah Marie while Jordan and I fished, but Sarah did join me a few times. I am a fish-aholic—mom’s word. Sarah took a ride on the toonee with Nana, Dada, Mama, Auntie Liz, and Cousin Abby. It was great fun. When Sarah spent time in the cabin it didn’t take her long to find the stairs either. That little munchkin just wanted to climb! Do I have a mountain climber on my hands?! Sarah also tried her first bite of fish. She didn’t eat a lot, in fact only a bite, but she did eat it! Yeah for Sarah! Later on the trip we hiked to Dead Lake (Slide Lake is the official name). Sarah enjoyed sitting behind Dada and eating cookies. Her face was messy, her clothes were messy, but she was as cute as ever when she fell asleep with caked on cookie all over her chubby cheeks! What a moment to remember!! Not to mention, this trip was also Sarah’s first 4-wheeling ride with Dada! Yeah!!

3. Bear Lake. Second place on earth to be!! Sarah only had 3 or trips there this year, but all were a blast! We spent Memorial weekend at the lake, only to be frozen stiff!!, but it was great fun. We played on the swings and cards inside. We later went again in June and spent a fun weekend at the beach with the family and Daisy Mae. Daisy loves, repeat, loves the water!! I can’t get my dog out!! Daisy played fetch, dragged in anything she possibly could, wanted to ride in the boat (which she couldn’t), and followed us everywhere we went. Sarah enjoyed playing on the sandy beach, tasting a few seashells and rocks here and there, and playing with cousin Abby. For Sarah’s 1st birthday we went to Bear Lake with Nana, Bompa, Uncle Jon, Auntie Roo, Auntie Liz, Abby, Uncle Mike, Uncle Adam, Auntie Roo, James and Martha (Jordan’s cousin and wife), Phillip, Luke, and Lindy (their kids), Grandma Resch, and Great-Grandma Opal, Uncle Robert, and Auntie Anna, Meghann and Richard, and of course Mommy..whew…I think that is all who came!! We played on the beach all day, I made an under the sea cake, we had a piñata, presents, cake, and Bompa’s famous homemade icecream!! It was a beautiful day and everyone had fun playing in the sun. This is bound to become a tradition!!

4. Sarah’s first steps. Wow, that was a doozy! I never thought Sarah would all of the sudden stand up and start walking! We were at Great-Grandma and Grandpa Harris’ home playing with cousin Colin (my cousin Nicole’s son) and Sarah decided right then and there she was going to walk from the couch to the coffee table. I was watching Sarah and Colin play while lying on the ground and I turned around to see what Sarah was doing and walla! she was taking her very first steps!!! I freaked out and she fell on her bottom, but I scooped her up and kissed her, congratulated her for walking, and set her back down to see her take another 7 steps or so!! Yeah for my little achiever!

5. Sarah’s first two-word sentence. Sarah spoke her first two words together in October. One Saturday morning I woke up, changed Sarah for the day, and set her down to put on some socks. Daisy came walking in her room and Sarah squealed with excitement since she loves Daisy Mae to death, and said “Doggy-doggy!” I smiled and motioned for Daisy to join us. I patted Daisy on the head and Sarah followed suit, and added in “Good dog! Good dog!” My mouth dropped open and I stared at her in wonder and then added, “Yes, Sarah. Daisy is a good dog…most of the time.” We all know Daisy has a little devil in her that tells her to be naughty, but overall my beast is a great dog and takes care of Sarah too (or so she thinks by licking Sarah’s face that it is really cleaning her up and doing me the favor.) But, what other dog would allow a little baby-potential-monster climb on her back and ride her like a horse?! Sarah was right; Daisy is a good dog.

6. George. Sarah’s favorite stuffed animal Nana gave her while Jordan and I were on the deer hunt. Sarah clings to that monkey like her life depended upon him. He is her security blanket, so to speak, and she holds on to him for hours while we drive up to Nana and Bompa’s home in Logan. Even when she is hungry in the car she doesn’t drop George to eat with both hands. George is her little lovie! Heaven forbid we lost him, I wouldn’t know what Sarah would do without him!!

7. Stuffed animal kisses and nothing for Mommy or Daddy! Sarah loves animals. It doesn’t matter if they are t-rex or a tame lamb. Every animal toy she sees, and sometimes live ones as well, gets kisses and hugs from Sarah. Mommy and Daddy though, well, we get nothing. So, Jordan and I have resolved to “steal” kisses from Sarah. She’s too little to tell us no, so we pick her up and smother her with kisses! Her chubby cheeks need just as many kisses as the stuffed animals do!! Needless to say, Daisy Mae gets more kisses from Sarah than I do!! I think I just may be a little jealous!

8. Stake Musical. A project a year in the making has finally come to pass! Yeah!! I wrote the script and came up with a story line about accepting others for who they are and not changing who you are to be accepted. I incorporated songs from different musicals into the script, changed lyrics here and there with Anna’s help, and presto!...we had a start. Little did Anna and I know this was only the beginning. We sought approval from the Stake Presidency and 4 months later we heard back from them with an astounding “yes, let’s do this!”. Anna and I are still ecstatic that something we created is in the works and others are just as excited to do the show are we are! We have a cast and now we have a lot of practicing ahead of us.

9. My book. Yes, that is right, I wrote a book. I started the book when I was pregnant with Sarah Marie. I had this vivid dream one night about two sisters, who had complete and utter respect for each other, but were sister’s nonetheless, who lived in the small town (or valley) of Star Valley, WY. Set at Cottonwood. Go figure I could write a book about two sisters, who in the dream resembled Becca and me quite well, who one wanted out and the other wanted to stay put forever. This dream was so vivid, it lead to me writing a book based on it. It is a science-fiction young adult book. Aunt Nola, bless her heart, helped me edit the book. Anna, bless her hear too, read the book five times over or more and helped me clear the story line as I went, edit, and give me advice. I also love hearing her speculations as well!! Now I am in the process of finding a literary agent who likes my book enough to see it get published. The industry is harsh, finicky, and tough, but I really believe my book as something special about it and has a lesson for everyone to learn (not that I am biased or anything).

10. Jon left on his mission. My little Jonny-boy brother graduated High School and moved on quickly to leaving on his mission. Wow, time flies! Jon was dropped off at the MTC October 22nd preparing to learn a new language (Cebuano). Jon left for the Philippines the Saturday before Christmas and is now in Carcar, Cebu, Philippines. He loves the people, is embracing their culture, and says “he is a babe-magnet” because he is blonde and blue-eyed. We learned before his mission that fair skinned, blonde, and blue-eyed people were the most desirable in the Philippines. So, I think Jon just may be running away from girls on his mission and not the other way around. Jon, however, is a pretty darn good looking blonde if you ask me. It must run in the family.

11. Aiden. My older sister Liz welcomed her second born, Aiden Robert Kempe. He was born July 23rd, 2008 at 11pm or so. He was born a little sick, but after staying in the hospital for a week he was ready to come home. I went and visited her then, a week later, and Sarah and I met Aiden for the first time! He is so cute, and still is! Liz loves repeating my famous words, “You better watch out Liz, Aiden is eye candy!” Needless to say, my words are still ringing true today. Aiden is going to be a little football star and Mike couldn’t be more proud.

12. Christmas. This was Sarah’s second Christmas, but one she actually could open all the presents by herself. Although, she was going really slow so I had to step in and help. Sarah got all her clothes from Auntie Liz (I am grateful for hand-me-downs!!) so Sarah had a Christmas full of toys and movies. Santa brought her a rocking horse, that gallops, neh’s, and moves his head. Sarah loves rocking on him. Nana and Bompa got Sarah a 4-wheeler! Yeah!! Now she can keep up with Daddy. I got clothes, a new purse, and had family surround me (which is all I really ever needed). Jordan got a new car stereo because his pooped out a while ago. It was a great Christmas spent with family and friends. Sarah even went sledding for the first time! Bompa, Nana (who stayed in the car), Auntie Roo, Chubbs (Becca’s dog), Daisy Mae, Daddy, and I were all there to witness Sarah’s first sled ride down the mountain side. We didn’t stay long, but the time we were there was worth it.

As you can tell, we had a wonderful year filled with great memories. Sarah has grown from a baby into a full blown toddler. I love my little girl and husband so much and thank the Lord every day that they are here to share my life with me. What better gift could I have than my family forever? I firmly believe it is nothing. God bless everyone and I hope you too have had many happy memories through this year and I wish everyone the best in 2009.