Good News

Taysom heard from our Stake President last night that the medical issues are resolved.  He said that her call should be issued Friday, January 18th... AND that she should receive it Friday, January 25th.

CAN'T WAIT!

Where will she be serving...

2012 Review (stolen from Megan)

1. What did you do in 2012 that you had never done before?

sent a child off to college

switched to standard based grading

served as a tour guide for the Kansas City Temple open house

did temple work with all four of our children

2. Did you keep your New Year's Resolutions and do you intend to make any for 2013?

I didn't make any New Year's Resolutions last year... I was just in survival mode.

I have made a list of things to do this year - some very simple and some that may only be a pipe dream.  I was inspired by my sister Megan.

 
3. Did anyone close to you give birth?
Yes, my sister Adrienne gave birth to Charlie who was stillborn and my sister Becca gave birth to Alec.

My friend Carlyn gave birth to Parley (affectionately known as Tucker Jr.)

4. Did anyone close to you die?
As mentioned above, my nephew Charlie died.

I didn't know her, but my counsin, Matt Howell's daughter Tiffany Howell finished her mission here on earth.

5. What countries did you visit?
None.

6. What would you like to have in 2013 that you didn't have in 2012?

a full family reunion

7. What dates will be etched into your memory from 2012 and why? 

February 17th: Watching Henry in Into the Woods with his own role as Rapunzel's prince  and filling in last minute as Jack as well.  I was in shock when the curtains opened. 
April 19th: Watched in amazement as Ilah stole the show as Drizzella in Cinderella.  She is usually so soft spoken.  I loved being there to witness her obvious talent in drama.
May 5th: Cultural Celebration for the Kansas City temple celebration - one of the best moments of the year for sure.  Cried almost the entire time as I bathed in the spirit of the Lord.

July 2nd: Lake Day with Jim, Amy, Syd, Bob, Mom & Dad W., and all the cousins.  Loved watching the cousins hang out and have fun.  Loved visiting with Heather.  Loved watching as Shane was pushed into the water... and he was genuinely happy.  Loved watching Henry and Shea keeping the fish in the little dug out "fish bowl" that Amy helped them create.  Loved watching Tucker and Ilah ride the Sea-Doos.  Loved watching Mom going for it even though her knee was giving her problems.

July 4-7th: Girls Camp - The theme was "I can do all things through Christ, who strengthens me" - I needed that reminder and out-pouring of the spirit.

July 21st: Tucker returns from Tonga - felt like a taste of things to come.  I'm so proud that he had a desire to go serve and that he was able to finish his eagle project.  I didn't remember what gate he would be at and I can not tell you how worried I was that we wouldn't be right there when he walked off the plane.  For me it was sheer panic.  All was well - we found the place and saw him as he exited the plane.  He was only gone for 2 1/2 weeks... I can't imagine how it will be when the kids are returning from their missions.

July 24th: Taysom returns from BYU-I.  One of the best moments as a mom ever - to watch as oldest embraces youngest with genuinely love on both sides.  Henry beaming with joy and Taysom smiling through the tears.  Love!
Last week of July: Megan and Chad's family come to visit.  Just love these two and their beautiful kids.  I feel that Megan 'gets' me and, trust me, I know that is hard to do.  It was so comfortable having them here with us.  We didn't do anything spectacular, but sure enjoyed having that time together.

September 1-3rd: Going to Iowa for Alec's blessing.  These are the things that I wish I could attend for all of my nieces and nephews.  It was wonderful to be able to meet up with my mom and dad and see Ben, Becca, Izzy, Theo, Adeline, and meet baby Alec.
October 6th: Returning home to Tucker running up to us saying that the mission age had been lowered with a big smile on his face.  I didn't believe him until I saw Taysom in tears. Enough said.
October 19th: Senior night at the football game.  I was so proud as we walked arm in arm with Tucker across the football field and instead of announcing what college, etc. Tucker would be attending, they said, "Tucker plans to serve a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints".
November 21st: Taysom finalizes mission paperwork - we thought it would be just 2-3 weeks until she got her mission call... little did we know...

November 22-23rd:  Thanksgiving festivities with B&B family, Tuckers, and Belnaps.  Loved helping Izzy make a pie, playing lots of pong, being surrounded by people I love.

November 24th: Whole family goes to temple to do baptisms for family names that both Tucker and Megan gathered.

December 21st:  Family temple trip.  Mike and I were able to do the initiatories for the above mentioned family names.  Haven't done initiatories in a long time and it was amazing.  I needed that.

December 23rd: Caroling with Belnaps, Tuckers, and Claypools.

December 24th: Christmas Eve - lunch and festivities with Belnaps and Tuckers and the missionaries - then traditional Christmas Eve with the family.

8. What is your biggest achievement of the year?

Good question. Painting the basement and hanging up most of the kids' artwork?

9. What is your biggest failure?
Having two cavities.

Getting two speeding tickets.

Not being able to afford the Mount Rushmore family reunion - or any summer family trip.

10. Did you suffer any illness or injury?

No. 

11. What is the best thing you purchased?

Mike got me a new pillow for Christmas.

12. Whose behavior or accomplishments merited celebration?

Mike lost 70 pounds!  

Henry was ordained a deacon.

Ilah and Tucker received their patriarchal blessings. 

13. Whose behavior made you appalled or depressed? 

myself at times

14. Where did most of your money go? 

Mortgage and regular bills and repairs.

15. What did you get really excited about?

Being honored as a Golden Apple nominee by one of my previous students.

Kim getting the new job she wanted and being able to move close to her family.

Taysom earning a full tuition scholarship for when when she returns to BYU-I.

Tucker earning a 31 on his ACT.

16. What songs will remind you of 2012 and why?

Broken

17. Compared to last year...

a. happier or sadder? Sadder.  NO real logical reason for this one - it just is what it is.

b. thinner or fatter? Definitely fatter.

c. richer or poorer? Poorer.

18. What do you wish you had done more of?

Visits to family.

19. What do you wish you had done less of?

Facebook.

20. How did you spend Christmas?

We spent Christmas Adam going caroling.  
It was incredible - put on a little program at a care facility too.

We spent Christmas Eve having a lunch with the Tuckers, Belnaps, misisonaries and Lore Dempsey.  We had a white elephant, played pong, decorated cookies and visited.  Then that evening we had our traditional potato chowder, homemade bread, and sparkling grape juice... using only candle light.  We updated our ornaments with new pictures/artwork and wrote our gift to Jesus for the year.  We sang some carols and then the kids watched A Christmas Story while Mike and I wrapped up our Christmas. 

21. Did you fall in love in 2012?

Yes if you count pets.  I have to admit that I love Molly. 

22. What was your favorite TV program?

Project Runway Allstars and The Next Iron Chef. 

23. What is the biggest choice you made this year?

To switch from teaching 5th grade (elementary) to teaching 7th grade Reading (middle school).

24. What is the best book you read?

The Book Thief or Unwind

25. What was your greatest musical discovery?

?

26. What did you want and get?

to be released as YW president - Phew - how do they do it? 

27. What did you want and not get?

To switch jobs and it make everything feel 'right'. 

28. What was your favorite movie this year?

Les Mis.

29. What did you do on your birthday and how old were you?

I turned 41. Mike took me to see Les Mis in St. Louis with our friends the Buhls, Belnaps, Tuckers, Kartchners, and the Mawbys.

30. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?

a vacation! 

31. How would you describe your personal fashion concept of 2012?

Whatever I can still squeeze into. 

32. What kept you sane?

my mom, reading, and watching Taysom transform - gives me hope that I can do the same. 

33. What celebrity did you fancy the most?

? no clue - not really into the celebrities.

34. What political issue stirred you the most?

"The majority of newly-elected leaders do not value the same things that I do. And we have a president who has a vision for America that is far removed from what our country should stand for." (This is a quote from Megan - I agree wholeheartedly.)

35. Whom do you miss?

Shannon and lots of family

36. Who was the best person you met?

Elaine Sherwood

37. Valuable life lesson learned in 2012?
No matter how old you get, you still need a Christmas surprise.

Don't let go of Santa even when the kids know...

38. What is something that really made you laugh this year?

Taysom -KFC party pack - "here, I threw in a couple of oreos... Enjoy"

or throwing the toy for Molly and it hitting the wall or Henry, etc.

or her "gentle" hugs etc.

39. What is something that really made you cry this year?
Realizing that Taysom and Tucker are going to be gone next year on their missions... Have I been the mother I promised Heavenly Father I'd be to them?

40. What do you anticipate will be the biggest change in your life in 2013?

Sending two kids into the mission field!