Mesa Temple Christmas Lights

We went to see the Mesa Temple Christmas lights with a family from our ward, the Griffiths. Christian ran into some friends he grew up with in California, the Larsens.

Christmas

We are family

We spent time in St George, Utah with Christian's parents and all of his brothers and sisters and their children. Many good times were shared, as well as many germs. Almost everyone ended up with a bad cold/flu. The kids played Rock Band--Beatles edition. Leah sang "We all live in a yewo subaline" all the way home. We also celebrated Christian's birthday--all the smoke is from his 36 candles.

Montreal food

Christian spent two days preparing a feast of quebecois food for us to taste. He made the food for the Hawkers, a couple in our ward going to Montreal on a mission. He made Poutine, Pate chinois, and Tortiere. All the food turned out well. I've never seen Christian work so hard in the kitchen.(He had a little help from Sydney and Jill)

Leah's wild ride

2009 in a nutshell

Christian's job has gone through many changes over the past few years, but finally, Countrywide became Bank of America, leaving us both very relieved. He also got a title promotion (LAME!!) and is now a Sr. Vice President (but it does sounds so good). He also became an adjunct professor for the University of Phoenix working as an online instructor teaching finance classes. USC did not bring him a lot of happiness this year, but maybe next season. He is still (always and forever) in the EQ presidency. He is a good dad--Jill told me today she would be okay if I went to jail, because then dad could quit his job and stay home with them. (I am not planning on going to jail). He has been so helpful to me in my new church calling and educational adventures. He almost never complains...
I started my masters program and I love it. It does make my life a bit hectic at times, but I am enjoying what I am learning (ESL) and educational theories. Its really interesting to me. I also started teaching Spanish very part-time for Primavera Online High School. I love it because I am able to work from home mostly during the afternoon when Leah is sleeping. I got re certified to teach in AZ, which was SO hard. I had to take two monster tests, one on Spanish and one on educational theories. I was so relieved to pass both of them. In October, I was called to be RS president of my ward. It was so humbling, surprising, and down-right scary to be asked to take on this type of responsibility. It has really stretched me in ways I did not want to be stretched. After 3 months I can say that it is getting easier and I am learning to love serving in this capacity. There are parts of this calling I will never love, but I do love helping, that is a blessing in and of it self.

It seems that for the moment we have turned a corner in our sibling rivalry journey. Sydney and Jill are finally realizing that their fighting drives mommy crazy and they don't wont a crazy mommy. Who does? So, they are trying to be nicer to each other, and it has made my life so much better. Syd and Jill switched schools to a smaller less crazy environment. It appears the risky move has paid off, as they are both a lot happier. Jill almost never complains about having to go to school. Leah has been going to a babysitter one morning a week, and she calls that her school. She loves it, she is so different from my other children. She is still reserved, but very accepting of new places and people. It makes going to the gym (and nursery) A LOT easier.

Leah makes us laugh. She thinks she is at least Sydney's age and can do whatever Syd can do. She has very little fear when it comes to being active and jumping and climbing. (very different from her sisters). She has grown up so much this year, I can't believe she is 2 1/2. Yesterday, out in public, we saw a very, very overweight lady and as she walked by Leah said "That's big, mommy, that's big." I could have died. She loves to sing and I love to hear her roaming around the house singing her unique versions of her favorite songs. Jingle Bells is her song of choice these days. Dont let the blonde hair fool you, she is still very much a fiery red head.

Jill, 5, decided over the summer that she likes posing for pictures, this is one of her many posed photos. She has come a long way this year. She and I are really starting to understand each other better and because of that we are all a lot happier. She is so sweet and very sensitive. I seem to embarrass her already. I can not speak loud to her in public, in case someone hears what I am saying. All day kindergarten has been hard for her, but she is coming a long. She has many fears and little anxieties that we are working on, but I have been so happy with her progress. She prays a lot, quietly and to herself, about little things like that she wont be late to school or that wont be worried that she will be late for school, or that mom will hurry and not make her late for school.

Sydney was baptized in August. She told me she wants to be a good girl, but she may have something wrong with her that makes her want to be mean to her little sisters. She loves learning how to do anything that interests her. Just this week she learned how to blow bubbles with chewing gum and she learned how to sew a simple stuffed animal pillow. She gets very obsessed with learning something new and wont stop until she is completely frustrated or finished the job. She has started doing housework (dishes, and vacuuming) and I love having a helper. Now, I just need to teach her how to clean the showers and my life will be so good! She is kind to her friends and classmates, the quality which I like most about her.

It has been a challenging year, full of new experiences for all of us. We are busy, but we are happy. We feel very blessed in many ways. Heavenly Father has certainly found some creative ways to answer our prayers.