The Christmas Letter I Never Sent

Dear Friends and Family,                                                                  December 2010

This past year, 2009, we have learned many life lessons. We would like to share some with you.

Lesson #1- No matter how many matching outfit’s a child (particularly a 5th daughter) may wear, they are unique individuals and will make sure everyone knows it. Aurora (19 months) has managed to do everything her very own, unique way. She never crawled but scooted around on her bum instead. She didn’t get teeth until 15 months and then her molars came in first. She didn’t walk until 15 months, then ran the next day, and insisted on walking down the stairs (and has many bumps to prove it!) She also LOVES the vacuum, chases after it, and proceeds to attack it! So funny!

Lesson #2- Don’t bother potty training a child until they are ready. After many months of trying to potty train Karina and then giving up, Karina declared one day (shortly after becoming a Sunbeam in January) that she was done being a baby and never looked back!! As a result, we let her begin clogging classes, at the same studio as her sisters (Riana, Sariah, and Tierra.)

Lesson #3- Be thankful for bacon… very thankful!! One night Riana was praying over the food and said, “…And thank thee for…” and Karina (who just turned 4) shouted, “BACON, say bacon!!” That girl sure loves bacon! And has included it in her prayers many times.

Lesson #4- Never underestimate the power of a redhead! Tierra, 5, (who I thought was our shy one) decided one Sunday, that she wanted to bear her testimony. And then proceeded to walk up to the pulpit and share it, in front of our whole ward, all by herself!! She also enjoyed another year of running around, smiling at everyone on the field (while others around her played soccer.) She is such a happy girl! She also began “Kindergarten” at our Public School/Home-school Program, called O.R.L.A., where the older girls take (Art, Music, PE, Science, etc.) classes on Monday and Tuesday with public school teachers.

Lesson #5- Enjoy every moment, because these kids sure grow up fast!! Our 2nd oldest, Sariah, turned 8 in June and chose to be baptized, on 7-11! She also experienced many firsts- 1st time skiing, had her 1st slumber party, 1st time attending Activity Day Girls, 1st time playing on Riana’s soccer team (and did great!), 1st time donating her hair to “Locks for Love,” and 1st time singing a solo in church (the whole first verse of “Baptism,” during the Primary Program.)

Lesson #6- It’s nice to have an older, responsible child to help out. Riana, almost 10, is getting quite responsible and proved to her parents that she was ready to get her ears pierced. She is a wonderful helper to her Mom! She also began learning to play the violin, at public school Orchestra, coincidently with the same teacher Angela started with (Mr. Schooler.) Riana also attended a Clogging Workshop with her dance teacher and friends, went skiing with Daddy, and even scored 4 goals in one soccer game.

Lesson #7- It is extremely tough, but sometimes necessary, to let others help us. After losing 20 pounds (playing soccer, basketball, etc.), Angela partially tore her Achilles. After a bit of stubbornness (okay, a lot of stubbornness), she finally asked for help when she was told in a blessing that “as you let others help you, you will be healed.” What a difficult lesson for her to learn! (She also kept busy serving as Primary 1st counselor then Primary Chorister, writing and directing the Primary Program, decorating for the Ward Christmas Party, home-schooling, and singing with the “Sound Singers”--her Mom‘s group.)

Lesson #8- Performing with family builds wonderful memories. After Grant was asked to play “Joseph,” our whole family had the incredible experience to perform in the play “Savior of the World.” Also, in November, Grant arranged a hymn for 3 of his brothers and him to sing, at his brother’s homecoming. (Jeremy, they sure missed you!) Grant also had a great year at work and finished #2 (nationwide). He also keeps busy hiking, playing soccer, coaching, teaching early morning seminary, waiting in line (for hours) for his midnight “New Moon” date with me (pictured below), and singing opera every chance he gets!!

Lesson #9- We are very blessed! We are so thankful for the gospel of Jesus Christ and for having all of you in our lives! Love, Grant, Angela, Riana, Sariah, Tierra, Karina, and Aurora

Additional information:  Grant waited in line for hours for me, for good seats to the midnight showing of "New Moon."  I put the kids to bed at my parent's house and then joined him.  It is so funny that I swore I would never be one of those people.  And although I am a late bloomer, I loved "New Moon" and can't wait for the next movie, "Eclipse."  It was so romantic to watch the movie with my Edward.  :)  There is no one I would rather go to those movies with!  I laughed, I cried, and I had him right there to snuggle with.  It is even better that he has read all the books (even started reading them before me.)  Also his sister, Jill, who bought tickets separately than us (she lives an hour away but was meeting her other sis-in-law and mother-in-law who live an hour the other way), ended up in the same theatre as us (there were like 10 theatres showing it.)  So fun!  PS- Grant even bought Edward and Bella chocolates!  What a cutie!