Year in Review

WOW, a new year already. I can't believe how fast life seems to pass by. My baby is 6 months old already, and my big girl is three, going on 23. There are only 19 weeks left in the school year (count down courtesy of the local gas station marque), and 20 weeks until Aaron leaves for Basic Training.

This last year was one full of many memories and learning experiences.

In January, Aaron started vising the elementary schools and teaching 5th and 6th graders the basics of music. He learned more than anything that patience and hard work, especially with this age group, are vital to a growing music program.

In February Aaron and I started looking into becoming home buyers and making our move to Arimo a little more permanent.

In March, we found our house, and started the VERY long paperwork process.

The end of April, everything was finalized and we moved in on April 28, 2008 (only hours after signing our life away). Luckily for us, my brother was in town, and we moved in about two days.

May ended Aaron's first year of teaching, and started our first summer together where Aaron didn't have a summer job.

In June, my brother and his family moved in, he was hired at Marsh Valley as the new AG teacher, and they still needed to sell their home in Oregon. We were supposed to welcome a new baby this month, but she decided that she didn't want to come until July.

July 1st we finally welcomed McKenzie Kay into our family, just in time for her first 4th of July celebration--and a family first of spending the evening up in Idaho Falls at the Melaleuca Freedom Celebration--something I grew up with, and finally had the opportunity of sharing with my family.

August started Aaron's second year of teaching.

In September, Aaron joined the Idaho National Guard--a decision that was made in October of 2007, about the same time we found out we were expecting, and I was not about to send him off to Basics and miss our special delivery.

September and October were also full of a lot of traveling. My sister had twins the end of August, and I traveled to Boise for a week, and then up to Moscow for a week. It was great to see her and her new family.

Thanksgiving was spent in the Boise area. We spent Thanksgiving with my family, and Friday with Aaron's family. We then traveled to Moscow for a baby blessing on Saturday.

On December 8, 2008 Troy and Caiti officially sold their home!

December was our first Christmas to stay home for the Holidays. We were not alone. Melinda came down to visit for two weeks, Troy and Caiti were here, and Dad came down for the day. It was great having everyone around.

At some point over Christmas break I played Risk for the first time. It was fun in that "this is a very interesting game sort of way". A game that takes lots of thought, and if you make one mistake, you loose. (As you can probably guess, I lost.)

This next year looks very exciting and bright. Despite what is happening in the world around us, we have faith in the future and plans for a wonderful year. As mentioned before, Aaron will experience Basic Training this year, he will also begin traveling to Boise for Drill weekends. McKenzie will turn one in July, In April we will start year two as home owners, Aaron will start his third year of teaching in August, Alexis will turn four in September, and we will celebrate our fifth anniversary in June.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!