Blizzards, Music, Christmas and a New Decade

Anyone with children in school would have spent the last few weeks attending an assortment of christmas concerts featuring their kids and their classes.  We are certainly no exception.  Between Meile, Christopher and Jared, we had orchestras, bands, and singing groups who all entertained us with new songs and musical performances.

Jared at his Concert

Meile's Orchestra (Meile is wearing the Santa hat)

We have had some considerable snow over this month.  Our first storm occurred the second week of December and brought 8 inches of snow. So far, it had been the most significant snow storm we had seen in our short time here.  I say "had been" since over Dec 23-25, we had almost the same amount of snow, but combined with winds of 50 mph, we had a three day blizzard that shut down most of the state. 

Our Christmas was a day spent opening gifts, hosting our missionaries here to use our phone to talk to their families (as they have no phone in their apartment), and finishing the day at a large Christmas dinner party at the home of friends from church.  It was also a day where Jon helped dig out three stranded cars.  The first belonged to missionaries who were coming out to the house and got stuck in a large drift.  The second was after our Christmas party for one of those attending, and the third was a man stuck in the road as we went to retrieve the missionaries from their apartment for dinner. 

Last year we took the opportunity that after-Christmas sales provided and bought a whole assortment of new lights for our home and were very pleased with the results.  By adding a bit ever year, we feel that we are really getting the house decorations in order. 

New Christmas PJ's

Becky spent much of the past few weeks baking an impressive amount of Christmas goodies, intended for distribution but much of which was consumed before we could get it out the door.  Matthew is an accomplished treat sneak and even gave his father a run for that honor.  We continued our Christmas tradition of caroling and passing treat platters, and provided more treats than I thought possible to parties, work, and neighbors.

Today, we are looking forward to our next big trip, a 4600 mile journey to Florida.  This will be the capstone to the most traveled period of our lives as we finish the seventh trip since the end of June. It has been the trip we have anticipated since this time last year and is by far the furthest we will drive this year.  It will include 15 states and on the way we will see Oklahoma City, Dallas, Baton Rouge, New Orleans, Atlanta, Nashville, St. Louis, and Independence, MO. 

This year was not only the year for trips but also for weddings as three of my siblings and Becky's brother were all married.  We are so happy for them and excited for their futures together.  Each is so very impressive and we ache that we cannot spend more time with you all. 

This year is also the year for big moments in the lives of our loved ones.  We are so happy for Allison who is expecting her first, and waiting for Eric's safe return from Afghanistan.  You are daily in our prayers.  This year was impressive for academics as Zoe finished high school, Keira applied for and was accepted into Utah State after high school graduation this spring.  Marji also finishes school at BYU-Idaho this summer while David starts up again to complete his MBA in Salt Lake.  We are so very proud of all of you and hope the very best for you all.

A New Decade of New Changes
But, as a new decade begins, I am brought right around to think of all the things that have changed.  In 2000, I was still working at and attending BYU.  Since then we have since lived in three states, had four addresses (one apartment and three homes), three jobs, and brought three children into the family.  Our little kids went from kindergarten to braces, footie pajamas to Scout shirts, stuffed animals to video games.

Now, as we begin a new decade together, I realize that we are in for whole new set of adventures together as this is the decade that Meile, Christopher, Jared will finish high school, begin college, serve missions, and perhaps even get married.  Daina and Matthew will become young men and women, much like Meile and Christopher are today.

Fun Fact: If Meile follows the timeline that Becky and I had, we could be grandparents in 10 years.  Now THAT makes one feel old. 

But, time and life are funny like that.  Each one goes marching along, hand in hand with the other, as our steps grow more tired yet more experienced.  While the last decade was filled with external changes of homes, jobs, I think this next decade will be filled with changes within our home itself. Kids will grow up and become adults, get their own ideas, wants and agendas, and in time, leave for their own futures. 

Our home in 2020 will look much different than it does tonight, as the family is gathered around eating treats and watching movies together. But, I think some things will always stay the same.  The kids will stay best friends, sharing with each other and learning to work hard.  They will sing together, laugh at old memories and love one another like they always have.

We hope you all have a wonderful New Year and a wonderful new decade.  May God provide you the help, guidance, protection, success, happiness and safey we pray for.