End of the Year

I guess it's that time of year where I report on all of our fabulousness-of which our kids have a lot. of. So here is a rundown on our family:

At the beginning of the year, Jason started working for the UVU aviation department, eventually becoming an instructional designer. He really loves the job. He uses his skills in aviation, education, computer programming, and even a little music. He spends as much time as possible with the kids and I, and we love him for all of his hard work. He is still planning on becoming a pilot, but it's on hold for a few more months. In September, we moved up to Brigham City so Jason could teach his brother's orchestra classes while his brother is on sabbatical working on his doctoral degree. He was recognized in the newspaper for his fabulousness in conducting. During the autumn months he enjoyed mowing the lawn-not-which ONLY took about 2 hours every time. He is currently busy serving as the cub master AND the choir director.

I have been enjoying the craft room since we moved here. I've learned all kinds of tricks of what NOT to do when sewing different projects. They were time consuming but valuable lessons and I've enjoyed learning new things. I've also been watching a lot of youtube videos on how to watercolor. I've found it to be a therapeutic and relaxing thing for me, no matter how ugly my paintings turn out. I have a sudden strong desire to buy expensive brushes. I'm also enjoying-a great surprise to me, I assure you-homeschooling my kids. It's been very liberating to be on my own schedule. Of course, I've also been popping back down to Orem often to try and stay involved in the singing group, Resonaire, that I accompany. They are amazing women who have profoundly impacted my life for the better. I'm loving the small townishness of Brigham City and in many ways I wish we could stay here longer, but I'm excited to move back down to reality again too. We love living in the magic house where the kids play nicely together-most of the time-and we have room to breath. I also love having my sister-in-law living down the street. She has lots of fun and good ideas and it's fun to pop over when I want my feet zoned. ;) That's a lot of "I loves" but that's what my life is filled with right now. Too corny? Oh well.

Ben has been enjoying scouts. He has an ever creative imagination and enjoys being the oldest. He is flying through math and art, but still hates to read on his own. He does like to be read to however, so I think there is still hope for him. He is always happier if he's had time outside and has made several friends on the street. He recently asked me if we could live here forever. Ben also enjoys the trips down to grandparents' houses. He made a sword out of wood with my dad last time we were there. He likes to "construct" things and always has some kind of project going. His favorite thing right now is that he is learning the cello and has been going to school with Daddy to practice with the orchestra. He plays with the 7th graders and we are so proud of him and how fast he is learning.

Lizzy is now 7 going on 27. She likes to help with dinner and cleaning and the baby. She likes to dress up and often constructs outfits out of crazy things. Last night, for example, she used one of Natalie's Sunday dresses to make a skirt. She likes things to be just so and will organize her room every night before getting into bed. She also has a silly giggle that gets everyone laughing. Liz is learning the piano. She is a perfectionist and gets really mad when she can't play each piece absolutely perfect the first time. She's been learning what practicing is. She is always helping Eli with whatever he wants and he seems to recognize that she is the girl to get stuff done if he needs anything.

Janey is still our dreamer. She is also learning the piano but is quite less intense about it than Liz. She loves to draw and asks me if she can paint several times a day. Jane also loves to read. I've been having the kids earn nintendo/tv/computer time by reading. Jane always has extra minutes left over because she always reads more than the other stuff. She loves to feel pretty and spends a lot of time "dressed up". Jane is working hard on her scripture memorization and gave her scripture in primary last month perfectly memorized. She has gained a lot of self-esteem this year and is really growing up. She also likes to cook and help with the little kids.

Liam is our guy. He's been learning how to read and is flying through his lessons. He started medication this month for his ADHD and we've been blessed to really see his personality come through. He has a silly sense of humor and often gets Jason and I laughing during tense moments. He likes to build things, just like his big brother. He often has the construx bucket dumped out in the toy room with some kind of helicopter or tank under construction. He has a tender heart and cares for his brothers and sisters-but he also likes to tease. Liam is really good at making boy noises. Like flying ships and canons being shot from space. His mastocytosis (this word is not even in the dictionary) is bothering him some, be he is so patient. He is a good example to all of us.

Natalie is 3. For sure. She wants to do everything on her own and has lots of ideas. She creates all kinds of disasters and enjoys making them. We have beautiful hand prints on the wall of the craft room which she made by tracing her hands with a permanent marker. She gave herself the best mullet since Richard Dean Anderson, which I had to fix myself. She also has the softest cheeks and biggest brown eyes and is our peanut. She has a silly fake laugh and will use it to make the other kids laugh. She likes to follow Eli around and talk in a high pitched voice and try to hug him and put his shoes on. She also likes to go to the store with me-especially if I let her walk. She likes to play outside on the swings and she knows she's the princess.

Elijah is almost 2 and is enjoying his life as the baby. He is currently obsessed with wearing shoes. He puts them on himself as soon as he wakes up and gets mad when I take them off to change his diaper, put him down for a nap, or bedtime. He loves to sing with the kids and he loves his daddy. His day seems to revolve around Jason's lunch time break when he sits at the table and eats half of Jason's lunch. He also loves his grandmas and papas and likes to talk on the phone with them He'll bring me the phone and say "gak a papa". Eli likes to run and scream and is a typical boy. He is really learning to talk now, and everyday he says something new that I didn't know he could say before. His new phrases this week: "Hey! Put that back." "Hey! Give that to me." "Thank you, Daddy". He is a sweet cuddler and everyone loves having him in our family.