FareWell to a Great Year!

Farewell to 2007!

(Warning: this turned out really long-Read when you have lots of time!)

It seems strange sometimes to welcome a New Year, especially when I am still thinking what happened to the last one...
We had So Many positive improvements in 2007!
So this will be our Year in Review (which is be close to the letter we did not send for Christmas, and as January is half over, you may not get it till Feb. but of course with lots of Love!)
I have been thinking about this alot, however, it has just been that, I have not taken time to write, nor to sit with my oh so busy husband to discuss it with him...
One of our goals from 2006 was to be closer to Richard and Amira (having driven more than 300 miles one way, to see them about once a month) and when they started school in Aug. of 2006 we said we would be there for them every other weekend, and occationally one night a week. Having a room at my sister's apartment in Salt Lake, made this affordable and possible...
January of 2007:
We packed, Traveled over 400 miles (one way) to see the kids, and packed some more!
Febuary of 2007:
We packed some more! We sold our place!!! And with everything being packed in a huge semi trailor, and necessities at our apartment, and our mini van full of Dogs, cats, last minute items & Grandpa, we headed North (destination Idaho) we unpacked some things at our temp. apartment in Salt Lake, then went on to greet Russel & Dad home, back from the Philippine Islands. We had an Awesome time spent with Family & friends! It was very incredible, the powerful spirit Russel has! Even before his Mission! It was very awesome to hear of the progression of the church in the Philippines! I have such a love for people from the Philippines, my older brother served there 97-99. He is married to a Philippina, as are my other to brothers. (they are such sweethearts!) One is living there now, though he is not a missionary, he is baptizing and assisting in the progression of the church in his small branch. Russel says to me, while looking at a picture with all of his siblings & their spouses, "where is my companion?".... more on that in December ;)
I enjoyed getting to know my nieces and nephews more (and still on occation I get that silly song stuck in my head, but whats funnier is the picture in my head, I will never forget, because its in my scrapbook, though I still have yet to find an octopus to complete that page)
While in Kooskia, we received word that (after waiting three months) that someone had put in a higher offer on a home we had an offer on (literally for three months!!) So we put in a higher one, then when we got back to Salt Lake and having time to discuss it, we decided to drop our offer, there had been another home we looked at and liked... though while waiting to hear from the bank on the other home we put that one aside, and someone else had put an offer on that one with a contingency... So we placed an offfer, requiring them to remove theirs or take off the contingency. So they took off the contingency, which took us back to square one.
No real changes to the MLS listings, with much disappointment, the homes listed with in the 7 cities that attend the same schools as the kids, we had looked at and disliked... The next day however, a new listing, much to our satisfaction! We made an offer, they accepted, and...
March of 2007:
We went to Monster Jam, in Las Vegas, with friends, It was the coolest thing, those big Moster Trucks! Batman Won!!!
On our way north we picked up our bunnies, Reid had one of his scouts watching them for us.
...Newton, Utah. We looked at this house, that was over 100 years old, (maybe newer, but is smelled that old, our realator got a big kick out of the way I reacted to the smell, I did not know I was pregnant at that time either) Then we went to look at the newly listed home... I was in complete gratitude! And for so many reasons since we moved in, I am glad that we were able to purchase this one as opposed to the bigger more expensive one... we opened up the door to beautiful new shag carpet, and I was ready to move in, I did not care about the rest of the house, nor about any of the details, It had a kitchen, a bathroom, and I wanted to move in right away! Later though, Reid and I realized, this house has everything that we said we wanted in a home! It was built in 1979, and the couple whom we bought the house from had made some nice upgrades, and completed the basement (mostly). We searched since Aug. of 2006 on the MLS listings, we walked through so many homes.... so as we did this exhaustive research, we discovered, Reid needed a 3 car garage, I wanted a jetted tub, we really wanted land too, master bathroom, at least five rooms, for growth (and for now scrapbook supplies) oh and dont forget the dishwasher.... So on March 31st we headed up here, loaded with Rabbits, dogs, cats, and everthing we had in our apartment (room) The Feeling was Tremendous! It was so overwhelming, and especially after all we went through to get here. For the first few months I would just look at the wall, smile and say, "ha, thats mine!"
and so for the rest of the year we unpacked!

And we did too, but I am not done...
In April we found out we were pregnant, after we lost it... We were greatful for the wake up call, and especially the realization that we are able to get to that point, because after over 3 years we were really starting to wonder. (we are still planning to adopt though)
As we adjusted to our new schedule, with the kids, we were in complete Heaven! As we unpacked and started making the home 'ours' we were at such peace! the rest of the months kind of blur toghether (for me anyways, see this is why I need Reids help...) During the Summer the kids finally realized that we dont do the things we used to do (bowling, movies, other forms of entertainment) and they started to get restless, even though now we have many more animals, and other forms of entertainment.. We spent a lot of time fishing, playing at the lake, (I started to teach the kids how to scrapbook, they enjoyed that, shortly) feeding, milking, petting goats. Rolling down the hill, walking to the park, then riding bikes to the park. We went to the Fair, the car show, and other town celebrations. They had the coolest Newton town celebration, they sprayed this foamy stuff, the kids had a ball playing in that! I was not dressed appropriately, but I had fun too (my hat will never be the same). Oh, and Reid is one of the kids, he is hilarious, he was bouncing in the bouncy castle, the bouncy race, and all the kid stuff. That is what keeps us young right!
My Family came up for a Reunion/open house, that was really fun! we played at the lake, and ate really yummy food, painted rocks (for more pets) Everyone got to learn how to milk, poor Nana ;)
For the kids' birthday's we played minature golf (Richards) and went bowling (Amiras) I did really good that game, with my new shoes & ball. (yes we got that into bowling! Its nice not to have to share my shoes! Amira likes my ball, it is light enough for her & Richard to handle, though is a girly ball)
Another Huge Goal we accomplished in 2007, in December we finally got the kids Mom to come and get them, though she still complains, and does not see that it is so much more healthy for them (they actually, sometimes, look forward to her coming) she still does it! that is HUGE!
Another one, the kids were not too welcoming of the idea of a new baby, or sibling from their Dad (because it would be with us all the time, and that is not fair) so as we discussed babies, adoption, etc. they were really negative about it. However the more we discussed it as a family, and with them present, they have accepted, and welcome a new addition. (that has always been a worry with me, but we never talked about till we lost that one)
We had a very successful garden, and the goats loved it, lol. My flowers were Beautiful, and then the goats ate them too. I did get some pictures though, on our other blog you can see them. Reid told me he will put a fence around all my flower patches, I did not ask him how he planned to keep the chickens out of my strawberries....
Amira was baptized, (as posted below, no need for me to be redundant on that subject) though, that same day I received my first calling in this ward, I now teach Sunday school, the 12-13 year old kids (wow was that ever scary ;) I am a lot better now, I must add.
Thanksgiving- I think it helped me a lot, though I am well aware of so many of my blessings! I realized more of the small things, and more of the huge things, that perhaps I have taken for granite, like the Gospel of Jesus Christ, and that I was born of goodly parents (as was Reid) and that I was born under the covenant, and the strenth that has been in my life. Decisions, mistakes, I probably would have made without that knowlege. I know my Heavely Father is apart of my life! As I look back at things, I know he has had a hand, a protective hand, in my life!
December-Christmas 2007
This month was kind of hard for me, more so than any other, because I realized that I would have been holding that baby, had I not lost it. So I took a lot of time to think, and really pray, and think some more. Which made me analyze, mother figures in my life, and myself, and really pondered what kind of mother I am, and really want to be. So I have a lot to work on, in that area, and it made me realize I want to go back to school and study child psychology. I have some books for it already, I am a little afraid, though, I enjoy learning, and look forward to the change.
We got to go to the Fireman Dinner, which was great! Reid is a volunteer, he is enjoying that, and will enjoy it more once he can go. :)
Howard Christmas Party, Everyone came (that lives in the states anyways) We enjoyed great food! Each others company! and just had a ball! (for the most part) I am really glad everyone came! that is rare.

I think everyone knows, Russel found his sweetheart, his companion! I had to put that, in answer to his earlier quetion in Feb. Congratulations little brother!!!
Richard (9 years old) on our one night with them, walked in the door and announced "I am getting an Xbox for Christmas!" I laughed and asked "oh really?" He says, "Yes, I wrote to Santa, and he is getting me an Xbox, all the transformers..." that was, for me a realization, because what a rude awakening he'd have when he awakes on Christmas morning and all these things he'd asked for were not there... So I said "Santa usually only brings one gift per child" Not wanting to contradict his Mom, or what he's been taught. When Reid got home from work, he explained the whole reason for Christmas, every year we have read the Christmas story out of the Bible, and he still did not get it... In the spring Amira realized that Daddy hid the eggs, and if Daddy hid the eggs, then he is the Easter bunny, and if he is the Easter bunny, then he must be the tooth fairy... and so on... Both the kids had forgotten this though. So we explained St. Nick, and the whole legend of Santa... I almost did not want to buy gifts for them, it was hard for me, especially when taking them shopping for each other, we do this every year, and every year they are looking for things for theirselves... It literally took us all day just so they could buy a gift for the other one. All worked out well of course, but kids can be selfish, and I am thinking to myself, where do they learn all this stuff? well we as parents teach them... Amira has so many things, she cant keep her room clean, and all these items purchased for Christmas, just adds to that clutter... I thoroughly enjoy spoiling them, but I am thinking to myself, this is out of control! When the Primary Presidency gave their talks just before Christmas, on of them said, "we celbrate the birth of Christ, it is his birthday, what gift have you for him, does he have a gift under your tree?" that obviously stuck with me, and made me struggle even more with the feelings I was already having...
So Christmas came, we awoke, (actually before the kids, this is rare for me) We fed animals, ate breakfast, yummy too, then we read the First Christmas story, and then we ripped into our gifts... It was Great! We really enjoyed it, then we went sledding on the property next to ours. That was really fun! So Christmas ended well, and helped me realize, 2008 Christmas will be different, and I have 11 months to figure it out!

We Celebrated the New Year with my best friend, in Salt Lake, we went out to eat (which we have not done too much of since we have not been traveling) and went bowling, then we went to her apartment, played games, and almost fell asleep, (we are getting old, lol)
Somewhere in there we received a letter, well Reid did, letting us know that he is no longer sealed to his ex, and we are completely thrilled about this! Her and her current husband are going to be sealed this weekend, we are thrilled for that too, as it means more stability for the kids, and hopefully her. and one can only hope, more maturity!

Here is to a New Year!

We hope to announce 2 or 3 new additions to our small family, and I dont mean animals!
I should mention them too, currently, we have 6 goats, 3 are pregnant, 2 cows, 10-15 Rabbits (which will be reproducing quickly too) 3 kitties (the other 3 died for unknown reasons) our 2 dogs, 4 pigeons, Chickens (about 17), and our fish tank... We will see what Spring brings, and I am really looking forward to that, because those birds are messy, and my kitties are stinky.
Well, that is all for now, sorry so long.