Merry Christmas,
This year could almost be summed
up by a chart of ups and downs, but just the peaks and highlights are better. I
have learned some valuable lessons this year through trials, blessings, and being
very humbled.
Lesson #1: Building a testimony
and relying on faith is in need every day.
Lesson #2: Time with family needs
to happen even if your teenage daughters are completely against it.
Lesson #3: A messy house is one
that is lived in.
Lesson #4: The world today is
filled with too much drama and my days are too important to have it.
Lesson #5: Prioritize,
Prioritize, Prioritize….
Lesson #6: Be ever so grateful.
While there is not a whole lot
different or new this year for us we decided to make an extra effort to spend
family time with our kids where we can get it. It’s all about making memories
and bonding. Our motivation could be related to Reagan now being 16 and I’m panicking
that kids are growing up super-fast. We went to San Diego in May. Eric was
travelling there for work and instead of flying out on his own he drove us all
out. I’d say 12 hours of driving is plenty of bonding. It was maybe our first
trip where we didn’t go crazy in the car. We had so much fun even with Eric
busy most of the trip. The beach was cold but we got out there anyway. We spent
a day at the zoo, lounged at the hotel pool, and on our last day visited the
Church Museum and a not so great Mexican Restaurant.
In July we went to Goblin Valley
to go camping. Yes July. I don’t recommend going there in the summer like we
did it if you want to actually sleep or if you are fine sleeping in 95 degree
heat. I may never go camping again but we had such a great time hiking, burning
our dinner, and not answering my phone it was worth it. There really is nothing
like getting your kids away from technology even for a couple of days.
Reagan turned the great age of 16
this year. She switched sports and went from competition gymnastics to
competition cheer. Reagan is also working as a gymnastics coach for her gym. We
are working on her getting her driver’s license but no one seems to be in a
rush about it. Nicole is now 14 and
loves writing books. She has written three so far with a total word count
higher than the Lord of the Rings trilogy. One day we’ll publish her work and
I’m sure she will be a famous author. She also sings in the school choir, plays
the piano, draws, paints, and of course likes hanging out with her friends. It
won’t be long before she too starts driving.
Madison has been going to school
part time this year to be able to dance full time. She has had amazing
opportunities and just enjoys dancing every day. Madison made the cast as a
Chucky Doll in the Odyssey Dance “Thriller” production and pulled off a perfect
performance as the Doll this year in her dance company’s Nutcracker. When she
isn’t dancing she hangs out with her friends, cooks, loves crafts, and has
pretty much become my personal assistant.
Ava has turned into a soccer
machine. She would eat sleep and breathe soccer if she could. We had a lot of
fun watching her play on her team this year. She scored so many goals in her
first game that the coach actually took her out. Although school is a necessity, she doesn’t
agree in the importance of homework though she is getting better in motivating
herself to do it. Next year she wants to go into competition soccer. We can’t
wait.
Well, that’s it for our year. We
hope you had a great year and that next year will be ever better.
Merry Christmas,
Eric, Tamra, Reagan, Nicole,
Madison, and Ava Stephenson
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