December update For 2009

Life is good! At times life pulls us in all different directions. If we go one way we will be fine, but may miss the turn in the road that says adventure awaits this way. It seems at the time to be the harder more difficult road, so we ignore it and go in the totally opposite direction. I think that is what happened ine my life. This year as we review our times in 2009 I feel so blessed. I feel as if the life I have had has been what was needed for my growth and also for my family and their growth, but at first would not have been the route I would take. This year there have been bumps and hills and slides and smooth road. Each has been just what are family needed. The year begin here in New york which was new for us. It was a cold winter last year ant the winter here presented challenges we were not all together ready to handle. Yes, we are from Idaho. Yes we have had snow, but lake effect snow is crazy. I have never seen such snow and had a love/ hate relationship of this kind before. The kids this year went to schools we were not prepared for. Here in New York they separate the schools. They have K-3rd grade together in what is called a primary school, and 4th and 5th together in an Intermediate School. This is what the boys went into and alone. It was a difficult process, but both have excelled and continue to amaze Clint and I as the transition to the upper grades and on into preteen years.
We had a vacation this year on Clint's block leave. It was wonderful. We completely focused on our family. We camped in the Adirondack Mountains, and discovered history in historic battlelands. These memories are vivid in our minds now as Clint deployed to Iraq in August of this year. We know our family is strong and happy and that we will make it through the next nine months in tact and grow so much because of it. This deployment has brought the heartcahe of once again our family having to be separate as well as something wonderful. Clint was able to be promoted. on the 1st of December Clint finally made SSG and E6. This has been a long time coming for our family. His job specialty is a hard one to promote in. We are so proud of Clint. At home the boys and I continue to stay busy. Tim enjoyed the basketball season this year at the intermediate school and continues to improve as the little athlete he hopes to become. Both boys recieved straight As and just continue to excell that way. I continue to fulfill my calling at church and try to stay active in all the activities our little Carthage Ward tries to hold. Currently I am the first councellor in the primary presidency. I love the kids and continue to learn from them. I am so glad that I have the opportunity to feel their sweet spirits. We look forward to many more fun times here in Northern New York. Love Each Other! Enjoy the rest of December. I know we will as we celebrate Steven's eleventh birthday, Tim's tenth birthday and Clint and I's twelfth anniversary. Well I think that is a good update. Have a Merry Christmas, and If I do not get to this before then a Very Happy and wonderful New Year filled with much growth and togetherness.