Idaho 5 gang

Wednesday, December 31, 2008

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!!

December 30, 2008


Well, I didn’t do very well for making this our Christmas letter. So, I guess this is our after Christmas/ New Years letter, so I am really late for Christmas or really early for next years Christmas, you choose. It seems that time seems to go much faster right about Halloween and goes faster and faster right after Thanksgiving. I can’t seem to slow down time anymore than how fast it seems to come and go. I remember there was a time in my life that I thought time always stood still, where are those days I want those back.

This year has seemed to have gone fairly well. When I think back to everything that we did this year nothing is particularly sticking out in my mind, but I know we seemed to have been very busy or else I wouldn’t be so tired.

Joe is continuing to work out at Corrections Corporation of America as a counselor now. He finally was promoted but I can’t say that the hours are much better, Tuesday thru Saturday from 1:00 pm - 9:00 pm. The kids see him more in the morning than I do the rest of the day. And those hours are his regular hours, there may always be overtime included in all that also. His calling in church is to teach the 11 year old boys in Primary. That is when he hasn’t worked until way early in the morning and can’t seem to wake up in time to do that.

I am still working at Orthopaedic Associates keeping up with all those medical records. It’s kind of like laundry and dishes – they are always going to be there. I think it’s called job security. I am actually very blessed to have such a great job and incredible employers that do so much for each of their employees.

Madisyn is a very busy 6th grader with very heavy projects due every week. She is also helping with the safety patrol, making sure kids cross the street safely. Madisyn is also becoming very good at piano. Those long fingers are really coming in handy for piano. She hasn’t quite reached mom’s height but has about ½ inch to go. ( I just say that because I don’t want to admit that she is going to be taller than me). She sure is a busy beaver with school though. The sixth graders have a huge field trip at the end of the year and she has to raise a certain amount of money and do a certain number of hours of community service in order to go, so she has been working really hard.

Cameron is now our resident Webelo. He just finished off getting his Bear badge in Cub Scouts and is now advanced to a Webelo. He is very busy with that- he unfortunately stopped with the piano lessons, much to mom’s displeasure. He was doing very well, but he wants to find something else musical that he would be good at. Cameron is doing very well in school and gets many compliments from his teacher about what a polite young man he is.

Dillon is our hollow leg in this family. He is going to eat Joe and I out of house and home. Watch out if there is mashed potatoes or spaghetti in the house, or you might get your arm bit off by Dillon in the process. He has these massive growth spurts and I fear that the boy may be taller than me by this time next year. Dillon is really enjoying Cub Scouts also and most recently has started to enjoy reading, which makes his mother extremely happy to see. Dillon also joined the stitches club this last week. He kind of went through the glass coffee table in the living room and sliced up his side that required 9 stitches. So now he joins the ranks of those accident prone that needed stitches also ( his mom and his dad belong to this group also). He gets those out the 2nd of January, which he is glad for. Lesson learned here is that you don’t chase each other in the dark around a glass coffee table, bad idea.

Other than all that we have had a very good year and have been very blessed in many, many ways. We are as always very grateful for our family near and far and the love and appreciation for each of you we remember always and not just at this season.

With all our love,

The Young Family

Joe, Stephanie, Madisyn, Cameron, Dillon & Sparky

Saturday, December 20, 2008

TWAS THE WEEK OF CHRISTMAS AND ALL THROUGH THE HOUSE

Twas the week of Christmas and all through the house not a creature was stirring only Sparky the Dog. The kids are all nestled in their beds and the couch and visions of Christmas presents swam in their heads. But to their wonder there is no Christmas tree or decorations because mom and dad have been so busy with the schedule ahead. But alas, no worries today it will be all taken care of-- for today is the day that Christmas will happen.

Okay, the Chipmunk Christmas CD got me in the spirit of Christmas. I used to listen to that record ( I know some of you are saying .. record what's a record ) over and over again when I was young and Cameron asked me to get that CD and we all listened and sang to it and it brought me back to my youth. When I was young and carefree and mom and dad would just take care of Christmas for us. It is much harder now that I am the parent. Making sure I get the right gifts for my kids and the biggest kid ( he is really hard to shop for ). But I will prevail and as they say "they get what they get and they don't throw a fit"........hey wait a minute isn't this supposed to be the season for giving - Oh well it will be learned in due time.

These last 2 weeks have been extremely busy - work all day - pick up kids -- take kids to all their activities -- go to something every night, christmas parties, pack meeting, etc. etc. ........
I finally collapsed Thursday with a stabbing headache -- thank goodness for Tylenol PM.
This week doesn't look much better just nothing on the books except for family though- that's good news.