Little Bit of News

For those who have not yet heard, Jeff had some changes related to his church callings.  He is no longer serving in the high council in the North Edmonton Stake.  He was released officially and received a call as the Gospel Doctrine teacher the same day!  Not new for him, he has served in that capacity before.  Jeff has mixed feelings about the change but he/we knew it was time.  There is only one other member of the high council who has served longer than he and only by a few weeks.  He will do great and it will be so nice to attend church with him again.  Jeff is currently working with Malley's Seafood and really enjoys it.  He travels to a variety of destinations including but not limited to Fort McMurray (he's there a lot), Cold Lake, Airdrie and Saskatchewan.

Our children are almost all grown now.  So sad.  They grow up so fast.  When they were little and Kent was the epitome of the terrible twos my mother-in-law warned me to enjoy it now because before long they'd be grown up.  There is wisdom in that.  Though, to this day, I cannot say I miss the terrible twos.

Growing up presents its own challenges.  Teen years were so fun with my kids!  I loved having a houseful of "extras" around all the time.  Movie nights, grad nights celebrated in our home (thank goodness for tolerant neighbours!), the fridge raids, dances, chaperoning.  All of it was great fun and I wouldn't change any of it!  I am a bit melancholy as I reminisce.  The challenge is more mine than the kids'. 

Kent is living at home again.  Working in landscaping and maintenance and getting things together.  He is coming to church too, which is great!  We are so happy to see the changes he is making and the new gait in his step.  His love is mountain biking.  He can ride for hours and lose all track of time!

Shawn is living downtown where he shares a two-bedroom condo with his brother Matt.  He is an architectural technologist working for Kasian Architecture and Design.  He has a knack for reading people and could be a psychologist if he hadn't gone into architecture.  Shawn hopes to transfer to Vancouver in the near future.  He fell in love with Vancouver after a family vacation, well, we all did!  He is multi-talented and bright and, if you cannot tell, we are so very proud of him!

Matt is another creative young man with an amazing personality!  He is so fun!  He is like a ray of sunshine and everyone loves him!  He is currently working at Costco.  Matt moved out last December into a condo with Shawn and loves being on his own.  He is exploring career options right now.  Matt has a scholarship for Olds College in horticulture but he is unsure if he still wants to pursue that.  He enjoys landscaping but that may be more of a hobby for him than a career.

Tyler is our youngest son.  Tyler's smile can brighten a whole room!  He is also a bit of a practical joker!  (must be interesting for his mission companions!)  He is currently serving a mission in Hattiesburg Mississippi which is part of the Mississippi Jackson mission.  He left October 1, 2008 for a two year mission for our church.  He is due to return the end of September 2010 and we are all looking forward to it!  Friends, family and members of our ward (friends really) are already asking for the expected return date.  Tentatively we expect it will be September 29/10.  We are so proud of him!  Tyler is a zone leader right now and works very hard but loves being a missionary!  He says it is the best decision he has ever made!  PS Tyler recently received his first marriage proposal!

Amanda is our baby but she has grown so much; literally, spiritually, and in every positive way!  She is quiet until you get to know her but once you do she is a blast!  She graduates next year!  Crazy!  I can't believe my baby is going to be all grown-up so soon!  Amanda has inherited a love of music, though certainly not from me!  I love music but don't have a musical bone in my body!  She loves to play piano and sing.  She also loves to draw, especially shoes!  Amanda is a typical girl, rather, young lady.  She calls herself a "fashionista" and perhaps she will pursue that as a career.  She makes us so very proud.  She has developed into such a lovely young lady.

I am staying at home for the time being.  Our daughter has been ill since last October and we still don't have a diagnosis.  She sees a specialist next month.  It will be nice to at least have answers.  In the meantime, I am serving in the Relief Society in our ward as a teacher. I serve on the ward activity committee and love it!  I am also a home teacher with my husband and a visiting teacher.  My love is writing and am currently writing four blogs. 

We have two dogs, Lilo and Stitch!  Lilo is a Maltese and Stitch is a Maltese/Lhasa Apso cross.  If you have ever seen the Disney movie and knew our dogs you would know their names are well suited!  Both are little characters with huge personality!  Stitch is Amanda's dog and Lilo has claimed Jeff as hers!  We all adore them!

We don't know what the future holds but we look forward in faith.  Life can be a "refiner's fire" so to speak.  But life is good.  I love my not-so-little family and embrace the gospel and am so thankful for the perspective it allows me.