For the past few years I have used my blog to post our family's Christmas newsletter. December has just flown by, and I'm a little late getting this posted. But oh well, better late than never!
2012 has been a mixed bag for our family, but overall we have had more ups than downs.
Kayti graduated from Calhoun Community College in May with her Associates Degree. After a lot of fasting and prayer, she decided to go to BYU-Idaho to finish her Bachelor's Degree. She travelled by herself (on an airplane for the first time!!) to Idaho in September. She has loved being out there! She did well in her classes, and has many situations come up that have reaffirmed to her that she is where she is supposed to be. Her plan was to stay out there during the Christmas break, but the closer she got to the break, the more she wanted to come home - and the more I wanted her here!! We are both thankful that she was able to come home and spend 3 weeks with us! We are so proud of her and the decisions she is making.
Josh has had a big year! He was able to go to Chattanooga in March with his drama class and compete in SETC, which is the Southeast Theater Conference, or the equivalent of competing in a national drama competition. They had a great time, and came in second place. They actually were the best dramatic performance (the play that beat them was a musical). In May he graduated from Bob Jones High School! He got his first job in June and has been saving his money for his mission. In December he got his mission call - he is going to Boise, Idaho!! So crazy for me to think about - for those that do not know, I grew up in the Boise area from the time I was 4 until 12, and still have family and good friends in the area. It really was a relief to know that is where he is going. I know he will love it there, and he will be in good hands! We have him home with us until March, and are making the most of the time.
Kyle has enjoyed the world of driving and dating this year! He is now a Junior at James Clemens High School (the new high school that was opened this year). He is also involved in the drama program, and is enjoying it. He is now the tallest member of the family - he loves to rest his chin on the top of my head... I don't like it so much! He is doing well in school, but is now having second thoughts about what he wants to do in the future. He has wanted to be a doctor for years, and has been involved in the biomedical program at school. He will continue to take the classes next year, but now he's wondering exactly what he wants to do. He still has time to figure it out, and he is enjoying being a teenager! He just got his first job at Zaxby's... and we are anxious to go visit him at work!
Meg continues to keep us on our toes! She turned 15 this year and is a Sophomore at JCHS. She loves art, photography, music, drama and being with her friends. She and Kyle are in the same drama class and they are great friends. She is also enjoying having a big brother who drives - they have been able to go to more parties, or just run into town together. She has her permit and is looking forward to taking driver's ed and getting her license next year. She wants to get a job and start saving for the future. She has so many big plans for her future - she wants to buy herself a motorcycle; she wants to travel Europe; she wants to go to art school in Savannah, Ga; she wants an incredible wardrobe and make-up collection! While she has enjoyed having her own room, she has missed her sister!!
We've stayed put this year - no big trips to report on. We did enjoy visits from my family and spent a weekend with the Mayfield clan for our reunion. One of the big lessons that I have learned this year and wanted to pass on to the kids this Christmas is that life is not about things - it's about being together and making memories together. Those memories will sustain and comfort you through hard times. They will bring joy to your heart when you need it. And it doesn't take a lot of money to make memories - just being together and enjoying the time together is what is important.
We are looking forward to 2013. As hard as it has been to see my children start to leave home, it has been rewarding to see the adventures they are headed out on. I'm looking forward to hearing from Josh as he is on his mission, and the new people he will meet and experiences he will have. I'm looking forward to hearing about Kayti's classes and her adventures with roommates. I'm looking forward to Kyle and Megan's experience of being the only kids at home, and their struggles/triumphs with school and life in general. I'm looking forward to spending time with Barry.
We wish all our friends and family a happy new year. We wish you joy, peace, and the good things life brings.
