We are one month into the New Year and life is good and busy, but that's the new normal for us. Every year I think life will slow down, but it seems to be on fast forward all of the time! We're used to it though, we just put on our running shoes and keep up. I thought a post on the dailies of each of us would be appropriate, so...Here it goes.
McKaleigh: Is getting ready to go to college. She has chosen the University of Utah and Utah State as her top contenders. She got a full tuition scholarship to Utah Valley University (in Orem), but that school is dead last on her list. She is still working hard to keep her grades up, and has parent release a few days each week. She LOVES this because, she gets to come home to a quiet home and take a nap before anyone else arrives...and boy does McKaleigh love a good nap. In fact, I think that there are few people in this world that can challenge those skills! She is also still working at the bakery - she's had that job since she turned 16, and it's been great. McKaleigh has a great group of friends and they get together when there busy schedules allow and have a great time. She has gone to a few dances and on a few dates. She loves her friends and although she has a hard time balancing everything that comes and goes (scholarship deadlines, work, friends, church), she is learning that this is life and you've just got to keep up! McKaleigh is very thoughtful and loves her family. She tries very hard to do the right thing and is a joy to have around. Our house is going to be very quiet when she leaves for college (if she chooses Utah State).
Colton: As usual, Colton is our even keel kiddo. His feathers rarely get ruffled, and if they are its because his mom or dad have asked him to do something contrary to the smooth sailing that his boat is going. He has a kind of routine and doesn't like to deviate much from that. He enjoys going to school, playing online computer games with his friends, going to church activities and playing on his phone. He can usually be found hanging out on the couch with his headphones on. On occasion, if he finds a good book, Colton will devour it in a day or two - but his literary choices are very specific. He is currently involved in basketball, but tennis is his true passion. He is excited to try out for the High School tennis team this upcoming year - 10th grade! He has a great group of friends and enjoys occasionally spending time with them - although he is kind of a homebody. He enjoys going to church dances, but doesn't enjoy dancing, and is a great worker around the house. When he is in the mood, he is a great brother to both of his siblings. He is currently growing out what we call his curly fro mop head - and wow, does that kid have some curl! He has been challenged to grow it through high school, but we'll see...Its pretty crazy now! Colton is a man of very few words, but we know there is alot going on up top, it is wonderful to watch him get involved and join in activities.
Alex: He is always going and it usually involves a soccer ball. Alex has a passion for soccer and would play all day everyday if possible. He loves hanging out with his friends, school, church, and excels in all of those areas. He also enjoys hunkering down in the basement and playing videogames with his dad and brother. He is currently playing for Murray Max, a competition soccer league, and between 3rd grade and that, we are always busy. He is also growing his hair our, and it is straight as can be! Alex is a good friend to everyone and has a very tender heart. He always says his prayers - every night and is such a good example. The girls in 3rd grade think that he is great and he has many followers. He loves math and homework is a breeze. He recently competed in the school spelling bee, and enjoys being top of the class. Alex also enjoys playing games on the computer, but you can also find him watching soccer tutorials or parts of soccer matches as he tries to hone his skills. He loves family time and all thinks interactive - going for a walk, playing family games, camping swimming, you name it. He is always on the go!
Brett and Jaymie: Because of the above...we are forced to keep up. Sometimes it is easy and sometimes more difficult. There are many nights a week that we are going in opposite directions and dinner was the only time we had time together before we fall into bed at night. Work is going well for both of us. Brett's job has slowed down a bit from the last few years now that he has a job in project management and is enjoying being in charge of himself and not a team of people. He is coaching Alex's competitive soccer team and is really enjoying his time on the field with his team. Brett still loves travel and that keeps us on our toes any long weekend, holiday or break in the school year. We just recently bought a travel trailer so that our old bones would be able to enjoy these camping outings much more and so that we could add even more to our schedules by being able to just hookup and get out. In addition to the trailer, we picked up an SUP and Kayak - so we're ready to hit the road. I have fallen in stride with my job - running the ESL program at a local elementary school, and and in a good place with my duties there. It keeps me hopping, and has turned into way more hours than I bargained for in the beginning, but it's all good. I am also the Wolves leader for the boy scouts in the area and there are good and bad days associated with that...We have 13 of those little guys and sometimes attention spans are tough to keep. We have alot on the books this year and feel so lucky that we are able to enjoy (and maximize) the time we have with each other!
Life is good....sometimes hard, but were glad its ours and we get to do it together!
