Well, here we are again, a new year and a new goal to actually keep up with my blog. As I thought about all the reasons I should keep up with it, I think the best reason and the one that stood out to me was to do it for my family. The kids love to look at old family photos, so why not have a history to look back on. I also was recently given the responsibility of keeping the journal for RS, so I thought that if that was so important, then I must be missing something. So here we are. First though, I couldn't begin a new year without a recap of the last. It was a good year, and I saw so many blessings come to our family. So here it goes.
Awesome events of 2012
The birth of our little Eloise definitely takes the number one spot. Eloise was born on May 16th 2012, and weighed a tiny 5lbs 14oz. she was 19 inches long. Eloise is such a blessing in my life, and I truly believe that I prayed her here. I have spent the last 10 years wanting a second daughter and a sister for Noelle. I believe that every girl needs that. I love my sisters and I am so grateful that Noelle has one now too. Eloise is such a beautiful baby and she really is a joy and a blessing to have in our family. She is a reminder to me that our Heavenly Father is mindful of us and the desires of our hearts. He does answer our prayers.
My First Son Mackay David Orr was baptized. What a wonderful experience it was to see him make this sacred step. I am so proud of him and the young man he is becoming. I always tell him that one of my favorite thins about him is his good heart. That boy has a heart of gold! I am so blessed to have him as my boy. I have learned more from him than almost anyone. He teaches me so much everyday.
After much deliberation we made the decision to move from our favorite neighborhood ever. This was so hard to do, but I knew it was necessary. That little home in Orem was just too small for our now family of 7. We loved that ward and our neighbors. We really were surrounded by some of the kindest people I have ever met. We found a home, or we thought we did, and the week before moving we did a final drive by. I don't think my heart has ever sunk to hard. I new it was the wrong place. I felt sick. Aaron's parents were kind enough to put up with us for a couple of weeks while we frantically searched for a new home. Home rentals here are far and few between. Needless to say, we found a large home in Pleasant Grove. I still miss that little Orem home with all its imperfections, but our new home is much bigger, and gives us the space we so needed.
The kids continued to progress in their talents last year. Noelle has really progressed at the piano and is able to play many of the church hymns. I love to hear the sound of her playing. Noelle also started ballet this year. It has been fun to see her learn a new talent. Mackay started his second year in soccer, and he really did a great job. It was so fun for our family to go to all his games and cheer him on. It will be fun to start up the season again this spring. Aaron and Mackay have also started to learn the guitar. It will be fun to see them learn this new talent together. Maxwell received a ukulele for Christmas and is excited to learn to play it. I am too! He has also taken an interest in the piano and is learning some songs. He is so good at remembering his last lesson, and he will be a pro in no time!
We purchased a New Van, (new to us that is). With the addition of Eloise we needed more space to fit our family. We bought a 2008 Honda Odyssey. I was a little sad to say goodbye to our little Kia. We bought that van years ago when Mackay was just a newborn. Lots of miles and memories.
2012 was an expensive year for our family. Along with a New van came many more purchases. It would not be right to forget about those welcome additions:) We paid off Aaron's car to make room for the new van. Lots and lots of medical bills. The hospital surprised us with a different bill for the baby. Gotta love billing. Back when we moved to Utah we finally decided that it was time to get rid of all the baby stuff. Within 3 months of moving here we got the exciting news that we were expecting! Somehow I think that getting rid of it all helped me get pregnant:) No complaints here, who doesn't like buying new baby stuff! We bought a new washing machine because somehow ours did not make it through the move. I can't complain too much, it is the awesome new LG. The move of course was an expensive little thing. It is amazing to me how much a move adds up. Then came Christmas. we had decided back in March or April that we would do a homemade Christmas. I was way behind on the quilts for the kids when my sewing machine broke. Awesome. I think if it had been at any other time, I would have been okay with it, but not a week and a half before Christmas! So again I can't complain, because my super sweet husband bought me my dream machine. He surprised me on Christmas with a new Bernina. I love that man! So, it may have been an expensive year, but it all worked out, and we have been so, so blessed.
As I mentioned above, we had a semi-homemade Christmas. I felt like this was something our children needed, and it turned out to be a wonderful Christmas. I made each of the kids a quilt throw, and Aaron made each of the kids a toy box. We spent countless hours working late into the night, (Aaron in the freezing cold), but I think we were both so happy to give a gift that really came from our heart and hands. Each project turned out special and unique and I hope they will be cherished for years to come.
As they always do, the kids grew and changed so much last year. I am so blessed and grateful to be the mother of 5 amazing children. I love each one so much. Perhaps the greatest thing about last year is that I was blessed to be home raising all of my children. I am grateful for an amazing husband that works so hard everyday so I can be home with the kids. We were healthy, happy, and together as a family. Aaron was successful at work, and the kids were successful at school. We were blessed in so many ways. I am grateful for such an amazing year and I look forward to the new year and all the opportunities that come with it. So, here's to a wonderful 2013!
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