Faith. Love. Family.

I just sent out a Christmas email and directed everyone to come here to read updates....to be honest I'm usually a year behind! I turn this blog into a book every year, but I have a year to procrastinate because I publish the previous year. Eventually I get to it, and that's the most important thing, right?

So what is our family up to these days? Here goes:

Randy: Randy is in his last year of residency (he will graduate June 2012). He has a Cytopathology fellowship lined up for the following year and we will officially be done June 2013. His hours are very nice and he has a lot of flexibility. He likes the work that he does, but residency has taken its toll and we'll be glad to be done. He will start the job search in the Fall. We actually tried very earnestly to apply for active duty military over the summer, but there weren't pathology positions available. We'll try again this summer...we'll keep you posted. If he had more funds, you'd find him training for triathlons. Someday, right? The boys adore Randy and he is my hero. I know that sounds cheesy, but those words couldn't be truer.

Nancy: I love being a mom. I don't love the laundry and the housework that goes with it, but even that's not too bad when I keep up. I'm a room mom in Andrew's classroom, I teach a co-op preschool with Joshy, and I serve in the Stake Primary as secretary. I'm not much of a multi-tasker, so I keep things pretty simple so I have time for the essentials. I love going to classes at the gym on most days and you'll catch me often listening to the Mormon Channel & Dave Ramsey on my MP3 player.

Andrew (7): Andrew is in the second grade. His teacher, Mr. C, is so much fun. He understands the mind of 7-year-old boys well and he makes learning and being at school a blast. Andrew comes home saying the craziest things sometimes. He has quite a few buddies in our neighborhood and they ride the bus together which I am grateful for. Andrew is a jokester, he loves to come up with funny things to make people laugh. He has a "roll-with-the-punches" personality and he doesn't let things bother him. He is a great helper, he loves to tote little Connor around. To get ready for his baptism in June, he's been memorizing the Articles of Faith. His Christmas wish this year is a live goldfish and a camera.

Joshy (5): Joshy is my middlest child and he plays the part well. We have a little "time-out" spot in our living area and he spends a good portion of his day sitting there. He is very loving and it is imperative that he gets in some cuddling time everyday. He is still obsessed with his Grandmas. He is passionate about life and when he has his mind set on something, he'll move heaven and earth to accomplish it. He is a little sponge and is learning like crazy. He is learning to read and he can count to 100. His Christmas wish this year is a green anaconda (8 feet, plush) and a camera.

Connor (15 months): Connor is a joy. We all just love on that baby. He's cruising the furniture, but he hasn't taken his first steps yet. He gets feisty when his toy gets taken away or he is diverted from what he's doing, but other than that, he is a mellow baby. When he hears the dishwasher open, he makes a beeline for it - he loves to pull out all the silverware. He likes to be near us and follows his brothers around wherever they go.