This year, for the first time in Marc and my 8 Christmases together, I did not get Christmas cards out. I had every intention to do so, but as the season pressed on quicker and quicker, time got away from me. For this year, this blog post is our MERRY CHRISTMAS and HAPPY NEW YEAR greetings to you, our wonderful friends and family who care about us and what has gone on in our 2011. Here is a little recap:
Carson DeVaughn (21 months) is our little character. Ask anyone who knows him well, and they'll tell you, he's got the craziest facial expressions. He gives this, "too cool" look, and kind of makes you earn a smile. But then, when you get the smile, it melts your heart. He is all over the place...and I do mean ALL OVER! Countertops not excluded. He loves to play with his big sister and ride bikes and cars in the backyard. He is saying so many things but some of his favorite words are, "Gickey" (Mickey Mouse), "Sassy and Ginky" (Paci and Blankie---this kid loves his comfort items), Mommy, Daddy, Tanny and Lilly. He also loves to take baths and is obsessed with shoes. He has to pick out his own pair to wear everyday, and is very obsessive about it. He scales the pantry walls to find what he wants to snack on, as he is very picky about what he wants to eat as well. He'll eat just about anything, but he has to CHOOSE it out himself. Some of his favorite foods are "Cookies, Faffles (waffles), Baba (bottles), Wawa (water), Kacker (crackers). This boy LOVES his Daddy and gives him the best welcome home every night after work. He is such a joy in our home and we love him soo much!
Montana Belle (5) started her final year of Pre-Kindergarten this year. This girl will be SO ready for Kindergarten next fall! She is my little helper. She even wakes up every morning and makes her bed, without being asked. She loves to help with letting the dog out and feeding her. She loves to Windex for me, vaccumm and help with the laundry. I often find her on her own creating masterpieces and works of art in the office- she LOVES to draw. Montana enjoyed finishing out her first year of dance as well as her first season of soccer. She was the most beautiful, graceful dancer and yet the most studly and talented athlete all at the same time. I'm totally not biased, either. :) She's begging to start gymnastics soon, and so that may be the endeavor we start this next year. She loves her new school, Sheldon Acres, and all the new stuff she has learned. She is enjoying learning to cook with mommy and has just started taking piano lessons--- from Mommy. I don't know how I got blessed with such a sweet hearted, thoughtful and responsible little girl for my oldest, but I know that life will be easier for me because of this little one and her helpful ways. We are so thankful for her in our lives. She's truly one of my best friends and we love her to pieces.
We had a new addition to the family this year- Lilly, our purebread black boxer. She has been a learning experience for this Mommy. She's still in the puppy stages, and so we are still working on the potty training and not chewing on things-- but we do love having her in our family. Isn't she gorgeous?
As you probably already know, we are expecting our third child around April 18th of next year. We are excited to announce that SHE is a GIRL! :) We have a name pretty decided upon, but just to be safe we will save that for when she comes so that I don't have to print a retraction. :) Montana is so excited about her baby sister, and we are trying to talk Carson into the idea- but right now, I think he thinks either everyone has babies in their bellies--- OR your belly is called a baby.Marc is still enjoying his wonderful job at The Annuity Store. He celebrated 5 years with the company this summer and we feel extremely blessed and fortunate for the career that he has that provides so wonderfully for our family. He has turned over a new leaf of devotion this year, and just when I thought he couldn't be any better of a dad or husband, has stepped it up big time. He's somehow managed to fit all of his work in, be home in time for dinner, and be there for us whenever we need him! He takes over for me when he gets home, and gives the kids their bath and does the nighttime routine. One night when Daddy was out of town, after we had finished eating dinner, Montana turned and asked me, "Who's going to give us our bath? Dad's out of town." Him coming home at night is the highlight of our day. He started out his year at church as a Ward Missionary and as a Nursery Worker, taking care of the 18mo-3 year olds for two hours during church. He learned to LOVE the calling and all the kids loved Brother Rogers. Six months into that, he was released in those callings and called to serve as the Ward Executive Secretary and he has loved working with our wonderful Bishopric and has learned so much. He still enjoys golfing a few rounds a couple of times a month and getting to the gym whenever his schedule allows for it. His travel roster was full this year with plenty of business and pleasure trips-- Utah a few times for work, Disneyland twice with the family, Tahoe two or three times for both business and vacation, which I got to come a long for, Las Vegas for business and vacation (including a birthday trip for me), Cancun for business and vacation (took me a long too!), Los Angeles and San Diego for business and we just booked a trip to Boca Raton, FL in February as a work reward for him, and he's bringing me a long! He loves to travel, but likes it better when I can come too! :) We just celebrated our 7th Wedding Anniversary this month, and this year, more than ever, feel so grateful to be together eternally. There is no greater gift or blessing to us than that, this year.
I think all of the above about sums it up for me; amazing husband who loves me, wonderful children who make me so proud, a dog that keeps me on my toes, a little baby girl sucking all of my energy, lots of fun travels and adventures, 7 years of marriage- and a partridge in a pear tree! :) A few little extras for me, I started the year serving in the Relief Society presidency and I loved it. The calling helped me to learn and grow so much and I will always cherish the women I served and served with. I am now serving as the Nursery Leader, over two nurseries and 33 kids. It definitely keeps me busy on Sundays! I finished my 2nd half marathon in May, beating my own personal best time at 1:56:18. At almost 6 months pregnant, I'm a far cry from that now, but hope to be back there again one day. I also got braces this year-- it's been a huge adjustment to be an adult with braces, but six months into the treatment, I hardly notice they are there. I DO look forward to next summer or fall when I hopefully get them off! I love my beautiful life and the blessings I receive every day. I don't know how I got so lucky.
As we reflect, this special time of year, as 2011 comes to a close, Marc and I agree our most precious blessing is our Savior, Jesus Christ. His birth, His life, and most especially the gift of His Atonmenet. We would be lost without it. Because of it, we are an eternal family. The Gospel in our lives is the most amazing blessing and we are so grateful for our wonderful parents who helped cultivate our testimonies of it so that we could continue to build them and teach our children the way to make it back to live with Our Heavenly Father. I am brought to tears when I think of the countless gifts and blessings the Lord has given us all year long--- far too many to wrap and fit under any tree. Our wish is that your family has been blessed as well and that you have the Spirit of Christmas to fill your heart and home with love as we celebrate the birth of our Savior.
And we count you, our friends and family amongst our greatest blessings. Thank you for all of your love, friendship and support, now and always. Merry Christmas again--- please forgive my lack of a card to hang on your wall. There will be one next year, with our new little addition, I can assure you. Hope your New Year brings many beautiful things your way.
Love,
Stacy, Marc, Montana, Carson, Baby girl and Lilly the dog, Rogers
PS- DON'T FORGET to check out the 15 posts I just did to update this blog on the past 6 months of our 2011 in pictures.
