Reflections and Projections

(Thanks, Curtis for the pictures!)

I asked each of the kids to share some of their favorite things, things they have done, etc. from this past year, and to share things they look forward to doing this upcoming year.

L. had just woken from a nap, so I wasn't surprised that her first answer to things she enjoyed was 'taking a nap'. Among the other things we came up with: learning to talk, taking care of her 'babies', playing with brothers, spending time with mommy, singing in class (nursery), watching D. on the computer (which he was doing at the time), and going to the library. She is looking forward to having snacks and going to the library this year.

D. mentioned that he has enjoyed playing with L., being kind to L., doing centers in Kindergarten, losing his first 2 teeth (now 3), doing ABC centers in first grade, learning good handwriting, going to visit grandmas and grandpas and other relatives in Mesa and Gilbert, getting to celebrate Christmas, and getting a matching game and a 3D story book. The things he is looking forward to in 2009 are getting to go to school again, playing with L.(I think he loves her lots!), reading books (to L.), having another birthday, celebrating Christmas, getting baptized, being a member of Heavenly Father's church, and getting to do the activities at Cub Scouts.

H. enjoyed starting Cub Scouts, getting into 3rd grade, getting to go swimming over the summer, being able to get baptized, getting the Holy Ghost, being able to have a very fun Christmas, being able to have fun with Christmas toys, and going to the library. He looks forward to 'Turn 9!'. He also looks forward to swimming, starting with the Bear den, getting a new scout book, getting his Conservation award (Cub scouts), starting 4th grade, learning how to do division, summer break, visiting relatives again, and going to the library.

J. enjoyed getting to play with his cousin, D., going to Arizona, working on Webelos activity badges, earning his Bear badge, starting 5th grade, learning about the solar system, getting hat looms, and learning how to make hats. He is excited to start Boy Scouts, getting to work on the 11-year old section of the Faith in God award so he can finish it up, and learning to make a blanket and/or scarf on a hat loom.

As I worked on this with them, I thought back a bit on other things that have happened with our family. Among them (in no particular order) we had our youngest potty train (wahoo for no-diaper days!) and grow a sizeable vocabulary, replaced 2 cars in one month thanks to an overheated engine and a car accident, watched the dad of our home recover from that accident and as a result gained an appreciation for others who deal with memory loss/lapses on a long term basis, worked on scout activities and requirements together, visited family in Oklahoma and Arizona, started a blog, Jonathan started working in a different division of the Attorney General's office and then for Department of Revenue, I completed some quilts, we did a few hikes, made some new friends, had 2 kids in a play, Jonathan started serving as a counselor to the new bishop at church, had family come visit us, D. learned how to ride a bike, I had enough hair lopped off to donate, experienced another bar exam and the time before results came in, had a son get stitches, watched the Olympics and had our own, and a number of other things too.

This year, I am looking forward to learning to budget with new numbers, trying out some different quilting experiences, working on the Primary program songs with our children, doing lots of singing, and some piano practicing too, seeing the growth of my children, and continuing to learn along the way. Also among consideration for this year: taking a class or two, shopping for a house, visiting the library more often again, reading more books, taking a hike or 3 or 10, etc.

2009, here we come (ready or not)!

:)