Merry Christmas Darlings, Happy new year too!
I really was on the ball about Christmas cards this year, up until they shipped late and I didn't get them until late last week... and then I just felt like WHY! I have sent some Christmas cards out and a few of you got a really nice tri fold card from us earlier this month, but the rest of you will probably either get the card in person or just have to see this post and feel special. Its just so late in to the season to send cards to people who I will see anyways.
I did write a Christmas letter but our printer is running low ( I keep forgetting when I am at the store!) so I will post the letter here too.
An for all the friends who sent cards to us THANK YOU!! I am a girl who loves getting mail and all the cards we have received this year have been a source of joy to me- silly as that may be- so thank you! If you sent me one I have probably sent one your direction as well!
Without further chit chatting , on to the letter!
Friends and family,
This year was another good year for our family. Life has ups
and downs and we certainly had trials as well as fun times, but overall we can
so that the Lord has blessed us abundantly!
We enjoyed several trips early on in the year, we went to
Utah and saw loved ones and later we went to Washington for a family trip
(thank you to the tanners for the invitation to your property!).
In the beginning of the year, our sweet little white ford
focus finally gave up on us and we had to sell it. We were sad to see it go
because of all the memories attached to it. A tender mercy was that a month or
so after that my grandpa Durrant generously sold us his Mercury Sable. We are
so grateful to have it now, it is a wonderful, reliable car that will last us a
good long time. We really feel the blessing of that and have so much gratitude
for those that helped us- you all know who you are.
In May My sister Jessica got married to a wonderful old
friend of hers named Todd, I spent many fun hours helping my mom and sister
plan and prepare for her wedding. My boys really love having another fun uncle!
Sadly in the beginning of June Grandpa Durrant passed away
from this life to the next, we are sad because we miss him, but we know that we
will see him again! This was the same week that we had our first miscarriage,
it was an emotional month, but again we are so grateful for kind family and
friends and their love and support.
In the late summer Mitchell was able to get accepted very
quickly into a Masters program for Educational Leadership and Administration.
We are so proud! It is a year round, 2 year program, he has night classes and Saturday
classes, it has kept us all busy but we are so grateful for this opportunity! Also
this year Mitchell in addition to his teaching is the attendance dean for
freshmen at the high school, and he has been able to be a coordinator for the
afterschool program he has been involved in the last several years. We are so
grateful for these opportunities! Just recently he was hired to be an online
professor for BYUI, he will be teaching one class for now and started the
second week on December. We are so grateful for this blessing as it will not
only be great experience but will help pay for the big expense we have coming
in May.
In January Eli moved up from nursery to sunbeams at church,
it felt like a big step! But he loves it and does well! In June Eli finished
his first year of preschool, we loved it, he learn so much and most importantly
(in my way of thinking) he has been able to make friends, improve his speech
and learn social skills. We liked it so much last year that we put both boys in
this year! They started in September and they are both loving it. Both boys are
potty trained and I love the lack of diaper changing!
I have been busy at home. I trained for another race this
summer and we continued to make small updates around our home, one of the
biggest ones was getting a new furnace and air conditioner! This summer was
much more comfortable then that last few! Also for a gift early in the year my
husband bought me a Camera! I have spent many wonderful times this year out
shooting pictures and preserving memories of our sweet little family of four.
In August the opportunity came for me to watch a little baby in our home during
the work days. We love having “baby T” over each day, the boys get along with
him so well. It’s all boys around here these days and it is so much fun. Baby T’s
mom works at the district office for Nampa so it is convenient because most vacation
days are the same as Mitchells. Big Blessing!
We were excited to find out we were expecting again and we
will be due in mid may! That is probably the biggest news from my corner. I am
once again very sick but we have a great doctor and a good combination of meds
so that overall I am doing really well. We just feel so blessed, in the end it’s
all more than worth it we have looked forward to expanding our little family
with a lot of anticipation!
We are so glad that we have so many loving friend and family
members and extend thanks to all of you for your kindness, love and support
over that past year. We look forward to next year and the times we will spend
with so many of you! Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!
Love, the Hill
family
