2012

I feel happy to move into a fresh new year. For our family, 2012 felt heavy; full of worry and stress. While we have much to be grateful for, the year did not go as planned and as a result, we learned many lessons, our faith grew, and our savings account shrunk.

January started with us trying to decide about purchasing a particular house. It was an almost perfect home and what we thought we wanted, however we never felt good about the purchase. It was a battle and was on again, off again for a couple of months. We about drove our poor realtor (who happens to also be my dad) nuts. January also brought news that Caleb was accepted into the highly competitive Surgical Technology Course, his first real step into the medical field. He chose not to accept, but couldn’t ever give us a good reason why he felt it wasn’t the right choice for him. To say we were all under a great amount of stress and indecision is an understatement.

February was still about choosing a home. We felt unsettled and uneasy. Caleb participated in his school play and we had New Beginnings for Caitlin. Our whole family went in for eye exams and I found out I need reading glasses. I still haven’t filled that prescription.

March had us going in all different directions. Caleb was still busy with his school play, had a weekend HOSA competition in Logan, went on his choir trip to California, and to Prom. We also went to St. George for the Air Show. Still trying to decide on a new house…

April was quiet, except for the voices in our heads about what we should do about a house. By this time, we were considering building. We also went to the BYU Ballroom event.

May came and we ran away to St. George. This time we went to see Brian Reagan. School was wrapping up and Caleb was voted in as Senior Class Secretary.

June was full. Caleb and Caitlin attended Youth Conference in Manti, Caitlin went to Oakcrest Girls Camp for a week, Caleb went to Leadership Conference in Logan. Caitlin also had a MRI that showed potential change. Life felt a little scary. We decided to officially put our decision to move on the back burner. Then came the news that the owner of our house had decided to short sale and was giving us first chance to buy. I did not want to buy this house. At. All. I also didn’t want to move until it felt right.

July came with the decision we would buy “our house” even though I still didn’t want it. However, making the decision felt right and provided a sense of relief. We spent the month doing some fun things like going to an outdoor Piano Guys concert, a Real game, and Wicked. Caitlin attended Girls Camp and loved it.

August began with a our sweet friend Emily passing away. She had battled cancer for almost her entire life. I was able to visit her shortly before she passed and was touched by the experience. Our family made a quick trip to Disneyland before school started up again, and Caitlin and I traveled to St. George for a Girls Trip to see Aladdin at Tuachan. We also went to the new Brigham City Temple Open House. Oh, and we closed on our house.

September was the beginning of chaos on the home front. Caleb went to Homecoming and both kids were settling into school. Caitlin turned 14 and became a Mia Maid.

October was beautiful and there were things constantly going on inside and outside our house. While it was hard, there was progress and each new day brought us closer in the transformation of “Plain Jane.” Caleb had his senior pictures taken and both kids had music concerts. Caitlin and I also attended Time Out for Women and Girls. Oh, and that little announcement from our Prophet that the age to serve a mission had changed. Wow!

November was supposed to be the month the house projects were complete and we would welcome Thanksgiving with our gratitude for a fully finished house and a new president. It didn’t work out that way. Instead, the work  continued in our house and it became more and more difficult to function and perform our daily duties. We had our clothing stored at our neighbors (where we also did our laundry), the contents of our kitchen were in the garage (including the food), and we had one working bathroom. It was a challenge that we were sure would never end. The election also did not do a thing to improve our state of mind or outlook for the future. We were (and continue to be) so disappointed and concerned for the future of our country. November also brought the first big snowstorm of the season on the same day we attended the funeral of my sweet friend, Kim. She will be sorely missed by all who knew and loved her, especially her wonderful husband and five beautiful kids. Thankfully our time away to visit my family for Thanksgiving was a good break from the sadness and anxiety the month had delivered.

December… the month our house would absolutely be completed. Or not. Although our house is still not finished and we are on round two with several projects and a potential law suit with a contractor, we did our best to make December joyful. We went to Zoo Lights with our good friends, the kids holiday concerts, the amazing Mormon Tabernacle Christmas concert, Ryan Shupe and the Rubberband, and Voice Male. Caleb went to the Winter Ball, and was instrumental in Herriman High School’s Hearts of Gold, that benefited our support group, HopeKids. We enjoyed our time with our family for Christmas, Caleb turned 18, and all in all, we ended the year on a good note.

The year 2013 is going to bring with it some big changes for our family. Caleb is going to graduate and then serve a mission for our church. We will also be finding out what is happening with Caitlin’s health. I pray for this year to be full of blessings and some peaceful, happy moments. I know with trust in God and faith in His plan for our family and as individuals, we will be able to meet our trials and challenges with faith and willingness to endure. Here’s to 2013…