At It Again

After finding out that someone had been stalking my blog and taking pictures of Teryn to claim him as his son, I shut down.  I stopped recording our family stories and experiences here because I was afraid of someone unrightfully using us.  Two years later, I've realized I'm doing my family a great disservice.  Those two years will fade and be forgotten over time and it's my 2017 new year resolution to get back into the habit of recording again.  Simple, tender, significant things that deserve to be remembered.  Life is too short and too fast- -if I don't record it here, it will be lost.

We are now living in Holladay, Utah.  Tyson is starting his last semester next week as a grad student at the University Of Utah.  The oilfield busted last year and that was our final straw that led us back to school again- -Tyson had been wanting to get a Master's Degree, so it was finally time.  We've really enjoyed the area we're in.  Teryn is a 1st grader at Howard R. Driggs Elementary and Ryder goes to preschool at Olympus Highschool Titan Tots.  Adria and Tev are home with me, keeping me on my toes every day.  I started my own business last year with Pure Romance. My first year in business has been amazing and I'm currently waiting to find out where I stand in the ranks of recruits and sales.  Every year in March Pure Romance has World Conference where they present awards to leaders in several sales categories.  Anxious to see where I fall.

Christmas was delightful this year, although we've finally decided to dig our feet in and stay home for the holiday in years to come.  This year, we traveled to Bluebell to visit Grandpa Greg and Great Grandma Todd- -Great Grandpa Todd passed away this year in February and Greg and Betty got divorced in October, so Greg has moved in with Grandma.  We spent a day with them and then traveled to Neola to enjoy some time with Grandma and Grandpa Henrie.  Grandpa Henrie turned 73 on December 23 so it was wonderful to spend the day with him.  After visiting Neola, we traveled to Vernal to be with Grandma Chelle and Grandpa Dennis, Brandon, Bree, Ben, and Isla Mae.  Ben and Bree have built a beautiful new home and it was fun to see it! We enjoyed seeing family for a few days and returned home to be in our own beds Christmas Eve.  We have no chimney, so the children left a note and cookies for Santa next to the window :)  Christmas is so much more magical with kids!  

We've enjoyed being together this week during the Christmas break.  Tyson took the boys to the Basin to ice fish over the weekend and the girls and I played at home and at the mall.  It was fun to go mosey around with nothing to do but see the world in the eyes of my girls.  They got cookies and nibbled as we walked around the mall, threw pennies in the fountain, rode the train, and played tag with new friends on the play equipment.  The boys are learning and growing and becoming quite the manly little men.  Teryn is playing Jr. Jazz and loving it.  Ryder is really bummed because all he gets to do is run laps around the gym while his brother plays basketball.  Adria is as bouncy as ever and loves making new friends with anyone who will talk with her, and Tev loves to be anywhere and do anything that you least expect.  That little girl is more mischevious and makes more messes than all my other kids combined, but she's also the cutest, most cuddly, loving little thing.  

It's amazing the differences in each of the kids.  I love seeing their natural desires and talents shine every day.  I admit, when Tyson took the boys over the weekend and it was just me and the girls, I couldn't believe how easy it was with just two! And I realized why some people think I'm crazy for having four, and having them so close.  But I wouldn't change a thing.  I know our life is chaotic now, but time is moving so fast and I'm trying to stop and take it in every chance I get.

I look forward to blogging once a week, starting today.  I know it will be a good, sabbath-oriented activity to indulge in on Sunday evenings when the children are in bed :) Until next week, here is a current family picture :)