Wow... what happened this year? Some days I'm driving down the road and wonder how in the world we got here! This spring Mike and I started making plans for him to return to school full time so that he could quickly finish his degree and then have the freedom to go a new direction if he chose. So we decided to put the house up for sale. If it sold, he would quit work and focus on school full time. Well, about 3 days after the sign was placed at the bottom of the driveway, the perfect couple drove up and that was that. Meanwhile, one night Mike starts talking about schools in the lower 48. Before I knew it we were applying to 4 different schools and starting plans for a huge garage sale and packing the boxes for a move to the states. Within a couple months our life had taken a huge unexpected directional turn. Boise was the best school that lined up with the credits and classes he needed to graduate. So here we are, Idaho residents.
We LOVE Boise. Especially the fact that bike riding is still a possibility. It has only "snowed" a couple times and the temp seems to always be at least 30 degrees. (Unlike our poor Fairbanks loved ones suffering the 30-40 below temps.) Mike rides his bike (very cool electric bike) to school the 2 days a week that he goes in. The kids and I spend our time going to the gym, riding the bike and trailer to the library, and making the house messy all day. I have picked up the doTERRA hobby and share the passion for natural medicine with family and friends around. Kaiya loves to draw and really enjoys writing all her letters and learning about numbers. She moves from one obsession to the next: Rapunzel, Dalmatian dogs, and back to candy canes. Camdon is growing so big. As big as his older sister and bigger in many pudgy hands and feet ways. He is loving talking and communicating with us. He shares his grandpa's passion for choo choo trains, makes everything into a gun, and everyday turns into Iron Man or Capt. America.
I miss Alaska and our life, friends, and family we have there. However, being so close to my extended family has been wonderful for creating new ties and memories. Mike has started the job hunt process that could really take us anywhere in the world. However, I think he'd be happy to simply stay here in Boise. We'll see where this new year takes our adventures next. Holding on for the ride. Most importantly, holding on to our testimony of our Savior and his love and understanding of us. He is the Master Healer of everything in this world and that life brings us. How grateful we are for our knowledge of him and his gospel. Merry Christmas to all as we celebrate his birth!
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Kaiya Dawn 3.7836 years
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| Camdon Seth 2 years |
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| Picking flowers from the yard |
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| Didn't get to do this in Fairbanks. Thanks Terrilynn! |
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| Artist |
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| Silly Sleeper |
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| Um...love smoothies anyone? |
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| Loves Incredibles on mom's phone |
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| Biking to School |
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| The one snow storm that amounted to anything took the whole hard to make little Frosty. |
Happy Holidays! |
2 comments:
I love these pictures, and love that you are in Boise! :)
Oh Amanda, your kids have grown up so much and those blue eyes just make me smile. I hear a lot about Boise and am glad it is a good fit for you. We have no idea where we will end up after the mission. We are homeless right now, but enjoying Africa and it's challenges. Thanks for sharing your Christmas letter. sister O
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