Friday, December 11, 2009

2009 newsletter


Happy Holidays! As I look back on 2009 it helps me truly say, "I am blessed."
Here are some of our memorable highlights.

Mayflower - 11! Our cute 6th grader has enjoyed tumbling, piano, swimming, voice lessons-with her first ever voice recital last week, a little bit of baby sitting, serving on the student council, choir, reading, trampoline, playing with friends and watching and listening to everything her big sisters do and say.


Michex - 17! A senior! She is very busy with Chamber Quire performances in full swing, Play Productions, All State choir, being the Stage Manager for the school musical, cleaning Dr. Major's Farr West office for a little bit of cash, Junior Prom, Snow Ball dance, YW Recognition Award, and State Drama. Oh! and lots of friends and flirting!


Scout - 19! Graduated in May and left the next day to work at Jacob Lake near the North Rim of the Grand Canyon for the summer, then headed to Dixie State College on scholarship, studying Art and Visual Technology. She is performing with Raging Red, Dixie's show choir and planning on touring with them in the spring in CHINA! Last week she applied for and got a position as a Resident Assistant in the dorms. This will pay for her meal plan so she can save her $$$ for that trip! She also met James, Mike, Tyler and many others, and we all said good-bye to Shane for 2 years...sigh.

Shematite - 21! Has been busy climbing the emotional & physical mountain of depression. Medication, kind, compassionate doctors, sunshine, exercise (she kicks some major booty on Dance Dance Revolution), family, friends, Institute, work and theater have all helped bring back her sparkle! After several nights this week of try-outs and call-backs, she learned yesterday that she was cast as the lead role (MILLY) in the Terrace Plaza Playhouse's production of Seven Brides for Seven Brothers! The show starts its run in February:)

Rock - 40...ish! is up to his baby blue eye balls in his Master's degree, teaching math, instructing wanna be drivers, serving in the Elder's Quorum, and pretty much being the most awesome husband in the world by taking me on my "adventures" and bringing me back home safe and sound. And he knows how to fix pretty much anything! Our bathroom floor started to "bulge" and he ripped out the sub-floor, sanded, patched, replaced and put the porcelain throne right back on. Sigh:) He also took his nephews down to Zion once again to do some canyoneering. He's the best!


Me...Desertbound- 40...! I am working 8-10 hour days for Dr. Major, now serving as Relief Society 2nd counselor(over the activities) and trying to keep up with my family while cherishing memorable moments like...
~Family dodge ball games
~Having my girls singing around the piano with their friends and each other.
~Watching Scout paint.
~ Visiting Arches and then Grand Junction for baby Meg's blessing.
~The marathon games of "Go to Jail" and Bocce Ball in Goblin Valley.
~ Directing the youth choir for Stake Conference in May and getting to meet Elder Scott of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles.
~Grand Canyon Rim-to-Rim in a day with Michex, Scout, Joe, Cindy and Rock! 23 miles of thigh-burning, calf-crunching, gut-puking extraordinary beauty and blessings!
~Mystery Canyon with my honey(of course) and two of my brothers, JT and Maud'Dib! Loved it!
~Re-connecting with my cousins and siblings at the Nelson Family reunion in South Fork:) Amazing.
~ Girls camp at Bear Lake with Michex.
~Jacob Lake and the North Rim to visit Scout for my birthday in August.


~Pine Creek and Spry Canyon in Zion with Aaron, Kim, Cindy and Scout.
~Back to school priesthood blessings for all the Stoffers cousins!
~Thanksgiving dinner with family to start off the wonderful holiday season.

But above all, I am blessed most by my faith in the gospel of Jesus Christ. My new favorite quote from President Monson is,"Fear not. Be of good cheer. The future is as bright as your faith. I declare that God lives and that He answers our prayers. His Son, Jesus Christ, is our Savior and our Redeemer. Heaven's blessings await us."

We love you all and hope you have a wonderful holiday season!