A Much Needed Update

It has been far too long since I have been on this blog for more than to check on all my awesome friends. So, for the few of those who read this, but mostly for my own family's sake, here is a much belated update. 

We are settling in here in Washington. The girls have done fantastic with the transition. Peter is working hard and studying even harder. He is so wonderful and I am so blessed to have someone who is willing to work so hard so that I can stay home with our children. He is really enjoying his classes and is learning a lot from, not only his professors, but his classmates. There are 23 students in his cohort, and it's quite diverse. 

Olivia is doing great. She is learning to write her name and she would sit and color all day if her sisters didn't interrupt her so much. She is very patient with them and is more than happy to go off on new adventures with Jane or being a horse for Anne. Her passions are still horses and knights. Her development seems to have taken off lately and she is doing so well with the worksheets I give her. She loves sunbeams and I know she'll do great with school next year. We had our primary program a couple weeks ago and she did such a great job with her part and singing.  She is such a wonderful big sister! 

Jane is so energetic and fun! She is constantly on the move and she loves to be where Olivia is. Jane was quite disappointed when she didn't get a chance to say a part into the microphone during the primary program. =) She is often the brains behind most of their escapades and is fearless and headstrong. She is also doing well with the little lessons we have, mostly involving colors and shapes but she is beginning to recognize letters on sight and she is super intelligent. I think she is going to have a hard time when Olivia goes to school. They are two peas in a pod and I am so blessed to have them be such great friends. The fighting is pretty minimal. 

Anne is already 14 months old! I can't believe it. She is a walking machine and loves chasing after her big sisters for as long as they let her. She still doesn't have any teeth which surprises me and limits on what she can eat, and she does NOT appreciate it. Haha! She is a big time daddy's girl. If Peter is home, she wants nothing to do with me. She's got him wrapped around her little finger. She loves bracelets and necklaces and hats and purses. She's always bringing me shoes to put on or jackets. We have a feeling she's going to be our girly-girl and love all that princess stuff. 

I am playing volleyball in a women's league with some friends I know from BYU-Idaho. It has been wonderful to get back on the court and play the game I love so much. I sure miss the sun. =) We had fabulous weather here for the first few weeks but it's been quite gloomy and gray ever since. No sun in the mornings is the hardest to adjust to. We do have a fabulous tree in our backyard with fire-red leaves at the moment, and it is my artificial sun for as long as those leaves hold on. =) Which means they lasted until the first big wind storm. Haha! 

We had a fantastic Thanksgiving this year. Although, I missed our extended families something fierce, we did get to have some of our close friends come up for a few days. It was so much fun and lightened the blow of not being able to be with family. It was my first time cooking almost everything Thanksgiving but I must say that I did pretty fantastic! Haha! It was such a fun and relaxing weekend and the girls loved having their daughter here to have a new friend around for a few days. I can't thank Molly and Doug enough for taking the time to drive here and spend the holiday with us. You guys are rock stars!

We are anxiously awaiting Christmas and the much anticipated arrival of my parents for the holiday. It is going to be a fantastic time and we are so grateful and mindful of our many blessings and most especially for the unconditional gift of our Heavenly Father's love through the birth of His Son, our Savior. What a testament of His love for us! And through our Savior's willing sacrifice, I am able to be with the ones I love the most for eternity. Not just in this life but in the next. I am so grateful for this knowledge and the comfort that it brings to me. I am so blessed to have Peter in my life. For his love and acceptance of me. For his unwavering faith in me and my abilities, most especially during the times I doubt myself. Oh, I am so blessed! Life is good!

I hope you all had a fantastic Thanksgiving and that you all have a wonderful holiday and remember your many blessings and to reach out to those who may need uplifting from you, even if it's just a smile. 

P.S. I'll get some pictures up soon.