Keeping records is a blessing. I really enjoy looking back on this blog (though often very sporadic) and remembering funny things the kids were up to, challenges, and how grateful I am for my family, and also our Heavenly Father's plan for us.

There are so many things to catch up, I will try and highlight a few. I have been babysitting a little girl from William's school since May of this year. It was something crazy to add on top of everything else, but I had confirmation that it was the right thing to do. It has been a blessing for both of our families. She is basically an only child and learning how to be part of a bigger family, sharing, working, responsibility. She has also taught William how to really be interested and play with his younger siblings. I can see how he now enjoys opportunities to interact with them. I, personally, have had an increase in patience and understanding, also learning how to approach a more sensitive child, all GREAT skills for me to develop. I have learned, even in discipline, how to show my love for the children. It is also funny, how I really don't mind watching children now. Pile em up, and I'll be fine. (To be fair, though, they usually are older than 2 1/2. I can definitely appreciate those moms who can wrangle big families though.)

We had a blast using our pool this summer. It was a good amount of work, but we loved it, especially in that 90 degree heat. We especially enjoyed having people come over to swim with us. I told all my friend to invite themselves. I was so busy that I usually didn't plan specific times. (Don't forget for next year! Call me.) Kevin did a great job learning all the ins and outs of the pool, and it was almost always clean and balanced. The kids did get to have a few lessons also from my brother this summer. It is so nice to have him living here.

William started 2nd grade this fall, and has a great teacher. I have tried to volunteer as much as possible to spend some time doing things just for him. Thank you to those of you who wrangled the other two for me. :) It was still crazy with things for my gma, but I wanted to make him a priority, and I can tell that he feels more appreciated in our family.

William and Kate played another season of soccer this fall. Kevin was able to coach William's team, and Kate was able to be on the same team as her cousin, and have a member from church as her assistant coach. It was a lot of fun, again family time. William loved having Kevin as his coach, and Kevin really enjoyed coaching. It makes me so proud sometimes to watch William play soccer, I almost cry. He is a good player, but what I love most about him is his drive and his determination. He NEVER gives up. He never lets up or lets getting tired lessen his efforts. He runs himself nonstop to the end of the game, always giving 110%. He encourages his teammates when they get tired or are ready to give up. As hard as we are as parents with him, he is a great son and a good example. Kate is a joy as well. She can certainly hold up her own and kick that ball hard, IF she is paying attention. She had fun, but she's still young, and would often start twirling around and playing with her teammates by the middle of the game. :) She said she likes soccer, but by the end of the season she couldn't wait until her last practice so she could take dance classes which I didn't even know she was going to take... :)

As far as baby Nathan, he is still growing and growing. He is a happy guy, has a great smile and sense of humour. He pays attention to everything his older siblings are doing, and is smarter than his own good. He is a CLIMBER, and can easily scale chairs to tables and everything else in between. He is like our little puppy. He even used to love chewing on kleenex. He is very wiggly, does not like to be held long, and LOVES to explore. He is very fast and has a high gear that he can kick into when he really wants to go after something. He is starting to spit out words all over, and even says thank you of his own accord. Younger kids are still more physical labor, but he is mainly a joy and a pleasure.

Kevin and I are staying busy with business as usual for the most part. Kevin is very busy with work since one of his projects is organizing the IT set-up for sites to collect and process information for the US 2010 Census. He has been traveling some going to Salt Lake City and Phoenix, but also getting a chance to visit good friends that have moved there this past year.

I was previously consumed with care for my grandmother. She was in and out of hospitals during September and October, for medical and psychiatric needs. She became dependent on oxygen, and eventually more comfortable in hospital settings than her own home. Her Alzheimer's staged dramatically, and while she stills know her immediate family, the paranoia and suspicion became overwhelming for her in her home surrounded by her own things that they recommended placement for her. We were given less than a week to find placement, but again Heavenly Father always has a plan, and we were very blessed to be led to the right facility. She lives in Topeka, near the Stake Center, which allows for visits even more often. I take the kids weekly to visit with her, and while she still asks about home, she has adjusted as well as possible. It is still a strange and scary place at times for her, but she participates in activities, and as her level of anxiety has dropped, she is no longer dependent on oxygen.

So, now I can broaden my focus on life. I can now take real time to listen to each of my children and their concerns/needs. I have time to ponder how best I can serve them. I have time to pursue a few personal interests, and even visit with family and most of all friends that have been missed. I have also felt a slight void, not just missing her a bit (we are also relieved quite a bit), but missing the all consuming service. While an enormous challenge, it was also such a blessing and direction in my life. Service is how we find direction in life, how we discover who we are and why we are here. I know that whenever I feel lost, I find myself again in service. I am again grateful to have had this opportunity to serve her, to cushion her journey for just over a year. I learned so much about myself, strengthened family relationships, and drew closer to the Savior and my Heavenly Father. I learned that while I can do much on my own, I can do so much more with their help, and that they are always there just waiting for us to turn to them, even in that very second. I also know that others were able to find greater peace in overcoming the past. I know that there is always a purpose, a reason for everything. I am of course still involved in my grandmother's journey, and we look forward to sharing and bringing joy to her and also many others each time we visit. What a wonderful time of year for sharing!