MERRY CHRISTMAS!!
We are doing well considering our crazy circumstances-Kassie and kids in Monticello and Curtis back and forth between Provo and Monticello working and trying to sell our home. We have been abundantly blessed this year and know that God has worked in mysterious and not-so-mysterious ways to help our family. We are ever thankful for wonderful parents,siblings and friends who love and support us through it all.
We are especially thankful for a missionary son and the blessings that come from his service. Jordan is currently in Billings, Montana, braving the frigid temperatures and striving to share the 'warmth' of the Gospel. We look forward to his homecoming in about 5 months. And we still get to talk to him two more times before then. Yay!
Montana is a Jr at Monticello High. He was on the Cross Country team and had a good season, improving his times as the season went on. It was very cool to see him head out the door each day for his practice. It's not easy to run at 7000 ft above sea level. He is thisclose to getting his driver's license, finally. He still misses his friends at AHS but is slowly adjusting to life in a small town.
Ford, on the other hand, has more friends here than he can keep track of. He just jumped into the social scene and took off. He is rarely home before 6 every night and does his best to find things to do with friends after that hour as well. He is a sophomore and was on the JV football team. He loved playing football and loved making an interception when he finally got into a varsity game.
Cambria is in 7th grade, which is in high school in Monticello. She was a bit nervous about going back to public school after homeschooling and nervous about going to high school. But she has made some good friends and is doing very well in school. It was fun to see her name in the local newspaper for being on the honor roll. She is also in band, playing the clarinet, and seems to have some of the Welch talent for music. She was invited to attend an honor band activity where they learned 4 songs in two days and performed them in front on an audience the second day. We love to hear her playing at home, both piano and clarinet.
Hannah is a very social 5th grader at Monticello Elementary. She collects friends! She is doing well in school in spite of needing to do some catching up in math. She enjoys Activity Days and hanging out with her cousins who live down the hill from us. She is playing Jr. Jazz basketball for the first time, but I wouldn't be surprised if it was the last time. Not her favorite thing!
Sadie is in 3rd grade and is a model student. She LOVES school and tries to be the best student she can. She is excelling in reading and math is not the torture she once thought it was. She is also playing Jr. Jazz basketball and made the first 2 points(and only 2 points) in their very first game of the season. She has made several friends and can say with all honesty, "I have way more friends here than I ever had in Provo."
Soren is almost 4 and adjusting to being at home without his sisters all day long. It's been a hard adjustment for him. He has a good friend who happens to be the son of my high school friend/college roommate. He also likes to play with his cousins, or run away from them, depending on the day. Cars still rules his thoughts, but he likes MarioKart as well.
Charles is 9 months old and REALLY working on walking. He has no use for rolling over or crawling, just wants to go straight to walking. I suppose he won't be ruined for life if he does things in the 'wrong' order. He has two teeth and loves food. He is a wonderful child and we are so happy that he joined our family this year.
I am just trying to keep my sanity and things straight as I try to keep up with the kids and all their activities. I miss my Primary calling, miss the kids and the music. I look forward to someday getting to sit through meetings again when Charles goes to Nursery. I have resumed my work as a nail technician, one appt per day, working out of my sister's salon. It's funner when there are other people around. I am so happy to be 'home' again and be near my sisters and my parents. I've longed for this for years and I'm finally here!
Curtis is busy trying to finish up some of the projects in our house. We have listed it and are hoping for a quick sale so he can live with us full time, rather than part time. It has been a hard year for him, being unemployed and underemployed, but both he and I have learned alot. We are thankful for the job he does have but hope to have or create a different one soon. He has kept the road between Monticello and Provo hot!
We wish you all the best in the coming year. It seems like it would be easy to get bitter and frustrated and angry when times are hard, as they are in our country right now. Thanks to our Savior, whose birth we are celebrating, we have found it easy to have hope and even joy and peace in the midst of our trials.
'Peace that surpasseth all understanding' is our wish for all!
