New Year, Still Here

You may have thought I forgot about my blog. But here I am still, just feeling a little more settled into life here in AZ and ready to find my old voice, mixed with a new voice. I could write about the old. Our last year was moving. And as much as other stuff happened, the move happened throughout it all. The neighbors we get to start over with, where to put Christmas decorations, where to put everything, finding styles and situations that work for us- it all happens behind the scenes because we moved. And this time for reals. God's Spirit told me that we are supposed to be in this house and although that happened 10 months ago, I am holding onto to the Lord's vision. I don't see and I don't want to see all that He does. I just trust He knows me, my family and my needs and He is taking care of all of us. I like relaxing into that thought. So here we are in a new year. And when they say moving in takes a year, they are not lying. But things so far are good. Friends we are making, family close by, Bryan's work situation, schools for kids, the new house- it's all good stuff.

So what's up currently at our place? 
 Bryan is having a birthday! Monday he turns 36. Yep- it's real, we get old. He partied with his Utah family while were there over Christmas break.  Here we are going on a date and eating yummy food. :) His work is doing awesome- so many good employees, the monthly visits back to Utah aren't his favorite but they are working for now. He loves electronics and got a few this last month. His dreams are getting a new car and new TV this year. He's into biking and yoga. And he's coaching Emily's Odyssey of the Mind team which is a fabulous learning experience for everyone. 

{Bryan goes to cheer at a football game for the Utes with his dad and the kiddos. His only time in red is caught on camera.}

Maegan- I am running Ragnar. February 20-21 I am embarking on my 4th Ragnar running relay adventure. 200 miles, 12 runners and 2 vans= 30+ hours on the road for a crazy two days. We are the ninja turtles team. I am into running with some great ladies a few times a week. I also am into being at schools with volunteering at Emily's class, working with a math group with Ashley, working in a tutoring room and teaching Aaron with Joyschool. Everyone is happy in their schools and so it makes all the driving around worth it. I am also into yoga, a ballet/tap/jazz dance class, two book clubs and am teaching the 4-year-olds in church, which is Aaron's class.

{Reading stories one Joyschool morning at our house}

 Emily's life is busy with Odyssey of the Mind (O.M.), 4th grade with Mrs. Wilson, and in band playing trumpet. She dreams of the day where she could read books and play Pokemon cards all day. She seems to find some time for jumping on the trampoline and doing some cooking too. She loves imagining. She got an American Girl doll house for Christmas and was in heaven. Her favorite day of the week is Tuesday where she gets to go to band, have early-out day at school, followed by a couple hours of O.M. with her friends. She likes her activity days church class and will start playing flag football soon.

{At the pumpkin patch there were other fun events.  Emily actually lassoed this hay cow with the rope!}

 Ashley is a second grader! She's in class with Ms. Bedford, her grandma- yippee! She likes playing Pokemon, drawing, and reading. She is in Brownies and will start selling girl scout cookies next week. Yum and fun! She also takes piano lessons from our friend Kristi Lee and had fun doing some recitals last year. She recently picked to play a new sport- flag football and the season will start in a couple weeks. She got a Barbie doll house for Christmas and was in heaven. Ashley can do some fun tricks on the tramp and found out that swimming in January is really cold.

{Mustaches were passed out at the school's chili cook-off night and Ashley took advantage.}

 Aaron is in two preschools this year! He is gone two mornings a week with Joyschool- a mom taught preschool group with 4 other friends. He's gone two afternoons a week at Mrs. Jackson's Preschool too and having a ball. He is a happy snuggly guy who prefers sleeping in mom and dad's bed. He got transformers for Christmas and loves them. He's into treats, being a tease, and drawing interesting shapes and turning them into pictures. He learned how to play Pit over the break and likes being included in the big guys' games. Aaron loves to be read to and is doing a great job learning how to read already. He is getting a new anti-finger-sucking glove in the mail soon and isn't really looking forward to wearing it.

{After making a bat hat at preschool, Aaron comes home to model his creation.}