The next ten years

I tend to be pretty nostalgic on New Year's Eve as I contemplate the closing year and the new one opening before me.  This particular Eve is especially full of memories, since ten years ago today, Garry and I started our post-college life in a little apartment in Beaverton, Oregon.  We moved in at the end one of the wettest Decembers on record with a two-month-old baby, two degrees but no job for Garry, and not a friend in the state.  The next week, The Bartle Bulletin, then a weekly email newsletter designed to keep in touch with faraway friends and family, was born.

I always make New Year's resolutions, and this year will be no different.  Although I try to focus on improving the here and now, my recollections about the past make me think a little further into my future than the next 12 months.  As I consider all of the marvelous things that began in January 2002--parenthood, Garry's career, the beautiful Oregon segment of our life, and a detailed family history, to name a few--I can't help but wonder what the next ten years will hold.

This New Year definitely feels like turning the page into a new chapter of my family's life.

Post-holiday happenings

Our winter break is flying by.  The days since Christmas have been gloriously unstructured.  I wish I could say that the days have been lazy, but nothing about our family life is very lazy!

Because Garry was feeling better on Monday, he and the kids set up the trampoline.  It was cold outside, but that didn't deter Dad's excited band of helpers.  Since about noon that day, the kids have enjoyed bouncing and playing on their dream-come-true Christmas present...at least until their toes are numb from the cold.  I'm still trying to let go of the anxiety that someone will get hurt.  I'm an awesome worrier like that.  Today Garry set up the net enclosure for the trampoline, which should help a little with safety.

Other Christmas toys, like these doll clothes from Granny, have been a hit.  I'm grateful that she made darling tops to match all the pants I managed to eke out before I got overwhelmed with the doll clothes project.  Lexi and Gavin are having a blast with their babies, which have had many rides around the house in Lexi's new shopping cart.

Tyler received the Lego Ideas Book, which is a marvelous companion to the tub of Legos-without-instructions that reside in his bedroom.  It has provided the perfect spark of interest for Tyler and Zach alike, leading to hours of creative building.

Of course, there is lots of this: total vegetation on the couch.  I'm grateful for moments of relative calm, even if the kids' brain cells are dying in front of the television.  Zach discovered America's Funniest Videos on Netflix, so we have all been laughing a lot.

Everyone in the family found a fake mustache in their stockings, so we took a few pictures.

The van has been at a repair shop twice this week, since Garry's vacation days and our relaxed schedule allowed us to live without it for a time.  Honda replaced the power steering pump and a wheel bearing, and also repaired the tire pressure monitoring system (all covered under recall and warranty), and then our trusted mechanic gave the van new brake pads and rotors.  That was a lame holiday-time expense, but we're glad to have our trusty van back!  

Garry took the kids "glow golfing" at the mall on Tuesday.  (Kate and I stayed home for some peace and quiet!)  They golfed 36 holes in two hours.  Gavin won a prize for sinking a put on the 18th hole.  He was the only person in the family to achieve that feat!  

We fed the missionaries last night.  Elders Roos and Stowe were very charming guests and left us with a wonderful message on faith from 1 Nephi.  Garry made a delicious meal of fettuccine alfredo for dinner.  He has experimented in the kitchen every night this week.  The pasta was a hit.

With the remaining days of our vacation--Garry is home this week and the kids don't go back to school until January 5th--we hope to finish Christmas decor take-down; repair the wall behind the Christmas tree (damaged by the recliner); rearrange Lexi's and Kate's bedroom furniture; take the big boys to play laser tag; try a couple more recipes; and maybe hit a few more items on the boys' bucket list.  Personally, I hope for a couple more naps!

Our Christmas

It's hard to believe that Christmas has come and gone!  After so much anticipation, the holiday always passes so quickly.

Our festivities began at 6:00 a.m., which required waking Lexi.  With 9:00 a.m. church, a sleep sacrifice was necessary!  She didn't mind too much.  After briefly gathering on the stairs for a photo, we released the kids to discover their presents from Santa Claus and attack the packages under the tree.

What followed was a joyful celebration full of smiles, yelps of excitement, and expressions of thanks all around.  

Santa brought Lexi a shopping cart.  She pushed it around a bit, and then filled it up with goodies from her stocking.  She was especially excited about her very own "gubble gum."

Gavin saw his present from Santa and yelled, "Santa is the best boy EVER for giving me this remote control car!"  When he opened his monkey pillow pet from Granny and Gramps, he said, "I wanted this so badly!"

Tyler jumped up and down when saw his Harry Potter: Years 5-7 game for the Wii.  He offered a few fist pumps and rock star poses, too.  Tyler was very focused on organizing his loot, getting a Ziploc bag for his candy and a laundry basket to carry his things to his room--all before his gifts were opened!

Zach was so busy oohing and ahhing over an NBA Wii game that he didn't even notice the large gift from Mom and Dad, which was prominently displayed across the room.

The kids were all thrilled to see that they had received a trampoline for Christmas.  Mom and Dad didn't get them anything else (besides framed pictures of the Denver Temple to put by their beds), but they couldn't have been happier.

Kate slept through all of the ruckus we created in the living room until about 7:30.  After I gave her a bottle, she participated in a little gift-opening herself.  So far she has enjoyed the play mat Santa brought her.

Our tradition of opening one gift on Christmas Eve led to five sets of slipper-clad feet.  I was surprised at the kids' excitement over this simple gift!

Garry, Zach, and I also got a stomach virus (or perhaps food poisoning) for Christmas.  Zach was the first to succumb, immediately after dinner last night.  Garry and I had a rough time overnight, and Garry suffered the worst all Christmas Day.  Although my symptoms were somewhat alleviated with Zofran and a little breakfast, Garry was out of commission.  I was involved in musical numbers in Sacrament Meeting, so I packed up Kate and went to church, leaving everyone else behind.  Some sweet friends cared for Kate during the meeting.  Happily, my musical number went off without a hitch.  I was sad that my family missed church on Christmas Day, and that Garry was so ill!  Sickness was a sad element of our holiday.

Garry and I have reflected with fondness on Christmas 2010, which was the day I found out I was pregnant with Kate.  Garry discovered a positive pregnancy test in his stocking, and we spent the day basking in our happy news.  We had no idea what the next year would hold, but we are glad to have survived the treacherous journey and are so very grateful for the beautiful, healthy daughter who came to our family!

And finally, I love this picture of our little house, all decked in Christmas cheer.  We had a snowy-white Christmas this year, too.  It was a lovely holiday.

Peace on earth

Zach (shepherd); Lexi (Mary, with Baby Jesus); Gavin (wise man, with gift); Tyler (Joseph); and Kate (angel)

Luke 2:9-14

And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them; and they were sore afraid.

And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.

For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord.

And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.

And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,

Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.

Let it go, let it go, let it go

This has been a Christmas season of cutting back and letting go.  I've given myself permission to eliminate many things from our typical holiday celebration pattern and have simplified as much as possible.

For example, this year we added a child to our family, which meant we didn't have enough stockings.  I really wanted to buy monogrammed stockings (we've talked about it for years) that all match, but that was too spendy after a year chock-full of medical bills.  Then I decided to make matching stockings.  I picked out a pattern and everything.  That proved to be a stressful plan, requiring time I don't have, so I bought Kate a stocking at the dollar store and called it good.  Good enough, anyway!  (See hers in the middle?)

I traditionally bake a variety of goodies to give to our neighbors, visiting teaching and home teaching families, etc.  This year we gave wrapping paper.  I cut back on our distribution list, too.  Hopefully our dear ones near and far know we love them anyway.

Usually our family follows three different advent calendars religiously: the magnet nativity, the scripture pockets, and the book of songs and stories.  This year the kids have kept up with the magnet calendar just fine (well, mostly they have messed around with the pieces and I just let them), but we haven't done the scripture advents at all.  I feel good about keeping up with our morning verses from 2 Nephi and talking about the real meaning of Christmas when we can.

I had to miss a couple of very fun holiday parties with friends this year because of scheduling conflicts.  On other years I have made such gatherings real priorities, but this year a simpler way had to be good enough.  I'm glad for the friendships I have and look forward to future opportunities to socialize.  

That's not to say we haven't had some Christmas fun around here.  We are chipping away at our holiday bucket list!  This week we mixed, baked, and decorated sugar cookies....

...and built a gingerbread house (given to us by our sweet neighbor, Mary)...

...and played in the snow with friends...

...and made a few crafts...

...and read lots of books...

...and put all the presents under the tree.  (Except there's no space under the tree.)

The boys went sledding with friends on Tuesday (another big check!), but sadly, my friend that took them crashed during a fast run down the hill and broke her rib.  It was a memorable day for the boys, to say the least!

We attended our ward's Christmas party last week.  I've also had the happy opportunity to be involved in some of the musical numbers at church this season.  I'm most excited about a piano/organ duet on Sunday (I'm playing the piano part) that should be awesome.  Considering I learned most of it one hand at a time, while holding Kate in my free arm, I'm thrilled with the way it is coming together.  Christmas just isn't the same for me without good piano music!

So...although this has, out of necessity, been a season of cutting back and slowing down, I'm pleased with what our little family has accomplished.  We are poised for a very merry, very white Christmas tomorrow!

Endings

With the final days of school before Winter Break came parties, celebrations, concerts, and end-of-season games.  Here's a quick rundown on some of the 2011 "lasts" at our house.

Gavin had a preschool program and party last Thursday.  He and his adorable classmates sang a few little songs, complete with reindeer hats and spirited movements.  Gavin was much more focused on the waistband of his shorts and his slipping headdress than on singing, but his teacher assured me that he knew all of the lyrics by heart.  After the mini concert, Gavin and I snacked on holiday treats in the classroom.  He gave each of his teachers a big hug and a "Merry Christmas!" before we left for home.

Gavin (#20) also played in his final basketball game of the season.  His mood was a little off that morning and he didn't want to participate after the first quarter, but he did make a great basket and ran enthusiastically from one end of the court to another.  Getting his very own medal and cupcake was super fun, too.  Gavin was distraught when he left the medal at tithing settlement later that morning, but Bishop Shumway kept it safely on his desk until we returned to retrieve it.

Zachary's last game was Saturday, as well.  He thoroughly enjoyed his first season of basketball and clearly improved his basic skills.  It's fun to watch him go after the ball, make rebounds, and shoot for the hoop.  Zach had a great coach this season, and although he won't be coaching next season, Zach hopes to continue playing with some of the same boys, several of whom are LDS.  Zach also got a participation medal at his post-game pizza party Saturday afternoon.

Last week Garry and I finally completed a year-long goal: drafting and signing our will and trust.  Meeting with an attorney to prepare these documents was a sobering task, but we were thrilled to finalize and sign everything last Thursday.  Knowing our kids will be taken care of in the event that Garry and I both pass away is a great relief!  There's nothing like peace of mind to close out a calendar year.

Christmas greetings

Greetings from Colorado Springs!  The year 2011 was quite memorable for us.  Here are the highlights:

In the first month of this year, life gave our family the promise of a new baby

In the second month of this year, life gave our family hyperemesis

And the promise of a new baby

In the third month of this year, life gave our family “It’s a girl!”

          Hyperemesis
          And the promise of a new baby

In the fourth month of this year, life gave our family a Women’s Conference talk

“It’s a girl!”
Hyperemesis
And the promise of a new baby

In the fifth month of this year, life gave our family one brand new fence

          Women’s Conference talk
          “It’s a girl!”
          Hyperemesis
          And the promise of a new baby

In the sixth month of this year, life gave our family baseball, track, and Mom Camp

One brand new fence!
Women’s Conference talk
“It’s a girl!”
Hyperemesis
And the promise of a new baby

In the seventh month of this year, life gave our family a week-long stay with Grandma

Baseball, track, and Mom Camp
One brand new fence!
Women’s Conference talk
“It’s a girl!”
Hyperemesis
And the promise of a new baby

In the eighth month of this year, life gave our family Katelyn Joy Bartle

Week-long stay with Grandma
Baseball, track, and Mom Camp
One brand new fence!
Women’s Conference talk
“It’s a girl!”
Hyperemesis
And the promise of a new baby

In the ninth month of this year, life gave our family three boys in school,

Katelyn Joy Bartle
Week-long stay with Grandma
Baseball, track, and Mom Camp
One brand new fence!
Women’s Conference talk
“It’s a girl!”
Hyperemesis
And the promise of a new baby

In the tenth month of this year, life gave our family soccer season frenzy

Three boys in school
Katelyn Joy Bartle
Week-long stay with Grandma
Baseball, track, and Mom Camp
One brand new fence!
Women’s Conference talk
“It’s a girl!”
Hyperemesis
And the promise of a new baby

In the eleventh month of this year, life gave our family a long Thanksgiving road trip

Soccer season frenzy
Three boys in school
Katelyn Joy Bartle
Week-long stay with Grandma
Baseball, track, and Mom Camp,
One brand new fence!
Women’s Conference talk
“It’s a girl!”
Hyperemesis
And the promise of a new baby

In the twelfth month of this year, life gave our family a season to be grateful

A long Thanksgiving road trip
Soccer season frenzy
Three boys in school
Katelyn Joy Bartle
Week-long stay with Grandma
Baseball, track, and Mom Camp,
One brand new fence!
Women’s Conference talk
“It’s a girl!”
Hyperemesis
And the promise of a new baby!

Our lives are rich and full – even more so because of you, our dear friends and family.  Merry Christmas!