Christmas Card.



So I couldn't figure out how to get a copy of the Christmas Card I sent...so here is a new one.

For those who didn't get a Christmas Card from me this year...sorry.  I ran out of stamps.  I love you still the same and hope you have a WONDERFUL Christmas and New Years!  Here is the letter I sent as well.  I thought I should document it.  If you have already read it...nothing has changed. 

November 15, 2011

Dear family and friends,

It is that time of year again: my FAVORITE time of year for sure.  Especially living here in AZ…the weather is just gorgeous.  I love Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s Eve too.  I love that we get to FIRST: show gratitude for all we have been given.  NEXT we are reminded of our Savior and His life and all He has done for us.  Last we get to START FRESH and make necessary changes and renew our commitment to live Christ centered lives.  The Holidays are wonderful.  I wish you all a Merry Christmas and more.

Now onto our little lives.  Soon after this year began we moved from our HUGE home in Maricopa to a smaller humble home in Mesa Arizona.  This move was mostly out of necessity to be closer to Jake’s work and to save money.  We were a bit discouraged to be moving once again, but we sold a lot of things and moved with a good attitude.  Now that we are here…we LOVE it!  I feel so at home in this ward and with our family close and with wonderful new friends.  We absolutely love having Jake home more often as well.  The middle of this year; Jake got a new job.  He is now employed doing work that he LOVES. The only downside for me in this job he travels.  I don’t enjoy being home alone, but he is getting to see the world and we get presents from his travels.  We are mostly glad that he enjoys his job and that I am able to stay home with our kids.  We know we are very blessed.

I am now the adult Gospel Doctrine teacher.  This is a hard calling for me, but I have grown a lot and enjoy having a large amount of time to TALK. Haha.  It really has grown on me.  However, I do still get quite nervous.  Other than that…I don’t have much going on. I love taking time with Spencer.  I am a Mom and a wife and my life is simple.

Aubrey is in 3^rd grade this year.  When we moved here we decided to homeschool the kids until I found a school that I approved of.  I was able to see how bright and wonderful Aubrey is.  She really loves to learn and help Mom with her little brothers.  Aubrey was baptized this last Oct and we are so proud.  She now attends a charter school and is excelling.  In fact, the first month she was chosen as the STUDENT OF THE MONTH and her teacher exclaimed she would love to have a “whole classroom of Aubrey’s!” Aubrey is also in a local choir and loves to sing.  She is a great performer.

Weston is now in 1^st grade.  I was so nervous to send him to school cause he was homeschooled for kindergarten. I don’t know why I was…he is thriving and excelling in every way.  He is also very social and makes friends wherever he goes.  Weston was chosen as STUDENT OF THE MONTH in his PE class.  No surprise to me.  He loves sports!  Weston is on a soccer team and usually scores a goal; even though he is the youngest and smallest player.  He is so fun to watch.  Weston loves life and brings a smile to us often.  He is also a little stinker…but we try not to dwell on that!  We love him.

Spencer is turning 3 years old tomorrow.  I can’t believe he is so big.  He still seems like my baby sometimes.  Spencer is a great talker.  He loves friends.  Spencer plays well alone (which is good because he is alone with me a lot.)  Spencer is my pickiest eater and loves SUGAR.  We are working on that.  He is silly and fun.  Spencer is a sweet soul and we are so blessed to have him in our family. 

There you have us in a nutshell.

 Love to you and yours,  The Watkins Family