To make up for my lack of Christmas letter with our Christmas card this year I'm just going to do a little recap on our blog. If you visit the blog you probably know some of it already, so feel free to skim.
I'm so proud of Officer for all that he has accomplished in the last year. Your probationary year as an officer is pretty brutal. Rough hours, lots of paperwork, lots of tough training officers, but he has done exceptionally well and loves his career. He does come home totally exhausted most days, but he still truly enjoys his career. It's kind of fun for him to come home and watch the news and say, yeah I arrested that person, or helped with that accident. Last week he even changed a tire for a little older couple; he really goes above and beyond what is required of him. Now that he's done with all the training, he has had more time outside of work to things he enjoys. He plays "church-ball" everyweek; it's hard to understand all the injuries that happen, but he keeps going back. We were able to spend a week in California this summer skin-diving with his family and in October he was able to spend a week hunting with his dad. He's also pretty handy around the house and I appreciate all his help with "honey dos." In October he and his dad even poured concrete to extend our patio.
I celebrated my 28th birthday this week and I was thinking about what I did ten years ago - I turned 18. I know that I knew "everything" at eighteen, but I don't know that I had a clue what the next ten years would bring. This year, I'm especially grateful to be at home with Peanut. After working full time for so long I was really nervous about staying at home full time. It has definately been a transition, but I a truly blessed to able to be home with her. I guess that has encompassed most of my 2008; I'm finally feeling like I'm finding my niche in the stay at home mommy world. Being home I've been able to find more time to read, I planted a garden again this summer, and I've done a few crafty things and sewing projects, with help from my mom of course. I got a sewing machine from Officer and my goal next year is to get better at using it. I've also had a lot of fun being a cub scout leader and I even managed to start running again.
Peanut if seriously the greatest joy of our lives. Sometimes we still can't believe we're parents; the time just goes so fast. Peanut is into everything; she's so curious and so smart. I love that she can tell me what she needs with a few signs she knows. I'm trying to teach her how to tell me when she needs to go potty because she really is nearly potty trained. I won't be giving up diapers until she's a little older, but using less is so nice. She learned how to blow kisses last week and she is doing really well at copying sounds that we say. We're working on what animals say, but the only one she knows really well is an elephant, of all things. She is good at being quiet when we say prayers, but Officer has made a habit of getting excited after we say "amen." It's great because she is proud that she has been quiet, but it was funny last week at church, it was fast and testimony meeting, and everytime someone would say "amen" Peanut would squeal. It's so hard to keep from laughing cause it's so cute!
We know that our little family has been so blessed this year. We love you all and hope that you enjoy this Christmas season!
