(The one that didn't make it in with our Christmas cards this year)
Merry Christmas 2011
Another year down and only 1 ½ more years of dental school to go, but who’s counting? As we get closer to graduation, the question of where we will go after Jared is done comes up a lot and the answer is that we just don’t know yet. I really wish we did! I pray every day that we will be able to “get it right” when the time comes so that we don’t have to move the kids around a lot while Jared establishes his career but only time will tell. All is well with dental school. One thing that has become evident to me is how much Jared cares and is aware of his patients and their circumstances.
Jared still teaches Sunday School to 9 year olds, a big group of rowdy boys including Colby. I recently was asked to teach music to the primary kids in our ward, ages 3-11. We are super excited to announce that we are expecting another baby girl in just over a month! I feel like my year consisted of working hard to get in shape for my sister’s wedding in April and then gaining my usual tons of pregnancy weight;) I created the yearbook at the kids’ school for 2010-2011, learned the ropes to extreme couponing, dabbled a little in furniture restoration and have become increasingly interested in plant based nutrition, particularly “green smoothies”.
Colby (9) participated in a lot this year: soccer, basketball, piano, theatre & voice camps, swim team, cub scouts, the spelling bee, and the 4th grade musical. He tries so hard at everything he does. Colby’s 3rd grade teacher offered the kindest compliment, saying he was the most gifted, well-rounded kid she has ever taught and she was so grateful that she was able to play a part in his educational journey. He has become quite serious about sports. He has a ball at his feet almost as much as he has a book in his hands. And he is just so introspective about all he does. Kind of a funny example… one day, he threw a massive fit in the middle of a parking lot. I just looked at him and said, “Wow, that was kind of embarrassing for you.” His calm response was, “All of the other kids act that way, I just wanted to see what it felt like!” Apparently there is thought and purpose even behind his emotional reactions.
Taylor (7) has too been quite busy this year, participating in soccer, gymnastics, dance, voice lessons, and swim team. It seems Taylor is just becoming more and more who she is designed to be: loyal, family-oriented, self-disciplined, organized, crafty, athletic and strong, and a performer. She gets braver and more confident every year. Last summer, Taylor experienced anxiety at swim meets that kept her from swimming in them. This year, she swam in every event in every meet and qualified for the Meet of Champs in three events. My favorite representation of Taylor’s personality was at Mother’s Day when I found a note that said, “Mother’s Day Surprise… Halle will set up the tea party, Colby will make decorations, Taylor will plan it, Dad will make breakfast, Avalyn will be cute.”
Halle (5) is our little social butterfly. She started Kindergarten this year and school is definitely her thing. She loves the rules, the friends, the projects, and the many opportunities to please and receive rewards. Her teacher says she is a hard worker, motivated, an example to others, and a rule follower... (OK, so I was only a little bit surprised to hear some of those adjectives:). She too experimented in various sports this year: soccer, dance, gymnastics, and swim team. I’m struggling a little bit to help her find her niche as the middle child. Halle wants so badly to be in charge but her placement in the family makes it difficult. Halle is a leader among her friends… she is charismatic, bright, independent, and fearless.
Avalyn (2) is so much fun! She really isn’t my easiest baby but she seems to do no wrong in our eyes. I am treasuring her baby and toddler stage in a way I couldn’t with my older ones. I guess it took me 4 kids to figure out how to do that! The thing that stands out about Avalyn is her level of empathy. She already has a few close friends and it surprises me she is old enough to demonstrate such concern for them and for her siblings. One day, Halle got in trouble and went to her room crying. We heard Avalyn knocking at her door saying, “Baby, are you OK? Baby, baby… I wanna hold you, are you OK?”
It is definitely a busy season of our lives but we are very aware of how blessed we are. We feel especially grateful for our health, our beliefs, and the tremendous support system we have through great family and friends. We hope that this Holiday Season is full of happiness, peace, and perspective for each of you.
We’d love for you to visit our family blog for more pictures and video at http://vidorwrights.blogspot.com
Love,
The Wrights
Another year down and only 1 ½ more years of dental school to go, but who’s counting? As we get closer to graduation, the question of where we will go after Jared is done comes up a lot and the answer is that we just don’t know yet. I really wish we did! I pray every day that we will be able to “get it right” when the time comes so that we don’t have to move the kids around a lot while Jared establishes his career but only time will tell. All is well with dental school. One thing that has become evident to me is how much Jared cares and is aware of his patients and their circumstances.
Jared still teaches Sunday School to 9 year olds, a big group of rowdy boys including Colby. I recently was asked to teach music to the primary kids in our ward, ages 3-11. We are super excited to announce that we are expecting another baby girl in just over a month! I feel like my year consisted of working hard to get in shape for my sister’s wedding in April and then gaining my usual tons of pregnancy weight;) I created the yearbook at the kids’ school for 2010-2011, learned the ropes to extreme couponing, dabbled a little in furniture restoration and have become increasingly interested in plant based nutrition, particularly “green smoothies”.
Colby (9) participated in a lot this year: soccer, basketball, piano, theatre & voice camps, swim team, cub scouts, the spelling bee, and the 4th grade musical. He tries so hard at everything he does. Colby’s 3rd grade teacher offered the kindest compliment, saying he was the most gifted, well-rounded kid she has ever taught and she was so grateful that she was able to play a part in his educational journey. He has become quite serious about sports. He has a ball at his feet almost as much as he has a book in his hands. And he is just so introspective about all he does. Kind of a funny example… one day, he threw a massive fit in the middle of a parking lot. I just looked at him and said, “Wow, that was kind of embarrassing for you.” His calm response was, “All of the other kids act that way, I just wanted to see what it felt like!” Apparently there is thought and purpose even behind his emotional reactions.
Taylor (7) has too been quite busy this year, participating in soccer, gymnastics, dance, voice lessons, and swim team. It seems Taylor is just becoming more and more who she is designed to be: loyal, family-oriented, self-disciplined, organized, crafty, athletic and strong, and a performer. She gets braver and more confident every year. Last summer, Taylor experienced anxiety at swim meets that kept her from swimming in them. This year, she swam in every event in every meet and qualified for the Meet of Champs in three events. My favorite representation of Taylor’s personality was at Mother’s Day when I found a note that said, “Mother’s Day Surprise… Halle will set up the tea party, Colby will make decorations, Taylor will plan it, Dad will make breakfast, Avalyn will be cute.”
Halle (5) is our little social butterfly. She started Kindergarten this year and school is definitely her thing. She loves the rules, the friends, the projects, and the many opportunities to please and receive rewards. Her teacher says she is a hard worker, motivated, an example to others, and a rule follower... (OK, so I was only a little bit surprised to hear some of those adjectives:). She too experimented in various sports this year: soccer, dance, gymnastics, and swim team. I’m struggling a little bit to help her find her niche as the middle child. Halle wants so badly to be in charge but her placement in the family makes it difficult. Halle is a leader among her friends… she is charismatic, bright, independent, and fearless.
Avalyn (2) is so much fun! She really isn’t my easiest baby but she seems to do no wrong in our eyes. I am treasuring her baby and toddler stage in a way I couldn’t with my older ones. I guess it took me 4 kids to figure out how to do that! The thing that stands out about Avalyn is her level of empathy. She already has a few close friends and it surprises me she is old enough to demonstrate such concern for them and for her siblings. One day, Halle got in trouble and went to her room crying. We heard Avalyn knocking at her door saying, “Baby, are you OK? Baby, baby… I wanna hold you, are you OK?”
It is definitely a busy season of our lives but we are very aware of how blessed we are. We feel especially grateful for our health, our beliefs, and the tremendous support system we have through great family and friends. We hope that this Holiday Season is full of happiness, peace, and perspective for each of you.
We’d love for you to visit our family blog for more pictures and video at http://vidorwrights.blogspot.com
Love,
The Wrights
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