Saying Hi......Hi!

Just wanted to say and let you know what we have been up to lately. Not much really, but we had a fun three day weekend this past weekend. It is always more fun when Scott is around. We took the kids sleigh riding, and did a bit of bowling. It was kind of slushy snow so we didn't go too fast, butt I didn't mind. We spend a lot of the day on Monday with Scott's parents. His parents are having some health problems, and frankly it is sad to watch them get old - they are so awesome. I hope my kids can build a few memories with them while they can - Bryson asked as we were going whether Grandma would know who he was. She seemed to this time - so that is good news. The kids are getting anxious for good weather to show up. I have to remind them that it might be a ways off. We are on an official count down to Trey's Birthday and all he officially wants is "boy stuff." Bry and Dal are playing basketball now, and have games on Saturdays. They are fun to watch for different reasons, Bry's team actually knows how to play and Dal's doesn't so both are fun. Hope you all are swell and know we are thinking of you!

Amos

Watch out, Herriman... here we come!

Hi Family!

I just wanted you guys to know that Dan and I closed on our house this week! Yesterday we met with our amazing loan guy from Community Lending Group, our realtor, and the guy from the title company. After signing our names what seemed like a million times, it was official! We own a house!

The only bad part is that we can't move in for a few more weeks. We had to close early to get a good interest rate, but now we have to wait for the family who lives there now to move out. The latest we'll be in is January 29, but there's a chance we could be in sooner. I've got my fingers crossed!

We are really excited. It's a cute little house and I'm excited for everyone to come see it. Of course, since we only have one little couch for now, it might be on a BYOC basis (bring your own chair)...

~ Laurie

A New Year...

I can't believe it is already a new year--and what seemed like might be a slow month has suddenly filled up with meetings and homework and all sorts of business. I would like to be able

to say that I have set some fabulous new year resolutions--but I haven't had time to even think about that yet. Now that I am actually sitting--I think that my resolution will be to start each new day with a resolution for the day. Resolutions for the whole year never seem to work well for me--except for one--can I say that I am a better person at the end of this year than I was last year....

I hope the answer for 2009 is yes--it seems to me that each person added to the family and each new calling--every child that grows older--all of these things offer opportunities to stretch and grow (and you all know how flexible I am) (stop laughing)...but I feel like I'm trying harder now than I did before to be better--as a wife, as a mom, and for whatever I'm needed to be...

I just have to check myself and make sure that I'm doing what I'm doing for the right reasons--with the right motivation in mind.

I just recently finished a book called "The Shack" and it has really made me stop and think about my relationship with God. It's a good book--but be prepared--God is introduced as a big African American woman...it was hard for me to push past that...but I decided I had to be fair to the friend that recommended this book to me and finish it. I'm glad I did. I think I have been limiting myself in my relationship with God and this year I would like to really focus on having a closer--more real--relationship with Him. You know, reading my scriptures because I want to--rather than checking it off the "to do" list, that sort of thing--and yes, as hard as it will be for me--it means seeing others as He sees them and giving them the benefit of the doubt. Good luck, right? It'll be tough--but worth it! And to reference the picture so you don't think I'm too random--Kelly and I are on the "eating healthy" bandwagon again! And you'd be proud of me--I made chocolate chip peanut butter cookies today and haven't snitched a bit (the day isn't over yet...)

All in all, I am excited for what this year may bring--Dad always says, "Without change, progress is impossible"--and I believe that to be true...so good luck to you all with your resolutions!! I'm rooting for you!