Well, I only received a response from one little family but I'm sure everyone wants to hear about them. So here is Kelli and her awesome little clan:
I sit and think about all the fun times I had growing up with all my AMAZING cousins sometimes and it makes me miss you all so much! I am determined to stay in touch better from now on! All of us have such busy exciting lives with being parents, going to school, missions, or just plain life and it's hard to find time sometimes to do this. Here goes.
Since our last update a few monumental occasions have come and gone. Chloe was baptized! What an amazing, eye-opening experience. I can't believe I have a little one that is 8. I mean, I remember being 8! She is an incredible sweet girl and we are enormously blessed to have her as our oldest child. She is a great big sister/mommy to her little brothers. Every morning she walks Hayden to breakfast, and then to class. She takes this responsibility very seriously and the teachers (and I) just love watching her and her tender ways with her younger siblings. Chloe is currently in 2nd grade and is a real wiz in her math and science subjects. This girl LOVES animals, and will watch animal planet, discovery, and national geographic type documentaries all day long if she could. She is really accelerating in reading thanks to this favorite topic.
Hayden is doing great in Kindergarten and is really starting to open up a little socially. My 2nd oldest, sweet 6-year old is very shy and reserved a lot of times and sometimes lets if get between him and communication. He has been our greatest challenge so far in parenting. He is very stubborn a lot of times (I wonder where he got that from) but I'm hoping it will become a great blessing as he faces more of the world as he grows. Hayden LOVES Angry Birds, and we've taken advantage of his enjoyment of this crazy game and used it as incentive for participating and following directions in school and at home. Boy does it work! (Most the time) Hayden just got over a cold, and colds are always 10 times harder for him to beat then his siblings due to his asthma and bronchialitis (I know that is spelled wrong). Poor guy missed a few days of school and a lot of sleep. I sat up with him the hardest nights, with him propped up so he could breath easier and not cough so much. Phew!
Jayce is a cute little ball of destructive energy that, like an Energizer bunny, keeps going and going and going... He is really looking forward to going to school this year and I think he is ready! I'm not sure if I am yet.. to have my last baby in school. He is a sweetheart and is a great helper to me at home with anything I might be doing. This boy is fearless and has been in the ER twice in his 4 years of life so far for crazy accidents you'd have never imagined could happen. He is my little cuddle boy in the mornings, is very friendly and not shy.
Danny started another semester of school and is taking a class in networking. He is really enjoying it so far. I've got plans to start a class or two this fall while Jayce is in school, but I'm nervous about taking the assessment test and getting out of the super easy classes I don't want to re-take, but it has been a long time since high school! I'm hoping to find a refresher course. We just got a new car, it was exciting for us, our first car loan, our only debt. We're looking forward to building our credit off something so easy to handle. We are loving it. Not much else exciting to say about the 2 older people here. Just busy with the kids and stuff. We sure miss you all and I can't wait for our next reunion.
Love,
The Valdez Johnson Family
As for my little family... we are moving! Yes that is right, we are finally headed south. Right now we are in the middle of finishing up packing and we head out in about 5 days to make the drive! We are super excited though a little nervous about how Scotty will handle all the time in the car. It has been crazy trying to finish everything up. I hate this part of packing where there is just random stuff left around and we don't know what to do! But we are ready to get down there. Scott will be helping my dad build the barn while applying for jobs on police forces and once we know where in the state we are going we will begin the process of looking for a house which I'm super excited and nervous for.
Scotty is still amazing. He is starting to talk so much and loves anything in the sky (planes and helicopters). He has and eagle eye for the things and can find them when we don't see them. He loves slides and goes down big ones on his own which makes my heart skip a beat sometimes. He is doing gymnastics in a Mommy and Me class and loves it. I don't think he will be a gymnast though. He is too good with a ball. He has great aim and quite the arm. With a football he likes to roll it in his hands to get it in just the right position to throw. He also loves books and can often be found sitting in the rocking chair "reading". Can't wait for everyone in GA to get to know him.
As for the rest of the family I don't really know much but here are some facts:
- Sandy had a little boy... Jacob. I heard he is cute so can't wait to see him.
- Britnee got married to Jesse Fortenberry
- Heather had surgery and it went well
- We have 4 babies due this summer (Michelle- May (gonna be a surprise!), Racheal - June (boy), Susie- July (boy), Jessi- August (?)
- Krista and Tim went on their missions (I have pictures to put up soon) check out their blogs on the sidebar!!!!!
- Craig and Doll are preparing for their next adoptions. There is a blog for them too!!!!!
- Mandi and Zack moved to AZ and Reid and Susie moved to Iowa
- Becca had her baby way back in Dec and he is sooooo cute!!!!
- Brianna came out to BYU
- Megan is engaged!!!! I think July 6th is the date?
That is all I know so if you want more info on yourself or if I got stuff wrong (which is inevitable) you should really send me a letter next time around! Love everyone!
Lena
