Ode to my sister

Tamara Sage has been a great blessing in my life. Many times she has known me better than I knew myself and has always put up with me as her older sister. Because of not only bing the youngest, but also because of my trials with cancer, she often got the butt-end of the stick. She took my hand-me-downs, the lesser amount of attention, and was still content in who she was. She was always set in her way of life and found countless ways to enjoy being by herself (which I've often been jealous of). We always faught, and I kept telling myslef that when she got to my age we wouldn't fight as much. I soon came to learn that her age had nothing to do with it, but that I would always be ahead 3 more years in experience and just needed to be patient with her trials in those stages of life...though I never really did a good job. We were constantly reminded by our mother that we were the only sister eachother had. Though we never liked hearing it, deep down inside we both knew it was true. We had our ways of putting behind the bad us, and my favorite would be our midnight talks in bed. Ideally we both would have loved our own rooms, but were more than grateful for the nights we had eachother to keep us company. Still, until I came to college I never fully appreciated the roomate, sister, and friend I've had for all these years and was grateful to have her as my shoulder to lean on, and eternal venting companion. :)

Farewell to Curtis!

Like many before our family have experienced, the road to sending a son on a misssion, is not always easy. I know with surity, Satan places diversity, temptations, and prays on our weaknesses to overturn and stop the work of Heavenly Father. Our family was no exception. We kept love at the top of our list of things to work on, prayed continually for the strength to overcome our mortal selves, and then pushed forward with determination to get Curtis where he needed to be. We have watched as Curtis took on the challenges that Bishop Casper gave him, and attended Missionary and Temple Prep classes every Sunday for a year. He has stepped up to what was asked of him and began to show every one of us what a converted member commits willingly to in their lives; Scripture study, service, and prayer. Every step along this road "has not been easy" but "it has been worth it!"

Spring Semester

So school has started once again. The first week of classes went by very slowly for my roommates and I, and I can tell the days are just going to get longer. I have a few favorite classes to get me through the week though. I'm even taking two music major classes (music theory and sight singing/ear training) and my teachers think I'm crazy taking them just because I want to. I suppose it's a bit unusual, but hey, I love music, I want to improve my skills, so it works. I'm also lovng my water aerobics class. Since I'm no track chick, and my joints keep deciding that gravity isn't fun when you exercise, water aerobics is just my thing and gets my heart pumping better than I thought possible. I'm also taking a mission prep class and that keeps me focused on my spiritual nourishment as well. Plus, there's a few cute guys in the class. All premi (pre mission), I know, but it's a fun little bonus. As for my health, we keep it in check with my 15 pills (5 pills perscription, 10 pills recommended to boost my immune system), and thankfully my sore throat was gone by the beginning of school, but alas all week I dealt with a measly cold. Oh, and Sunday I sang in sacrament meeting. I have the blessing of having my roommate as the music coordinator. :D So I volunteered to be our first Sunday back musical number (which releived her of lots of stress). Love u guys! Ciao.

Who wanted a 10 foot tree anyway?

I took the tree down last night. So what if its the 14th of January? I have heard of many families who leave their tree up through Valentine's day and decorate with hearts and bows and cupids; By choice! The kids were watching a movie, and I thought, "What the heck! I'll take apart the tree" It was a novel idea and I really forgot how long and daunting that task can be. Who wanted the 10 foot tree? NOT ME! O.k. me. And I do love it. But it took 2-1/2 hours to put away. That is just crazy.

Curtis is packed, almost, and ready, almost, for the MTC. Charlie is going to miss him. It is cute to hear him say, out of the blue and for no particular reason, "I am going to miss you Curtis." Curt has always been one to walk through the door and first thing, ask Charlie to give him a hug and tell him about his day. He will set his tools down and make a bug with the Creepy Crawler, build a quick skyscraper with the lego's, or engage himslef in whatever Charlie may be doing. Charlie knows that they are buds. One day, I walked into Charlie's room and saw a stickie note on his spider man poster in Curt's handwriting, "Curt and Charlie = buds 4ever."

Charlie was a bit distraut one day, trying to figure just how he was going to write a letter to Curtis. He clearly knew that he could not write the words himself. It was silent for just a second, then Dad said he could draw a... but before Jay could finish, Charlie's independent nature (I am sure he did not get that from me!) hollered, "I know. I was thinking my idea. I was thinking to draw him a picture. Don't tell me!"

The holidays were great for our family. The Christmas Party was held the first weekend in order to accomodate Jon and Jenny who were already up from St. George. Charlie loved acting out the story of Christ's birth. He was Joseph and took his role very seriously. Closer to Christmas, Chelsea, Dad and I had high fevers with very sore throats. Somehow, we were able to get out in the snow storm and ride the 4 wheelers around the neighborhood. Santa was generous. On Christmas Eve we opened our Pixie gifts. (We choose a name the first of the month and do nice things for that person, in secret, then buy or make a gift especially for them.) Charlie wanted to bake cookies for Santa, so I used Grandma's secret Painted Mexican Cookies recipe and told Charlie that the bottle of secret potion, (Almond Extract), makes Santa Drunk. We had a great laugh and now he knows Grandma's secret recipe! Then, we sang songs of Charlie's choosing and played a game that Charlie made up - everyone draws a picture and then chooses who picture is the best. Of course, Charlie's! He wrote the nicest letter to Santa, reminding Santa that Curt was leaving for a mission and to bring extra nice things. He told Santa that Tamara is his bestest sister and Chelsea is his favorite. He asked for no one to be mad and then he said the cookies will make you drunk so eat them all! It was a night to remeber what being young is all about.

We especially loved seeing Spencer and Ilah and their family. It had been awhile since our last visit. The New Years party was held at Jeff and Lynelle's. We listened to Grandma and Grandpa duet "Poison" with Sing Star. Now that was a good laugh!! Zachary ended our holiday break with his Eagle Court of Honor.

Although the year has brought plenty of trials and learning, I know we all feel greatful to have each other to lean on for love and understanding. If not for that, it is always nice to have help when it is time to shovel the snow off the walk and driveway!