2010 was, as always, a busy year. Nearly a year ago Doug injured his back terribly. He is still feeling the effects of it. Nevertheless, he was blessed to have a banner year designing a multitude of sets. Some of Ruth’s favorites were Tarzan and a TV Christmas Concert. Highlights for Doug’s year were going camping to Goblin Valley, visiting his sister Denise in Idaho and speaking at Missionary Training Center firesides with Ruth’s parents.
Ruth’s year was filled with mothering six great kids, teaching at her home studio, UVU and SCERA and is the president of a NATS chapter encompassing half of Utah, serving in the church primary and as chorister and choir director, and singing where she loved brining music and poetry to life and sharing with her audiences. She suffered momentary insanity when she allowed the purchase of two dogs! Additionally, she is preparing to begin her doctoral studies in vocal performance in the fall.
Jared is 14, 5’8” and is accidentally growing a trashy little moustache his mother doesn’t know whether to have him tweeze or shave. He was determined to earn his Eagle Scout award before he turned 14 and was blessed to do so. He loves being taller than his mother. She loves he has learned to be such a good worker. The pace he set for earning his Eagle took him to a new level. He went to three scout camps last summer!
Elena is almost 13 and about to pass her mother up in height, which is good news because then she will outgrow her mother’s shoes as well! Sadly, the earrings are one size fits all. She is in the gifted and talented program at the Junior High, listens to Taylor Swift ad nauseum and is obsessed with Lord of the Rings...seriously. She continues to dance and has discovered the fun of choir. Good News!
Miriam is almost 11 and is a very tenacious young lady (which is a nice way of saying she nags and begs us halfway to death). She loves the dogs, Sam and Frodo. She and Elena call them their babies. She is doing well in piano, school and dance. Mom loves to hear her play and is so thankful she is responsible for her school work. She also enjoys photography and cooking with Mom, which Mom also enjoys.
Mary, also nearly 11, had a blast being in the school play with Miriam. She is still playing soccer and loves to run. She has a beautiful stride. She was positively heartsick to miss field day last year due to illness. She is an excellent babysitter and helps out by singing along to the songs Mom is learning to play on the piano. She is very organized and a go-getter. She gets the job done it is great to have her on board.
Arlene is 7 and has had a year of healing as we worked through her gluten intolerance. God’s hand has been very evident in her life. She is bright, funny, spiritual, willful, and very strong. Arly and Mom decided to trade places for an hour yesterday to get a taste of each others’ lives. After 30 minutes Arly climbed in bed and started to cry because no one would do their chores. Mom got to see how irritating it was to be bossed by a stack of older siblings.
Enoch is finishing up his fifth year and kindergarten. He has some big boy worries on his mind. He prays for the “bad guys” and wants to be a missionary and teach them about Jesus because then they would want to be good. He is right, of course. He loves his “missionary suit” which made him a star at the MTC when we went for visits and he was the “shortest missionary ever.” It doubles as his FBI suit. He also has a spy outfit and if we leave home without it is DEFCON 1 around here. He loves to read and ride his bike.
We loved receiving your Christmas messages and are truly thankful for you in our lives. This year Ruth has learned not to expect life to stay balanced, for it won’t. She is learning to see it as a dance—instead of seeing it as the Pink Panther’s side kick who always jumped him to keep him in shape. She is learning it is more fun to flow with the dance of life rather than resist it. Who knows, maybe life is meant to be both:)
