Another year has come and gone, and January is always the perfect time to reflect on all of the wonderful blessings and experiences we had and how we learned and have grown from all of them.
This year we had some Big Changes happen:
*First we started off the new year by expanding our family from 3 to 4! The birth of Oliver at the end of January definitely was the best thing that happened this past year!
*Shortly thereafter, in February, the first of my Grandparents, Papa Craft, passed away of Pancreatic Cancer. We were grateful that he had the chance to meet Oliver before he died, and that we were able to spend time with him here in Utah during his last couple months.
*My awesome brother, Spencer, returned from his mission to Colorado Springs, Colorado! That was an exciting time for our family!

*John got called to be the Elder’s Quorum President after serving for a year and a half as 1st counselor. He really grew a lot in that calling, even though it didn’t last long due to some other changes happening. . .
*John got approached by a Head-Hunter to apply for a job that offered to pay more than we currently were getting. John applied and got hired at Venafi on the Support Team (even though he is currently doing a lot of programming), and with fond memories left what was formally known as PGP (but recently acquired by Symantec) that he had worked at for approximately 6 years. He is extremely happy in this new company, Venafi, and so we are grateful for the decision he made to accept the position they offered to us.


*Literally a week or two after getting the job, John and I made the quick decision to move into the basement of my parents, rent out our condo at Cambria, and save up for a house! We really appreciate the sacrifice and willingness of my family in letting us come. They have been awesome and there are many blessings and memories that have come from making that change. 
*Starting in June, I became a dedicated RUNNER! Thanks to my brother, Spencer, and his enthusiasm to run with me during those first very tough weeks, I slowly overcame my mental block of hating to run, strengthened my body and endurance, and actually learned that running is very therapeutic and can be enjoyed! It took me a good couple months to overcome the hurtle of running a mile straight without walking, but I did it! I’ve already run a 10k (not a formal race, just a nice long Saturday morning run), and am actually looking forward to training for a marathon for this coming September with my family! That definitely was something I never thought I’d WANT to do!


*In August, we felt inspired (or anxious) to start looking for homes, and see what our options were out there. We hadn’t planned on looking that early in the game since we knew we needed to save more money, but it was a good thing we listened to the spirit instead! The first day we looked and looked though many homes, but it wasn’t until we got to the last house of the evening, that we found it. It couldn’t have felt like more of a perfect fit! After more searching the next day, and lots of prayers, we decided to put our offer in on this dream house of ours! Fortunately we jumped on it, because within a week there were 4 back up offers behind ours! The timing for us to find it could not have been more perfect or inspired.
*In September, Caleb started Preschool for the first time! He was very excited by it and has been loving it! I am learning to be a little more structured through it, and realize that it’s good Preschool is just twice a week now as I adjust to driving and picking him up on time.

*Caleb turned 4 and I threw my first ever BIG Birthday party! It was a full blown Super Hero Party for Caleb and all of his little friends. I did a lot of planning and prep work for it, and I think it turned out to be a success! I also decorated my first ever cake (with the assistance of my Aunt Amanda) with fondant. 


*We did a lot of waiting and waiting and WAITING for this short sale home! It really was an emotional rollercoaster each week while waiting. We thought it would go through by the end of October. . . .oh how wrong we were! But again, we know that the Lord IS mindful of us, some things just have to happen in His timeframe because he knows that it was worth the patience that we learned and the money we saved by it extending almost 2 and a 1/2 months longer than expected.
*Oliver changed CONSTANTLY during the year, and we have loved every stage of it! Smiling, giggling, turning over, sitting up, sleeping through the night!, eating solids, crawling, talking, standing up, crawling up stairs, climbing, walking, crawling down the stairs, etc. just to name a few changes! It just keeps getting better and better!








*December brought along its usual busyness: John’s birthday, my birthday, our 5 Year Anniversary, and Christmas. All of which were wonderful (minus the awful stomach flu bug we all got which post-poned Christmas by one day).


*On our 5 year Anniversary, we officially got accepted for our HOUSE! This dream home of ours that we waited since August for finally went through. We couldn’t have asked for better news for our 5 year Anniversary.


WOW! Crazy, Awesome, Busy, Wonderful Year right? We can’t believe all of the changes that occurred during that year, but we feel ever so blessed!

We are most grateful to be a family, be together, and for the love that we have for one another. At the end of the day, that is the thing we are most grateful for: Each other and being together!
Thank you to all our family and friends for your love and impact that you have on our life! We love you all! May 2012 be the best one yet for all of you!