Seven Years

Brad and I celebrated our seventh wedding anniversary on January 23rd. Usually we have Brad's parents take the kids overnight and we take turns every other year planning a romantic night away somewhere. Well, needless to say that didn't happen, yet. Brad has been having back problems since the end of December, which is why we weren't able to keep our tradition this year. Thursday, Brad came home from physical therapy and had a dozen yellow roses for me. I broke down because I was beginning to feel that the following day would go unnoticed and he wasn't about to let that happen. Brad had a cortisone injection on Friday and was pretty much laid up the whole day. We plan to take a night in the near future to celebrate.

Brad - I consider myself the luckiest woman on earth to be married to you. I thank my Heavenly Father endlessly for placing you in my life and giving me the most wonderful eternal companion. You are my life and my world. I love you with every ounce of my being!!! Happy seventh anniversary!!
Love always and forever,
Me

Utah Utes #2

Go Utes!!  They have had a great season and we have enjoyed every minute of it, especially attending church and being in the minority of Utah fans.  Even though they did not get the ranking they deserve, they still have everything to be proud of.  I gained some respect for Kyle Whittingham for voting his team number one in the coaches poll and taking a stand.  I don't understand much about how the BCS works, but I wish they would get rid of it and go to a playoff system like every other college sport and end all this controversary, but oh well.  This season has got Brad and I thinking about season tickets or at least buying tickets to a game or two next year.  We had a blast watching the Sugarbowl and watching them stick it to Alabama.  Until next season........GO UTES!!!!

Moments of 2008

A few years ago we received a Christmas letter with this quote, "Life is not a matter of milestones...but of moments." 2008 was a year of happy moments, sad moments, faithful moments, discouraging moments, thankful moments, lovable moments, and just moments.  I have to say that I am glad to be starting a new year of new moments and leaving 2008 in the past. 

Moments of 2008 - Jackson going to primary - 1800 contacts partnering up with Wal-Mart and Brad being treated as a celebrity at meetings with the two companies - My last day of work - Brad constantly being out of town the last month of my pregnancy - Doctors appointments and non stress tests - Jackson and I getting stuck in the worst snow storm for six hours with me 8 1/2 months pregnant, Jackson eating Fun Dip for dinner and being so thankful for a willing friend to take us in and let us spend the night since we could not get home - Birth of our beautiful baby girl, Addison McKelle - All of us adjusting to our new addition - Death of my grandfather, George Lamar Watson - Spending a day with my brother, Paul, from Iowa - Addison and reflux - Birth of my niece, Brooklyn - Brad's health and pleading to my Heavenly Father for him to be alright  - Being there for Brad's brother, Justin, to open up his mission call to Sidney, Australia (same mission as Brad) - Brad's position at work changing to Industry Compliance - Death of a phenomenal colleague and friend -Birth of my niece, Zoe - Jackson playing Itty Bitty Baseball, Itty Bitty Soccer, and Itty Bitty Football - Going to the temple with Justin and being there with him to take out his endowments - Brad finding a mistress, his Harley and loving every bit of it - The release of Breaking Dawn and me spending the night at a hotel with my sister, Nichole, and a friend to do nothing but read  - A wonderful husband that was willing to take care of the kids so that I could stay at a hotel and do nothing but read - Book club and making great friends - Jackson's birthday party at the Scott family cabin, a yearly tradition - Jackson starting Preschool at Little Scholars Academy - Justin's farewell and going with the family to take him to the MTC - Watching Addison learn how to smile, laugh, roll, sit, crawl, stand and discover her new world - Death of brad's grandmother, Lillian Scott - Holidays - Jackson and his school programs  - Utah beating BYU in football and loving church the following Sunday - Brad and I learning that Addison will be the one to test us - Planning ward activities - Tending my nieces - And too many more to mention. 

We have also spent many moments realizing how blessed we are and how thankful we are to our Heavenly Father for those blessings, moments spent thanking Him for the priesthood and the sacrifices that our Savior made for us.  Moments thanking Him for each other and our families. 

We are looking forward to a new year and new adventures.  We like many have made new year resolutions and hope that they stick for the year to come.  

Christmas

We had such a great Christmas! Personally, I enjoy the days full of excitement and anticipation leading up to the big day more than I do the actual day. We seemed pretty busy these last few weeks leaving not a lot of time to post, but looking back I can't seem to remember what kept us so busy.

Christmas was really fun this year. Jackson fully understands the concept of Santa Claus and his elves' and Addison was even interested somewhat, which made it fun for Brad and I. Brad's mom took Jackson overnight at the beginning of the month and Brad and I went and did Santa's shopping for the kids making a date night out of it (even though we had Addie). Christmas Eve we had Brad's parents and brother at our house. We ate dinner, opened some presents, went and looked at Christmas lights, we sprinkled magic reindeer food on the snow, the elves left pajammers, Jackson and I put out snacks and milk for Santa, we wrote Santa a letter, and it was off to bed (at least for the kids). Christmas morning Jackson was so patient and waited two hours for Addison to wake up to go open presents. I think he was so patient because he was watching cartoons in bed with mom and dad while we slept. We opened presents from Santa, had hot roll pull-aparts, and then Gramma Donna and Pappa Kirk came over for a little bit. Jackson was happy with everything Santa left and Addison was interested in pulling the paper off the presents and eating it. Later that night we went to Brad's parents' house to talk with his brother who is on a mission in Sidney, Australia. It was good to talk to him and hear his voice. We then went to my parents house for Christmas dinner and to spend some time with my family. We played Mad Gab (fun game) and enjoyed each others company.

We were so blessed to have such a great Christmas and so blessed to have the family and friends that we have and enjoy being with. I hope that you all had a wonderful Christmas!!