Letting go of 2008

I like to send out a newsletter with my Christmas card, but this year, I didn't have the time, the patience or the energy to even get a card out, let alone a newsletter. Since we are already a month into 2009, I guess it's a good time to go over how 2008 was for us as a family. This isn't going to be near as cheerful or as inventive as I could have or would have done. Last year I wrote "The Night Before Christmas" story about our family. Yep, not this year. Just an overview this time!


What a year! Yep that sums it up. There were good and bad things for us this last year, but for some reason, the bad always stick out first. We lost a few very dear family members and friends this last year. It gets really hard, especially close to the holidays. We also suffered a miscarriage in July. This really took its toll on our family for a couple months, but we managed through it. Our experience did come in handy when Catrina's sister Tabytha miscarried only 4 months later. We were able to help out in an emotional sense. The other hard part of this last year has been the upsets on selling our home in Enoch. We finally took it off of the market a few months ago, in hopes that we could refinance to get a lower payment every month. The house has to be off the market for a while, or this won't happen. We are kind of stuck. Our options now are selling for less than we owe, or renting the property out. We are debating the pros and cons of both and will hopefully have a plan soon. Paying 3 mortgages every month wasn't our plan, and we wouldn't recommend it! Anyone want to buy a house?!

On a good note! We have done very well during the last year. How many people could say that they are making 3 house payments and still have food to feed their 3 kids? We are making it happen, and we know how blessed we are to be able to do this! We were able to buy a beautiful new home this last May! We live in a smaller area, in a good neighborhood. The kids are close to their school and have made many new friends. It's a longer drive to work for us, but it's worth it. Just being out of that tiny 2 bedroom apartment makes life so much easier. We finally have room to breathe! The kids are growing like weeds. We are reminded on a daily basis how lucky we are to have beautiful, healthy and happy children in our lives.

Jared has had quite the year! He's been working 3 jobs regularly. Two of these jobs he actually gets paid for....and the other is a work in progress! He and a couple friends started their own business and have been working feverishly into the wee hours of the morning to get things done. We will hopefully see a return on his time investment in the future. Besides all the work, Jared is currently an assistant boy scout leader. Of course he loves this! He loves anything that involves being a man and doing manly type things! He spends a lot of time at the kids' sports practices and games. He got very involved in helping coach Josh's football team in the fall. On top of all of that, he's a wonderful husband and father. He does his best to be at home when we need him to be.

Catrina is still working at the hospital...doing the nurse thing! She is still part time and is glad for that. She has spent a lot of time at home going through boxes and trying to help the family get settled. This has taken a lot of effort, considering we've had some boxes in storage for the last 4 years. One day she plans to put some pictures up on her walls! She has kept herself busy being a mom when at home. Making sure people are fed, helping with homework, and keeping the house picked up. Sounds a little boring....but really, it's more than enough work.

Josh has had a blast this year trying out new sports and meeting new friends. He found out that he has a love for football and can't wait for it to start again in the fall. He is currently in basketball and liking that too. He has really enjoyed scouts and recently had the chance to go ice fishing! It was so much fun for him. He is doing well in school and has an amazing teacher this year!

Caile had a great year. She played soccer in the fall and found out that she is great at defense! She has done very well in school and is making good friends. Of course there is always that 5th grade girl drama that we get to hear all about! She has been reading a lot, writing stories of her own, and drawing pictures. Maybe we have a writer or artist on our hands?! She is always so willing to help out at home, and does it with a smile!

Peyton is growing so fast...it's hard to believe he's the baby of the family! He had the chance to play soccer this year too. Even though he got bored easily, and never really quite understood the rules, he was so fun to watch! He's been in the preschool program at his daycare, and goes twice a week. He is learning so much! He is unbelievably smart and we sometimes wonder how he knows the things he knows. I guess kids pick up on more than we give them credit for! He still loves his trains and trucks and just being a boy.

We are praying for a great 2009. We know that even with all the disappointments over the last year, we are a blessed family. We couldn't ask for more than we have right now.

Wishing a wonderful 2009 for all of our family and friends!

Love,
The Egbert Family