Ward Family Year in Review

I really had every intention of making handmade Christmas cards this year. I've been itching to craft. But....well, I don't sit upright for very long without feeling sick or losing my breath. Baby boy is really low and loving every chance to rumble and tumble. Makes me feel super happy to be laying down...which I do often.

So, there goes the idea of sitting up and crafting dozens of handmade cards this year. Let's see if I can even make it as far as getting this post written to share our year with all of you.

I know it's cliche, but this year really has gone by fast. So much has blessed us and challenged us this year, but we are strong and loving every minute of our lives.

David is in his 14th year of Active Duty Navy service as a Musician. In the spring he was finally promoted to Petty Officer First Class (E-6). This has been one of our biggest blessings this year. Three more test cycles (about 2 years) without a promotion and the Navy would've said see ya to our entire career. The fancy name for it is "higher tenure". We dodged that reality for a while anyway. Now, we are planning for our next 6 1/2 years of military service to fly by like the last 14 have and RETIREMENT here we come!!! After 20 years of moving and military life, we're not going to look back too long on our way back to settle in Northern Utah.

David has been released as the Unit Leader of the Navy Rock Band at Naval Station Norfolk. This has been his job for the past 4 years (+2 yrs at the same job in Newport, RI). It's a difficult, time consuming and stressful job, but he's shined in all aspects of his service. Now, he is the "go-to" drummer for ceremonies and such. He does the happy dance when he gets home at noon instead of the usual 5 or 6 pm every night. He's enjoying the change of responsibility for sure.

David is serving at church as a primary teacher for the 9-10 year old children. He's also a Webelos Leader in the Cub Scout program.

After 5 years of wondering why we couldn't have another child, we found out on our 14th wedding anniversary in June that we are expecting. We feel very blessed to be bringing another baby boy into our family. Number four is expected to arrive in late February. However, he is already showing his size in ultrasounds and weighs almost 5 pounds already! So, we're counting on an earlier birthday. Not only because he's big, but because his mother...is going to go crazy if I have to be pregnant much longer. Even though this is a great blessing, I've been horribly sick and not enjoying much of any of it. No matter what, we feel very blessed to have this opportunity again.

We will name him Eli Howard Ward.

I was released from being the Relief Society President back in August. Now I am thrilled with my new responsibility which is teaching Sunday School for the 16-17 year old kids. They challenge me with their knowledge, but they are quick to learn and I love sharing the Gospel with them.

Jacob is quickly becoming a tween. He turned 12 in September and was ordained a Deacon in the Priesthood. Grandma and Grandpa Bee got to come out from Arizona to visit for this occasion and we are all very proud of Jacob. He's also working very hard in the Boy Scout program and just finished his First Class Ranking. (Too many campouts for my taste, but he enjoys it!)

Jacob is in 7th grade, loving pretty much everything except Math, and is blossoming on the piano! He's also playing the drums and looks like he will follow in his dad's footsteps, he's got a gift!

Abigail turned 9 in March. She's our resident crafter. Since I don't craft much these days, she takes over in that department and is always making lovely crafts for everyone. Abby is also doing wonderful on the piano, she's our best practicer, always sitting at the piano. She wasn't too thrilled at first with the news of another brother, but she's finally starting to see the benefits of being the only girl. (I've already promised her a mother/daughter trip to New York.) Abby has been a huge help during my pregnancy. She has learned a lot of cooking and cleaning skills and helps whenever she can.

Abby is in 4th grade and excels at pretty much anything I put in front of her. Fractions have given her a challenge this year, but she's working hard at it.

Jackson is our little comedian. He's always saying funny things. He continues to earn his nickname of "Action", always going and doing and playing. He loves the computer and the Wii and the iPod. I have to keep telling him that he has to take breaks from electronics so his brain doesn't ooze out of his ears. Jackson has been the most excited for the new baby. He's right at the height of my belly and can always be found trying to talk to the baby and feel the kicks. He turned 6 in August and started his own piano lessons in September. He feels very grown up that he gets to do lessons along with Jacob and Abby. He loves that he knows some new notes and keys and he's pretty good about practicing.

We received new orders earlier this year. We are slated to return to Newport, Rhode Island in June, 2013. We are actually very excited to return to Newport. We loved living there, have many dear friends there still and can't wait to have some normal seasons...aka...snow! We have missed Rhode Island, and we look forward to going back. If we get our way, this will be our last move before retirement.

We have all been taught by the Spirit of the Lord in great abundance this year. Our trials and blessings have given us a glimpse of heaven working in our lives. It's truly a blessing to know that the path we are on is being guided by our Father in Heaven.

May all our dear family and friends know how much we love and miss you all. Merry Merry Christmas!