By mid-January we knew this was going to be an interesting year. Matt was determined to make a career shift and we decided to look outside of Utah to make it happen. Evenings curled up on the couch surfing employment listings became a much anticipated nightly ritual. Matt made it as a final candidate on multiple occasions, but by mid June we were still without a solid offer and so we concluded that moving just wasn’t in the cards for us.
Over the several months it took to accept this, we would learn a few very valuable lessons. First, do not procrastinate the little home improvement projects that you have secretly decided to postpone until that unforeseen day you might actually put your house on the market. Now that the random spot in the boys room floor has been sanded and re-stained, the master bedroom closet doors have a final coat of paint on them, and the claw-foot tub faucet no longer drips it seems like nothing is more important than spending our Saturdays relaxing with the boys or hitting the zoo.
Secondly, we were shocked by our willingness to say goodbye to the house we have poured our blood and sweat into over the past 7 years. I would like to think it has something to do with our incredible saintliness that allows us to put little value on earthly possessions. Hmmm. I think it has more to do with the fact that even though we have sacrificed vacation money and our own mental well-being, we have had so much fun renovating a historical home that we would jump at the chance to start all over again.
And thirdly, and perhaps most importantly, we realized the true meaning behind the homage, ‘Home is where the heart is’. It was a bit daunting to imagine moving away from close family and the familiarity of Salt Lake City. What we would come to realize, however, was that we could move anywhere in the world and still feel the love and support of family and friends. And, on that note, we wish to send you, our friends and family that are scattered all over the globe, this Holiday Greeting of love, support, admiration, encouragement, and good blessing.
Beau is an active 5 year-old. He started kindergarten this year and although it takes an army to get his reluctant little soul fed, dressed and out the door each morning, he has proven himself to be quite the scholar. He is at the top of his class and is actively involved in the Gifted and Talented program. He spends his afternoons at the McKee Language School and is now quite proficient in Spanish and, as apparent by our family art wall, quite the craft-maker. He is currently obsessed with Matchbox cars and building forts out of pillows, blankets, toppled-over chairs, tape and string.
Pierce is now 3 and still proudly 15 minutes older than his twin brother. His sweet temperament and subtle nature is welcome in our what-can-be-quite-rambunctious home. This summer he was diagnosed with a language disorder. He is currently attending Special Education Pre-School where he receives physical and speech therapy and will begin receiving therapy at the University of Utah at the start of the New Year. We are so fortunate that he adores his teachers. He also loves his blue blanket, cooking with his mom, and has a true affinity for Dora the Explorer.
Cash is our little man, or at least he tries to be. He is eager to do anything Beau does, which definitely has its benefits and drawbacks. Mark my words, this kid will be an athlete some day. The agility he displays at bolting from an angry older brother while dodging furniture and leaping over toys is unlike any other toddler we have known. For now, he is content to wear his tool belt and construction hat and “go to work” on making messes all about the house.
Marta is a mother, wife, bus-driver, day-care provider, maid, consultant, psychiatrist, masseuse, drycleaner, chef, painter, seamstress, teacher, alarm clock, plumber, nurse, and referee. In my spare time (between 4:30am and 7am) I enjoy running and reading.
In August Matt accepted a new position with Zions Bancorporation as a Business Analyst. It has been a huge change from his previous position as the QA Section Manager, and he is appreciating being responsible for his performance alone as opposed to a herd of additional employees. He still faithfully plays church basketball each week and continues to encourage me to begin projects around the house that I cannot complete without his assistance. What a trooper.
We genuinely hope this Christmas finds you happy, rested, and well. We love you and hope your homes are filled with the spirit of the season.
Love (from Utah),
Matt, Marta, Beau, Pierce, and Cash
