Happy 2008

Insanity took over and we didn't send out Christmas cards last year. It was not for lack of wanting too...and we certainly hope you won't take us off your card lists for THIS year. Life just got to be a bit overwhelming and something had to give.

So, now that it is February...we're trying to get a grip again. I don't know if anyone will actually read this...and that is ok. But, perhaps after/if you do....you'll be grateful that you didn't hear from us in December!

I won't lie...last year was not my favorite. I was GLAD to see it go. If only symbolic in nature...I couldn't switch the calendars fast enough. Goodbye 2007 -- HELLO 2008. My mantra is: "2008 -- it's going to be GREAT!"

But, just as a recap for the sake of our family's history:

February - Car accident - the van has never been the same. We're still driving around with 1/2 a bumper.

Addysen turned 8 and was baptized. We loved having both sets of grandparents, family and friends in attendance.

March - Kerrdog, our yellow lab, died a rather traumatic death.

Took our first of 4 trips to the West coast. This was to attend Kristine and Ben's wedding.

May - Jason West, Greg's friend and fellow police officer was killed in the line of duty. A police funeral is an amazing sight...and an experience I hope to never repeat.

Our dear friends and next-door neighbors, The Cannon's, moved to New Mexico. (Cannon still hasn't recovered from the loss of his best buddy)

June - More dear friends, The Klippel's moved to Pennsylvania (Addysen still hasn't recovered from the loss of her best friend). It seems our friends always leave.

The CAVS made it to the NBA Playoffs!

I was sustained as the RS President in the Mayfield Ward

July - Attended a Purcell Family Reunion in Idaho. Enjoyed a trip to Island Park before heading back to Las Vegas. It was the first time in years that all I have been with all of my siblings.

August - Addysen, Cannon and I drove to Iowa to meet Connor, Josh and Rachel's beautiful baby boy. We played lots of games and tried to distract ourselves as we anxiously waited for 96 hours to pass - -that's how long the birth mother had to change her mind.

Both tenants in one of our rentals vacated in the midst of their contracts - - trashing the property and destroying all the hard work we completed the previous summer. (They didn't like that Greg told them they had to pay their rent in full, and on time. Go figure.)

September - Began the eviction process for another tenant (who was supposed to be buying the house.)

Drove to Maryland to attend Greg's grandpa's funeral.

Flew to San Francisco again - for Nate and Lauren's wedding.

October - Flew to Seattle for John and Tenaya's wedding.

Worked feverishly to repair our rental. Everything becomes a blur about this point. Every spare minute was spent installing tile, painting, cleaning, replacing bathtubs and surrounds, drywalling, and throwing out endless piles of trash. I think it was about this time that the Indians made it to the playoffs.

November - made the decision to move our family into the single-family house...a total leap of faith or an act of stupidity...the jury is still out on that.

December - moved from our home in Cleveland Heights to North Ridgeville. I was released as RS President. Half of us came down with the flu the week before Christmas. Spent hours driving back and forth across town - -cleaning, painting, throwing out trash, etc.

So...not that you were sitting around wishing you'd heard from us at Christmastime...but now you know why you didn't!