Christmas Letter......

Well, usually people send a "end of year" family update w/their Christmas cards, however I decided to just do it on our blog, and include the blog address w/our cards so those that want can read our "brag" letter and those that would rather not don't have to.

I can't believe how fast this year has flown by. It seems like we just celebrated Christmas in 07 and now here we are again. My dad always said enjoy the moments because in a twinkling of an eye your kids are grown and you wish you had those moments again. Time flies, kids get older, we get older, and it is all in the twinkling of an eye it seems.

We have ALOT to be grateful for this year. Our family is so blessed and I realize that more and more everyday as I take time to focus on the positive in our lives more then the negative. Its easy to focus on all the negatives, and is a natural thing for us to do, but we've really tried to change our way of thinking and it has enriched our lives so much.

Wonderful things have happened in the year 2008 for us. Derian got every award possible at the end of her 2nd grade year, some included Top Speller in the entire 2nd grade (I'm bragging here but her and one other boy in the entire 2nd grade were spelling on a 6th grade level), Best in Math, Most thoughtful of others, Top reader.....and so many more. We are truly so proud of her. She also started 3rd grade, which was an eye opener for me. I think I realized that my little girl is turning into a young lady. She has many friends, and her teacher told me this past parent/teacher meeting that she is always including those that don't have someone to play with. That made me so proud of her. In the summer of 08 Derian was baptised. As her parents we are so proud of her. She made this decision on her own, and has taken these commitments to her Father in Heaven very seriously. Sense her baptism she has been studying the Book of Mormon and I will often catch her in a quiet corner reading this book. It makes me so proud of her for her eagerness to learn of the gospel. She has such a strong spirit, and tender heart.

Our little Ashlynn, our beautiful brown eyed girl. She finished up her 1st grade year with the most wonderful teacher. She mastered reading which was a huge accomplishment for her. She went from not reading at all to one of the top readers in her class. Her teacher would always tell me what a wonderful, sweet student she was and always so willing to help out. She also started 2nd grade & currently has been getting consistent Perfect Speller awards. She has come along ways, and has worked hard to be at the top of her class this year. We are so proud of her. She's preparing to get baptised this spring, and is reading and learning everything she can about this special, important step in her life. She is also looking forward to attending activity days w/her sister. Ashlynn is becoming such a responsible little girl and helps me out so much as well. She's very attentive of her little sisters and LOVES helping out her daddy outside with yard work. She's always been a "daddy's girl" which Aaron just enjoys so much. She's the girl that loves to help w/dirty greasy things, and fascinated with fixing vehicles or mowing the lawn, yet she can clean up and want to be a girly girl too. We love her SO much!

Little Kymbree, whom calls herself KYMEEEEE K Poulton. She is the joy of our world, yet can make us INSANE all at the same time. We always tease that she is her great granpa Lloyd all over again w/her pretty grey blue eyes, and her teasing manner. She loves to pester her sisters and gets sooo excited when the get home from school. She wants to be big just like them, and they are good examples for her. We know she loves her little sister "jj" (as she calls her) but she has a hard time sharing mom and daddy time with her. She turned 3 in November and each day gets a little easier with her cause she's growing so big. She'll start school in January and she couldn't be happier about that.
Next, little A'jaye she has given us some scares this year with her heart, but we feel blessed that it could be something far worse, and her condition is very manageable and fixable so for that we feel blessed. She is such a delight to have around and always so happy and laid back. She loves to dance and anytime she hears the music she boogies to the beat. She keeps smiles on our faces, and laughter in the house.
Aaron and I love all our girls and feel so blessed. Aaron is doing wonderful in his job and although its slow right now because of the economy he still manages to keep work for his guys. He's a hard worker and I couldn't be more blessed to have him in my life. As for me, well....I'm just busy and wrapped in my kids lives and I like it that way most days. Some days I wonder what I signed up for, but I really am such a lucky and blessed women, and I have much to be grateful for.
There's our lives in 2008. We hope for another great year in 2009 with many blessings and maybe a boy??? That would be nice, but we'll feel blessed and happy no matter what we get this June.
We appreciate ALL our family and love you all so much. We hope the season brings you many happy times, and the new year full of rich blessings. Thanks for the support and love you give to our family, and from ours to yours....MERRY CHRISTMAS!