This year as a family we camped in the Moab area twice with the Gardner Family. The first time in the spring Curtis was still using a crutch but we managed to have a lot of fun going off roading, spotting wild Mustangs and hanging out around the campfire. The second time in the Fall we headed to Dripping Springs where we repelled, hiked around, went off roading, and explored.
Other trips include spring break in and around the four corners area, a trip to Montana to help my Grandpa out with Live History Days for his Museum, many trips to Deer Creek to go boating, a trip to CA to go to Legoland and Disneyland with Grandma and Grandpa Dudley, and many many small trips within Utah to play and have fun.
CURTIS
I would like to start this years individual highlights with Curtis. Curtis has had bit of a rough year. At the end of 2017 he got hit on his motorcycle. His left leg was shattered into 13 pieces. His recovery in 2018 has been slow. Curtis endured 5 separate surgeries to fix the leg with 5 separate recoveries. After everything both his doctor and physical therapist could do, we have come to the reluctant realization that the leg will never be what it was. With time it still may improve some, but the leg has lost it's ability to lock at the knee, and is still significantly weaker than the other leg. Also as may of you know, with severe injuries you always know when the next storm is coming. And if you look closely, you will still see him limp from time to time.
Despite the setback with the leg, Curtis has not let it slow him down too much. He is still an active member on the Search and Rescue team, he still helps everyone out who needs it, he continues to serve as an Elder Quorum President for our Ward, he has taken up Fly Fishing and other manly activities, he renewed his pilots license this last year, and has taken the the brave step in Rental Home Ownership by purchasing rental properties in Colorado.
Becky
What has Becky Been up to? The beginning of 2018 was consumed by caring for Curtis. I went to nearly every Physical Therapy session with Curtis (he went 2-3 times a week.) I was also there for every surgery and Doctor appointment. I slowly watched him as he improved. I was his caretaker, personal chauffeur and personal coach. Meanwhile I was also keeping the house together and tending to my children.
This year I have not really done anything new of significance. I continue to exercise on a regular basis, and I have finally finished all my Christmas Stockings. I serve my church ward as a Cub Scout Master and Committee chair and was recently asked to be an assistant to the Steak Camp Director for the Young Women.
I continue to volunteer my time anywhere I can. I am the volunteer parent Coordinator for Sage's Choir, I organized and helped run a large auction for the Charter School my kids go to, and I volunteer on a weekly basis reading with Jace's Class.
None of this seems all that exciting. But I am very busy most days. I guess this year I should try and do something for me that is new. I probably could use the change.
Ryker
Ryker has really matured this last year. I can't say that he has grown a lot since last year. Even though he is the oldest in his class, he is one of the smallest boys in Kindergarten. He is however literally the top of his class academically. Ryker has turned out to be an amazing reader. He reads at a 2nd grade level already. Once Ryker has read a word he remembers it. He site reads everything he sees rarely sounding out words. I am amazed by his ability to remember things. In math he excels just as much. He is really enjoying Timpanogos Academy.
Ryker is very much a mamas boy. Every day he takes time out for "Cuddle Time" with mom. He also loves to dance with me. Ryker is very level headed and loves his family very much.
Ryker still enjoys thrills and adrenaline rushes. He loves getting on motorcycles, bikes, and amusement park rides. He definitely gets that from Curtis. There is little that Ryker is scared of. He is definitely a brave boy.
Jace
Jace Turned 8 this year and will be getting baptized as a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints this Saturday. Jace is enjoying school this year and is very popular amongst his peers. He is a very thoughtful boy and wants to always please everyone in his class. He does well in school and is very active.
In the summers he continues to play baseball and swim. He truly enjoys everything and anything that allows him to get his wiggles out. He is always talking and moving. Even in his sleep.
Jace has a vivid imagination. He is always the one leading his younger brother in imaginative play. Jace is quite the charmer. He always tries to dress nice for the ladies and knows that he can make any gal swoon with just a glance.
Jace is very passionate. When he is happy he is really really happy. When he is sad he is really really sad. Sometimes he has a hard time controlling his passionate feelings. This year we are excited for him to start taekwondo to help teach control and manage his reaction to things a bit more. I am also excited to see how he can excel in this sport. Jace is probably my most coordinated child.
Ashton
Ashton has progressed in so many areas this year! At the end of the last school year we finally had him diagnosed with ADHD. As a mother I have been reluctant to have him labeled with ADHD. Even as a toddler I recognized that he had major issues paying attention for more than a few minutes at a time. In school he always did ok. But he never excelled. Homework would take him several hours every night. His chores and job would take him a lot of time as well. By the end of the last school year I could see how he struggled with getting things done. So I took him in, had him take a bunch of tests, and had him diagnosed. He has been on medication for his ADHD since last May. And since then he gets his homework done efficiently and quickly (Most days he gets it done at school), gets mostly A's if not all A's, gets his chores done in a timely manner, remembers to do the things I ask him to do, and is calmer and happier.
Recognizing and treating his ADHD has also helped him in his Taekwondo. This year Ashton has moved up to advanced Taekwondo. He has competed in his first tournament in both sparring and board breaking. In his age group he broke the thickest boards and placed 3rd place. In sparring he learned a lot so that hopefully he will do better next time. Ashton is not naturally a very aggressive person so sparring can be difficult for him. Ashton is at Taekwondo for 4-5 hours every week. His teacher has moved him into adult classes because he is so focused and significantly bigger than the other kids.
That's right! Ashton is still in the 80th percentile in height. He is close to growing taller than me at age 11!! He has also gotten a lot stronger by exercising, doing taekwondo, and mucking out horse stalls. But he still isn't as strong as his mom.
Sage
Sage has entered 9th grade this year. She has made many goals academically and is in Honors English, Honors Math, Honors Biology, AP Geography, Woods, Studio Art, Mythology, and a few other classes I do not recall. So far she retains a 4.00. I am very proud of Sage. She has always been smart but taking the harder yet more rewarding road has not always been her strength. In the past taking the easy path with the least resistance has always been her motto. With some persuasion from me she took on a much more challenging schedule and has done really well while learning some lessons on the way.
Sage continues to sing in the Utah Children's Choir. Her voice is maturing as she gets older. She definitely has her way of singing that is unique and meaningful to her.
Sage is a leader in any group she is associated with. Sage is always careful to make sure that everyone is included. In the past she knows what it is like to be excluded. Knowing how that feels she is really careful to be kind to all those around her.
Sage is boy crazy. She likes one boy in particular. He who will not be named likes her back. It's fun to watch her have her little crush while reminding her she is only 14 and needs to keep things in the friend zone. I am however comforted by the fact she is choosing boys who are at the top of their class academically. I figure if they are responsible enough to get good grades they probably have a good head on those shoulders and wont get into too much trouble.
That concludes my 2018 Blog. Our family is growing older and wiser. Each individual is unique and contributes to our family in an irreplaceable way. We all look forward to 2019 because it will be the mark of 10 years since our story began.
