Well, it's late, but here it is. :)
This year has meant a lot of changes for our family. Paul graduated from CWI, got a job, we got a new car and a puppy...just to sum it up.
Paul - In June, Paul started his new job as a Systems Engineer for Compunet Inc. and ranked 5th in the nation at his Skills USA competition. He is loving every minute of his job and is learning a TON! There is so much room to grow at this company and we hope that it will be somewhere he stays long term. They have really enjoyed what Paul is bringing to the table and they are starting to allow him more opportunities to expand and learn more. Paul also serves as the 11 year old Scout Master and has so much fun hanging out with the guys Wednesday nights.
Lacey - I have been going to school and trying to keep up. This semester has been a lot more than I thought it would be. I found out I HATE economics! I am going to be taking a break from school for a little while after this semester. With Etta getting older, she's so smart and I want to be able to concentrate more time on her education as well as take some time to just relax with her. I have recently been called to serve in the Young Women's as a Beehive Advisor and it is so much fun. The girls LOVE Etta and are always offering to babysit. As part of this calling I had the opportunity to attend the Youth Cultural Celebration the area put on for the Boise Temple Re-dedication. It was amazing to be able to be in the presence of the prophet President Monson. It was also neat to have Mom and Dad sitting right behind me and the girls I was chaperoning. :)
Etta - Well as you all know she is the center of our lives. :) I don't know what I did for entertainment before Etta came along. She is so witty and makes me laugh every day. I feel so blessed to be her mom. She is such a blessing in our lives. Some of my favorite Etta quotes are:
[While watching something with the minions from Despicable Me] "Minions.....you look like......tater tots!"
Famember = Remember
Cortilla = Tortilla
Shiber me timbers = Shiver me timbers....as if to say oh my goodness with her hand over her face. [I don't know where she got this one.]
Etta has loved having more family around this year. Being able to see most everyone has opened her eyes to all the wonderful people we have in our family and she loves all of you. She talks and asks about you all daily as well as prays for Ben's safety in every prayer she says. She LOVES church and asks every morning if we get to go. She has started making friends in her class and just the other day one of them held her hand when I went to pick her up and said "I don't want you to go!"
After looking through videos and pictures it's crazy to see how much Etta has grown this year. I don't know when she became such a big girl. It makes me sad that she's not in that toddler phase anymore, but it's SO much fun to see the awesome little girl she's becoming. She is smarter than I even understand and am fighting just to keep up with all the new things she's learning. She read her first word "Bed" a little while ago and I'm hoping to teach her more this coming year.
Below are just a few pictures of the year. (ok so a lot) :)
We love you all so much and miss all of you that aren't close by. Hopefully next year we'll be able to make some visits. :) Merry Christmas!
Love, The Hodges
BE SURE TO CLICK ON THE PHOTOS TO SEE A FULL VIEW :)
In the pictures below we did the "Beat Coach Pete" 5K, Etta sat snuggled with Grandma and Papa Campbell during General Conference and she helped me paint the family room. She's also found frequently playing with my Kindle Fire. :)
These are some photos we had taken in October of 2012
Just a "homework break" video I took with my phone a few days ago.
1 comment:
I love it Lace! Etta is such a cutie and so smart! Congrats to Paul and his new job. I think you'll enjoy your time off from school. Good luck to you all in 2013! We love and miss you!
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