2014 Lyman family sum up...
“We may not have it all together, but together...we have it all!”
2014 started off with high hopes for our family in the new/old state of Oregon. We had sold our home in Phoenix with the prospect of a new job and a new beginning… the kids were ecstatic! We got to spend time living with both, my parents and dear sweet Mormor, who shared her home with us from Jan to March.
Spending time with family in Oregon at the beginning of the year, is best summed up by William who said “it was the best vacation ever!” We got to be gloriously snowed in! we had hot chocolate basically on tap and goodies galore! Not to mention we got to reconnect with old friends, parks and places he had missed so much while we lived in AZ. And it felt good to be welcomed back with arms wide open, even after a 4 year absence. It was a blessing to get to spend the extra time close to my parents before they left for their own adventure as mission presidents in Cape Coast, Ghana! It also allowed our kids a chance to have some closure and say goodbye to “grandmas house” before it was sold.
How ever badly we wanted to make it work out in Oregon, the cold and other obstacles led our family back to Phoenix in early March.
Where we were then graciously hosted by our good friends Ken and Andrea! (for what was supposed to be just a week or so) some how magically lasted from the second week of March to the 1st week of July! in which time Ivy revelled in vicariously owning 4 puppies!
Luckily, right when we moved back down to Phoenix, Shawn was hired by AFS, and has been able to support our family during our search for a new home. While waiting for that to happen, we filled our time reconnecting with our home school and church friends, we also made some new ones along the way! We have been able to go on some awesome field trips and adventures, to grow our brains, talents and imaginations. In May, Ivy auditioned for, and landed the role of Cinderella in our church’s stake childrens dance recital. She worked her little butt off all summer and gave an amazing performance! It was a great experience and Ivy said she “loved feeling “famous” after, when everyone wanted to take pictures with her!”
In July we moved into the Hilton Homewood Suites. After months of cohabitating with family and friends, i have to say, it felt so nice to have a space of our own! Ivy also turned 8 years old and was baptized and confirmed a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints! It was amazing to be able to have family and friends come support her decision, from Show-Low to Sherwood from Mesa to Africa! It was a great day! Another fun summer spotlight was being able to go up to Utah to visit friends and family! we got to visit Breanne, Jacob and Evans! as well as our dear friends the Sandbergs, and attend the wedding of one of Shawn's childhood friends, Jonathan Coleman. We also took a little trip up to Show Low to visit Mike and Joeys families over the 4th of July! the kids had a glorious reunion! and it was so nice to catch up!
Fall flew by! Keeping busy with the everyday grind! Callings and cub scouts, work and waiting, with the cooler weather we have been taking advantage of the great outdoor activities AZ has to offer!! so parks and play dates have been in abundance! William turned 10 this october! (it’s crazy to think we have been parents for a decade!) and earned his Bear in cub scouts, and is now working hard on earning his Webelos scout rank. He still enjoys going to ceramics classes, and it has been fun to see his skills develop!
Also In October, the new Phoenix Temple was opened to the public for its open house! It was wonderful to have Shawn’s brothers and their families come down for it, so we could all go through together!
We took this years big vacation in November, and kind of smashed Shawn’s birthday and Thanksgiving in with it!
I think it is an understatement when i say “We LOVE southern California!” We love the amusement parks the beach the weather… it’s all good! So it was the perfect “get a way” for us this year, to just relax and enjoy some family time!
We went to Knotts Berry Farm, Universal Studios, Sea World, the beach and a few other fun destinations! it was a rush of a week! but thats what makes it fun!
As 2014 wraps up, I have reflected a lot on the ups and downs this year has brought our family! And all i have to say is God is good my friends! NO, this year has not been perfect and, Yes, we are STILL homeless! and Sure! We have had our fair share of struggles, But God HAS been with us every step, tear and tumble of the way. He has answered our prayers, in his own wonderfully mysterious way. And i believe he will guide us still! And even tho i don't understand his plan for our family, I have faith that one day i will... and it will be glorious!
I just need to squeeze in one more huge THANK YOU to the friends and family who have helped us through this tough year! we could not have done it without you!
so to once again recap...
“we may not have it all together, but together...we have it all!”
“we may not have it all together, but together...we have it all!”
So bring on 2015 and may the lord in his goodness pour love and blessings on us all!
Wishing you a very Merry Christmas!
love,
~the Lymans
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