It has been such a crazy and wonderful 2011. I think it was last Christmas that we announced that we were packing our bags and treking to the Ontario/Boise area to start Devin's masonry business. Devin's parents were so willing to let us live with them for a few months prior to the move, which was a wonderful time for us. Hopefully the experience was mutually wonderful! I was able to have a full house, unlike my upbringing as the only child. Jude had an absolute blast. I am grateful for the Robinson's examples to me. If all homes functioned the way their's does, the world would be in a far greater place. We have taken many great memories and lessons with us. We moved in with my mom and Doug a few months later. Over night, Jude changed from a city-ish boy to a cowboy. It was a fun and dirty summer on the Percifield farm. Jude was in a little boy's heaven with acres of dirt, and animals, and neighbors to play with. Jude got to spend time visiting his cousin Avery, and great grandparents in Payette. It was a funny experience to move back into my old house, but I am so glad we got to make the memories we did there. We absolutely love our ward in Ontario, which is why we still drive an hour to church each Sunday. We enjoy our callings as Primary Teacher Substitutes. Jude has made lots of friends in nursery. He looks forward to seeing "teacher" each week. We have made great friends there. I am thankful for the ward's love for us. In fact, this ward was THE ward that I gave my very first talk in. Scary, but what a great memory. Devin was blessed with a few wonderful masonry jobs here and there, and did very well. Than on top of that, we were further blessed with the job with Well's Fargo in Boise. This is when we left Ontario, and moved in with my dad in Kuna. It was a blast for us living with my mom and Doug. I don't think I have ever seen a happier, dirtier farm boy in all my life! Anyway, Kuna is where we still live. We all have enjoyed our time with my dad. We have created many memories there too, and Jude has been learning the tricks and trades of hunting and survival from Grandpa Terry. Jude and Grandpa have camped out in the living room in their tent. Jude also has become a BSU fan. A few months ago, Devin and I started feeling like we were supposed to be doing something other than working at Well's Fargo. We began praying and researching yet again. A past idea came to us again about the military. We played with the idea when we were first married, but life happened, and we just never pursued it any further until now. We have loved our time being close to my family, but as we have thoroughly researched and prayed we came to the conclusion that it was the right time for us to act on this idea. We have officially joined the Army, and despite the sad thought of leaving family, we are extremely excited and ready for this next adventure. It has been a very emotional few months for us. We knew how this might come off to family members, and were frightened to break the news, but as hard and scary as it has been, we stand firm and confident that our prayers have been answered and we have be lead correctly by our Heavenly Father. This decision has strengthened our marriage, our love for family, and confidence in God. The choices we have made the past few years may have seemed like failures, or completely strange to others, but I know without an ounce of doubt that the Lord has carefully placed his hand in our lives and each choice and move we have made has been a stepping stone along a path that is meant to bless us with the greatest happiness. We do not feel like any move has been a waste of time, and we certainly have no regrets. We remain grateful to our families for supporting and loving us through all of the year's changes. We pray that any concerns or uneasiness will subside that our family members may have for us. We love our family so much, and feel so blessed to have had the opportunities we had of spending time with you all this year. You will never know how huge a part you all play in our lives. Here is to a very merry Christmas, and a wonderful and exciting 2012.
With tons of love,
Erin, Devin & Jude
