Dear Family and Friends,
It looks like updates to our blog have become an annual event, so here are the 2009 highlights for our family:
The year started out a little bit rough with Carl still out of work and no real job prospects. We weren’t sure what was in store for us, but it is with grateful hearts we report that Carl has a wonderful job with Southern California Edison. He is a project manager with an emerging markets and technology group and is really enjoying his work. His commute is only 10 to 15 minutes, a far cry from the hour minimum he spent driving when he worked in Beverly Hills. He continues to stay busy with his church responsibilities and once again coached Adam’s soccer team (although probably for the last year since next year Adam will move into competitive play). When he gets a free moment, he loves spending time with Amy and the children.
Annaka has really grown up a lot this year. In June she celebrated her 12th birthday and was very surprised to receive the gift she had been asking for – a cell phone. Mom and Dad finally let her get her ears pierced and she has enjoyed participating in the Young Women program at church. Annaka also started Junior High School and has adjusted well to this change. She made the flag team as part of auxiliaries and is also involved with ASB (Associated Student Body) where she helps plan school activities. She is a good student, but has some late nights working on homework. She is still taking piano lessons and is in high demand as a babysitter (which allows her to pay for her cell phone each month). Adam and Ashlyn love their big sister and she is a great helper with them.
Adam also celebrated an important birthday this year. He turned 8 in September and was baptized the following month. It is always so nice to have family come visit for special events like this. He is now involved with Cub Scouts through church and looks so cute in his uniform. In January, Adam was selected as a prince on the royal court of a community parade and festival. He got to ride on a float in the parade, was treated like royalty at the carnival, and has participated in many other events throughout the year. Adam is now in 2nd grade and is a good student. He also had a great soccer season, scoring at least one goal in almost every game. He is a good brother and Ashlyn adores him.
Ashlyn is now 1 and ½ years old and has been such a joy to our family. She is walking all around and we love it when she talks to us even though we don’t always know what she is saying. She loves to "read" books, play the piano with Annaka, wrestle with Adam, and talk on the phone with family. She is a good sleeper, but we need to work on her eating habits. She definitely has a sweet tooth! Our family enjoys watching her discover and learn new things and we love it when she gives us hugs and kisses.
Amy is adjusting to not having Carl at home, children attending two different schools, and a little shadow following her around. She is still very involved with PTA (now at two schools) and stays busy being a wife and mother with all the things that go along with it. At church, Amy is no longer working with the Young Women, but gets to spend time with Ashlyn and the other little ones in the Nursery.
Our family had the chance to go on a couple of fun trips this past year. In April we took a quick trip to see the Easter pageant at the Mesa Arizona temple. Then in July, we spent time with Carl’s family in Utah and Amy’s family in Idaho. We also were able to go to Yellowstone National Park and see some of nature’s wonders found there.
Our family and friends have been a great source of strength and support over this past year. We truly have a lot to be thankful for and hope we all will take time out of our busy lives to remember the source of our blessings as we celebrate the birth of our Savior, Jesus Christ.
We wish you a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.
With Love,
The Besaws
To see some of our pictures from the past year, click on the following link:
http://picasaweb.google.com/besawfamilyca/2009Highlights#
