Gods Hands

 Merry Christmas!
If you didn't get a Christmas letter from us this year and you would like to in the future. Please message me on Facebook your address and I will put it in my newly formed and updated Address list. I was very poor and keeping a good address book the last 14 years but I finally figured it out...Took me long enough. But here it is for all who didn't get one. I hope you all have an awesome Christmas and a Happy New Year!

The year 2014 has brought us unexpected, but good surprises. It just goes to show that you need to  listen to the Spirit at all times because those still small voices come when you least expect it.

                 In early May as Nathan and I prepared to retire our eyes for the night. Nathan jokingly commented that we should list our house and move on a whim. I recall the moment well. It actually reminds me of our third date when I had just told him that I felt our relationship could not go further but then he decided to take my hand for the first time anyway. Let’s just say that moment changed everything. The moment he took my hand   everything just “felt” right.

In that moment when he was honestly just  joking. I felt in that moment  it was “right.” We took it further and decided to take it to prayer.  I knew without a doubt it was the time to finally make our move that we anticipated for so long. Because we had been talking plans of building for some time. It just seemed natural to finally pursue that route. There was no doubt in my mind we needed to move right then. We listed our house June 3rd.

I felt strongly it would sell fast and it did. We moved the first of August and we were that much closer to building our dream home.  It made sense to find and rent a house while we build.

We looked for a house to rent in the same school boundaries as our new house would be so the kids would not have to move schools. Although we found a few that fit that criteria; for some reason they all fell through.  I was discouraged.

 But a  certain house kept popping up in my search that “stood out” among the rest. It was zoned for a different Elementary School but it felt good. So with few choices  left and no other houses in the school zones we wanted, and we needed a place and fast, we looked at it and it just felt right. So we made the move hoping for a zone variance...well. Long story short...zone variance was denied.

At that point I started thinking well we are here for a reason. (unknown to us). Fast forward and to make the story shorter because I could write a novel just about this. After a few road blocks, prayers, some conference talks, and long term goal considerations for us and our family, we recently decided not to build.  It was a hard decision to make. We have decided to sell the property and find an existing house in the area.  It strangely ,as much as we wanted to build, feels oh so right. So here is to waiting out our lease agreement and watching for the “right” house ,while trying to sell our property.

 NATHAN—HUSBAND & FATHER EXTROIDINAIRE –TRIATHLETE- & 

WORK A HOLIC

 Nathan  can be found training ,training, and more training, playing, serving and doing missionary work. As usual  he works hard everyday to support our family. He continues to train and participate in a variety of triathlons, marathons and the like. He stays healthy and makes the rest of us feel guilty for not being able to balance life as easily as he does. I am still trying to learn from him how to master that balancing act.  He was  recently called as a ward missionary in our new ward (at church) he is out with the missionaries every Thursday helping serve the Lord.  He is just amazing in all he does.

RUTH—WIFE, MOTHER,  HOUSEKEEPER, CHAUFFEUR, &  STUDENT

Ruth can be found cleaning, organizing, writing, cooking, & doing homework. She has nothing to say except she is feeling great and is grateful everyday that she is feeling healthy and strong. Her kids keep her on her toes and loves helping them grow and learn.. She returned to school and is taking classes to renew her teaching license and is considering minoring in English.

NATALI—SOCIAL BUTTERFLY  & BABYSITTER-BIG SISTER

Natali started Middle School. It has been a new experience starting in a new area with no friends. She is in all accelerated classes and is impressing us with good grades. She jumped right in by running for 6th grade Vice President. She didn’t win but just putting herself out there was an achievement!

                 She got involved with a group called Best Buddies where she teams up with a student with special needs and plan activities and participate in school wide activities. She is also involved in the Art club.  She loves babysitting her younger siblings and can’t wait for the opportunity to babysit for other families.  She is beginning to train with her brother and dad for a triathlon in September.

 NOAH— GAMER, TORMENTER, BIG BROTHER

  Noah  is in 5th grade. He is a quiet, not so quiet kid. He really likes to keep to himself. He is proficient in his homework, I never have to help him and is getting good grades. He must have his father’s genes. He loves to play on the computer with his friends. We have really had to structure his computer time.

 He saved up all his money and bought himself a laptop. When this kid sets his mind to        something he does it. He is very particular about things and if it isn’t the way he likes he makes sure it gets that way. He is also training for his first triathlon.

 KATIE– WRITER, SINGER, & SONGWRITER

Katie is our quiet child. She always speaks in a whisper. She can be found singing and writing songs, or writing and drawing. She just asked me yesterday if I would help her write and illustrate a book.  She loves to read and write. She is in 2nd grade and has made friends quite quickly in her new school.

                 She just turned 8 and was baptized and chose to be baptized a member of our church. She had a party with lots of friends and pierced her ears. This year has proved to be exciting for her.

 SOPHIA—TALKING FIRECRACKER

 Sophia is always talking, singing, making up songs, coloring and playing with her dolls. She is also fond of Play-Doh and painting. She has a HUGE imagination. She started preschool and can’t get enough of it. She is always sharing something new she learned or created. She loves her teachers and her school!

AUGUST—MONKEY, TROUBLE MAKER,  &  SPOILED ROTTEN

August can be found climbing on things, sneaking food/treats from the cupboard, making messes and sneaking around playing on a kindle in the corner. He had a huge success this year and mastered his potty training skills! HAZZAH! He loves hanging with mom, playing outside and shopping. He loves playing with Sophia & Noah! His laughs are contagious. I can’t get enough of his cuddles.

 As this year comes to a close we want to wish you all a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! You continue to fill our lives with joy and are grateful for all of you and the part you play in our lives. We are better people because of those we love and share close bonds with.

May we always remember our Savior and his birth, his life, and his death as we continue this mortal journey we call life.

We are continually blessed by his Spirit and this time of year as we focus on our Savior’s birth and His plan for us we are able to reconnect and focus on continued and new goals to bring us closer to Him. I know He loves us. We continue to learn and grow as we search for knowledge and truth.

We are grateful for his unconditional love and sacrifice. 

Much love, ♥

The Whittacre Clan

Nathan, Ruth, Natali, Noah, Kathryn, Sophia, & August.