Merry Christmas!

Instead of doing Christmas cards this year, we decided to post a blog instead.  Mostly because I procrastinated and now it's too late to really send anything out by Christmas.  :)

This year has been an awfully busy one.  We started off the year in Panama City Beach, Florida.  Three weeks later, we moved to Roswell, Georgia.  This move was a fast one.  We had only decided on it about three weeks before we actually moved.  Roswell, for those who don't know, is just north of Atlanta.  Our apartments was three exits north of the Atlanta Temple.  Deric started working from home and we seemed to be settling in nicely.

We always knew we wanted a house in Georgia, but we didn't know how fast that would happen.  We had been casually "house hunting" in the general area just to see what was out there.  Well, our friend Sharon said there were houses for sale (well, lots really.  They were still in the building stage of development) right across the street from her and she REALLY wanted us to move there.  She had been trying to get Deric to move up the Atlanta for three years by this time, so she figured she would try and persuade us to move in right across the street.  Since we were just looking, we thought it wouldn't hurt to go check it out.  When we called about it, the salesperson said that the last lot had already been sold, but there was another subdivision developing about 5 miles from where Sharon lives.  Since we were in the neighborhood anyway, we dropped by there and looked at the model home.  That's when we both fell in love.  This house was perfect.  It was exactly what we wanted, the layout we wanted, the price range we wanted....so we signed the papers a few days later after praying and fasting about it.  It just...felt right.

The next five months were the building stages.  Our lives pretty much revolved around the house.  We went out to see it every week.  (The house was built in Woodstock, which is about 20 minutes west of Roswell).  Before we knew it, the house was done!  We closed on our house and moved in August 3rd.  This is our very first home, and I must say that the process was essentially painless.  I know it doesn't always happen that way, but we've been very blessed.

Deric's family came up from Texas and helped us move.  We can't thank them enough for all the help they gave us!  We have loved being home owners.  We also love our new ward.  We are Primary workers working with the 11 year olds during Sunday School.  Then Deric stays with them and I go to Relief Society to play the piano for them.  All in all, it's a pretty sweet calling.  I am also active in our Ward Choir.  We just put on our Christmas Program and I got to sing a solo for the closing number.  I'll admit, it's been a while since I've sung, so it was pretty fun to get back into the swing of things.

As for everyday life, Deric is still working for BookIt.com and as a contractor for ALG.  He loves programming and I think it's wonderful that his work is also his hobby.  He loves working from home and hopes he never has to go back to an office.  :)  I have the privilege of keeping up the house.  I take care of the lawn and someday, I'll get this house decorated like it deserves.  I've also been tutoring a few people in math as they've been preparing for the SAT's.  Soon, I'll be making online math tutorials for one of Deric's websites.  I'm looking forward to using my math skills again.

We are so grateful for the year that we've had.  So many changes, but it's been a fun adventure.  As we look forward to Christmas, we are mindful of the reason we celebrate.  We love our Savior and know that He loves us and is in our lives.  May God bless you all as you go forth with faith and center your lives in Christ.

With love,
Deric and Amy