I know I am not good at Christmas cards; sorry guys! One of the things I've told myself I WILL get right next year. So bear with me if you get our card for next year in October. :) I did manage to put together a letter to let everyone know what we've been up to. So I hope you enjoy!
*********
Happy holidays, everyone! Our family hopes this newsletter finds you and your loved ones in good health and high spirits! I am actually somewhat on top of things this year! (LOL)
We have been doing well up here in the beautiful state of Alaska since October 2008. This is our second winter, and it is still a little strange to adjust to the darkness. Our sunset begins before 4:00 p.m.!
Alex is still currently deployed in Afghanistan and we expect him home sometime in February 2010. We had a wonderful time with him while he was home on R&R for 15 days in late June. We got some sad news in September; Alex's mom Joan passed away on September 1st, after battling multiple strokes. Although we met each other there for sad circumstances, we were very grateful that we had the chance to visit our kids in Baltimore, as well as catch up with some of Alex's friends from his school days. Alex stays busy with work and also attends the small branch there. We are really blessed to be able to webcam with him quite frequently, so we are thankful for that.
I am doing my best to stay busy with the kiddos--they really do fill up my day! I am enjoying getting to know each one individually and to see their personalities develop. I also continue to enjoy my workouts with the Fluidity bar. Since starting in July of 2008, I have become a Fluidity convert; I absolutely love it! I have dropped 80+ pounds--and shooting for that last 10 now. With that weight loss, I have started to expand my culinary skills to liven up our family dinners…the kids are still unsure at this point, though! 
On a different note, I wanted to share some exciting news I received during the Thanksgiving break: my brother Marcus & his wife Gabi are expecting their first little one in June 2010! I am FINALLY going to be an Auntie!!
In March of this year, I was introduced by a friend to the website Flylady.net. The things I have learned there have truly begun to change my life. There is such a wealth of information on the site-too much to put into a little blurb- but I felt like FlyLady deserved her own paragraph (LOL). I suppose to sum it up, she helps women gain control over their homes and themselves. I am still “fluttering”, as “Flybabies” will often say, but I’m taking babysteps and getting there. I’ve gotten the kids involved as well--they love to call themselves “Flykids” and sing along to the “Up Kind of Day“ CD. Ammon is mastering the Room Rescue, Ayiana likes to wipe the table after meals, and Lani loves to helps dust and mop!
Ammon Joseph (7) is doing awesome as a second grader at Ursa Minor Elementary here on post. His favorite subject is Computer Lab, just like his Uncle Dan! His teacher has the students log at least 60 minutes of reading each week, and he has recently completed The Phantom Tollbooth. He is a also a big fan of “I Spy” books. Ammon alternates Family Home Evening lessons with me while Daddy is gone, and he does really great. We love the lesson suggestions in the “Friend” magazine each month. He is also eagerly anticipating his baptism coming up in August 2010!
Ayiana Elyse (4) lives up to her Mommy-given nickname of “Daddy’s mini-me” more and more each day. Ayiana keeps us laughing, although we need to remind her (often) that she’s shouting inside. She also loves to color pictures for Daddy almost every day. I keep an open box where the kids can just put letters or pictures as the mood strikes. Ayiana is also learning to read with the EyeQ Phonics system, which I used for Ammon as well. I am hoping she’ll be able to read before she starts Kindergarten in August. She also has a lot of fun doing “mommy”-type things with me--shopping, cooking, etc. We’ll never have empty cupboards with Ayiana reminding me to go to the store!
Noelani Nadine (2) is the funniest little kid EVER. Seriously. She is picking up traits from both siblings which makes for some awesome comedy! Lani is WAY into “din-cess” (princess) things right now, thanks to big sissy. She also loves to do things by herself-she will literally stop me and say, “No-- self!“ Lani is also making a little progress in potty training, so we are excited about that! She adores her Nursery teachers at church-she is usually off to ‘class’ before I get out of the chapel! This will be her last full year before she becomes a Sunbeam! I can’t believe it!
Our family has truly been blessed this year-in spite of Alex’s deployment, perhaps because of it. Although we hate being apart, sometimes it helps us to grow and mature. If you know our family, then you know of Alex’s and my strong desire to get to the temple, in order to be sealed to each other, and also to our children. We’ve had this goal ever since we were married, 
but as many of you know, we’ve also had stumbling blocks. This next year, it finally seems within our reach. We would ask anyone willing, for your prayers on our behalf in realizing this important goal. Thank you!
In closing, we’d like to thank all of y’all for your friendship and love.
You have truly touched our lives.
May you and your loved ones enjoy this beautiful Christmas season!
Love, the Janeys:
Alex, Heidi, Ammon, Ayiana,
& Noelani
Happy holidays, everyone! Our family hopes this newsletter finds you and your loved ones in good health and high spirits! I am actually somewhat on top of things this year! (LOL)
We have been doing well up here in the beautiful state of Alaska since October 2008. This is our second winter, and it is still a little strange to adjust to the darkness. Our sunset begins before 4:00 p.m.!
Alex is still currently deployed in Afghanistan and we expect him home sometime in February 2010. We had a wonderful time with him while he was home on R&R for 15 days in late June. We got some sad news in September; Alex's mom Joan passed away on September 1st, after battling multiple strokes. Although we met each other there for sad circumstances, we were very grateful that we had the chance to visit our kids in Baltimore, as well as catch up with some of Alex's friends from his school days. Alex stays busy with work and also attends the small branch there. We are really blessed to be able to webcam with him quite frequently, so we are thankful for that.
I am doing my best to stay busy with the kiddos--they really do fill up my day! I am enjoying getting to know each one individually and to see their personalities develop. I also continue to enjoy my workouts with the Fluidity bar. Since starting in July of 2008, I have become a Fluidity convert; I absolutely love it! I have dropped 80+ pounds--and shooting for that last 10 now. With that weight loss, I have started to expand my culinary skills to liven up our family dinners…the kids are still unsure at this point, though! 
On a different note, I wanted to share some exciting news I received during the Thanksgiving break: my brother Marcus & his wife Gabi are expecting their first little one in June 2010! I am FINALLY going to be an Auntie!!
In March of this year, I was introduced by a friend to the website Flylady.net. The things I have learned there have truly begun to change my life. There is such a wealth of information on the site-too much to put into a little blurb- but I felt like FlyLady deserved her own paragraph (LOL). I suppose to sum it up, she helps women gain control over their homes and themselves. I am still “fluttering”, as “Flybabies” will often say, but I’m taking babysteps and getting there. I’ve gotten the kids involved as well--they love to call themselves “Flykids” and sing along to the “Up Kind of Day“ CD. Ammon is mastering the Room Rescue, Ayiana likes to wipe the table after meals, and Lani loves to helps dust and mop!
Ammon Joseph (7) is doing awesome as a second grader at Ursa Minor Elementary here on post. His favorite subject is Computer Lab, just like his Uncle Dan! His teacher has the students log at least 60 minutes of reading each week, and he has recently completed The Phantom Tollbooth. He is a also a big fan of “I Spy” books. Ammon alternates Family Home Evening lessons with me while Daddy is gone, and he does really great. We love the lesson suggestions in the “Friend” magazine each month. He is also eagerly anticipating his baptism coming up in August 2010!
Ayiana Elyse (4) lives up to her Mommy-given nickname of “Daddy’s mini-me” more and more each day. Ayiana keeps us laughing, although we need to remind her (often) that she’s shouting inside. She also loves to color pictures for Daddy almost every day. I keep an open box where the kids can just put letters or pictures as the mood strikes. Ayiana is also learning to read with the EyeQ Phonics system, which I used for Ammon as well. I am hoping she’ll be able to read before she starts Kindergarten in August. She also has a lot of fun doing “mommy”-type things with me--shopping, cooking, etc. We’ll never have empty cupboards with Ayiana reminding me to go to the store!
Noelani Nadine (2) is the funniest little kid EVER. Seriously. She is picking up traits from both siblings which makes for some awesome comedy! Lani is WAY into “din-cess” (princess) things right now, thanks to big sissy. She also loves to do things by herself-she will literally stop me and say, “No-- self!“ Lani is also making a little progress in potty training, so we are excited about that! She adores her Nursery teachers at church-she is usually off to ‘class’ before I get out of the chapel! This will be her last full year before she becomes a Sunbeam! I can’t believe it!
Our family has truly been blessed this year-in spite of Alex’s deployment, perhaps because of it. Although we hate being apart, sometimes it helps us to grow and mature. If you know our family, then you know of Alex’s and my strong desire to get to the temple, in order to be sealed to each other, and also to our children. We’ve had this goal ever since we were married, 
but as many of you know, we’ve also had stumbling blocks. This next year, it finally seems within our reach. We would ask anyone willing, for your prayers on our behalf in realizing this important goal. Thank you!In closing, we’d like to thank all of y’all for your friendship and love.
You have truly touched our lives.
May you and your loved ones enjoy this beautiful Christmas season!Love, the Janeys:
Alex, Heidi, Ammon, Ayiana,
& Noelani
