Happy Holidays

Dear Family and Friends,

It is so hard to believe that another year has come and gone. It flew by so fast! 2009 has been a great year for the Frier family, hard, but great.

The biggest and best news of all is that Dustin graduated from Scottsdale Community College with his AAS in nursing. We are so thrilled that school is finally over. The kids are so glad to have their Daddy back. I am so glad to have my husband back. The next big hurdle is the NCLEX test so he can be registered. It's a huge test, but we have all the faith in the world that Dustin will do well and pass. He already has a job lined up as a float pool nurse for the hospital in Scottsdale, the same one where he has been working the last 4 years. It was our hope to move to Colorado, but with a job already waiting we feel Mesa is still the place for us to be. Our Colorado dream will have to wait awhile.

Because Dustin will have his RN, we will now be able to move out of these apartments!!! That is probably the best gift I could have. We only have a few more months here. We are looking at a move by March or April at the latest. We can not even begin to say how excited we are for that move!

We also said goodbye to Dustin's mom, Joan. She passed away on July. She was always so happy. The kids mention Grandma Joan in many conversations. They know they will get to see her again someday and that brings them and us peace and joy. We love her very much.

Noah has had a good year. He moved on from Kindergarten to first grade. He is reading so good and writing so well. He loves math, PE, and playing with his friends. He loves Mrs. Vaughan. Noah played Tball this spring and had a blast. He loved being the catcher and hitting the ball. Noah also started piano lessons this year. His piano book is awesome. Almost every song he learns has an accompaniment part. So, I have been able to play the piano with Noah. It has been so much fun to play with him. Noah turns 7 in February. He is growing up way too fast.

Daniel has had a good year to. He is in the same preschool program as he was last year getting extra help in speech. He loves to go to school. He loves all the crafts they get to make. He is learning to write his numbers with cute little rhymes. He is starting to sing for us- he never would before, but he will sing the songs he learned at school to us. He is still as happy and excitable as ever. He gives the best hugs and can be such a little puppy- literally. Daniel turned 5 in October. He loves everything Batman, animals, cars, etc... He and Jodi have become best friends. I love watching them play. Daniel also loves riding his bike and is getting really close to taking the training wheels off.

Jodi is my little Princess. She turned 3 in July. She is forever dancing and singing. She loves watching "Dancing with the Stars" and "SYTYCD" with me. She is always picking up new dance moves. She is such a hoot to watch. Jodi is so adaptable. She can play transformers and animals and all the boy games with her brothers, but she also loves her baby dolls, purse, make-up, and Barbies. Our one concern with her is her respiratory problems. They have not gotten any better. She has to do breathing treatments twice daily and she still catches any little cold that is in the air. She will be in Primary this coming year (for kids 3- 11 in our church). She is excited because that means she is a BIG girl now. I am excited because she won't be in a nursery room with all the younger kids spreading germs on all the toys. So hopefully she won't get sick as often.

Now that leaves me. What can I say- my life is pretty boring. I have been supporting Dustin in all his studies and work. I have been taking care of 3 children- not so easy on some days. I am no longer the Primary chorister (kids music director for ages 3-11 at my church). It became too painful. I was very sad to have to leave that position. I have been devouring every book I can get my hands on. I can read about 3-4 books a week. I try to play my flute on my "good" days. I just have to take some pain meds! I have to say that I have a wonderful husband who picks up the slack for me- even with all he does. I have 3 awesome children who love me and try hard, mostly, to adapt to my life. They help me as best as they can.

We hope this holiday season brings you much joy and happiness. We miss all of the friends we have made over the years. Please keep in touch. You are all so close to our hearts. You have all affected our lives in some way and we are better for our friendships with you all.

With Love,
The Frier Family

Things I'm Grateful For:

We had a great Thanksgiving. We had loads of fun with Dustin's brothers.
But, I want to share some things that I am truly thankful for.
1. Absolutely without question, I'm thankful for my testimony in the Restored church of Jesus Christ on the earth today; for the Priesthood blessings in my home; for the Book of Mormon that truly brings peace and comfort when I read it; for Prophets that lead and guide me; for the eternal sacrifice of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

2. I am so thankful for a wonderful husband- he is my best friend and love of my life. And for the 3 beautiful children he gave me. I couldn't ask for better children- despite a mother's frustrations in teaching and disciplining them. Along with them, I am thankful for my own extended family. For loving parents who support me and comfort me even now as an adult, who teach me how to be the loving parents that they were for me. I am most thankful for loving siblings: to Elisa for being such a great big sister who I can share frustrations and joys with; to Derrick for his creativity, his quirky personality that is so fun and that I miss so much; for Juliann who always makes me laugh, who is such an example of long- suffering, for she truly has endured long, for her great faith; and for Lief who is more like me than I would think possible, for his trust in the Lord and people, for his boyish fun in life. I love my family so much and really missed them this Thanksgiving.

3. I am thankful for my thirst for knowledge. I love reading books and can not seem to get enough of them.

4. I am thankful for my talent in music, although I feel as though I am losing those abilities I once had. This makes me sad, but I am hoping that a renewed desire will help me fill that void that I have felt in terms of my music performance opportunities in all aspects of music that I so love. I am most thankful that I am able to share my love of music with my children. Helping Noah learn to play piano and playing with him has been so much fun.

5. Funny to think- but I am thankful for my "condition." Being in so much pain brings you to your knees- literally. I have had to humble myself- a work in progress- and accept the help from a loving Heavenly Father, Dustin, my children, and on occassion others. I am thankful for this condition because I know that things could be SO much worse. My fibromyalgia has taught me that my personal expectations for what a wife and mom should be are not my reality and that's ok. I am learning to accept what I can and can not always contribute to my home and community.

6. I am very thankful that I live now and not in the 1800's or another time past. I am thanful for the ease of life that we have. I love the conveniences that we take for granted- running hot water, electricity, comfortable transportation, quick communication, knowledge at our fingertips.... I am very thankful for those divinely inspired forefathers who built our free country with sweat, blood, tears, hope, and faith.