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