New Years Eve!

I can't believe 2013 is over! It has been a year of highs and lows. I suppose any year is like that, but this was the year that my life changed forever. Jeff and I took the opportunity to return to the temple that we were sealed in. I couldn't think of a better way to cap off the year. While we were inside, we reflected on our journey. I still could not have dreamed of finding a more perfect prince. Jeff has been the one constant in a sea of change. Sure there have been moments of disagreement and adjustment to being a married couple, but he has been my anchor this year. I went from living the single life to being married with kids in a matter of minutes. I left my parents, Arizona, my home, my career, my friends, everything and moved to Utah where I had to find new purpose, new friends, and carve out a new way of life. There have been moments when I felt certain that one or all of the kids didn't want me around. There were moments when I wondered if I was truly strong enough to handle all the chaos I had assumed. There were devastating moments of sorrow as I mourned the loss of my unborn child. Yet, through it all, there were moments of laughter. There were family trips and a vacation to Boston with Jeff. There were memories created with my family, as well as Jeff's. There were times when the awkwardness of being a "new, blended" family dissipated as the kids and I enjoyed being together. I can't begin to describe the depth of gratitude I feel to my Father in Heaven for those moments of tender mercies amongst a year of chaotic changes...and through it all, there was Jeff - my eternal love, my constant anchor.

After our temple trip and breakfast date (we went to Crackers...another favorite), Jeff and I returned to my parents' house. Jeff decided to stick around to finish chopping down the various tree limbs (I think he was really playing the whole time because he had to rent a cherry picker type machine to get the high branches). I took the girls to yet another mall on our quest to find Laurin a dress for her senior dinner dance. Nichole (who has been a complete saint in allowing the boys to stay with her the whole time!) took all the other kids to Main Event, an event center that has everything from a ropes course, to bowling, to mini golf, to rock climbing, and more.

Laurin literally shopped til she dropped! 

Once the girls and I have finished scouring the mall and successfully found the dress (among other small purchases), we met up with Jeff, my parents, Michael, Jenn, Krystle, Jordan and Nolan to eat at Joe's BBQ (another AZ favorite) before heading to Nichole's for more food and festivities.

Notice that we're eating OUTSIDE in DECEMBER! 

Dips 

Desserts 

Burgers and veggies

At 6:00 p.m., the New Year's festivities began. Each year my sister plans several games throughout the evening to keep everyone entertained and awake until midnight. She is AMAZING! At 6:00 p.m., we started by going to the park to search for the "time bags" that would give us clues as to the games we would be playing each hour on the hour. The bags have a clock on the front with a certain hour. At the top of that hour, we open the bag that contains some clues as to the games we'll be playing. The boys LOVED it! (A little too much at times. I had to remind them on occasion that they're only games and that it was meant to just have fun. The Southwicks are a little competitive!) The girls seemed to enjoy the games until about 10:00 then sort of fizzled out. Amber still joined in but Laurin went to sleep. Still, I think they all enjoyed the evening overall. Here are a few (ok...maybe more than a few) pictures from all the games and events of the evening.

Back row L-R: Dallin, Colton, Tyler, Kelsey, Laurin

Front row L-R: Kate B., Kate, Danny, Amber 

The boys 

The girls 

Our fun family photo! 

The love of my life and I 

All the kids...plus baby New Year (aka Nolan)

"Snowball" fight (with crumpled up paper balls) 

Making "snowflakes" for the next relay.

Snowman Wrap! 

At 11:00 p.m., we set off the only legal kind of fireworks you can in AZ. It wasn't anything like Stadium of Fire, but the boys had fun and I enjoyed watching them. 

When we finished setting off fireworks, we returned indoors (I have to admit it was a little chilly outside) where Nichole gave all of us a paper to record our goals, wants, and needs for 2014. On the paper, it also prompted us to come up with a word to describe what we would like for 2014. With all the chaos of 2013, the word that came to my mind was simply Serenity. Now, being a mother of four I realize that may be a lofty goal, but I also realize that I can do much to accomplish it. I have learned so much over the past year. I have learned to be patient, to seek out the positive, and to accept those things that I don't need to change. I think as I strive to perfect those serenity will naturally follow. Nichole also gave us little strips of paper on which to write our greatest wish. At midnight, we taped those wishes to a balloon and let them go. Finally, the kids grabbed sparklers and noise makers to celebrate the New Year! It has been a stupendous (I'm trying out new words because "amazing" just isn't hacking it any more) way to ring in a new year! I am really looking forward to 2014. I pray that my greatest wish will come true. Happy New Year!!

This year I finally got my New Year's kiss...and not these kind!