Update on the Spanish Branch

People are always asking me how things are going in the Spanish Branch and I'm happy to report that it is going great. The branch is growing so much right now and it is a very exciting thing to get to be involved in. We have met some wonderful people there and there are lots of opportunites to serve and help the branch grow and thrive. I am enjoying serving in the YW presidency along with my sister-in-law, Nikki. There is lots of work to be done there and I am enjoying getting to know the young women in our ward and figure how I can help them deal with the many challenges that they face in their lives. Today was a great day because Ben was sustained to be on the high council representing the Kimball Spanish Branch. It will be such a great opportunity for him to grow and learn from some of the great leaders in our stake. He is nervous, but I know he will do a great job! The branch presidency was reorganized today as well and our good friend, Luke Arbizo, was sustained as the new branch president. He is a great person and very humble and he will be a great leader for the branch. Being in the branch has already proved to be a great blessing to our family and I'm so grateful for the opportunity!

New Year--Old project

2011 has been delightfully relaxed and unscheduled--so far. I've even had time to finish a few long-neglected projects. I've had plans to make a cute awning window treatment in the girls room ever since we moved in, but it was put on the backburner with all the craziness that was 2010. I'm happy to say that I finally got the awning done and was able to check it off my to-do list. Love that feeling!

Snow in Snowflake

We drove to Snowflake on Friday for Jenny and Matthew's Arizona reception and got to stay the night with Grandma and Grandpa Shelton in a condo in Pinetop, AZ. This is only about three hours away from where we live, but waaaaay colder! Brrrrrr! It was a quick trip, but it's always fun to be with family even if it's just for a few hours.This is what the condos looked like. Look at all that snow!

The kids went tromping around in the snow with Grandma and Grandpa Saturday morning. Since we were only going to be there overnight we packed light and some of them didn't even have their winter coats. It would be fun to go back sometime with all of our snow gear.
Cooking breakfast with Matt, Nikki and Grandpa.

Sewing day

My kids are out of school until the 10th we had some time to kill this week. The girls have been asking me to teach them to sew for a long time so we did our first sewing project: a blanket and pillow for their new dolls. They were thrilled to get to use the sewing machine and we had a fun day!Brigham was feeling left out so we (quickly) made a rocket ship pillow for Buzz. (Please excuse the horribly dirty shirt. We weren't caring about what we looked like that day.)

Holiday letter for 2010

I was going to send out this holiday letter (which I wrote after Christmas), but I've kind of lost the motivation to do so. No family picture this year either. It's been one of those years...

Dear Friends and Family,

This has been a busy year full of changes for our family. Here’s what happened in the Barfus household in 2010:

January: Eliza had her first piano recital. Brigham said good-bye to diapers. Ben went on his first and last winter campout with the deacons and interviewed for jobs (much to Mistie’s dismay) in AZ and TX due to lots of lay-offs at ATK.

February: Ben received two job offers—one in Plano, TX working for JC Penney’s and the other in Wilcox, AZ working for EuroFresh Farms. Mistie wanted to chance it and stay in Utah, BUT after lots of fasting and prayer, Ben accepted AZ and we put our house up for sale…AGAIN!!!!!

March: Ben left for AZ leaving behind Mistie and the kids until we could sell the house (again). Mistie and the kids take a road trip with Aunt Jenny to Boise to visit Marcus and Colleen. Due to a leaky fridge, did some unexpected remodeling on our kitchen.

April: Got to have Ben home for a fun Easter/Conference weekend and spent time with Jenny, Marcus and Colleen and Grandma and Grandpa Shelton. Shocked and saddened when Mistie’s brother, Marcus, was diagnosed with stomach cancer. Celebrated Eliza’s 7^th birthday (sadly, without daddy).

May: Ben’s work was nice enough to send Ben home for Brigham’s 3^rd birthday/Mother’s day/Mistie’s birthday weekend. Sold the house (Yay!). Suffered a BIG loss (Boo!). Kids finished up the school year. Moved to Safford, AZ over Memorial Day weekend along with my brother Matt (also going to work for EuroFresh) and his wife Nikki. Just missed the dedication of the new Gila Valley temple.

June: Rented a big old house with Matt and Nikki living in a studio above the garage. Made some wonderful new friends in our new ward and had fun exploring the Gila Valley. Ben flew back to Utah to run in the Wasatch Back for the third year in a row. Beat the heat by going to the library and playing in the water—a lot!

July: Ben took Brigham on his first Fathers and Sons Campout. Had fun walking to the middle school for free summer lunches. Enjoyed a visit from Aunt Jenny and her boyfriend, Matthew. Got drenched at our first Gila Valley Pioneer Day celebration. Celebrated Ben’s birthday and he received his first pair of cowboy boots. Celebrated Hazel’s first birthday!

August: Ben and Mistie’s 10 year anniversary!!! Emma turned 9 years old. Mistie started homeschooling the kids through Arizona Virtual Academy.

September: Rachel and Eliza started their first season of soccer. Brigham and Mistie joined a Joy School group with some families from our ward. A month into homeschooling, Mistie decided to avoid a nervous breakdown and enrolled the kids in public school.

October: Bought a home in a great neighborhood. Painted the girls’ new room bright green. Moved—again.

November: Beloved brother and uncle, Marcus, passed away on November 5, 2010. “Quick” 40 hour trip to Boise for the funeral. Mistie enjoyed singing in “Women at the Well” program in our ward. Our family received a call to attend and serve in the Spanish branch in our stake. Had Grandma and Grandpa Shelton, Jenny and her now fiancé, Matthew, to our new home for Thanksgiving. Ben and Mistie kicked off Thanksgiving Day by running a 5K with Matt and Nikki.

December: Rachel celebrated her 6^th birthday. Enjoyed the beautiful December weather in AZ. Mistie received a call to serve in the YW presidency. Travelled to Utah for the Christmas holiday. Attended Jenny’s wedding in the Mt. Timpanogas temple (yay!).

Whew! We survived and are hoping for a little bit less excitement in the coming year. Through it all we are so grateful for the gospel of Jesus Christ and for the guidance we receive from our Heavenly Father daily. We love you all and are grateful for your continual love and support. Best wishes for 2011!

Ben, Mistie, Emma, Eliza, Rachel, Brigham and Hazel Barfus