Wilder Christmas Letter 2009

Dear Family Friends and Loved Ones,
As 2009 comes to a close we reflect on the joys and trials it brought in it’s way. After much prayer we felt that purchasing a home was a good route for us to take in our lives. After looking at more houses then we care to admit, Sarah was getting a little frustrated and so was John. The houses were either WAY to small for our family of 6 or needed more work on them then John and Sarah felt they could accomplish on their own or within their means. A friend of ours told us of a coworker who was trying to sale his home before he lost it. We gave the address of the home to our real estate agent and were very excited to find out that the house was 5 bedrooms and 3 baths. We walked though a few times and then decided to place an offer. We placed the offer in March, and after much waiting, paperwork, more waiting, minor repairs to get the home to pass inspection, and even more waiting, on August 17th (our 9th wedding anniversary) we signed the final papers and closed escrow on our home. YEAH!!!!!!
John is in his 5th year at Granite Hills High School. He is teaching 11th and 12th graders again this year, and seems to have a good group of kids. He is currently serving in the Elder’s Quorum Presidency at church which keeps him busy.
Sarah is in her 8th year of being a full time mommy and all though there are hard days, she can say it is the most rewarding job she has ever had. She is currently serving in the Young Women’s Presidency so her Sunday’s and Wednesday evenings are full and busy. Not to mention the occasional Saturday Night Stake Dances.
Vincent (8) is in the 3rd Grade at Summit Academy, and as always doing well academically, and would do even better if he would put the book (known as his distraction) down and listen to the teachers full instructions on how to do something. He has taken a liking to the Medieval Time Period now and that has become his latest love of reading and studying. Vincent was baptized in October with lots of family in attendance.
Addison (6) is in the 1st Grade at Summit Academy and is the class social go to. He received almost all exceeding standards marks on his report card to which we were very proud of him. In the teachers remark area his teacher said Addison was a very friendly and big hearted child who gets along with everyone which sometimes makes class time hard when he would rather socialize then do his class work.
Nicholas (4) is in the Pre-K program at Sunny Acres Preschool. He is not the social butterfly but we are proud to announce that after 4 months he is no longer screaming and crying and running after Sarah when she drops him off. Nicholas is a very loving child, however, is our most shy and loves to just be home playing with his toys and his siblings.
Eliza (2) is at home with mom wishing she could be at school. For four months Sarah left the preschool with Nicholas crying to come back home and Eliza crying because she wanted to stay. Eliza is a sassy full of energy child and a complete joy. She is quick witted and has made us laugh several times with her comebacks.
We hope this letter comes to you in good health and happy hearts. We send our deepest love to each one of you and our prayer of a safe and sound 2010. You can see what is happening in the daily/weekly lives of the wilders at www.john-sarahwilderfam.blogspot.com
LOVE, John, Sarah, Vincent, Addison, Nicholas & Eliza Wilder