This past year we faced many challenges, and yet witnessed many miracles in our family. On January 1, Darrin noticed that Jack’s finger wouldn’t straighten. We rushed him to the doctor’s to find out that he suffered from “trigger finger.” (The tendon gets pinched behind the joint, unable to straighten, and thus staying in the trigger position.) Days later, Jack underwent surgery to release the pinched tendon in his pinky. Fortunately, he recovered quickly with very little scaring. Jack is full of energy. He is a busy and very curious little boy. He will be turning three this coming February.
Megan turned one this last November. She is growing so much every day. Where Megan is lacking in teeth, she makes up in blond hair. Megan is starting to walk. She is such a delight and joy in our family. We can’t wait to see more of her fun personality as she continues to grow.
Darrin is still working for Fast Search and Transfer and still continues to travel. This past year, he has been to Austin, Boston, and Norway. In April, while at a services conference out on Cape Cod, Darrin was awarded with the Consultant of the Year Award within his organization (300+ consultants). Aly was able to fly out to be with him for an extended weekend during that conference. It was great to get away and to see such a beautiful and historical part of our country. Since then, Darrin has been promoted to Senior Architect within the Services Group and is really enjoying his new job.
This last summer, Aly and her neighbor trained for the Provo Half marathon in August. She ran all 13.1 miles in about 2 hours. Even though she is glad to have accomplished a long time goal, she continues to run in hopes to run it again next year.
We also sold our home in Highland to friends of ours from our England ward-small world-and what a blessing and miracle that was for us. With all the traveling Darrin has been doing this past year, we felt that we needed to be closer to Darrin’s office and the airport. Selling our home wasn’t the most convenient thing for us at the time, but we knew that we needed to be closer to work. Our new home is in South Jordan, Utah. We love it there already, though miss our dear friends back in Highland.
One of our family’s favorite authors is the beloved classical children’s writer, Dr. Seuss. Each holiday year, we like to read: How the Grinch Stole Christmas! As a child it was thought to be a fun Christmas story about a Grinch with a sour attitude towards Christmas. Now as an adult, I have come to realize the true meaning behind the book and that Christmas “means a little bit more…” We know from the story that the Grinch steals all the presents and goodies from each family in Who-ville, thinking that without these things, Christmas won’t come at all, only to learn a valuable lesson on Christmas morning.
“Every Who down in Who-ville, the tall and the small, Was Singing! Without any presents at all!
“He HADN”T stopped Christmas from coming! IT CAME! Somehow or other it came just the same!
“And the Grinch, with his grinch-feet ice-cold in the snow, Stood puzzling and puzzling: ‘How could it be so?
‘”It came without ribbons! It came without tags! It came without packages, boxes, or bags!’
“And he puzzled three hours, till his puzzler was sore. Then the Grinch thought of something he hadn’t before!
‘”Maybe Christmas,’ he thought, ‘doesn’t come from a store. Maybe Christmas…perhaps…means a little bit more!’”
Yes, Christmas does mean a little bit more, “For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace” (Isaiah 9:6). May this Christmas season remind us of the Prince of Peace, Our Savior and Redeemer, and may His peace fill our hearts and homes throughout the coming year. We wish you all the best during this Holiday Season.
Megan turned one this last November. She is growing so much every day. Where Megan is lacking in teeth, she makes up in blond hair. Megan is starting to walk. She is such a delight and joy in our family. We can’t wait to see more of her fun personality as she continues to grow.
Darrin is still working for Fast Search and Transfer and still continues to travel. This past year, he has been to Austin, Boston, and Norway. In April, while at a services conference out on Cape Cod, Darrin was awarded with the Consultant of the Year Award within his organization (300+ consultants). Aly was able to fly out to be with him for an extended weekend during that conference. It was great to get away and to see such a beautiful and historical part of our country. Since then, Darrin has been promoted to Senior Architect within the Services Group and is really enjoying his new job.
This last summer, Aly and her neighbor trained for the Provo Half marathon in August. She ran all 13.1 miles in about 2 hours. Even though she is glad to have accomplished a long time goal, she continues to run in hopes to run it again next year.
We also sold our home in Highland to friends of ours from our England ward-small world-and what a blessing and miracle that was for us. With all the traveling Darrin has been doing this past year, we felt that we needed to be closer to Darrin’s office and the airport. Selling our home wasn’t the most convenient thing for us at the time, but we knew that we needed to be closer to work. Our new home is in South Jordan, Utah. We love it there already, though miss our dear friends back in Highland.
One of our family’s favorite authors is the beloved classical children’s writer, Dr. Seuss. Each holiday year, we like to read: How the Grinch Stole Christmas! As a child it was thought to be a fun Christmas story about a Grinch with a sour attitude towards Christmas. Now as an adult, I have come to realize the true meaning behind the book and that Christmas “means a little bit more…” We know from the story that the Grinch steals all the presents and goodies from each family in Who-ville, thinking that without these things, Christmas won’t come at all, only to learn a valuable lesson on Christmas morning.
“Every Who down in Who-ville, the tall and the small, Was Singing! Without any presents at all!
“He HADN”T stopped Christmas from coming! IT CAME! Somehow or other it came just the same!
“And the Grinch, with his grinch-feet ice-cold in the snow, Stood puzzling and puzzling: ‘How could it be so?
‘”It came without ribbons! It came without tags! It came without packages, boxes, or bags!’
“And he puzzled three hours, till his puzzler was sore. Then the Grinch thought of something he hadn’t before!
‘”Maybe Christmas,’ he thought, ‘doesn’t come from a store. Maybe Christmas…perhaps…means a little bit more!’”
Yes, Christmas does mean a little bit more, “For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace” (Isaiah 9:6). May this Christmas season remind us of the Prince of Peace, Our Savior and Redeemer, and may His peace fill our hearts and homes throughout the coming year. We wish you all the best during this Holiday Season.
Merry Christmas!
Love, Darrin and Alyson Allred
Love, Darrin and Alyson Allred
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