I'm dreaming of a warm Christmas...just like the one's I use to know

I would like to wish you all a happy December! This year has been amazing for us and we can't wait to share with you just some of the things that we have done. First and fore most we are all happy and healthy. This year has been a major adjustment coming from Cali to Cedar City, Utah.

Once we got here Jeff decided to go back to school, he has been working really hard and getting some great grades while plugging away at his master's work in Marriage and Family Therapy. Jeff is also currently working for the local school district in the truancy center, it has been wonderful for him because he is able to use his active listening skills every single day and help guide young people into making better choices.


During the year I lost my online teaching job in California because of cut-backs, I was naturally devastated and felt like I would never find a career that I would every enjoy more but I luckily have. I am now working for the Division of Child and Family Services on the Foster Care Team. It is very rewarding and I enjoy getting up and going to work.

Jacob and Daniel have also done some great things this year. We went to Disneyland for the boys first birthday; Daniel surprised us all and broke his first tooth while on a ride. They are both doing very well. They shower us in sloppy kisses and hugs and we love every minute of it. They are definitely working together to drive us crazy but they also work together to show us some love, so really, is there anything really to complain about?! Jacob is such a little cuddle bug and love to socialize with people. Daniel has his moments of cuddles but he is very independent and so serious when he wants to tell you something. He usually shakes his finger at us when he has something really important to relay. Although Jacob never seems to serious when talking to us he is very serious about his food and is always ready for a little snack :) I think he gets that from mom!

In even more great news we also purchased our first home. It's a three bedroom, two and a half bath, a little over 1,300 square foot, two story townhouse...in which we LOVE! We are glad to finally have a little home of our own and are very happy to share our major accomplishment.

Well I hope all has been well for you and yours and I hope this finds you all in great spirits. I am in the process of sending out Christmas cards and I would greatly appreciate some address to complete my list.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

LOVE...the Duncan's

...and that's why I love you...

So today we attempted to take family pictures it was a total disaster! Has anyone else tried to take pictures with a toddler or two. By the end of it Daniel was riding French Fry, Jacob was crying, I was crying, then the photographer started to cry and Jeff wanted to be committed.
How do people get great pictures with toddlers? Any advice?

My sweet Daisy...

Daisy and the Boys

Daisy...this was the day after I gave birth, Jeff took it for me
so I could see her while I was in the hospital.

Daisy giving Jeff some love on his 29th birthday.

Taking a Nap with Daisy

Daisy and Jeff

Daisy and her pumpkin

Daisy and her Grandma Arlene at Christmas

Daisy

This is a little picture tribute of my sweet Daisy...she is up there in age and it is time for her to be put down. I got Daisy three years ago August 24, 2006; when I saw her sweet face online I went a picked her up from the local pound. She was scheduled to be put down that day but I rescued her.

I took her to the vet and he told me to take her back that she was going to die. Three years later she has brought me great joy and comfort. She was there when no one else was, she kissed me when I had a bad day and she wagged her tail when I was happy.

She has been the best dog a girl could ask for. She was there before Jeff and the boys were in my life. I never thought this day would come but for her I decided to have her put down on Tuesday. I never thought I would be the kind of person that was attached to an animal but I sure do love her to pieces and I am so glad that I was able to be like her little rest home attendant these last three years.

Saturday Morning Cartoons Brought To You By Grandma Arlene

Last weekend Grandma Arlene and Grandpa Rick came to visit...Thanks to Grandma the boys are enjoying their Saturday morning cartoons in pure lounging style.

one for all and all for mom

My wonderful Mommy and her adorable Rick came to visit our little family this weekend(she came to see our new home).

I was thinking about all the things she does for me, but it really all started with having faith in herself and taking on a crazy little girl like me.

I was very blessed to have Jeff in my life and our upcoming marriage to make me feel secure in the birth of my boys.

My mom never had that, having a child without the support you may need, just sounds awful. I think everyone has a choice and whatever choice you made for yourself and your child was/is the right one for your situation.

I know my mommy made the right choice in keeping me and I know how hard it must have been.

It is unbelievable hard for me some days to be somebodies mom and I get major breaks *kisses Hef* she never got a break from what I know must have been some of the toughest years of her life but I am so happy to know that she made the right choice for me.

I could not imagine anyone being my mom other than her and although I may have not had a Dad that was there all the time. I know that my Dad also loves me, it may not be the way that I always wanted but it taught me what I wanted and didn't want in a father for my own children.

I don't like to speculate on what I would or wouldn't do in any given situation but I am just so glad that I didn't have to make such a hard choice and I am so glad my mother made the choice she did.

My mom is an amazing woman that I hope knows what an amazing life she has made for me. My mom has been a wonderful example of what a great mom is and what a great woman is and I hope I can be half of what she has shown me in the last 25 years.

When you are a mother, you are never really alone in your thoughts. A mother always has to think twice, once for herself and once for her child. ~Sophia Loren, Women and Beauty

My mom always thougt twice and loved me each time...so do I think three times over?!

moving on up...to the mid-east side...

The Double Dunc's and their Mom and Dad are all smiles! We are buying a condo...it was built in 2007, it's a little over 1,300 square feet, two stories , three bedrooms, two and a half baths with a little back and front yard...pretty perfect for two little manimals :)

We are at the end of the escrow process right now; our bid was accepted, the inspection was done and it past with flying colors, financing done and now we just have to wait for the title company. I am very excited to finally be putting down roots. We were very nervous about making such a big decision but we did it and we did it together, as a family...that's the important part.

...more to come on the adventures of moving...we'll keep you posted and let you know when the upcoming housewarming party will be...

Whoa...were half way there...Whoa...livin' on a prayer

So Heferoni and I thought about buying a home, actually we did more than think we actually placed a bid in on a home and decided today to take our bid out of the running. Due to some sound advice and some earnest prayers.

We are going to go look at condo/townhouses tomorrow instead...I know why would we buy a part of a house. I kind of thought the same thing at first, but I really see the benefits of having someone else take care of a little yard and plow snow out of my driveways and walkways and in turn I don't have to be that nagging b****y wife. I kind of like that idea for sure because I fall into that trap about twice a week :(

Anywho...all this is dependent on both of us getting some work around this joint...I lost my job at taft about a month ago and yes it was hard but everything happens for a reason right?! Well I actually got a job not my dream but it's work about a week after I found out about Taft and it's going well enough, I have a job interview tomorrow for the local school district and one on Thursday for child protective services, so all the prayers I can get would be great.

If it is the right thing for me and the fam I know that the Lord will provide for us. He always does, not always exactly what we think we want and when we want it but we always have what we should and the Lord is always there. At least that's what I believe :)

Well I have reading little updates and talking to a few people out there (WHAT?!)...and people sound HAPPY and things seem to be going well and I am just so glad about that. So keep up the good attitudes and we send you all much love!

Duncanette, Dunksta, Double Dunc, and D Dog