10 February 2014

{Heitmann Family 2013}

{our family newsletter that we sent out with our Christmas cards}

We hope this letter finds everyone happy, healthy at the end of this year.   We have thoroughly loved our time in Washington DC these last 2 ½ years and are sad that our time here will be coming to an end.  Here is a recap of the happenings around these parts.
Wyatt (5) – Very few people call this young character by his real name (mostly only his mother accompanied by his middle name).  Even our Bishop calls him ‘Wyman’.  He is the comedian of the bunch.  He constantly has us laughing and shaking our heads.  He has absolutely flourished as a ‘big boy’ kindergartener.  He loves riding the bus to school.  He is reading, writing and ‘wanting to learn’ how to do anything and everything.  No one can tell him he isn’t big enough or old enough to do something. 
Lauryn (7) – Her determination is something to admire, even when she is determined NOT to do something we would like her to do.  She is so quirky and full of personality.  She is in 2nd grade and really likes being in the oldest grade at her school.  She has really taken seriously the job of watching over Wyatt on the bus and at school.  She can’t wait to be baptized in May and is even more excited that it will happen on Mother’s Day.  She is still sticking with piano even though some days she is determined to make us take her out.
Meysa (10) –  She is such a special spirit.  She is amazing and excelling in everything she does.  She was nominated to take part in a scholars camp in Bethesda this summer and had a blast meeting other kids from all over the country and learning about the human body.  She can’t get enough of 4th grade.  We can’t walk through the school without teachers and other students asking “Are you Meysa’s Mom/Dad?  She is so nice/smart/pretty/fun.”  She really has picked up piano and now has decided that she also wants to learn to play the violin.  Now if only she excelled in doing the dishes…hmmm.
Ayden (12) – Well the oldest is finally a Young Man.  Literally and figuratively.   He thinks he is pretty neat as a 7th grader (and also because he is about ½ inch shorter than his mother).  He was ordained a Deacon,  loves passing the sacrament each week, and takes his responsibilities very seriously.  He has such a true heart and always wants to do what is right and pleasing to Heavenly Father.  He obtained his Star rank and is on track to be a Life Scout in March 2014.  He may even be an Eagle Scout by the time this letter is written next year.  He also flourished in fall baseball this year.  He was the team’s first baseman and improved his pitching enough that his coach started him each of the last 4 games of the season.
We are so proud and humbled to be parents to these wonderful kids.  We could stop the letter right here, but in case you are wondering how the “Bigger” kids are doing here is a little update.
Ryan (too old) – The educational journey is just about to come to an official end.  Fellowship will be done in 6 short months.  It has been a long 17 year journey through undergraduate, a year off, medical school, residency and now fellowship.  It’s been long, hard, stressful, and at times overwhelming but I wouldn’t trade the experiences and the future opportunities I have for anything.  I was officially promoted to Major in June and look forward to the next promotion.   I am finally getting the hang of presiding over the Young Men along with what it takes to teach them and let them learn and grow in the gospel. 
Aimee (too older) – Being the leader of a three ring circus is a fulltime job.  Aimee does a good job at keeping us all in line and going in the direction we need to be going.  She is busy with her church calling, which is teaching music in Primary.  While that isn’t her favorite thing to do she is learning to love it and to appreciate the opportunity to serve there.  She is still clickin’ away on her camera and has done several family shoots for friends here.  She seems to be the one to do all the pictures for our Ward activities as well.  This Fall she, for the first time in a long time, is home alone with no kids during the day.  She has found that there still isn’t enough hours in the day to get everything done.  It is, however, just a little more peaceful!!
 
We will miss living on the East coast but we are looking forward to being much closer to our extended family.  We look forward to moving back to the Northwest this coming summer.  We wish you and your families all the best this coming year.  

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