The Cook Family: 2014

Words that sum up 2014:

Challenging, busy, eventful, expensive, wonderful, unpredictable, blessed, and faith building just to name a few.

As Jason and I reminisce about the year we feel incredibly blessed, although at times we felt helpless we were able to see the Lord's hand in our life leading us and blessing us.

January

January was relatively calm compared to all the other months. We tried to keep active by hitting the ski slopes as much as possible. It was also a great way to get above the dreaded inversion and enjoy the beautiful blue skies and sunshine.

February

February stated out normal, but ended with us being hopeful of adopting a baby girl.

Jason and I enjoyed our annual weekend getaway to St. George and while we were there we were able to meet Karina for the first time. We announced that we would be adopting within a couple of weeks and frantically started preparing for a new baby.

March
The month of March was probably the busiest and most stressful month that I have every experienced. The month started with us frantically trying to get everything ready for a new baby. The days were long and stressful as we tried to get a nursery ready, shop for girl things, arrange financing, figure out accommodations for our week long stay in Vegas, all while carrying on a normal life with work, preschool, church callings, and day to day stuff.

Khloe was born on March 11th and we headed to Vegas excited and happy.

We spent 2 days loving and holding this sweet little angel only to find out hours before signing papers that Karina had changed her mind.

The heartbreak that we felt that day was indescribable, but we had seen Heavenly Father's hand in our life thus far and knew that if it were meant to be it would happen.

The remaining weeks in March were spent trying to return back to our normal life, although we were teased multiply times with the hope that Karina was finally going to relinquish her rights.

April

April continued to be a roller coaster for our family. We were presented with the opportunity to adopt a little boy and made our way all the way to Vegas before coming to the conclusion that it wasn't meant to be. HARDEST. DECISION. OF. MY. LIFE.

Only a week after making that decision we were finally able to adopt Khloe.

We spent 9 wonderful day in Mesquite while waiting for our paperwork to be approved.

Looking back those are days that I will also cherish.

We spent 9 days together bonding with our new little girl, relaxing, going on walks, swimming for hours each day, and just adjusting to being a family of four.

May

May was a busy month as I tried to finish up the year of preschool and juggle having a new baby. We were happy when the month came to an end and we were able to kick off the Summer by going on our yearly family vacation to St. George. This year we extended our vacation and spent a few nights in Vegas visiting with Khoe's birthmom.

June

We kept busy during the month of June by celebrating cousins birthdays, using our season pass at Lagoon, attending family reunions, and watching Kyler play his first year of t-ball.

July

July is always a busy, but fun month.

We started the month celebrating the 4th of July. We hosted our annual 4th of July party along with all the other festivites that come with the holiday.

We spent a weekend with my family camping in Logan Canyon and swimming at Bear Lake.

The end of the month Jason and I celebrated our 10 Year anniversary with a

week long stay in Park City.

August

Jason spent two weeks away.
One at scout camp floating down the Green River.
The second week working in Escalante.

I finally got around to checking a few projects off of my Summer To Do List.
I spent a week painting and redecorating our upstairs living area.
I also got a doctor's appointment to finally get the lump in my neck checked out.
Little did I know it was going to be more serious than I had expected
and prepared to have my first surgery.
We also to tried to make the best of the fair even though it was cold and rained almost every day.

September

I love everything about September.

The leaves changing colors, football games, Peach Days, weekend trip to Bear Lake

and Kyler's birthday.

This year we were able to enjoy all of those things, but I had a few hurdles to cross.

I was on a crazy diet for 3 weeks in preparations for a radiation treatment to kill any remaining

cancer cells. I spent 5 days way from my family to prevent any chance of spreading radioactive waves.

October

October was another busy and exciting month for our family.

We were able to have Khloe's adoption finalized in court.

Other highlights included: attending Frightmares several times, doing many Halloween activities, and dressing up as Star Wars theme for Halloween.

November

November was one big spiritual high for our family.

All within one week we had Khloe's baby blessing, welcomed home my brother from his mission, had Khloe sealed to us in the Brigham City Temple, and attending Elder Walker's homecoming.

December

December was a happy month spent celebrating the Christmas Season.

We carried on many of our family traditions and felt the magic of the season.

We look forward to 2015 and all that it has in store.

I'm sure there will be highs and lows, but as long as we remain faithful and try to do our best I know that we will be blessed.

A few things that happened during the month of December that haven't been documented.

Ward Christmas Party

The primary children acted out the Nativity story this year at our Christmas Party.

Kyler was assigned to be a Shepard.

Forgotten Carols

As a Christmas gift to my parents and brother this year I planned a night out to

see the Forgotten Carols. This is one of my favorite Christmas traditions and it's a sure way to feel the Christmas Spirit.

Christmas Cards

One of my favorite things about the month of December is receiving Christmas cards from family and friends. Kyler was a big help in licking all the envelops.