Christmas Card 2011

I have really tried to simplify things, and by doing so have decided to not send out a Christmas card this year. We really have had such a terrific year, and I would have liked to do a card, but time is so short these days and so something had to give. However, if I were to send out a card, it might go something like this:



Well, things here in the Chamberlain household are great. We are all happy, healthy, and enjoying life and getting ready for Christmas. Marshall recently started a new job as an assistant controller in the controller's office at SUU. He is really excited for this new opportunity and has had such a great experience so far working for the university. For the past year and a half or so, he has been teaching accounting classes at SUU full-time and that has been a great experience for him. He has really enjoyed the opportunity of working with the students. He is still going to be teaching a class here and there as needed on an adjunct basis, which will be fun for him.


June 2011


I am doing well, like I mentioned before I am just crazy busy. I wish I could buy some more time in the day do get done all the things I want to get done. The list never seems to get any smaller, but really I wouldn't have it any other way. I was called as the 1st Counselor in our YW presidency last spring, and that has been very enjoyable for me, and has added immensely to the busy-ness...but in a very good way. I am learning and growing a lot and really love working with the girls. Our kids take up most of my time, which, also, I would not have any other way. I can not imagine anything else being more fulfilling in life than having the privilege of raising these precious little ones. I feel really lucky that I am one of those people who truly enjoy even the mundane day-to-day tasks of being a mom-messes, diapers, dishes and all- it is all just so worth it!

Drew is now 7, and Lego-obsessed. He has decided that he is going to be an engineer-he said he wants to go to either Utah State or BYU to get his engineering degree. (And I know he is serious about this. I can totally picture it!) He is amazingly artistic and creative, and comes up with the most ingenious things. He can frequently be found designing vehicles and robots, etc. out of Legos, and then designing the step-by-step instructions on how to assemble his creations. He loves first grade, and is great at reading and math. He is such a sweet and sensitive boy, and is such a joy to have around. He is still very much in love with his baby sister Rachel. I am certain she will have a protector for life in him.

Allie is 4 1/2 and she started preschool this fall, which she is absolutely in love with. She asks me all day long "is it time for school yet?" which sometimes drives me nuts but I am so glad she loves school the way she does. She has quite an extensive stuffed animal collection, and has a name and a place for every last one of them. She is my little helper buddy every day, and I love having her as my sidekick. She always wants to help me with whatever I am doing, and sometimes gets upset if I do things without her. I hope she always keeps this quality of helpfulness! She has such a cute little personality and is such a joy in our home.

Little Rachel is now 18 months old, and is just as precious as she can be. She is at that age that I want to freeze in time and remember her like this forever. She is a pretty good little talker and loves to follow the big kids around and do whatever they are doing. She has the most spunky little personality and always makes us laugh! She loves her baby doll, and loves to carry it around and wrap it in a little blanket and "mother" it. (Allie never was much interested in dolls, I find it interesting that Rachel seems to prefer them over any other toys. Maybe she is destined to have lots of kids someday?) I feel very blessed to have these precious daughters. I hope that one day when they are grown, they might become some of my closest friends, as I am with my mom. I consider the relationship that I have with her to be one of my life's choicest blessings.

In summary, we just feel really blessed. We have felt the Lord's hand guiding us so carefully over the past year, and have been amazed as He has led us down a path that is so much better than we could have ever planned for ourselves. Our faith has grown as a family as we have faced and overcome challenges together. We have been amazed at the way that He has provided for us, and answered our prayers in the most obvious and significant ways. We just feel overwhelmed with gratitude for all the blessings that we have been given. Hope you also can feel the love of our Savior in your lives, especially during this special time of year. We are looking forward to 2012 and we wish you and yours a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!