It's been one year since we moved to AZ. All things considered, its been a pretty good year. We were actually in Utah when the one year mark passed. Who could pass up 11 days away from 115 degree weather to spend with family at a parade, Zion's, Snow Canyon, and lounging around doing nothing, while a whole slew of relatives doted on Ella's entertainment needs. It was fun and we are grateful to my parents for making it happen. Of course while we were gone we did miss one of the largest haboobs in AZ history. I'm kind of sad about that. My friend had to spend $12 to wash his car afterwards, and our apartment complex still has a fine layer of dust everywhere outside. Thankfully non of the dust got inside out apartment.
So what have we been up to this past year? Here is a list:
Kerri got an awesome job as an analytical support specialist
Chase started graduate school
Ella was born
Kerri got called to the Relief Society Presidency
Chase got called to teach primary (They decided two priesthood holders were needed to gain control of the class and teach the 8 year olds how to behave)
Ella learned how to sit up
Ella learned how to clap
Ella learned how to crawl
Ella started to eat solid food
Ella is experiences separation anxiety whenever Kerri is not holding her
Chase got new tires on his car
Chase finished 67% of his graduate work
Chase went to two conference, one is Sedona AZ, and the other in Clearwater Beach FL
Kerri was promoted to the position of analyst 3 (skipping the positions of analyst 1 and analyst 2) and received a raise
Kerri received another raise
The family left gorgeous 85 degree weather to spend a week in 40 degree weather for spring break (Still not sure about that one, but its fun to see family)
Chase was published in the premier publication for the city management profession
Kerri discovered she loves the vampire book genre (she had an idea she liked the stories from the Stephanie Meyer's series, but she is really into it now)
Kerri was put on the party planning committee at work (anyone thinking of the The Office with this one? I am)
I'm sure Kerri has been up to more than this. I just can't think of anything. School, work, and making sure Ella doesn't eat electric cords are keeping us busy. We have one more year in AZ. I am on track to graduate in May (on our anniversary to be exact (unless the school changes the date again), which is either really cool, or really crappy, depending on how you look at it) and then who knows where we will be. It could be anywhere.
So here's to another year of 100 degree weather, haboobs, and no snow.
Although, I have never actually heard the salutation I put in the title of this post, I thought it was appropriate. Today is Bastille Day, or France's national holiday. If I was on top of things this year, today would be a day of celebration at our house.
I'm kind of a big francophone, and when I was there a long time ago on the 14th of July I had a lot of fun. We drove into the French Alps and I watched Le Tour De France. It was the first year that Lance Armstrong won, and I have a picture of him leading the pack. If you ever get to see the tour, expect to wait a long time, and for the actual event to be quite short. Those riders ride really fast. That night we watch a fireworks show and shot bottle rockets. Of course, the bottle rockets weren't really aimed at the sky, but rather towards each other.
In other fun French news, I read in Le Parisien that an LDS temple will be built in Le Chesnay, which is a Paris suburb. I haven't seen the official announcement from the LDS church, but I hope its true.
I leave you with the french national anthem:
Allons enfants de la patrie,
Le jour de gloire est arrivé !
Contre nous de la tyrannie
L'étendard sanglant est levé ! (bis)
Entendez-vous dans les campagnes,
Mugir ces féroces soldats ?
Ils viennent jusque dans nos bras
Égorger nos fils, nos compagnes ! Refrain Aux armes, citoyens !
Formez vos bataillons !
Marchons ! Marchons !
Qu'un sang impur
Abreuve nos sillons !
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ Que veut cette horde d'esclaves,
De traîtres, de rois conjurés ?
Pour qui ces ignobles entraves,
Ces fers dès longtemps préparés ? (bis)
Français ! pour nous, ah ! quel outrage !
Quels transports il doit exciter !
C'est nous qu'on ose méditer
De rendre à l'antique esclavage !
Quoi ! ces cohortes étrangères
Feraient la loi dans nos foyers !
Quoi ! ces phalanges mercenaires
Terrasseraient nos fiers guerriers ! (bis)
Grand Dieu ! par des mains enchaînées
Nos fronts sous le joug se ploiraient !
De vils despotes deviendraient
Les maîtres de nos destinées !
Tremblez, tyrans ! et vous, perfides,
L'opprobre de tous les partis,
Tremblez ! vos projets parricides
Vont enfin recevoir leur prix ! (bis)
Tout est soldat pour vous combattre,
S'ils tombent, nos jeunes héros,
La France en produit de nouveaux,
Contre vous tout prêts à se battre !
Français, en guerriers magnanimes,
Portez ou retenez vos coups !
Épargnez ces tristes victimes,
A regret s'armant contre nous. (bis)
Mais ces despotes sanguinaires,
Mais ces complices de Bouillé,
Tous ces tigres qui, sans pitié,
Déchirent le sein de leur mère !
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Amour sacré de la patrie,
Conduis, soutiens nos bras vengeurs !
Liberté, Liberté chérie,
Combats avec tes défenseurs ! (bis)
Sous nos drapeaux, que la victoire
Accoure à tes mâles accents !
Que tes ennemis expirants
Voient ton triomphe et notre gloire ! Refrain
Nous entrerons dans la carrière
Quand nos aînés n'y seront plus ;
Nous y trouverons leur poussière
Et la trace de leurs vertus. (bis)
Bien moins jaloux de leur survivre
Que de partager leur cercueil,
Nous aurons le sublime orgueil
De les venger ou de les suivre ! Refrain