Since moving to Southern California in 2004, we have only done 1 Christmas letter (2005).
So much has happened and changed in our family, that it feels like a perfect time to update
you all on the simple happenings of the Bartmess Family.
2006 was a year of experiencing all the great things Southern Cal has to offer.
From the San Diego Zoo to the Wild Animal Park. Disneyland, California Adventure & Legoland. Our first trip to Spring Training in Tempe, AZ for the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim.
In May, an opportunity came available within Franklin Covey for Jeff to transfer districts and for us to move to Utah. We felt like this would be a great opportunity to leave SoCal and the "expensive" market here for more "family friendly" Utah. We put our house on the market in June fully anticipating it to sell within weeks. When our house didn't sell before the holidays, we decided that Jeff's travel requirements for his work during Christmas time would be too much for us to be in Cali and he in Utah. So we went to stay with his parents in St. George for 8 weeks. They were so kind to share with us their new home with some crazy-wild grandkids. We also found out that we were expecting baby #3. We were very excited! When our house didn't sell over the holidays, we moved back home.
In 2007, Jeff continued traveling and we lived in Limboland. Half our home was packed, which honestly made cleaning a simple task. Amazing what we can live without.
During this topsy-turvy time, I went in for a routine 20 week pregnancy check up and my doctor couldn't find the heart beat of our baby. Jeff was in Vegas on business and rushed home to be at my side as we decided to go ahead and deliver our baby. Spencer Mark Bartmess was born March 17, 2006. The cause of his death was a cord accident, where the cord had wound too tightly at his belly entrance not allowing blood and nutrient flow. In every other way he was a perfect baby. It was a bitter-sweet experience to hold our tiny son. We continue to be blessed with the peace the gospel brings in relation to the eternal nature of our family.
During the next months, Jeff continued traveling and I worked on my health as I had symptoms of Hashimotos Thyroiditis. I was called to be Relief Society President and Jeff was called to serve in the EQ Presidency. Finally, after our home had been for sale for almost 18months, a opening came available within Franklin for Jeff to take back over the SoCal district. We welcomed the opportunity to have some regularity in our lives again. Especially since we found that we were expecting another baby.
In January 2008, our ward boundaries changed, releasing us both from our callings and bringing even more calm to our lives. Eliza and Norah have been wonderful at adjusting to whatever their parents bring to their lives. Eliza was determined that this next baby be a boy, but has been happily adjusting to her new little sister. Zoe Olivia Bartmess was born April 23, 2008. She is a blessing of life and peace to our home. Her presence is so very welcome and we feel she brings even more blessings for our family with her arrival.
So, now you all can count yourself "caught up" with the Bartmess'. Keep in touch!
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