Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas! Once again, this year finds us amazed at how time flies and marveling at all of the blessings we’ve received. We’re so grateful for this time of year that allows us to slow down and remember what’s truly important.

2007 was a year of change for the Turner family and frankly, we’re a little relieved that it’s all over and we’re finally settling down!

The month of May brought graduation (hurray!) where Kevin earned a Masters of Business Administration and a Masters of Healthcare Administration. Kyle and I cheered loudly at the ceremony and were so proud. And in case you were wondering, masters students are NOT above tossing beach balls around during graduation.

A week later, Kevin was commissioned an officer in the United States Air Force and we began a new phase of our lives. While relieved to be finished with school, we were reluctant to leave our friends and family and nervous about what this new career meant.

It was a whirlwind summer, with Kevin off to 4 months of training in Alabama and Texas, and Ruth and Kyle left behind. We missed each other like crazy, but somehow lived to tell about it. Kevin endured the marching, yelling, and classes, while Ruth packed up the apartment in Salt Lake (not literally, but did oversee the process). Ruth and Kyle then spent the summer gallivanting all over the country. We spent some time in Colorado, a week on vacation in Oregon, two months with Ruth’s family in Virginia, and a week with Kevin in Texas.

And that’s when we like to think the real adventure began! In September, we made the move to our first assignment at Edwards AFB, California. To say that we didn’t know what we were in for…Well, that would be the understatement of the century! We knew it was desert. And we knew it would be in the middle of nowhere, but we somehow thought the base would be an oasis in the middle of it all. We were wrong. The day we arrived, we got out of our cars, looked at our surroundings, then each other, and said, “What in the world have we done???”

However, we’re happy to report that we’re getting used to our new home, and the coyotes, snakes, and roadrunners that came with it. We’ve loved the weather (wait until summer…) and have met some wonderful people. Kevin likes his job, and is serving as the Ward Mission Leader in their ward (yikes!). Ruth loves being home with her energetic 4-year-old and serves as a Sunday School teacher for the 12 & 13-year-olds (best calling EVER). Kyle continues to be darling and smart, and we laugh at him every single day, which he’s starting to resent. He’s obsessed with all-things-Superhero and is a boy in every definition of the word. We love him!

And perhaps our greatest blessing of this year came when we found out we’re expecting another baby! It’s an answer to many, many prayers, so we are beyond excited! We can’t wait to welcome this new little one in June and become a family of four.

So like we said, it’s been a year of change and blessings. And among some of our greatest blessings are you, our family and dear friends. Don’t let the desert atmosphere deter you from visiting! We may be in the middle of nowhere, but we’re a close drive to all of Southern California’s best! (Hint: Come visit!!!) We love you and are thinking of you this Christmas season!

Love,

Kevin, Ruth, and Kyle