Our First Christmas Letter

Hello! In case you haven't noticed, it's a been a good four months since we've updated our blog. We've decided to send out a virtual Christmas card this year. That way, we are updating our blog at the same time!

Being busy is just part of life, right? There's something about being a first-year teacher family, newlyweds, applying to internships, taking 17.5 credits, and working 20 hour weeks that makes me think....we're a little busier than average. But then I see all the ways that we've been blessed this year and I'm grateful we are "busy."

In October 2012, President Uchtdorf said this of being busy:

 "Isn’t it true that we often get so busy? And, sad to say, we even wear our busyness as a badge of honor, as though being busy, by itself, was an accomplishment or sign of a superior life."

He goes on to describe how the Savior dealt with being busy:

"Instead I see the compassionate and caring Son of God purposefully living each day. When He interacted with those around Him, they felt important and loved. He knew the infinite value of the people He met. He blessed them, ministered to them. He lifted them up, healed them. He gave them the precious gift of His time."

This year, being busy meant we got to travel to Idaho to visit my mom and both grandmas, Montana to see Sarah direct and star in two musicals, California for Danielle's last Dance Production and Mark's homecoming, Texas to get MARRIED, Mexico for our honeymoon, and Memphis to visit Cory and Sean and meet our new baby niece, Emmy Rae!

It's been an amazing year! The best yet, I'd say. We got engaged in February, married in June, I graduated in August, and we started a new semester living in our sweet basement apartment in the foothills of Provo. We love it! Jake is still studying Facility and Property Management at BYU. He probably has 5 semesters left and is considering changing to study Finance. We will see what the next year brings with that. Finals are this week and he is studying away on the couch as I type this. His work and school schedule has been completely packed this semester, but he still finds time to:

1. Keep the house clean.
2. Score an internship with Boeing this coming summer in Southern California.
3. Win an Intramural Championship for 3 on 3 basketball.
4. Be an awesome Sunday School President in our ward.
5. Take care of me when I'm sick.

I have started my first year of teaching dance at Provo High School! They say the first year is always hard, and they are right. I'm trying to stay positive and tell myself it will only get easier! I've been so lucky to have such awesome students! Yes, some might sluff my class more than I like, but most of my students are excited to be in a dance class, want to get better, and enjoy my humor. My most fulfilling moments have been making my students laugh, blowing their minds with creative ideas, and watching them perform for others. While this new job can consume your whole life, I've still tried to find time to:

1. Go to all of Jake's intramural games (I only missed one flag football game because it was freezing and I was sick).
2. Win 1st place with our dance ensemble at this year's Shakespeare Competition in Cedar City.
3. Get a root canal.
4. Lose my voice twice (for 5 days each time) and only miss an hour and a half of school.
5. Put on my first high school dance concert ever!

I'd say we've had a great year. None of these accomplishments would be possible without all the support and prayers from our families. We strive to be good people and do good things, but we are lucky to be surrounded by such good examples. Throughout the year and especially at Christmas time, we remember our most perfect example; the Savior Jesus Christ, and resolve to be more like Him in all we do.

And lastly, today is our 6 month anniversary, so.....

  HAPPY ANNIVERSARY TO US!