Pay Day!!!

As a high school counselor, it is ALWAYS Pay Day when you have students that come back to see you after they have graduated. Recently, I have been particularly lucky to receive visits from quite a few of my past students. It is always fun to see them and to hear how great they are doing. One of my boys that barely graduated is now a fireman in Oregon and is being promoted to a higher rank. Another one of my students just started a dental assisting program and is completely enjoying her experience. The two girls above, Autumn and Lina, are both doing fantastic! Lina is studying at Bryn Mawr University in Pennsylvania. She loves the all-female university and is enjoying her opportunities there. In fact, she is on a rowing team and is just living the dream. Autumn is currently at Whitman in Walla Walla, Washington where she is involved with the student government. She is serving as one of the Freshmen Senators. I love these girls and am grateful that they took time out of their busy schedules to visit while they were home for their winter break! I tell you what...this is PAY DAY!!!

Happy Birthday, Uncle Richard!!!

The Man of the Hour...Uncle Richard

All of us enjoying a delicious treat at Dairy Queen

Tom and Debbie's boy, Austin...isn't he just the cutest???

On January 5, 2010, we celebrated with one of the best guys around. My amazing uncle had a birthday!! Richard Ludwig is one of the most incredible men that I have ever known. He is a completely dedicated and loving husband, father and grandfather....not to mention uncle. He is a hard worker and has provided well for his family over the years. He is also completely committed to the Gospel of Jesus Christ. He is currently serving as the patriarch for his stake. I love him and am so grateful for the fatherlike role that he plays in my life. Since moving to Washington in 2006, I have become very close to Uncle Richard and Aunt Dee Ann. Their family is the only family that I have here in Washington and they have included me and have helped me to feel like one of their own kids. I am so grateful! I think Uncle Richard would probably hate the fact that I am writing all of this because he is also very humble....too bad! :) For his birthday, we had a yummy dinner followed by a quick showing of the Lone Ranger and also a snippet of the Denver Broncos on their way to the Super Bowl in the late 90's. We topped it all off with a trip to the Dairy Queen. These are all some of his favorite things and since we were celebrating him, we wanted to do it with the things he most enjoys! We all love you, Uncle Richard!!! Happy Birthday!

What a Great Way to Start Off the Year!!!

On January 1, 2010, my cute cousin, Jeanette Ludwig, exchanged wedding vows with her sweet husband, Zack Hughes. The day was beautiful as family and friends gathered together to celebrate with the happy couple. The ceremony was performed by their bishop at the home of Jeanette's parents in Issaquah. After which, the day was topped off by an incredibly divine dinner for all. Zack's family traveled up from Colorado to celebrate the occasion. Jeanette's family was in town from Utah and New York City. It was fun for the families to mix and mingle and to enjoy one another's company. Jeanette has truly married into a fabulous family. Not to mention that Zack is an incredibly lucky man to get Jeanette for his wife and her family as his own now. We are all looking forward to February 13th when Zack and Jeanette will be sealed in the Seattle Temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. I am so happy for Zack and Jeanette and glad that they have finally found one another!!!

Zack and Jeanette: January 1, 2010

Yummy Soup and Good Times

When I was home in the summer, I only got to see my cousin (who is more like a sister to me), Shauna, for only about twenty minutes total. This was a total bummer for me because I usually like to spend as much time as possible with her and her two awesome kids, Joaquin and Elena, when I go to Utah. The problem that we ran into this summer was that they were going out of town at the same time I was in town. Anyways, I vowed that this would not be the case at Christmas time. With how crazy everything got while I was in town, I got to see them only twice. The first time for only about 1/2 hour and the second time was the last night I was in Utah. Paul and Shauna invited my mom, Scott and I over for some yummy soup and some good bonding time. We also enjoyed playing the game "Moods" together. It was an enjoyable night for us all! :) I love you, guys!!!

A Hero

The last day I was in Utah, mom and I drove down to American Fork to see Hal and Andrea Johnson. We enjoyed a delicious lunch of homemade clam chowder and a fun heart-to-heart conversation with them. These are two of my most favorite people ever! Andrea is a hero in my eyes. She was diagnosed with a chronic kidney disease back in May of 2005. Since then, Andrea has undergone many medical procedures and exams. The most recent of which was a kidney transplant on October 6th...the very same day that I had my surgery. Her awesome son, Shae, was the donor. Andrea is a woman of great faith and attributes all that she has been given to her Heavenly Father. In her own words, she has been "nurtured by His love." Andrea has a positive attitude about life and has not let her situation get her down. Instead, she seeks out opportunities to serve those around her. She is a supportive mother, grandmother and friend. It's easy to feel comfortable in her presence because she makes you feel like you are the most important person in the world at that moment. She has been in the recovery process since October but is looking health and is as happy as ever. I am so grateful for Andrea...she is truly a hero in my eyes.

A REAL Family Home Evening