Finally an Update!

I can't believe that it has been over a year since I've written anything on our blog. I've decided that since I stalk so many of my family and friend's blogs, that I should at least post on ours once in awhile. I'll give a short summary of what my family has been doing.

Matt is still teaching high school math and he loves his job. He loves working with the young men in our ward as a priest advisor. I really didn't think Matt could get into fish any more than he has in the past, but boy was I wrong. After being in Casper for 5 years now, he has finally found all the sweet spots at Pathfinder Reservoir. We've been catching 3-4 pounders, 20-22 inches long. Kinda puts Sand Creek to shame. You can guess what we'll be doing every weekend until November! I actually don't mind all this fishing business because I always catch bigger fish than he does. It is nice to be able to can the fish and have it for all year. You thought I just married a GARDENER--Oh no, I'm married to a hot, sexy fisherman. Love the man!

I have been working a temporary job as a data entry clerk. The job lasts until the end of May. I'm also babysitting a sweet baby boy a couple of days a week. This gives me my baby fix and gives me some time at home during the week to stay caught up. I'm looking forward to summer so I can be home with my "chili peppers." Hopefully come fall, I will be able to stay home full-time, be home for my kids, and continue writing. I have been taking some writing classes from Tristi Pinkston, who has written several LDS novels. I have learned so much. I am working on my dad's snowmobile story that happened back in 1992. It's coming along great and has been a faith builder for me. I hope to have the story done by the end of summer, and hopefully will be able to get it published. I am the pianist for Relief Society and love being back among the women in the ward. We have been very blessed to live here in Casper and to have the blessings of great friends. It helps when we get missing our families.

Karli is an 8th grader. She will be starting high school next year. BLOWS MY MIND! I can't believe I have a child this old. She is so excited. She tried out for an all girls choir (Harmony Choir) and made it. They only accept two 9th graders so this is quite an accomplishment for her. She loves to sing almost as much as she loves to read. If we let her, she would read 24/7. She also has started to do a little bit of writing of her own. I have to say, she definitely has more skills than I do. It seems to come a lot more natural to her. She is now a Mia Maid and loves the young woman's program. She's also taking piano lessons and learning skills I never learned. So happy about that!

Megan is a 6th grader. She loves school and is our overachiever in every sense of the word. She still will come home and play class with Cade & Erin. I guess being at school all day is not enough for her. She is now in the young women's program and LOVES it. Just another thing she plans to excel at. Megan is our "spiritual" child. She is so diligent in saying her prayers, reading her scriptures, and keeping the rest of us on task. She loves to give Family Home Evening lessons, and does a fantastic job. We appreciate the spirit she brings into our home. She also takes piano lessons and is doing great.

Cade is a 4th grader. He also loves school, especially math. Must take after his father--certainly not his mother in this area. He has come to love all sports. In the fall, he played flag football for the first time and that created a "monster." He loves football and decided last fall the Green Bay Packers were going to be his team. He must have been inspired! He's excited to try basketball next. So fun to see him try different sports. He's enjoying the scouting program. He's really excited about the father-n-sons outing in May. That's all he can talk about. He's also taking piano lessons and is doing great.

Erin is a 1st grader. My baby is growing up! She also loves school, especially reading. I'm so glad she loves to read--she definitely takes after her mother in this respect. She is the entertainer in our family. She stills love to sing in her opera voice, shows us her karate moves, and has learned to play songs on the piano by ear. We especially love it when she plays primary songs for us. We have taught her to play "rummy" (card game) and now that's all she wants to do. She's a quick learner and doesn't hesitate to whip us all. She's looking forward to playing soccer this summer and taking swimming lessons.

Well, that's us in a nutshell. Matt has decided that we will be sharing all of our fishing trips on this blog. Be prepared! Next time I write, which I promise will be THIS year, I will put some pictures up. Hope everyone is doing great. Love reading all your blogs. Thanks for sharing your lives.
P