2011

It's funny how slow minutes/hours feel like they go sometimes (mostly when you are doing something you would rather not be doing) but the days, weeks, months just fly. It is 2011 and I look back at my last post which was back in July and think where has all the time gone? I had several times when I wanted to post things and had some pictures to do with it but it takes so long to upload our big file photos to the blog. I guess I should not complain because we were able to save up and purchase a nice camera which takes better pictures. We had some good pictures of our trip to Ketchikan, Homer and other camping spots this summer. I am still going to try and get some new pics posted but it takes a bit of work.

I am almost finished with my degree. I have one last semester!!! It is going to fly by I think but we still have a lot to accomplish which is a bit scary. I have some huge tests written and clinical and when all goes well... I can get licensed as a Dental Hygienist. Did I mention that I am SO happy to be finishing up. It has been a journey and I have enjoyed more things than I thought I would along the way but it is time to wrap it up :) I will still have just 13 credits to take after I graduate in May to finish a Bachelors degree so I plan to get that. I will walk with my friends but then just get those done as I can. The university just approved the Dental Hygiene Bachelors of Science so the classes/curriculum is still in the works. We are just coming off a month break and it has been awesome to be home and free! I do not look forward to Monday when I go back full force but the sooner I face it the sooner it will be done right?!? Hans is going to play turbo speed student and take 20 credits this semester. He will be quite busy along with me. Luckily, most of his credits will be mechanic courses which he enjoys and come pretty easily for him. I know he is excited to finish up as well. He will still have to take some classes next fall but will be able to work for his practicum portion of the program as well. So that means we will go from being both full time students to both being able to work jobs. That will be nice.

We are of course hoping to start our family any time which would change my working plans but that would be fantastic.We pray that we can be blessed with kids of our own soon but are very grateful for all of the kids we already have in our lives.

Amy has a new assignment at church as Primary teacher to the Valiant 9's and also the Activity Days Leader. So some of the girls get a double dose of me! Ha ha. I just worked on planning out the entire year of activities which was more difficult than I had anticipated. I am very glad that it is all worked out now (I am sure I will still tweak it a bit) but basically I just look at the calendar and go with it.

Hans is in between callings now at church. He got released from the Elders Quorum Presidency which is what he has been in since we moved to Anchorage. We will see what he gets next.

Hans is very excited about hunting and has taken steps to try and get some hunts in this coming year. We have been spoiled having moose meat in our fridge the past year and when we finally ran out he needs to get us more. We plan to go to Fairbanks again this March for spring break. We had a wonderful time last year seeing the ice sculptures and want to go back. We hope our friends the Matthews will make the trip with us this time. We are very grateful that they are in Anchorage. Now that Lyle and Ashley have moved we don't have any family up here. The Matthews have become our second family and we do many things together. We spent the holidays with them and had a great time. This was the first year since we have been married that we did not travel around Christmas. It was different but a nice change of pace to actually decorate our home and enjoy some time here.

We have several big things coming up. I am going to Chicago for a dental hygiene national board review conference in February. Then the trip to Fairbanks for spring break. Oh and I have my actual board review the Friday before that which I need to do well on to be able to move onto the clinical portion on May. The first weekend in May I graduate and all of the parents are scheduled to come and share in the celebration. Then I have a week to think about my clinical boards which will be in the middle of May. By my birthday I will be set... done with school, graduation and tests for the license. Then we do to Hawaii to celebrate. We have many blessings in our lives and lots of good things to look forward to. We just need to get through the semester--one baby step at a time.

We hope you all had a wonderful Christmas and wish you a year full of good health and happiness. This year I hope to do better at posting on the blog so all of you that are not near us can share in our adventures. Until next time....