Did you miss us?

So... it's been a while. Don't worry we are still alive a kicking. Here's what we have been up to!

Hawaii was marvelous! It already seems like it was a dream! We loved the ocean, we loved the weather, but most of all, we miss the people. We attended a native ward and fell in love with the members there. They were so warm and welcoming and loving! We were invited to so many different dinners (an actual legitimate Hawaiian Barbecues) and our last Sunday following sacrament meeting we were invited to the front of the chapel and the ward sang Aloha Oe and brought leis. It was so amazing. So much love. At one point I turned to Steve and said "Steve, we are the only white people here!" We miss our brown brothers and sisters!

As wonderful as Hawaii was, we were glad to be home and be in our own space. We both had our first semester at UVU. Steve has settled on majoring in Construction Management and a minor in Business Management. I'm still set on Nursing and I'm planning on applying this next fall and hopefully be in the program starting Spring 2012. We both were so stressed about going back to school after so long but it was a success! Steve did super well in his math and accounting classes and I aced my nutrition, chemistry and algebra classes. It was a great start to our education out on the right foot.

I went back to working at the Gap. A few months ago I started a campus job as a receptionist in the Accessibility Services Department. We help set up accommodations for students with learning or physical disabilities. The best part about my job? I can study and do homework while working. Nothing like getting paid to study!

Steve started working for a Realtor helping flip and fix up houses. This past November, he started a freelance handyman business, The Handy Handyman. We posted a couple of ads, and what was intended on being a side job, has turned into a very busy full time job! In the past few months, Steve has fixed a cracked foundation, numerous drywall fixes, installed a couple of toilets and water softeners and several other odds and ends. I'm so proud of him and his new-found ability to provide for our family.

Our ward is great. We are in a married student ward which means that everyone is pretty much in the same boat... busy and poor. Steve has two callings... 1st Counselor in the Sunday School Presidency and the Elder's Quorum's Activity person. I'm part of the Relief Society Weekday Activity Committee. We have a great bishop and our fame to claim is that Bryan Kariya, the well-known running back BYU Football Team, is our home teacher and Matt Putnam, one of the defensive linemen, teaches Sunday School.

When we aren't busy with school or work, you can probably find us hanging out with our neighbors, the Coopers, or working on some new craft or projects, or perfecting our Allred Bread.

We are loving life right now and we are so excited that Christmas is right around the corner!