it's been awhile

Wow, I haven't updated this blog since August. It didn't feel that long ago but with everything that's happened since I can see why I haven't taken the time to update it.

Anyway, last August I restarted school at Collin College here in Frisco, TX and am happy to say I finished the semester this past week. The really great news about school is I'm no longer a freshman, so I've got a little more motivation :)

The absolute miracle news is that Staci can eat wheat again! She's no longer suffering from Celiac's Disease. Her brother Bryan was able to find that her former Lupus symptoms (and medications) caused her intestinal lining to deteriorate causing "Leaky Gut Syndrome". After helping her rebuild the lining, she found she can eat every food group again! It has changed our lives, making grocery shopping easier (and CHEAPER). More importantly, it allows her to take the regular sacrament the same as everyone else! It is an absolute blessing and we are very grateful for it.

Something else wonderful at church is our new Stake Center opened just 2 weeks ago and our church time has been pushed back (from 8:30am) to 11:00! Now that church is at a more reasonable hour we hope we're able to stay in this ward. For those of you that don't know, our apartment lease is up at the end of January 2011, and we want to get out of here! We love the apartment itself (the layout, price, etc.) but the location isn't the best and we're sandwiched between 2 very loud, scary families that we'd rather not see anymore. (Think surround sound at 2am meets 80 pound dog drinking a red bull. We're tired of asking both of them to be quiet; they don't listen anyway.)

So we'll be moving. we'd like to rent a home in the ward but will be weighing our options throughout the new year.

Also it was a bittersweet blessing around Thanksgiving time as well; my Grandma Sanders passed away at age 87. She had suffered a long time and was finally reunited with Grandpa after being apart 20 years. Through divine circumstances we were able to get off work and could afford to attend but had a whirlwind trip to and from southeast Arizona. (the 14 hour drive isn't that bad until you try to make it back all in one day!) It was a beautiful service though, with 80+ grand kids singing "Love At Home" in the choir loft.

since returning we're looking forward to Christmas, wishing all of you a very merry Christmas as well. We have debated whether or not to even put up any decorations with us moving just a few weeks into the new year but figured we would, seeing as they'd be down by that time anyway.

This time of year is especially hectic, seeing our anniversary is the first week of November, Staci's birthday is the first week in December, with Christmas just 3 weeks later. it's a joy to celebrate so much, but sometimes it feels like the party never stops! We're expecting 2011 to be full of excitement and celebration as well for us, both with the move, some kind of job improvement for me, and who knows what surprises the future holds in store.

We'll keep you posted.