Maybe... an Update?

Hello dearest friends and family,

I know that I have been MIA lately. Honestly, I haven't had much to say and there hasn't been a whole lot going on beside what is ordinary in our lives. I haven't had much inclination to write about anything, anywhere (including in my journal... oops!) but I thought I would take the opportunity to update a little.

Jake is doing well and trying to continually plug through school. We have him on a fairly rigorous homework schedule that necessitates a lot of time. Right now our life mostly consists of him going to work, coming home for some food, and then doing homework until 9:30ish at night. Luckily I have had the Olympics and some good reading to distract me. (For the most part...) Although it isn't very fun we are feeling a greater sense of urgency for him to finish his degree. He really is so very close and if we can just sprint to that finish line that means this very long race will be over much sooner. We've been married for almost 6 1/2 years and he has been going to school for that entire time. I know, in the grand scheme of things, that may not seem like very much but it has been a long road just to get a Bachelor's degree.

Other than school Jake continues to work for the Distribution Services at the church. He is interested in getting a different job, particularly if it involved IT, but we haven't had any luck in our search so far. We believe that may not change until after he receives his degree but we'll have to see. If anyone knows of anything please let us know.

I may have mentioned a few months ago that Jake was released as the Ward Mission Leader and called as the Sunday School President. He is really enjoying his new calling so far and gets very excited about being able to participate in the various classes.

I am also finishing up my schooling. Many people have asked me if I am finished and the answer is, unfortunately, no. I am certified as an ACSM Certified Personal trainer but that is just part of my degree. My degree is actually an Associate of Applied Science of Fitness Technology. It gives me the option to do many different things than to “just” be a personal trainer.

However, I have also had a lot of people ask me what my plan is when my degree is finished (which is in early May). The answer is – I have no idea. Weird, right? And very much not like me. But I don’t know what the future holds with regards to this degree and I’m not sure exactly what I want to do with it. The ironic thing about this program is that I feel, in many ways, that they talked me out of pursuing many different courses but didn’t leave me with one I feel really passionate about. Oh well. I’m sure I will figure it out.

I am still teaching piano and still the Gospel Doctrine teacher in our ward. I am still reading through the Bible and I think I am finally nearing 1/3 of the way done. The reading is a large amount every day (around 14 chapters) but it has certainly blessed my life in many different ways and given me a much greater understanding about the people and doctrine in the Bible. I am excited for the rest of this challenge to unfold. Currently I am finishing up Numbers, Psalms, and St. John.

Abrielle turns F.I.V.E. on Sunday. FIVE!!!! Holy Cow. When did that happen? We applied for her to go to Navigator Pointe Academy (a charter school very close to our house) for Kindergarten this year but we won't know about whether she got in or not for another month or so (admissions work on a lottery system so it really just comes down to chance...). 

We have a lot of fun plans to celebrate her birthday this weekend and, hopefully, I will actually take some pictures to share with you as we recount the experience. 

She has 2 days of Karate left before she will "graduate" from the Tiny Tigers class. I have signed her up for a Tumbling class in June (otherwise it conflicts with her preschool schedule) and we are considering enrolling her in a clogging class with her cousin and aunt but we haven't decided on that front yet.

Nathan continues to just be Nathan. Happy and smiley and saying a lot of funny things. Some of my favorites are when he fist pumps the air and says, "I am the best ever!" Or if you ask him many different questions and he holds up his hand and says, "No, I'm okay. I'll be alright." As of right now we aren't going to enroll him in preschool this year (and probably not next year either) and we are planning on holding off for Kindergarten until he is 6 because his birthday is in the summer. I am enjoying the time with "my baby."

I make no promises when I will write again but I hope this finds anyone who reads it well. We send our love and best wishes to you all.

Love, Shayla