So, I'd like to say I have a really good excuse for why I haven't updated the blog very often, but I don't think I do. I think, when we moved here, I imagined myself updating pretty often, since Mark and I are sharing a job and therefore, have a lot of "free" time. However, for whatever reason, it feels like we're really busy! I want to say that I just feel like I'm too busy to blog, and it reminds me of our friends, Josh and Kari Jackson who felt the same way when they were traveling [they were digging holes and felt busy, so it's not quite that extreme, but it still connected in my mind]. So, sorry for those of you who have checked back and found the updates lacking. Here's a quick overview of life in the past month or so:
*Christmas: Mark and I got to go to my home in WI for Christmas, which was pretty cool since we didn't think we'd get to. It was a great time with my family, and we always leave wishing we could have had one more day.
*Visits: Right after we got home from WI, Mark's parents showed up here in Rapid City, and we had a great time with them as well. They got to see Mt. Rushmore and Crazy Horse, and we did a little hiking/cross-country skiing as well. We love any chance we get to get up into the hills to do something outdoors!
*Colorado: Paul is awesome and has agreed to allow us to periodically re-arrange our work schedules so that we can head down to CO to snowboard. We got to do that last week, and it was awesome! We stayed with Em and Josh [ALWAYS so fun! - Can't wait til next time!], and got to meet there new dog, Cody. We also got some time at Copper Mt. and Eldora. We've always heard of Eldora, and never really went b/c it's smaller, but when we got on I-70 and hit 10-mi/hr traffic at Evergreen, we decided to pull off and head over there. It was a great Saturday place! Not crowded and great snow!
We're still living with Brooke and Paul, and at this point, it looks like we're going to stay there! We've all agreed that it's been a good time. It's definitely brought new dimensions to my understanding of community, and has been much easier than I would have guessed before we came here [not b/c of brooke and paul, but more just the idea of living with another couple]. We've had a great time watching movies, playing games, and hanging out!
As you can see above, we've gotten connected well with our staff. The pictures is of a day we call "Staff Celebration" and includes several elements, one being, on this occasion, lazer tag.
I also have been spending a lot of time working on seminary applications and reading Harry Potter, which Brooke and I have gotten sucked into, and which our husbands lament and can't wait until we're done with. :)
So, there it is. Life as we know it here in Rapid City. It's hard, but somebody's got to do it. I could get used to this working half a job thing!
