Blitzkrieg trip to Utah

It has been a while since we've updated our blog. Last weekend we took a very fun, very fast, and very eventful trip back to Salt Lake City for Jen and Jeremy's wedding. For those who don't know, Jen (my sister) met Jeremy (Derrick's best friend) through Derrick and I last winter. We are proud to take credit for it. :) It was a short trip, but we were very excited that things worked out so that we could come and spend time with friends and family. Derrick is especially excited that his best friend is now his "brother" :)

We enjoyed a visit from Jill and Nate Gibby two weeks ago. It was so fun to have them for a few days and explore some of the sites together. We miss them already!

Things are now very busy for both of us back at home too. Derrick is into the full swing of things with school (typically going to class 8-5 daily and me with work starting at 8:30 a.m. and ending at 9 p.m. during the week--which gets me out of Derrick's hair so he can study--or watch the Colbert report . . . ). I've been fighting off a cold this week (probably from the crazy travels), but am feeling much better. I'm hoping to recover soon for the big race on Saturday. Word on the street is that the winner gets a fruit basket (lame!) and the second and third place runners for each division get a huge apple pie (not lame!)--I'm definitely vying for second or third in this one. :) We're excited that Nat, KJ, and Anne will be coming out to spend some time with us and to run the race as well.

Today Derrick was just called to be..... the SCOUTMASTER. I interviewed him about his feelings and he says "no comment." He's speachless with excitement. He also says "I do like making fires, though." He'll be great and I'm sure the young men will have a blast with him in charge (I don't know if they realize that they just called one of the boys to lead the boys . . . the scouts are in for some fun activities). I was called to be the co-chair of the community service committee. It should be a great opportunity to piggy back with some of the other religious and governmental organizations in the community and do some good things.

Well, that is the latest and greatest. We love and miss you all.

Tropical Storm Hanna

So it's been really rainy the last couple of days because of the tropical storm passing through. It has worked out well because Derrick has had to study a lot for an exam on Monday so we aren't tempted to go out on more adventures.

Things have been great this week except for Derricks encounter with the pavement the other night. He was riding his long board to play basketball with some friends and hit a man hole and fell on his right hip. He has a bruise the size of a large watermelon all down his right hip and leg and his hip is still really swollen (I tease him that he has mother hips now). He was really sore the day after, but he seems to be feeling a lot better now.

I did a nine mile run on Friday in preparation for the applefest half marathon coming up in October. I am grateful that my friend, Jen, has moved out here for a few months to work and is training with me--otherwise the long runs would be torture! Running here is a bit different than in SLC--people say that being at sea level is easier, but it's actually more difficult for me to get my breath with the humid air. Luckily I've got one more month to adjust. :)

I am starting a part time job on Monday teaching ESL at a non-profit school. I am excited for the opportunity to work with people from a lot of different cultures. There is actually no one single cultural majority at the school. I had the chance to work with many of the students at registration and I am so impressed. They all want to work hard and contribute to society and are so determined. If anyone has some fun ideas for teaching adults the alphabet other than the ABC song (that was Derrick's suggestion) I am all ears. :)