Thursday, July 17, 2008

A True Inspiration...



I know I said that I wouldn't blog for a while, but I HAVE to write about Hans. I really should be grading right now but I have to sit down and write about him! Hans is one of the most amazing people I have ever met and I thank him for giving me the opportunity to serve him! Everything started a few years ago when his sister Amanda took one of my Spanish classes at BYU-Idaho. I remember her telling me that she had a twin brother, who was on a mission at the time. A few semesters later, I had the opportunity to meet Amanda's wonderful twin: Hans. Hans was born with a physical disability, I don't know exactly what it is called. He is in a wheelchair and needs help to meet many of his basic needs. Despite his physical disability, I have to say that Hans is one the happiest and most positive people I have ever met! He is so witty and his wit is contagious! He is so sharp in every way!!! I loved listening to his insights in class when we had discussions about culture and I loved his eagerness to ask questions about the grammar when he didn't understand! He is one of my most responsible students, despite the fact that he needed help to do his homework and take his tests, he almost always turned in his assignments on time and not once did he take a test late. Hans just has a wonderful spirit about him! A few days ago we met in my office, to do a listening comprehension section of the test. I read the passage to him, when it came time for him to answer the questions for the first section he knew them all and answered quickly and with confidence. Then it came time to read the passage for the second section, I read it and then asked Hans if he was ready to answer the questions, he calmly asked me to please read the passage again. In a teasing way I asked him if he had been daydreaming while I was reading the passage. He hesitantly answered, "maaaay beeee?" His answer triggered this uncontrollable laughter from both of us! We seriously couldn't stop laughing! I tried so hard to start reading the passage again but I just couldn't for quite a few minutes! We were both laughing uncontrollably! It was a great moment!

Hans has given me opportunities to serve and become more Christlike. He is a true inspiration to me. I am a firm believer that we are meant to meet certain people in this life, it is not mere coincidence or fate. The people we meet in this life, at any point of our lives, are sent to teach us something and touch our lives, Hans is one of those people. I have a lot to learn from this wonderful student! I feel truly privileged to have met him and have learned from him!

Tuesday, July 8, 2008

Fun 4th of July = Plethora of Pictures

I don't think I will be able to blog again until we get to Virginia so I decided that I better blog right now before things start getting out of control crazy around here. I feel like things are already hectic and I have to admit that I'm feeling a bit overwhelmed with all the packing and moving that we have to do. In exactly 2 weeks from today we will be loading up the trailer and 2 weeks from Friday we start the drive across the country!!!! Oh my heck!!! I hope we survive!!!

We went to the splash park the other day and Brielle as you can see was terrified of the slide!!! I think that face is too funny not to post!

Braden doesn't seem so sure about the water!!!


We had a fun 4th of July and it just made me very sad about leaving Idaho, I'm going to miss it! The 4th of July brings memories of when Scott and were dating, everything happened around this time..anyway, we started off our day by going to a picnic with the Wood's (Scott's mom's side of the family) it was soooo nice to see his aunts and uncles, and cousins...we will not see them for years, so it was nice to say goodbye and spend some time with them. We then headed to the Idaho Falls Zoo. I have to say that I was VERY impressed with the zoo here...it is small and we saw everything in about 1 hour, but I thought that was perfect!!!! We had a blast! It had been years since I had gone to a zoo and Scott, Brielle and Braden also enjoyed it!!! It was fun to hear Brielle name quite a few of the animals.

Braden loved spraying water on himself! I think it was refreshing!

The camel is right behind us...I have to say that they are not the most attractive animals...:)


The tiger was amazing! I didn't realize how super long they are!

The lion and his wife (what do you call a girl lion?) I don't know...anyway, the lion was minding his own business and all of the sudden his lion wife comes and attacks him!!! I think she was giving him love!!!:) It was awesome!

Mi pollita!:)

We also had a fun BBQ dinner at Scott's parents' house...his whole family was there, which was really nice because we won't be together again like that in a long, long, long time!!! The food was yummy and we had a great time sharing together. I have to say that since I was 12, the 4th of July has been one of my favorite holidays! I love it!!! When I lived in Miami, we used to go to the beach to watch the fireworks and I just have great memories of my mom barbecuing the yummiest food!!!


Brielle, Parker, Braden and Nathanial

Parker (Scott's cousin Jana's little boy), Braden (he's mine, as you can see he is the darker one!!! ha ha!!!) and Nathanial (Scott's brother Ryan's boy) are all around the same age...

Braden pulling Nathanial's shirt...these two just don't seem to get along...this picture is evidence of their relationship! I hope they get over it when they get older...I love Parker's expression!

At then end of the day, we drove by the river in Idaho Falls to watch the fireworks and it really couldn't have been any more perfect, we just stayed in the car. Braden was out, so we didn't have to deal with a grumpy kid and Brielle just enjoyed watching them from her car seat!!! It was PERFECT!!!!:)



On Saturday, Scott's good friend from high school, Amy came to visit us with her husband Jonathan and their little boy Nathan. It was so fun to get to know them!!! We had a great time, we went to Craigo's and played games! Good times!:)

The kids were ready for bed!!!!