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Sunday, February 19, 2012

Update February!

Life has been a roller coaster ride the past fews weeks.  There has been so much that has gone on and so much that I have personally learned.  So the 2nd week of January Mat and I started our Spring Semester.  I am taking 9 credits and Mat is taking 7.  I didn't think it was going to be a really hard semester, but it is going to be very hands-on and intense, and I'm only taking 9 credits.  It doesn't help that I also have kids and their carpool groups to figure out that makes it that much more demanding on my time.  But I have loved being a part of my kids schooling, even if it's picking them up from school and taking them there.  They know that I love them, and want what's best for them in their education.  Anyway, I have also changed my major from Geography Teaching with an ESL minor..... TO......... Geography with an emphasis and Geographical Analysis and Bioregional planning with a GIS minor.  I'm so excited to be doing something that I really love.  I was not a big fan of teaching, and I feel really bad that no one in my family or Mat's family is going into teaching.  I know my in-laws were looking forward for someone to pass it on, but I learned that I can't please them and not do something that I really love.  It also helps me finish a little bit sooner.  Rather than Spring 2014, I now have a goal of Spring 2013!!!!!  It was nice to cut off a full year of schooling and be done and at least have one parent home a little bit more than it has been the last little bit.
Mat got a JOB!!!!  He was hired on to work at Crystal Inn to work in the kitchen.  Since he has classes in the morning he works in the evening from 4-8 and basically warms up the food and is the cook/server/hostess.  He really enjoys the job, even though the hours are not in one block of time (because they don't serve lunch), but other than that he loves the people he works with and the atmosphere is good, and Mat gets along with people so easy that he loves this job.  He started work 2 weeks ago and he hoping that it continues to work well with his school schedule.
We have just been busy with our own little projects that we haven't been able to do much as a family and at times it feels very overwhelming, but I know that this is where we are suppose to be, in Logan going to Utah State, and that this time will be but a small moment and we will move on, but have learned so much from this experience.  We have grown so much over the last year.  (Which is hard to believe that we have been in Logan for over a year).
I wish that I could tell you more, but my boys are getting hungry.  I will have to tell you more about a Sacrament meeting talk that really helped my family out and maybe it will help your families out too. Have a fabulous Sabbath day! :)

Sunday, January 8, 2012

Belated Christmas card and Letter


The Larsen Express                                                                 December 2011
Merry Christmas Everyone!!!                                        
Another year has come and gone and I don’t know how it went by so fast.  We can’t believe that it has been a year, almost exactly since we have moved into our new home in Logan to go to school.  We have really enjoyed it up here in Logan, even the coldness.  It really hasn’t been too bad, but anyway. Here are some brief summaries of the year for everyone.

Mat has been pretty busy this year.  He was laid off of his job at Ziplocal on Christmas Eve, and that is why we are in Logan, for Mat to go to school at Utah State University.  He has done very well.  He has really enjoyed his classes.  He started back for Spring 2011 and did the summer as well.  He has mastered his skills on the grill and has been a great husband and father and taken good care of us. Mat’s major is in Business and hoping to go into Management Information Systems (MIS).

Nikol has been busy as well.  She has taken care of the boys and started back to school this last fall semester.  She is going into Geography Teaching with an English as a Second Language (ESL) minor.    It’s been crazy around our house trying to manage the two schedules but we have done well. We have gotten to know our neighbors really well and have some really great ones.  It’s been hard for Nikol to be away from her family, but our friends have done so much for us that it’s hard to repay them.

Daxton finished up Kindergarten when we moved up here.  He had some struggles at first and was getting frustrated, but his teacher was willing to work with him and he excelled and now he is in the first grade!!!  I can’t believe that my oldest is in the first grade.  He is doing very well with friends, and has done much better in reading.  He loves math, but art time is his favorite time.  He has a great imagination and is very creative. 

Corbin started this fall in Bear River Headstart.  HE LOVES IT!!!  He has some great friends in his class and is the girls’ favorite.  He has done so well in school and doing well at recognizing his letters and numbers, shapes and colors.  I’m enjoying it so much to see him love school.  He is such a little ham, too.  I turn around and he has a funny look on his face.  He can always brighten my spirit.  Some of his quotes of the year are: “Mom, your beautiful!” (Tells me that everyday at least 4 xs a day). “I need my bum tight pants.” (He hates wearing anything other than those). And there are many more, but too many to write them all down right now.

Hayden has grown so much since we have moved in.  (All the boys have).  Hayden can now reach our light switches without a problem.  When we moved in he couldn’t reach them.  He is now 38 inches tall, almost 39 inches!  And 36 lbs!  He is my big boy and has always been. He is my little goose.  He has some of the funniest faces and looks on his faces, too.  He is starting to recognize letters and colors.  He is getting so big.  I can’t believe my baby is 3 years old now.  He is a little terror sometimes, but who could get angry at such a cute face.  He is the little girl favorite, too.  He has a few girlfriends around our area and he is pretty good about it.  Hayden will be in Primary this next year and I won’t have anymore in Nursery.

Don’t worry we are not done yet with our family.  We are just getting school done first before we think about another addition. It’s been a great year.  Lots of trials, lots of learning and many blessings.  We have definitely seen the Lord’s hand in our lives.  He has guided us to where we need to live and what we need to be doing with our lives.  He has also blessed us with great friends that we are able to help and them to help us.  We miss being so close to both families, but our Ward and neighbors have helped us out.

May the Lord help you and yours this next year! We have seen his hand in our lives.  May you all have a Merry Christmas and remember the true meaning: Our Savior, who came to this world in humble condition and yet done so much for us.
Love,
The Larsen’s
Mat, Nikol, Daxton, Corbin & Hayden