Florida

We have been in Florida for 4 months, And I have finally gotten around to blogging about it. Its been a great adventure for us. I'm just going to try to hit on the high points of our summer and our new adventure here.
-I worked at Impact solutions for families from August 2009-August2010 which is an accomplishment in and of itself, as my co-workers can attest:)
-softball, softball and more softball. Jake and I coached our girls (JV Bonneville
HS softball team)during the summer. We continue to see a lot of growth. We left them in the very capable hands of Trudi Maosi. She was a pitcher at Wichita state and coached a few years on the high school and collegiate level.
We also played with the family team and our co-ed team. We had a least a game a night Monday-Thursday.
-I quit work the first of August and then I stayed at my sister Beth's house for a little while. I was able to go to the Ru pp family reunion, my brother Adam's farewell and brother-in-law Devon's farewell. Jake moved to Florida the end of July because he started classes in early August. I really wanted to attend these events so I stayed for a few weeks without him. And I was so glad I did.
-So halfway through August I drove to Florida. My good friend Jen accompanied and helped me stay alert and helped keep my sanity. She also helped keep Malynn in Kenna in check-Thanks again Jen.
-We stayed a day with my sister Marylynn in Dallas. She took us to an "arboretum" or a fancy garden:) and took us to sample some southern BBQ. We also stayed a night with my cousin Joey in Mississippi. They were all so kind and accommodating to our little group.
-We were so happy to get to Florida 5 days later. I have never missed Jake quite so much. I still remember how excited Malynn was to go see daddy and "get some elbows from him"
-Since we have been in Florida it has been an adventure. We were welcomed with open arms. I am so grateful to the girls whose husbands also attend the law school. We have a lot in common including husbands that are rarely home and a love for the gospel. We have dinner groups and date nights and play groups and have grown and bonded closer together. I'm sure if it weren't for these girls I would be missing my family and friends in Idaho so much more. Thank you girls so much.
-Malynn has been attending a government funded preschool. The state of Florida funds preschool half a day 5 days a week and then kindergarten is full time. SO she has been attending "victory preschool." It is held in a Lutheran church. One of the teachers is also the youth pastor. Part of the curriculum includes chanting prayers and bible stories. She loves it and learns a lot. I volunteer there every Tuesday and really appreciate the teachers kindness and dedication to her job. I think we picked a good place for her.
-Kenna turned 3 september 1st. She and I get a lot more one on one time now that Malynn is gone during the mornings. It has been fun getting to know her. She is so mischievous and fun-loving. She seems to be a favorite with all the kids around here.
-Jake has been diligent in his studies. He seems to have learned the most efficient way for him to study for law school. He writes great outlines and seems to be able to remember the overload of information he is given pretty well. He's told me that he enjoys reading his law book. He wrote a note to one of his teacher that taking her 3 hour final was "fun." He is almost done with his first semester of law school. Time for us to start looking for an internship. Anyone have any leads on that? just doing my best networking:)
Jake has also been playing basketball wednesday nights and football Saturday nights. I'm sure he will be embarrassed if he reads this but his quarterbacking skills which were already good are now amazing. Really amazing. I go watch him on Saturday nights. I hear the guys on the sidelines talking about him comparing him to Ben Rothlisberger. Its fun to see him doing so well. And he loves it. I have also heard some people talking about his basketball skills as well, but since I haven't actually gone to watch him play, I better reserve judgment on that one:)
-I am missing my family especially during this holiday season. It has been very warm here still. the beginning of this week tempertures were in the low 80s. However we got a cold front so highs have been in the mid 60s. Its hard to believe its actually december. It still feels like early fall. I am loving it and not missing the cold idaho winter, just miss my family.
I am so very grateful for this opportunity we have to further or families future. I am grateful for Jake's hard work at school and his devotion to me and the girls. I am grateful for the good girls we have. They are so fun and energetic. They are learning and growing everyday. I am so grateful for the gospel I am a part of and for the blessing that the support of our ward family has been to us. I am grateful for good family and friends. I am grateful that Jake's health has been relatively good. We have been so very blessed.