To our family and friends...

This is going to be our Christmas letter. I just wasn't on top of it enough to get one sent out this year! And.. they aren't that fun when there are no pictures and no kids.. so this will have to do!
This last year has been a good one for us and seems to have gone by REALLY fast, which I can't decide is a good or bad thing.
We don't have a whole lot of excitement in our lives.
Brandon is still doing school full time. He has hit his half way mark in school. Only 4 more semesters total--2 course work and 2 internship (hopefully paid). This means that he will be done spring of 09. We hope to eventually end up in Logan, but we might have to wait awhile to get to that point. He is really loving the career that he has chosen. He realized it mostly when he was able to do his internship this summer in Idaho Falls. He stayed with my grandparents in Driggs. He was able to work directly with patients and build relationships with them as he got to practice what he has been learning. He was always excited to tell me about the new stuff that he learned or new exercises he gained while working with the patients. He was sad to leave the people that he worked with and the patients, but glad to get back home after 10 long weeks of being apart. Thank goodness that we got to see each other on the weekends, or I think I would have gone crazy! We had a little break in that 10 weeks that most of you know about.. Brandon had a ruptured appendix and had to have emergency surgery and was in the hospital for close to a week. It was hard emotionally, mentally, financially, and physically for both of us. It took Brandon a long time to become himself again, but we are just grateful that he is still alive and with us! I am so grateful that I listened when the spirit told me to take him to the ER! I don't even want to think what would have happened! For more details... see june and july posts!
I started working from home right around the time that this happened, which worked out really well so that I was able to take care of Brandon but still be able to work. I am still working for the state, Department of Workforce Services, as an eligibility specialist. I really like it, especially because I get to work in my pj's! I do miss the social aspect of being in the office, but I am also able to get more stuff done around the house on my breaks and try to workout in the mornings without getting up too early! I love the challenges that this job brings and every situation is different and I learn new things every day.
Brandon has kept very busy with fantasy football this fall. He has never gotten so into the NFL and usually only follows college football. I have begun to really hate football, but I guess he needs something to fall back on as his AGGIES are not the best team and hard to stay so loyal to, but that he does!
Brandon and I both serve in the primary in our ward. I have been teaching the 11/12 year old girls. Brandon was just called to serve with me and we will be the rotating couple filling in when needed. We are excited to be able to prepare the lessons together and use this opportunity to learn and strengthen our testimonies as we teach. We enjoy the ward and area that we are in, and have developed good friendships while we have been here. We also love having so much family so close to us and having the opportunities to watch the nieces and nephews and spend time with them.
We have truly been blessed and look forward to the other blessings that may be in store for us.
We wish all of our friends and family a very Merry Christmas and a very Happy New Year and hope that you will be blessed also. Thanks for all of your friendship, love, and support! We love you all and are blessed to have you in our lives.
Brandon and Bridget