Happy Old Year

2010 will always be remembered as
The year that…

• Nate’s first book (The Missionary Journals of Joseph F. Smith) was accepted for publication by the Smith-Pettit foundation.
• Eli earned his masters’ degree in psychology and moved his family to Cañon City to take a job at the prison.
• Jesse moved back home and began his graduate studies at Denver University, studying to become a school psychologist.
• Aaron graduated from BYU with a degree in Communication Disorders and moved back home until graduate school.
• Hannah got her wisdom teeth out, and made her debut on you-tube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e4LZtgkO6QU
• Isaac got his braces off, got his drivers’ license, and had nose surgery (to correct a life-long breathing problem).
• Dallin went from kindergarten to third grade.

As well as the year that…
• I was diagnosed with ulcerative colitis and type II diabetes (which isn’t all bad, I’ve lost 12 pounds already on the diabetic diet).
• Nate and Eli didn’t get accepted into doctorate programs; they’ve both reapplied for 2011.
• Jesse got two traffic tickets, one for a missing front license plate and one for not completely stopping before turning right on a red light…
• Hannah was dumped by her first boyfriend.
• Hannah perfected the skill of putting tire chains on her car (due to a rather treacherous trip home for thanksgiving).
• Aaron had knee trouble from jogging and Hannah sprained her ankle.
• Missy the cat perfected the art of catching mice unharmed and freeing them in the house…
• Jesse perfected the art of re-catching mice unharmed and freeing them in a field down the street.
• The kids met their dad’s new wife.

This year has been marked with an abundance of God’s tender mercies, much love, joy and laughter. I am happier than I ever have been; blessed to have fulfilling work, my amazing children around me, the support of extended family and faithful friends, and a bright hope for the coming year.

Marco

I loved Marco the instant I met him, a month ago. He is one of my special ed students, a kindergartener in a fourth-grade body. What’s not to love: his angelic smile, his eagerness to please, his willingness to work hard. I look forward to my one-on-one time with him, the highlights of my day, really. I have an hour with him first thing in the morning for math, teaching him his numbers to 100 and one-digit addition and subtraction. Then later in the morning I have 45 minutes for reading, helping him learn sight words and write sentences. I can tell he loves me, too, for his face lights up when he sees me and he takes my hand as we walk together through the hall. Yesterday he looked at me and said, “Who are you?” I was surprised, had I never introduced myself? Perhaps he had forgotten. I told him my name and he smiled, glad to know. He took my hand and held it tight, then gazing right into my eyes, he smiled and said, “I love Miss Ricks.” “I love you, too, Marco!” He hugged me tight. And that makes it all worthwhile!