Vern:
In 2012 Vern worked hard on his business I Know a Guy. He advertised in The Sedalia Showcase, and used fun items bought on Vistaprints to get the word out and gain more customers, and it worked. Vern came up with a business plan that included private investors to expand his business. This allowed him to get into auctions held by local government and education facilities to build up his inventory. This helped him to expand further and also gain resources needed to maintain his business.
Vern taught more technical classes for State Fair Community College including corporate classes for companies around the state of Missouri. He loves to teach and really enjoys these classes.
Vern remains the first counselor in our church's young men program. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has partnershiped with The Boy Scouts of America for 100 years in 2013, so each young men's leader is also a scout leader. Vern is the scouting Varsity leader. This calling includes many campouts, activities, dances and scout camp, and teaching opportunities. You can look back over the blog to see some of this past years activities.
Vern enjoys his work with the youth of our church and the scouting program, especially since both boys are part of the program.
Chantel:
Chantel continues to work at Bothwell Regional Health Center as a Pediatric Registered Nurse/Float Nurse. She loves working as a nurse and loves to learn new things in her roll. Learning is a constant in nursing, especially as a float nurse when she works in departments such as Critical Care, Emergency, and the medical floors. She also continues with her formal education, and is one year closer to her Bachelor's degree in nursing. At the start of 2013, she has 4 more classes left to obtain her degree. And yes, she still works the 7p-7a shift.
Chantel was one of two Girl's Camp nurses this year, another HOT week helping 80+ young women to stay safe and healthy while they grow relationships and testimonies.
She had a little problem with her heart this year, it started beating too fast. After a doctor appointment or two it was decided that other than beating too fast her heart was fine and can be slowed down with medication. We were all happy to hear that.
Chantel spends her time working, sleeping, doing school, and spending time with Vern and the kids. One of her favorite parts of Vern's calling is going to dances as a chaperone with Vern. It is her favorite because Vern dances with her during slow dances. She loves those moments.
Chantel also loves to go pick up out of town auction items and she looks forward to the time they get to spend together, so Vern tries to schedule his trips for her days off.
Victoria:
Victoria is still going to school full time at Stephen's College in Columbia Missouri. She is majoring in Equine Education with a minor in Business Administration. She lives in the dorms at Stephen's and loves her roommate this year. It helps to be friends with the people you live with. As she advances in her program, her responsibility for the horses they work with become more advanced. This holiday break Victoria stayed in Columbia working with the horses, coming home for Thanksgiving day and Christmas Eve.
On top of school, Victoria took a job working at Toys R Us. She really likes her jobs, working at both the toystore and the stables.
Victoria is staying active at church in Columbia and was called to be in charge of activity planning for her Singles branch. The college changed the program Victoria is in, so instead of graduating December 2013, it looks like she will graduate in May 2014. It is a setback, but one she is willing to undertake for her future.
Between 18 credit semesters, work and church, Victoria is very busy. We see her once in a while when she is able to come home for the night or when we can make it up to Columbia for a day trip. It is amazing how much distance an hour away can create! We miss her, but are very proud of her accomplishments!
Cody:
Cody began 2012 focusing on college and planning to continue her education in the fall of 2013 at BYU Provo, Utah. She has decided on music as a major and has enjoyed taking courses in music theory, voice, choir and so forth. Cody participates in choir activities which has given her family many opportunities to attend concerts and see her sing. Cody has a wonderful voice and it is mature in amazing ways.
In the fall Cody took a job tutoring a young woman from church who just started being homeschooled. She works weekday afternoons with this young woman to help her focus and stay on track with her studies.
The thought of going on a mission was not something Cody was seriously considering until the church lowered the age they are allowing women to attend a mission from 21 to 19 years old. The moment the announcement was made during General Conference Cody knew she was going on a mission. She immediately made an appointment with her branch president and started her paperwork.
There are so many blessings in store for Cody through her service, and for her future as she draws on the strength and experience she gained on her mission throughout her life.
Until she is called later this year, Cody will continue in her education at the community college and her work as a tutor.
Cyrus:
Cyrus has grown in many ways this year, both in stature and character. Cyrus is just about 6 foot tall now. He is a freshman in highschool and began Seminary in the fall. He enjoys being independent and often rides his bike to and from early morning seminary. He advanced in scouting and will be working on his Eagle this coming year.
Cyrus has two best friends, Ethan and Amasa, who he spends a lot of time with both at church and at Ethan's house. Ethan has horses and twin 3 year old sisters. While at his house Cyrus helps with watching the twins and the chores with the horses.
During their fee time the three friends enjoy a shared interest in all things military. They each have a camo outfit or two and like to dress up and go out on the property at night and play army men. Ethan creates wooden gun replicas, but a nerf gun or a plastic replica will also do. Mom thinks they just like running around in the dark scaring each other.
Cyrus is studying for his driver's permit (no, he won't be getting a license until he is 18), and is looking forward to starting college courses next fall in the dual enrollment program.
Cyrus loves to be active and you can find him up in a tree, running around the block, jumping over fences and wrestling with his friends (and Victoria when she comes home). Cyrus also loves to draw, create graphic art and create.
Jared:
Jared will turn 13 in a couple of days from this post. He also has gone through quite the growth spurt and is now 5'8" and 150 pounds at his last checkup. He has those broad shoulders that many of you may remember John, Chantel's dad, had. Big in stature and sensitivity.
Jared loves animals, loves to sing, and maybe just a little obsessed with video games. The good news is, Vern has found several learning video games so he can learn and play at the same time.
It was Jared's idea to volunteer at the Sedalia Animal Shelter where you can find Cyrus working with the dogs and Jared and either mom or dad cleaning the cat room. Jared does as much playing with the cats as he does cleaning.
Jared has done well in scouting and has advanced rank and earned many merit badges this past year. He attended his first scout camp, many camp-outs, a 40 mile bike trip, and many youth activities. Since he turned 12 this year he was able to attend the Temple with the other youth, which he really enjoys.
This year as a family we visited the Tanners in Minnesota and entertained them here in Missouri. We trucked youth all over Missouri in advance of the Kansas City Temple Cultural Celebration which Cody, Cyrus and Jared participated in. We bought a 3 story Victorian home in Sedalia and moved into it in June. The rest of the year focused on school, work and school for all.
We hope for wonderful things for our family in 2013 including sending a daughter on her mission, a son starting college, Vern's business growing and many more activities.
