Dear friends,

If we were to summarize this roller-coaster year in one sentence, it would probably look like this: In 2012, our family moved, started new jobs and new schools, had six grand adventures, received various honors, participated in once-in-a-lifetime events, and suffered heart-breaking loss. While it might be easy to fill a volume with the events and activities of the past year, we have decided to give you the option of an à la carte menu of what you would like to learn about us from this past year. 

We Moved

New Jobs

New Schools

Our Six Grand Adventures

Awards and Honors

Once-In-A-Lifetime Events

Heart-Breaking Loss

At this time of year, when we celebrate the birth of our Savior, we are especially grateful for His life and mission, and the knowledge we have of the eternal nature of families. This season may you feel the love of your Heavenly Father, may you have joy as you remember the birth of Jesus Christ, and may you be blessed with the hope that His gospel brings.

Merry Christmas and all the best in 2013!

Love,

Jared, Teresa, Erich, Alex, and Abbie

We Moved

Our family moved about six blocks from our old home to another home in Brigham City. While we a very happy to live next door to some of our oldest friends, we hope that along with the warmer weather of spring comes the opportunity to put down more permanent roots.

Email us at jared@olschewskis.com if you would like our new address.

New Jobs

Both Jared and Teresa started new jobs recently. Jared was recruited by MarketStar to be part of a new sales team. Teresa has started work at the Deseret Industries, and is very excited because they are working with her to go back to school. 

New Schools

Erich is in the 9^th grade, and continues to play the trombone in the band. Alex and Abbie are attending the brand new charter school, Promontory School of Expeditionary Learning, and really enjoying it. They even enjoy the school uniforms that they must wear (so do mom and dad). Jared is continuing his educational journey, and completed one step in May, with only two more steps to go (so far).

Our Six Grand Adventures

In March, Jared went with a friend to Kansas City to participate in a three-day workshop and became an NRA-Appointed Training Counselor. This will allow him to train certified instructors. There are nearly 100,000 Certified Instructors, and around 1,600 Training Counselors. He continues to do several classes a year to train scout leaders to go shooting with youth, and continues to conduct concealed firearms classes for the State of Utah. He also became the second Certified Regional Counselor for Refuse To Be A Victim® in the State of Utah, which allows him to train Certified Instructors for that program as well.

In June, Teresa and Jared had the opportunity to go to Philmont Scout Ranch in New Mexico, which is the Boy Scouts of America’s national training center and high adventure base. Jared attended the International Representatives Conference, and Teresa participated in the Silverado program, where she did all sorts of high adventure activities, including rafting part of the Rio Grande. They had a wonderful time, and made many wonderful new friends.

Alex went to scout camp at Camp Loll near Yellowstone. It was his first long-term camp without dad, because Jared was the course director for a Powder Horn training course that same week. 

Erich got the opportunity to participate in TWO pioneer treks this year because both stakes that we lived in this year went on one, and the timing of our move allowed him to do both. They were both fantastic experiences for him.

Abbie won a national poetry contest for, Constituting America, and was given a four-day trip to Philadelphia for the 225^th anniversary of the signing of the Constitution. Jared and Teresa were both able to attend, and the three of them had an incredible time visiting the historic sites and watching Abbie perform her poem for the ceremony and documentary film.

Awards and Honors

Abbie won a national poetry contest for Constituting America, and was given a four-day trip to Philadelphia for the 225^th anniversary of the signing of the Constitution. She also received the Outstanding Student Award for the second year in a row at school

Jared received the Silver Beaver Award in February. He also received the Venturing Leadership Award and International Scouter’s Award this year. Jared was also appointed by the NRA as a Training Counselor and Certified Refuse To Be A Victim® Regional Counselor.

Teresa was awarded the Employee of the Year for our daycare.

Once-In-A-Lifetime Events

September was a very special month for our family. The Brigham City Temple was dedicated, and we were able to participate in different ways with the celebration. Teresa painted a portion of a mosaic that was displayed at the open house. Erich and Alex were part of the cultural celebration that took place on Saturday evening. Jared was able to help put mortar in the cornerstone of the temple (simply because he was among those that showed up to take pictures of the event). Abbie was able to be baptized two days before the dedication. It was a special event on its own, and it was even more special because we were all able to attend the dedication as a family. It was a very special weekend.

Heart-Breaking Loss

On Thanksgiving, Teresa’s youngest sister ended her yearlong battle with leukemia. It has been a difficult thing to deal with. We are so grateful for the amazing outpouring of love and support that has been shown to our family, and especially to her husband and their two young sons.