I have only been living here for ten months, yet it feels like I have been a part of the family for years. I (a winter white dwarf hamster) was the perfect gift for Leah's 9th birthday celebrated last February. Since coming to live in my new home, I realized quickly that we had much in common - these folks loved to keep active just like me (accept I love to run at night). During the winter months I enjoyed the frequent aroma of wax fumes lofting up from the basement. Dad was always trying to make his daughter's skis fast for all those competitions and it sure did work! Both Hannah and Leah enjoyed skiing in multiple MYSL races last winter and look forward to the upcoming 2011 race season.
When skiing was done the Rudd family transitioned to their bicycles and headed to Eureka Springs, Arkansas for some spring break single tracking and camping fun! It's a good thing they chose me instead of a dog, since I am the easiest and by far the cutest pet to own for a traveling kind of family like the Rudd's.
April was the most exciting month! While mom and dad were gone in Boston for a work trip I somehow escaped from my cage and discovered a network of tunnels in my owner’s leather couch. Sadly the adventure was over when papa and Leah heard my scratching noises and ripped the bottom of the chair open to get me out. Mom and dad were thankful for the relaxing getaway trip and for wonderful grandparents who love to play with Hannah and Leah.
May was filled with soccer, soccer and more soccer. Mom and dad kept busy too with coaching and cheering on their girls at all of the games. June was filled with yet another trip for half of the Rudd family. Hannah and her mom went to Honduras to help out at LaPatria School that their church (Cornerstone) has partnered with for many years. Hannah shined using her gifts of speaking Spanish and her heart of compassion with all the students and neighborhood kids that attended the daily VBS program. The highlight of the trip for Hannah was meeting her sponsor child Johanna in person that she had been writing to for three years. Hannah already desires to go back again and so we look forward to future years of partnering with the school and Church in San Pedro Sula.
July was filled with Rudd reunions, biking, soccer, canoeing, Hayward, WI 4th of July with Munger family and a special sea kayak trip to Bayfield (Kim won from the 2009 Tri-loppet event) for Kim and her two sisters Dawn and Linda. I grew lonely in August since my owners were gone on even more trips.
Everyone enjoyed the annual Cornerstone Church bike/camping trip to Cannon falls accept Hannah (she had just broke her fingers from a roller ski accident the week before). Hannah was glad to get her cast off just in time to go on their family vacation to Colorado. The girls enjoyed their first backpack overnight up to 12,000 ft. in Breckenridge and soaking in the hot springs at Steamboat Springs. Dad was training all summer long for a six day mountain bike race called - The Breck Epic. So after our family trip was done, the girls left dad in Colorado for his race and headed home to go on their own adventure in the B.W.C.A. with their cousins Kyla and Cassie. They enjoyed swimming, hiking, canoeing, and fishing with papa!
We did not see much of mom in August since she started her new position at Cornerstone church as the spiritual growth pastor. September I grew lonely again since Leah started the 4th grade at Spanish Immersion and Hannah started the 7th grade at Plymouth middle school.
Mom and Dad raced on the tandem bike in the annual Fat-tire race in Hayward, WI, and realized that more practice was needed for next year’s race. November Dad kept busy building mom her very own sauna in our basement for her soon to be 40th b-day present. Now mom can warm up every night after coaching in the cold for Armstrong ski team where she helps out with the 7th and 8th grade students from PMS.
As you have read, 2010 has been busy, yet full of grateful moments that come from above. I have only managed to escape two times, and look forward to future adventures in the Rudd's house. The one thing that I have learned this past year living with my new family is that life is unpredictable, but God is the unchangeable rock that we can stand upon whatever life may throw our way. May your new year be filled with a grateful heart for the one (Jesus Christ) who is right there in the midst of all your adventures (both the good and bad).
Love and blessings to your families in the coming year of 2011!
Nacho the Hamster
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