In our household, 2009 brought several changes. The major one is that I, Veva, am now working outside the home. After job searching for several months, I got a position in the Winfield school system as a para in the PALS program in the middle of March. The PALS program works with 4 year olds in our school district. I am really enjoying my job.

Steve celebrated 15 years of working at SC this month and he doesn't have any changes at work but with me working outside the home, changes has occurred at home. Not having me at home at lunch time has made it lonely. Also having to help more around the house doing laundry, dishes, household work has been a change. We didn't realize how nice we had it and how it really spoiled us all. We are not sure if we really like it or not but this is a season in our lives.

Steve and I both have officially been married longer then we have been single. It's hard to believe the years have come and gone. On June 9, we celebrated our 25th Anniversary. Our anniversary was made special because of family and friends who sent us cards and the surprise reception that was thrown by Steve's sister. We had a fun time visiting with those who came. We also took some time off and went to Colorado and relaxed in a cabin in the mountains plus visiting my nephew, Buel and his family of twin boys. After vacationing, we spent a week with my sister putting in an extended ceiling in her basement. My sister's house is the one we have been working on for the past year rewiring and blowing in insulation. We are almost all done just have a few little things that need to be done.

After having an empty nest all year, both kids came home for the summer, Ruth spent the summer interning with GE Aviation just south of Winfield in their HR department. Peter graduated from SC in May with a BS in Bio-Chemistry and came home to figure out what his next step was. I had the summer off but decided to renew my teacher license by taking classes from Southwestern College. I really enjoyed the classes but learning sure is different from when I went to college.

Reunions were also part of our summer. We attended the Ruggles Reunion in Lawrence, Kansas. Also the Rule family (Steve's Mom's family) came to Kansas. We had fun interacting with our aunts, uncles and cousins.

Peter is now a working young man. He is currently working for Winfield Pharmacy as a driver. He works from 12:30pm to 6pm Monday through Friday, which are hours he really likes because he gets to sleep in. He is living here at home while applying to grad schools, hoping to start in the Fall of 2010.

Changes will be coming for Ruth in May 2010. She is graduating from Kansas State University with a BS in Human Resource Management, with an International Business Focus and a Spanish minor. In the mean time, she is enjoying her last year at K-State. She is a 2nd year RA in Boyd and has had a great experience with her residents and staff this year. Still our world traveler, Ruth crossed three more states off her list including spending a week with friends in Hawaii in October. After getting a new camera last Thanksgiving, Ruth started to pick up portrait photography as a hobby. If you need any pictures taken, she does a great job!