Dear Shelly, Jade, Mason and Maddison A wonderful year is coming to an end. A year that showed me that there are people out there that I can always count on- people like you that opened up their home and hearts for me and just let me be myself. I am very thankful for everything you did for me and how I could just be part of your family. I can never give back what you gave me within that year. I felt like an older child, like Mason's and Maddi's sister. Everybody was so nice to me and everybody made me feel welcome all the time. I can't even describe what this year did to me. It was just amazing and definitely the best one I ever had. Nobody can take away what I experienced and learned. I remember a lot of moments where I have just been happy and enjoyed being here and I will never forget them. You showed me how life can be- beautiful, amazing and full of joy and happiness. I am thinking about all the fun times at football. Mason and Maddi that kept me busy and made me smile everyday. All the mornings where I took the kids to school and the afternoons when we all played together and had fun. I remember Shelly and me putting up the Christmas decorations in our pajamas. Jade helping me with booking flights and buying my laptop. The whole family being together at supper and talking about the day and what we did. Canada was amazing too and all the other trips we took to the cities. Mason's hockey tournaments and the weekends at the lake. My days with Maddi while Mason was in school and the time when we played in the pool with Tate and Riley... those are just a few memories that I have about my year with you in Iowa. You are a wonderful family and I am glad that you shared a year with me and made me feel as a family member and not somebody who just watches your kids. Thank you again for everything! Thanks for being there for me when I needed you. Thanks for all your help and support. Thanks for the best year I ever had. I love you guys! Stef