Dining Nook

First Coat of the Wall Color

Painting Has Begun

Merry Christmas

Our family has survived to Christmas, which is a significant accomplishment given our schedule. I am down to one job outside the house, and my life will become livable again. I was teaching 3/4 time at a local Christian university and 1/2 time at a local high school. With all the planning and grading and sheer time away from home, there wasn't much left for the kids and Mike. It has been a very difficult semester, but I can feel myself returning by having time to do the things that are important to me: time with my kids, time with my friends, time with Mike, and making mocha truffles for Christmas.

We made the decision last week that Dahlia will no longer be a part of our family. This was after two biting incidents, one with Ginger and one with Emily. It was a very difficult decision, but it was the right one for us.

The kids are doing well in school, and have survived the semester unscathed. They are glad that Mom has time to cuddle with them again, or spend time in the evenings hanging out or watching TV together. Avritt is currently in swimming. Emily is pulling all A's in school, and Isaac is doing very well in kindergarden. He keeps coming home with Good Behavior certificates. The last one entitles him to receive a free kid's meal at Qdoba. The kids are anxiously awaiting Christmas. They have diagnosed their Christmas presents with precision. It seems like the only thing missing right now is snow.

Mike is really enjoying his new job. The drive (40 to 45 minutes) doesn't seem to bother him. The job is a good fit for his interests and skills. He has developed a good working relationship with his staff and boss, who he highly respects.

I hope this Christmas will be time of rest and recovery for our family. We all need to spend time together enjoying the good things of this time of year. I hope we sing many Christmas carsols, sled down many hills, have many cups of hot chocolate, sleep in, read many books, and eat lots of great food with great friends.

Emily and her friend, Katie received a "1" rating at the Ensemble Festival. They were rewarded with blue ribbons. They played a clarinet duo. 

Isaac is the one in the red shirt going after the ball. He had a good soccer season. 

Puppy love. 

Avritt lounging on the couch with Dahlia. 

Halloween Fun. 

Our new adventure - her name is Dahlia. We rescued her from a friend who couldn't have dogs in her apartment building. We're on a trial until Thanksgiving to see if she can become a part of our family. 

My sister was married last weekend. Emily was a junior bridesmaid. 

Life in the Fast Track

Our household has entered a new phase - from no employment this summer (neither of us were working during most of the summer) to three jobs. Mike's is going well and he finally feels like he is figuring out the new environment. He's getting a sense of how he might be able to contribute. I am going, going, going between my two jobs and all the planning, copying, and grading that goes along with teaching. Every night I sit at the table and crunch through all the papers. I like the challenge of learning something new and becoming better at it every day. High school is different than college. The kids talk more, and you see them every day. The periods are shorter, and there are passes to hand out for the halls. I'm slowly becoming more and more familiar with all the little things teachers have to do like put out papers on a clip outside your door with the absenses for that period, keep an official gradebook and attendance, and navigate the halls during the times between classes. I made my first two seating charts last week to help control two classes that couldn't stop chatting. I may have to give out detention.

All in all things are well except for needing a better spot to sit and type. I am suffering from shooting pains in my shoulder from all the work at my computer. I may have to steal Mike's desk space from him.

Isaac started his first year of soccer tonight and announced that he didn't like practice - he wants to play a game. We have six Saturday games coming up.

This semester will be a race to get to mid-December and then see what happens from there. Hopefully there will be major action on the house by then - we'll see.

Mike Got the Job!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Here's the info:

Director of Technology Services of an Intermediate School District (next county over)
Better pay than last job
Further drive - about 35 minutes
Full benefits
He starts next Thursday

Thanks to everyone who prayed for us. Thanks to everyone who was a reference (they complimented Mike on his references and the consistency and praise of their reports about him.)

We will be celebrating this weekend!

Still No News

It has been excruciating to wait for news. We were expecting to hear by yesterday at least, but so far nothing. Yesterday morning one of Mike's references was called, so that is encouraging. We'll post when we know.

Thank you, Grandma and Grandpa!

The New Knight

 

Optimus Prime Transformed

This is Optimus Prime transformed to robot mode.

Thank You Uncle Devin, Aunt Amber, Gavin and Ian!

I really love the Transformers! Avritt and I have been playing with these all morning. Avritt helps me with the big one, Optimus Prime. The others are Unicron, Tankor, and Shockwave.

Isaac, Spencer, and Max

 

The Castle that Mike Built

Complete with working drawbridge and doors! 

The Castle Cake

 

Birthday Pics

 

Isaac's Birthday Sleepover

Isaac and two friends are in the living room trying their best to follow 2 rules:

1. Whisper
2. Stay in the bed (they all have sleeping bags on a mattress on the floor that is behind the castle).

So far they are doing OK on Rule #1, but Rule #2 is just too much for three boys around 6 years old at their first sleepover.

Isaac has gotten out of bed twice to use the bathroom (second time just to see the nightlight I put in there). Max has been jumping off the mattress. Spencer has been trying, but with the other two boys, he doesn't have much chance.

Wait...I think that a minute went by where I didn't hear loud whispers (the kind where you know you should be whispering but you're talking just as loud as you normally would).

I spoke too soon.

I think we're at the point where Rule #2 is starting to take effect. I haven't heard anymore jumping off the mattress. We'll see if either of the boys ends up not wanting to sleep overnight. We haven't passed that danger yet. Max didn't bring a stuffed animal or favorite sleeping item, but he does have his Spiderman pillow.

Why is it at every sleepover, there is always one kid who actually wants to sleep, but the other ones are so loud that none of them can?

Uncertainty

Waiting. Between an injustice and the unknown future. Why is it that knowing the worst seems better than not knowing at all?

A Fun Week at the Campground

The rain didn't steal away a relaxing time of camping this summer. A few days on the beach in the sun can drain away a lot of stress and worry. The kids had much fun riding their bikes around the campground, and Isaac got to ride by himself around the loop for the first time this year (with a walkie-talkie, of course). During times of unstability and uncertainty, visiting a familiar place with familiar smells and sights brings a moment without a burden, a luxury for us right now.

Sand angels. 

Cooking pies around the firepit. 

Fun in the sand. 

A fuzzy but real picture. 

They are all smiling! 

In the stream at the campground. 

July Fun

We started July by celebrating the 4th around home. We got together for a good meal and conversation with friends and then went to see the fireworks. Ginger was busy finishing teaching a night class and studying for teacher certification tests. Mike was busy completing job applications and composing cover letters. Since his position was "discontinued" on May 30, he has been involved in a massive job search. He has been through 2 interviews so far and has 4 more scheduled. It has been a time of uncertainty for our family as we try to discern what our future will hold. We are hoping and praying that an opportunity will materialize in the local area. Ginger has also started a search for full-time teaching jobs so as to pitch in to the family finances. She has applied for a full-time math/science teaching job at a local alternative high school, and is waiting to hear back.

We finished July with our yearly camping trip. Despite some rain, we enjoyed the time and managed to get sufficient beach and bike riding time (the kids two favorite camping activities). The boys went to a activity at the campground that was themed around spiders. They learned a lot about spiders and then made a spider from yarn. We left a day early to allow Ginger to attend a memorial service for her Grandmother (Ginger's dad's mom), who died from lung cancer the week before.

We are holding our breath as the next two weeks should reveal what will happen this year in our household. May we have patience and trust that the way will open before us.

The train going over a bridge (a few people lost their hats). 

Entrance to the Lebanon Tunnel. 

In the mine.