I am going to try to fill in the blanks of what happened over the last year, visually. I'm sure I won't remember all of it, but here are a few milestones and memories:
Shaun turned 14 and grew out of everything. He is taller than me, his feet are bigger than his Dad's, and his voice is lower than Dad's too.
Alaina, Ethan, Jeremy, and Jacob all were in Tae Kwon Do. (Mike was too, for a little while) The boys competed in a some tournaments and did well.
I was an invited speaker at the first annual Texas Thomas Jefferson Education forum in Austin. I spoke on
making educational choices based on love and the right motivations, and then loving the choices we have made. I got to know some great new friends on the trip. It was both scary (the speaking part) and fun and a great experience.
I also got to organize and attend a training for teachers of a teen homeschool Shakespeare class, in preparation for starting a weekly commonwealth school for homeschoolers here. The picture above is from a crazy scene I directed that we put together in two days.
I started teaching Shakespeare at our new Commonwealth school in August. Shaun and Jacob both attend along with 14 other great youth (see above). The younger kids attend fun co-op classes at the same time, in the same building, including PE, writing, cooking, math games, nutrition, crafts, and science classes.
Mike was called as Bishop of our ward in May and life got a little more intense! Lots of blessings, lots of responsibility, lots of opportunities to learn and improve things at home for all of us, as well as to reach out.
Mike's Dad made a special trip to ordain him a High Priest before he was set apart as Bishop, and we really enjoyed having him here.
Jacob turned 12 and was ordained a deacon. Right now he is serving as the quorum secretary.
Michaela started nursery at church and loves it.
Alaina started learning to read and is making good progress.
Jeremy received his Bear award and built and 'raced' a car in the Cubanapolis. He enjoyed his last year at Cub day camp - he turned 10 in June.
Ethan turned 8 in September and was Baptised by his Dad. It was a special day and several members of our ward family helped us celebrate.
He also started cub scouts and earned his Bobcat within one month - he was very motivated!
Hiking with the Hansons
games and s'mores
We went on a family campout in October, which was a nice getaway. I love Texas autumns, they are so warm and pleasant. Our friends, the Hansons, joined us for games and hiking during the day. We found a canyon that sort of reminded us of the narrows in Zion. We miss the mountains, they are pretty hard to find around here! The kids had all kinds of adventures including calling poison control because one had eaten an unidentified wild fruit (turned out to be a wild plum) and then everyone got into a sticky prickly pear mess hunting for cactus fruit. There were not too many tears though and lots of dirt and smiles. Over all it was a very nice trip. Mike decided he needs two big trees in the backyard so he can use his hammock more often at home, not just camping.
Mike's direct supervisor at work moved away, and he was asked to cover her duties as director until another director could be hired. He has been doing the job since May and has applied for the position. We are still waiting to hear but feel like his chances are good. He has gotten good reviews on the job he has been doing and he enjoys it and hopes to continue.
He's doing well as a Bishop, and getting a little less scared of it all, although I don't know if he will ever be truly comfortable. I don't know if it is meant to be comfortable. I have seen a lot of great qualities come out in him, though, and I know the Lord has been working through him in many things to help him do and say the right things at the right times. We are all still working on balancing everything, but the Lord is blessing us at home as well to have what we need even when he isn't here as much.
Shaun started early morning Seminary in September and has been faithfully getting up at 5 am to go. Lucky for us, the Seminary teacher lives around the corner and gives him a ride. He is teaching himself how to program with Javascript and has also been studying Psychology. He continues to be a huge help with the younger kids, although sometimes he gets tired of the babysitting gigs. He has been doing a few different odd jobs to earn money, and looking forward to when he can drive (next year - yikes!). He's thinking about future goals and trying to prepare the best he can.
Jacob took a live online pre-algebra class and is discovering an affinity for math. He did quite well. He continues to make us smile with his sense of humor and fun. He is also growing into a responsible, helpful, and thoughtful young man whose wisdom often surprises us.
Jeremy has been busy making all kinds of lego creations and experimenting with stop motion animation, as well as building virtual places in Roblox and directing/organizing roblox "plays" and recording them. He has also been busy writing stories and adding to them. He is going to have many volumes when is done! He is very creative and perceptive and constantly thinking and using his imagination. He is also great with the baby and very helpful as a peacemaker at home.
Ethan took a Latin class this year, which he really liked. He has also been learning some piano from Shaun and teaching himself songs by ear. He does everything he decides to do with full confidence and 100 percent effort. He is full of energy and smiles and determination.
Alaina is a social butterfly, and is learning to help with her baby sister and play with her when I need someone to keep her busy and happy. She loves to be active and play soccer in the backyard, do karate and dance around the house. She is full of passion and spunk.
Michaela is 2 but still the baby, and everyone dotes on her. She says and does the funniest things. When Mike comes home, she takes his hand and bring him to me and says 'Kiss da Mommy!' She has been bringing me oranges lately and telling me to 'Open it!' But then she says "Please, Mommy?" so sweetly. She bosses everyone around but it is in such a cute way that no one can resist. She often grabs my face and turns it so I am looking at her - she demands full attention. She loves to sing songs, especially primary songs and songs from Wonderpets. She loves to watch Bible videos about Jesus and give hugs and read stories. She also loves to climb on top of counters, empty containers, and attempt to do everything she sees bigger people do, which causes havoc quite often. But she is a lot of fun and you have to admire her independent, determined spirit.
I can't think of a lot of amazing things we have done or places we have been this year, but it is has been a year of growing and learning a lot and building skills and relationships and overcoming fears and obstacles. I am grateful for all our experiences that teach us so much.
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