So much has happened in the past few months that I could barely keep up with it all.
I will try to recap just so I can catch all of you up on life in the big house.
At the end of July we made it through the wedding of second daughter Courtney, exhausted but elated. It was a beautiful ceremony and we are so happy for them both.
August was the start of another homeschool year. Hannah is in 8th, Noah is in 7th, Destini is in 6th, Miriam is in 5th, Jose is in 4th, and Mirranda and Lydia are in
2nd. The challanges of teaching special needs children can be overwhelming some days but everyone is fluently reading, (some said it could not be done) and all but 2 are in grade level studies (another can't be done comment inserted here). It proves to me once again that God and some good ole fashioned work go a long way in education. I only took three classes this semester and enjoyed the lighter load. The most fun day we enjoyed this month was playing in the rain. Sometimes you just need to feel the rain pound down on a hot summer day and just run around in it and get your clothes soaking wet!
September we hit Six Flags with all the children plus a borrowed one. We had a blast and closed the park down. Several small outings were had as well like going to the park, playing in the river and enjoying nature studies as they gave opportunity. I had the great priviledge of customizing my Harley with a little help from Tom. I learned alot, worked alot and busted my knuckles a little but the after effect was well worth it. New Z drag bars, lowered 2 inches, new vance & hines pipes, relocate the speedometer and add a fuel pack. Still need to change the mirrors and levers but that will wait till next year. Now, if I can just keep Tom off of it and make him ride his own... This month also offered learning opportunities with my new position on the state board for Susan G. Komen. I went to a 3 day training and am much more comfortable with my positional responsibilities from it. For fun this month I helped put up the sign at the local fire department and take down the shutters, repaint them and reinstall them. Just love going up that ladder!
October was just a mixture of violin/piano lessons, school, fire calls, college work and house duties. I took on a large custom drapery job for a local retreat center and have 12 windows to complete with pinch pleat draperies and cornices. The house is green with fabric but it proves to be a good challange. The children are all coming along nicely with school and music lessons. I love to hear them play but my favorite part is watching them help the younger ones learn a song. Seeing them bond in a different way always makes me smile. And, it makes up for all the other times that they are picking on each other :) October was fire saftey month and I really enjoyed giving presentations to several groups of little children through out the county. The highlight for this month was Tom and I sneaking in a little overnight at the George Washington Hotel. He surprised me with an evening of dinner and a suite at the hotel. The children like to party while we are gone. The cupboards are bare when we return and the house is crazy messy but it is all worth it in the end. The month ended with a nice visit from oldest daughter Ashley, her hubby and grandson Markus. Oh how I love being a grammy and watching my grandson grow, discover and...get into EVERYTHING!
November is the month of thanks and to be honest I am just thankful this year is almost over. It has been an extremely challanging year for me physically, mentally and spiritually. Somehow the thought of a new year just gives me the push I need to start with a fresh piece of paper and plug on. I did not get the opportunity to go hunting but maybe next year will be my year for that. Thanksgiving was laid back and pleasant but the food was consumed at a rapid pace. That particular meal has to be my all time favortie one to fix. I enjoy every part of it from the turkey to the pies it is all just comforting to me. The highlight of the month was making carmel apples with the children, plus some nieghborhood ones included!
December finally came to close out the year. The custom drapery job was finished early in the month and came out even more beautiful than I imagined. Christmas was ok. The highlight was a much needed visit from my dear friend Jackie and her daughter Izabelle. But to be honest, to finally see the close of this year was refreshing. I can only hope this next year is better and I hold hope in that. I rang in the new year alone but not really since God is always there with me! A new season is upon me and I look forward to what lies ahead...I think ;)
