Marti asked me the other day if I was going to update our blog. She told me I hadn't posted anything since Amy's birthday in September. "Really, it's almost been two months?" It's not that we haven't had anything noteworthy to post. I think it has been a combination of how busy we've been plus the fact that I've found that it is somewhat easier to post to Facebook. That being said, especially the part about Facebook (FB), I also realize that FB has limitations (ie, who really writes paragraphs on FB?) and that not everyone has a Facebook account. So, for those friends and family who don't follow Facebook, here is a (long) family update.
Let's start out with the kiddos. Kate continues to be a joy as well as a challenge. She loves to play with Amy. She is learning to talk. She is very helpful with tasks around the house. She likes things to be in their right place. But she also has a knack for making huge messes. She tears up books from time to time, takes all of her clothes off the shelves and drawers and dumps them on the floor, and still makes the biggest food messes of any of the kids.
Amy is a budding artist. She is constantly drawing and painting. She signs all her artwork. But for some reason she insists on signing it "A-Y-M." She is finally potty-trained. She started gymnastics last week and loves it. She looks so cute in her leotard. Besides art and gymnastics, she is also becoming a "foodie." She always wants to go out but amazingly for a 4 year old "rotates" what she is the mood for. Her favorite places to eat are: Five Guys (burgers), Chick-Fil-A, La Tolteca (Mexican), and Sweet Frogs (frozen yogurt). It cracks me up when she comes up to me and starts a sentence, "I have a great idea, why don't you take us to _____".
This is the first school year that we haven't homeschooled. Sam is attending Greenwood Christian Academy. He is a class with three other students. He has done really well so far. It is great to see him make some strides academically. He was in a funk last year. There always seemed to be drama about getting school work done. But he really likes his teacher this year, and it is great for Marti to be able just be a mom and encourager. Granted she still works hard with Sam on his homework, but there is less drama.
Football has been Ben's life the past two months. Because he has been playing both JV and Varsity football, he practices or plays 6 days a week. He has been a JV Captain and since game 2, he has played pretty much every down of JV playing Linebacker on Defense, and either Tight End or Receiver on Offense. The JV team finished their season this week with a win bumping their record to 6-3. Ben also got his first playing time last night in the final Varsity game of the season. He was excited to be able to play in their Homecoming Game in which they won 50-33. With the win, the Varsity made it into the regional playoffs, the first time they have done that in school history. And despite the long hours of football, Ben has done well academically. He has solid A's in Chemistry, Geometry, English, and Spanish. He has some work to do in his AP Human Geography class.
From all reports, Sarah seems to be thriving in New York City. She has great roommates and loves living in on 34th Street in Midtown Manhattan. Although she seems to be doing a decent job of feeding herself, she does miss homecooked meals. She is also doing well spiritually. She has found a good church that she enjoys, Trinity Grace Church. One of the reasons she choose this church is that they had a good mix of young adults and families. She has also been involved in the Spirital Life Project at school and seems encouraged by that. And it looks like she will be participating in a 2 week mission trip next summer through the school. Right now she is praying about either participating in the trip to China or to Israel. She probably will go to China as it fits her gifting better.
Marti and I seem to be doing fairly well with all the change that we have experienced this fall. We still miss Sarah being around all the time, but are getting used to it little by little. Marti has been able to get involved in a Woman's Bible Study at church which has been an encouragement to her. Last weekend, she went up to DC to cheer her brother Jon who was running the Marine Corps Marathon. I continue to enjoy my work. I have also been training for another marathon and will run in the Richmond Marathon next week.
We can't really believe it is November already. Over Thanksgiving, we will travel to my brother's house to celebrate Thanksgiving and early Christmas with his family. My parents will be there. It should be fun.
Well, if you have read this entire post, you have read almost 900 words. Maybe I should have just posted a picture of our family. You know, "A picture is worth a 1,000 words."
More later.