Family News

I will post Christmas 2015 photos this week.  I have never skipped blogging about a Christmas and I can't start now.

Let's see what is new at our house...

Will has heard back from all of the colleges he applied to. He applied to 8 schools. He was admitted to all of them and got academic scholarships at 7/8. The only school that did not award a scholarship was Texas A & M (it is a GREAT school but it was his safety school as it is close and extremely reasonably priced).  It is too big for him though.

He has narrowed his options down to four schools and is visiting some this month.  I think he will have a decision by the end of February. Let's hope.

I have started gathering a few things for him for college as I see them... towels, a travel bag, etc... little by little. I think starting to get some things ready is helping me deal with reality. I know it might seem silly but it helps me.  I plan to make him a supplement/medicine box.  I keep all sorts of natural supplements and vitamins here and the kids always come to me asking...Mom, what can I take for XYZ?  So, I am going to make him one with all our regulars to take to school.

I am happy/sad about this phase. I know this is what we work so hard for as parents.  He is an amazing kid with great values and awesome options.  He is stepping out into adulthood.  It is still really hard to start letting go.

Will just finished up varsity swim season and has moved right into water polo.  It is weird knowing this is the last time he will be in organized sports like this as he will not swim in college.  He is leading two weekend retreats this month (confirmation and Kairos) and I am so proud of him.  That is where Will really excels and it is what he loves doing.  I hope he finds opportunities for Spiritual Leadership in college.  God gave him a gift for that.

Will and Elizabeth went to her Winter Formal this month.  I did not get good photos. It was dark and rainy that evening and I got a new camera and ended up returning it as it would not focus. Anyway...here are some shots.  They looked fabulous.  Elizabeth is really a beautiful person.

I began this blog 9 years ago on January 7, 2007.  Can you believe that?  I have 9 years of family memories on this site.  Thank you for hanging around that long.  I know a lot of people have probably stopped checking in as I don't write that frequently anymore.  But I am so grateful for the friendships I have made from the adoption community and the blogging community.

Kate is busy working on gymnastics, crafting, knitting and her science fair project.  She is looking at the difference between tap water and alkaline water on cut flowers.  Let me just say now...I loathe the science fair at this age.  I think that participating in ONE science fair in 5th grade or higher is a great idea. At her school it is mandatory in 3, 4 and 5th grades.  That is too much.  Kate LOVES science but this is killing it for her.

She is making sweet little hand made boxes for Valentine's Day for each kid in her class.  Then we will fill them with something.

Here are a few phone pictures of Kate..

{At a fun Spa birthday party}

Kate knitted this blanket for herself over Christmas break and Scout loved it.

So being the sweet thoughtful girl that she is...she knit Scout her own little blanket...

These are the Valentine boxes she is making completely by hand.... I think she has 20 more still to make!

Harry is doing well.  He is as entrepreneurial as ever. I don't think I am allowed to post about this businesses here though. He is currently playing lacrosse at his high school but he is not loving it right now.  We will see if he continues or finds something else to do in high school.  I do strongly encourage my kids to play a sport or be involved in their school community but I also want them to be happy so I don't "force" them to do something if it is not right for them.  He will find his thing.  It may be lacrosse and it may not be.

Harry got his driver's learning permit this month too...



I simply cannot believe how quickly these kids are growing up!

I spoke at a women's retreat this month on marriage.  I was dreading it as the retreat was right after Christmas and I was pressed for time to prepare.  But it ended up being such a blessing and honor to have the opportunity to share with these women.  God has made His calling so clear to me as I love getting to do what I do for a living. When I am speaking or working with clients, it never feel like work. It always feels like I am right where God wants me to be. And trust me there are many times in other areas of my life that I don't feel that way.

Life is really busy in our house right now.  Three kids, three sports, senior year activities, two working parents.  It is a good busy.  A full and blessed life.  I know it is all going to shift a bit in the next 6-8 months so I am trying to be fully present in the here and now.