Christmas 2025

 Merry Christmas 2025.

It has been a year.   A very stressful year.

I’ll hit the big highlights ….  At the beginning of October, we were promoted to Grampy and Nana.  Grandparents to the darling AnneU.   I went down to spend a couple of weeks. The birth was hard on Kendra.  So, I ended up staying a full 6 weeks and then some, a bit of extra time to do the baby dedication at their church.  Congratulations to David and Kendra.   Tim has dubbed her Golden Girl because her initials are “AU” – look at the periodic table if you don’t get it.

Now Vannan …. Well, she turned 28.  Still living here and crafting.  

Joel turned 20 this year.   He’s taken on a few of the overflow students (mostly younger siblings of established students) .. and he’s doing a pretty good job of it.   The kids like him.   We are “saying” that he needs to get his driver’s license, but no go so far.
On the other hand, he recently became the owner of an electric guitar.  It joins a variety of instruments in his room.

LaRue turned 16 just after the baby was born.   She’s discovered that she kind of maybe likes books.   Still drawing any chance she gets.   People are looking more real by the day.   She’s still doing cotorsion, but not as much.   She wants to learn taekwondo, or something like that.

Tim is still Door Dashing and reffing … but he needs a cataract removed from one eye. He was able to take Joel and Rue for a “vacation” to see Aunt Vivian at the end of July.

I’m still teaching … I was up to 45 students and nearly 60 hours a week (combined teaching and feedback, and preparation) of teaching.  I’ve lost a lot of students this year.   One boy didn’t like to learn English, and his mom gave his classes to his little brother.  He enjoyed the classes, but liked to disappear.   Mom got him an “in-person” tutor.   Three of my kids went up to high school (boarding schools pretty much required), and they dropped to just one class each.   Three students added sports – and dropped classes.   Two very young kids started, then stopped their classes.  ….  And I’ve added quite a few students as well.   On the low side right now, but hopefully, January will bring new students.

Tim’s folks are now both 85.   And my parents are still resting peacefully.

A lot else happened.  But those are the more positive points.
Maybe 2026 will improve.

Tim and Rachel
Merry Christmas.  And a happy new year.