Family Update - Thanksgiving 2010

It's been a LONG time since I sat down to update anybody.  Really - partly is that I've been overwhelmed with the little things that must be done day in and day out around here, and sorting chores with Kendra and Vannan, and making sure it all gets done.  Plus, nothing exciting has really happened around here.  About the only thing that changes around here is diapers, clothes, and weather.  (That is suppose to be funny.  But I was told growing up that I was NOT funny - so I always make sure people know that I was at least trying.)

I'm about 3 months behind blogging - and I like to go ahead and put things in - mostly because 70% of my readers are family, and they tell me that they enjoy the pictures and updates.  It is after all, the primary purpose of this blog.

But, I figure you're pretty much due an update.  Because I'm not at all sure that there will be a Christmas update or even cards going out this year.  Cards are bought, just don't know if stamps will be available in time.

Amazingly, Tim commented the other day that there is always just enough coming in to get us by.  That means nothing extra, no frills, very little extra's.  Just the basics.  We only pay for our utilities here, help out on the property, and we have gas and food to buy.  God has sent us a lot of "free" clothes this year - and we've been very grateful for it.  We've had some help with shoes and haircuts along the way, but it has been amazing to see God's hand bringing us just what we need, when we need it.

This year, Tim reffed volleyball - right into basketball season.  And now he is well into basketball season.  What happens in February when all the reffing runs out?  We don't know, but soon after, we should be able to get an income tax return.  But somehow, we've gotten by for 2 1/2 years now.  We are still praying that Tim gets a regular job.  He's also writing a book in his spare time.  And studying and debating eschatology online.  I told him he should set up some classes to teach at local churches - as he has become quite good on Sunday nights (4 week rotation).  Tim has set up a blog  http://pretribactivist.blogspot.com/  .   And has become active in elections - this year he was an election judge.

Kendra is meandering her way through high school.  I know at some point, she will get serious and start cranking out work much faster.  Currently, she is working on writing for a "Nano WriMo" contest.  or something like that.  Her goal is 30,000 words, and she is writing a book called "Sew, It's a Quest".  She is suppose to be doing up an entry on her blog about it ...  http://knittedbygodsplan.blogspot.com.  She has also been spontaneously knitting and crocheting things - purses, scarves, muffs, and other things .. without a pattern.  She just goes and pretty much it comes off the needles.  It is pretty amazing.  She has made several of the cakes - including Joel and Matthew's and Vannan's and LaRue's birthday cakes.  And we think she's doing pretty good at it.   She has taken over most of the breakfasts and suppers - and she's turned out to be a MUCH better cook than I am.  She learns new things quickly and most of her improvising works well.  She has also gotten into personality profiling.  She loves to figure out what makes people tick and how they view the world.  It's been rather fun to listen to her ramble about it at times.

Vannan has grown so much the last 6 months - height and personally.  She now boast of being the same height as Kendra - give or take a quarter inch - they are both exactly 5 feet tall.  A friend offered to give her violin lessons - and she has "eaten it up" with enthusiasm, and already is beginning to try to put onto paper little tunes that have been rumbling around in her head.  She has prayed long and hard for an opportunity to learn to play, and she seems to be doing very well as well as developing a nice singing voice.  She has also been teaching Marriana and Joel several times a week, and Joel is picking up the music notes and parts of a violin.   Her rabbit business has been mostly a bust - we've had to butcher out most of them - but it is at least food in the freezer.  She is trying to breed a new batch, but the set we were hoping to have for Christmas, didn't end up being born.  She was a little sad about that.  She is almost finished with our last year work, and has started a few subjects for this year.  Since she is nearly caught up, she's beginning to feel less stressed about her grade level.  Facebook has helped her spelling by leaps and bounds, as she tries very hard to please the spelling police relatives.    AND she's taken up sewing - and she's quite good at it.  Many nights finds her hard at work making .... oh, I can't tell you, you'll find out for Christmas!

Joel is doing basic reading.  It's awesome to listen to him figure out what the words mean.  His math skills continue to boggle my mind.  He just finished playing "Jumpstart First Grade Math"  and was able to function easily on the first two levels, and struggled on the third level on a few of the games (like adding and subtracting 2 digit numbers.)  He is growing so much and so fast - some days I wonder if he's the same child I put to bed the night before.  He says he's already picked out a wife .. and a career for his future.  He wants to drive an ice cream truck with cousin Grub 3.  He's doing more chores around the house, and enjoying being on outings.  Recently, his best friend took him to Arkansas to ride a small train.  He says it was a "great adventure" but was a little scared when they left Texas.... "Are we still in America?"  I really enjoy posting "Joelisms" on facebook - Joel enjoys reading them when I post them.  He calls himself "Middle Man" and "Lover Boy" and occasionally has begun to show a shy side.  He loves to do the offering on Sunday nights when he's there, and this Sunday he got to sit through his first Grace Brethren Communion Service.  He said it was quite an adventure!  Oh yes, he discovered the other day that he's half way to 10.  He's excited.  He loves to teach the smaller children - and it's so neat to watch him do it.  After personality typing him - Kendra says he's a natural teacher.

LaRue has quite the personality. She giggles, runs, climbs, and gets into everything.  Tim calls her "Little Miss Full of It", the name suits her.  She doesn't know that she is 1, now that she's walking, she think she's a big as Joel and Marriana - no baby stuff for her!  She talks up a blue streak - and it sure is fun to listen to her do it.  She had a cupcake animal cracker birthday party - potluck.  And we invited everybody to celebrate - considering the year we've had.  She was snitching Joel's MP bear every chance that she got ... but now she's attatched herself to a baby Tad doll, and keeps it with her most of the time.  I'll have to get a picture.  She loves dolls and snuggly toys.  She's exploring puzzles and doors - she LOVES doors and drawers.  She loves music and has pretty good rhythm.

Marriana continues to make progress in Preschool.  She's improving daily with her colors, counting, shapes, letter sounds, and coloring and writing.   She loves to color, she loves flowers, especially pink flowers.  Pink is by far her favorite color.   It's been great fun most of the time to be her temporary Momma.  Most of the time, she's just part of the crew.

In all, this fall has not been so very bad.  Our heater went out the other day, at a very bad time financially, but I'm sure God will provide for our food this week - or we'll be eating a lot of ... what Kendra tells the kids ... slop or glop or gloop, take your pick.   We all survived the "strep throat" or whatever it was sickness - I was down for almost a month, and the kids weren't getting any better either, and then a friend sent us some probiotics and within 24 hours we were all feeling so much better.  Amazing stuff!   Tim was coming down with it, and he was fine the next day - so was able to not miss reffing a single game.   The only thing I remember about October was LaRue's birthday party and that I totally missed Halloween - on purpose.

So how is your family doing?