Christmas newsletter, page 2

Toward the end of June, we had a little graduation celebration for Timothy, for finishing up 8^th grade. I also awarded Daniel a certificate for completing Kindergarten.

The following weekend Timothy and I headed for Laurelbrook, where he was to start working at the school in their summer vocational program. It was a real struggle for me, letting my boy go. I wrestled in prayer all night Thursday night, our last night before reaching the school. Apparently he was struggling himself! We had a nice weekend, getting him settled into his dorm room, attending vespers, church, the Sabbath afternoon hike, etc. But when it came time for me to leave Saturday night, we ended up packing him back up, and bringing him home with me. So, now I am home schooling a high schooler!! (One of our big drawbacks about the school was the finances; I just did not know where the money was going to come from!!!)

Meanwhile, I spent the summer struggling with classes, like Web Design, Multimedia (Flash), my Senior project, and developing my portfolio and a web site on which to post it.

This past summer was a really big summer for my folks. They celebrated their 50^th anniversary. They spent the summer traveling, mostly visiting family and friends. They did participate in 4 Maranatha projects, though. And in July, we spent a week in the mountains of North Carolina, at a beautiful lodge Norbert had reserved for us all to spend the week together. So, we all were there, my folks were there, Norbert and his family were there. Unfortunately, Gary and Lisa couldn’t make it--because of a mistake Lisa’s supervisor at work made! But Cory and Jeremy came with Norbert and Beth and Rebecca, so at least all seven of Mom and Dad’s grandchildren were together, for the first time ever!!

When we got back home from North Carolina, it was time to “buckle down” and start our home schooling year, and for me to get my last couple classes finished up.

This year, Timothy is in 9^th grade, Jennifer is in 7^th grade, and Daniel in 1^st grade. Steven is kind of playing around with preschool type stuff. To start with, Timothy was going to take all of his classes through the Florida Virtual School, but that system just wasn’t working for him. He couldn’t keep up with the pace they set. So we set up a method of our own for him, and he seems to be doing well with it now. Jennifer is using some of the same type things Timothy is, as well as doing some unit studies. Daniel is using Five in a Row, with Steven tagging along sometimes.

Occasionally we spend a week working on a book with my friend, Suzanne, and her kids. And we have had some field trips this year, too. We went to the Butterfly Rainforest and the museum of Florida natural history. We attended a presentation that a missionary shared about Africa. And we had the awesome privilege of seeing the Whooping Cranes fly over at the airport here in Dunnellon. Did you know that once the population of Whoopers was down to 15, and now there are around 500? Awesome!!!

The day I worked so hard for, for over a year and a half, finally arrived on October 14, 2006! I graduated with my Bachelor’s degree, graduating

Along with home schooling the kids, my weeks are spent taking them to medical appointments, Mommy and Me, Story Hour, and Steven has therapy two days a week. He has Occupational Therapy, Physical Therapy, and Speech Therapy on Thursdays, and OT and Speech on Fridays. We go to Gainesville for this, which is a 45 mile one-way trip.

Our precious Steven has a hearing loss. He also has some developmental delays, but OT and PT are helping him to catch up! He was also tongue tied, so the end of August, he had his tongue “clipped.” The speech therapist also tells me Steven has Apraxia.

All in all, we are adjusting pretty well to life in Florida, as compared to life in Montana! Big climate change, of course! And the older two especially miss snow skiing. They like going to the beach, though, so that makes up for it a little bit! And we are making some good friends at our little church in Crystal River. For the first time, Timothy has some friends his age!! The teen class at church has some 15 to 20 members, and many of them are home schooling! Jennifer has some girl friends, in her class--even though she could be in the teen class as well.

I am hoping to find a part time job in graphic design, or to be able to pick up some freelance jobs. This way, we can continue to home school. I believe with all my heart that home schooling is the absolute best choice for my kids, and that this is what God has called us to do. I especially believe that it is the very best choice for Steven, with his various “problems.”

My dad had two surgeries this year: in April, for prostate cancer; and then just this month, he had two stents placed in his heart. All together he has had five stents now. Next month, he will have cataract surgery done, on both eyes.

We are wishing you all a very Merry Christmas, and a happy, prosperous new year. Maybe this will be the year our Lord will come! Maybe we will be in heaven for our next Christmas!

Cum Laude!!! I feel pretty good about this accomplishment! Pin It Now!