We are still here!

Yes, we are still alive! Life moves along rather quickly sometimes and I think we are in one of those times. We are all well and healthy. Andrew and I get our flu shots next week and that should help us move through the flu season without antibiotics.

We are well into the Christmas spirit here with the tree up and the house all decorated. Although the kids are wondering when there are going to be some presents under the tree. I have done some Christmas baking already and will probably do some more this weekend.

Gerald has been busy at work - doing two ministry weekends (Discover Your Ministry Potential and the Youth Leader Retreat) in the last two months. Today he left for a trip out west. He made all the rest of cry when he told us goodbye. He left rather early this morning so said goodbye to the kids last night. We don't like it when he is gone from us, but that is part of his job. He is also taking three classes at Providence Seminary this fall. One of those classes requires him to do three hours of visitation a week. Try to fit that into the schedule without sacrificing family time :(

We have five weeks of school left before Christmas break. We are looking forward to that! In the meantime, school is going well and the kids are progressing. Olivia is reading much better than she was at the start of the year. Andrew is reading an average of 363 words a minute. That is probably faster than I read! Caleb is doing very well. His biggest struggle is learning to accept that it is ok to get some wrong once in awhile. We are enjoying our home school group very much and looking forward to the gym night tonight.

Olivia is LOVING her ballet class. We are all looking forward to the observation class in December where we can go watch. She tells us that they are practicing a routine for us. It has been really good for her to have something of her own. She told me that it is really hard but fun.

Well, my pecan delights are ready to be smothered in chocolate. Makes me think of you, mom! Come share them with me!

Sandy