Catching Up

I know a quick recap won't do justice to the past year but it is far preferable to the sidetracked alternative. My tale left off with the 4th of July 2012.

When Brenda and Derek left after the 4th Xavey and Daevius stayed with us until August. I had a blast having someone around to play with. We went to Split rock lighthouse, the science museum for the pirate exhibit, to the history museum to see the tank. Then we went to Nickelodeon Universe. We met Derek in Nebraska. Along the way we saw the Glockenspiel in New Ulm, the Air and Space Museum and the Winter Quarters Visitors Center. Brenda and Derek have moved to Paonia CO. 

I started my new job and the best description of my first year in an EBD Centerbase room is that it was a bit like Toad's Wild Ride. I put in long hours and felt like I was treading water all year. I love having a classroom of my own. In the spring my co teacher was informed that he would not be invited back. 

We did the usual holiday stuff in 2012, made some great memories. 

In spring of 2013 Anna and Stan moved to Seattle. They seem to be loving the climate, the area, and the job. I'm so excited for them. 

Back on Track

Wow, when I get sidetracked I really get sidetracked. Here's the thing, I love to write and I have a story to tell but I let myself put other concerns ahead of recording our story. We attended Stake Conference today and I am feeling anxious and encouraged - anxious to be about my Father's business in "hastening the work" and encouraged that the spirit in that meeting has reawakened some areas of my testimony. Here are those areas: I know that my Father in Heaven will not ask me to do anything without preparing the way. I know that my overly demanding job can be tamed with the power of faith in that promise. I know that the people who spoke today were inspired of The Lord and I'd better take heed. 

Summer Highlights 2012

As summer comes to a close its time to recap some of the important events:

I finished a certificate program leading to licensure in Autism at Bethel University.  I took the summer off from teaching for the first time in 7 years in order to accomplish that.  My original plan was to finish my masters program (meaning write the thesis) over the summer. What was it the Bard said?  "The best laid plans of mice and men..."  It turns out that I have to take a couple of classes before I can do that.  I decided I should finish my LD license (Learning Disability) at the same time.  So-o I had time to play this summer and I found lots of people willing to play with me:

Bill & Stephanie and their children, Ben and Elodie, came for a visit a few days before the 4th of July and stayed until several days after.

Bill and I took Ben and Elodie to the Children's Museum

Elodie's favorite was the rocket slide.

Ben's was the conveyer belt.  He would put a block on the belt and stand and watch, cheering, while the block moved all the way back to the bin it came from. 

 Anna and Stan sent their golf clubs ahead and rented a motorcycle to roam around on sightseeing.  They visited some friends in the area and then showed up at our house on July 2nd.  And the golfing began.

We had the usual 4th of July blowout.  I didn't actually count how many people showed up but this party will go down in history as the year it was so HOT.

Anna with Elodie

There's lots more but I'm going to have to post later as I've run out of steam today.