bEtHaNiE...

I sure am PROUD of Bethanie. She is really athletic, and has gone out for volleyball for the first time this year. I know she really LOVES it, but she is painfully shy and has a hard time being in front of spectators. She is really good at serving the ball (she is serving in this photo) and if the ball comes directly at her, she will do very well at volley-ing it back. But she WONT go toward the ball. I think she is afraid of messing up.
Tonight is her last volleyball practice, and Sunday is her last game for the season...

Another fun thing is that in 4th grade, students get selected to work. She was one of 38 kids, I think, in the 4th grade to be a Peer Mediator. This is quite an honor. They will help with the younger kids, help them resolve disputes, help them at lunch time to follow rules, and over all, help them feel supported and successful. Bethanie is on the far right, middle row, blue shirt.

If you think that is all, you are wrong! Bethanie recently joined a girl scout troop. She is pretty excited because several of her friends are doing it. I don't mind her being so busy, but I sure do miss her because she is gone so much! She is also in Jazz class, and decided to take an extra dance class-Ballet. She will be in the Nutcracker performance this December. She will play two parts. One will be a dancing doll, and the other will be a Sugar Plum Fairy. WOW. I wish I had her energy. My little girl is growing up!

Madison is in dance too, and she will be in the Nutcracker as well. Since she is only in one dance class, she will be doing one performance. She will be a Snowman. And she will be dancing to Frosty the Snowman. :) She is LOVING Pre-K. She just wishes she could go every day. Next year she will be in Kindergarten. WAAAAH!

Matthew is about the same. He is getting really tall. Since May, he has gained 5 pounds and grown just over an inch. He is now almost as tall as his dad. :)

SiLLy...

Madison is known for coming up with very intelligent and clever things to say. She is NEVER a dull moment. Today she started to tell me something, and as I listed, she paused, and said, "I got nothin'". She forgot what she was going to say. :)

MeMoRiEs...

the main reason I do this blog is so I don't forget the happenings in our life. each precious moment, precious spirit, loved one, laughter, sadness....I want to remember it all-even the sad moments. It is the tough times where we grow the most. It is also where we all seem to come together the most. We have had family members suffer a great deal over the last year or so. Mainly speaking, my mom. She has had three knee surgeries, and a back surgery all in the last two years. Seeing her struggle so much has been heart wrenching. With the physical pain comes emotional pain. How can a person live with chronic pain and not suffer emotionally? We cling to one another to help each other cope, help uplift those who are in need. Family is such a great and wonderful blessing. We are working to get my parents moved to the town we live in. Right now they are 30 miles away, which seems like an eternity of a drive when we need to get there quickly. I cant wait for their house to sell, to get them here quickly. I have never lived in the same town with them, as an adult!

I know I have mentioned several times about the loss of Carlisle. People are probably sick and tired of hearing me complain about how much I miss him. My husband, myself, our children are of the rare kind. We have not actually lost a person close to us. We are very blessed to still have everyone here, with the exception of my twin sister, Spring, who died just after we were born. So when we love our pets as a member of the family, who contributes love, affection, and joyful moments, then suddenly they are gone, the loss is felt. Bethanie and I have had the toughest time letting him go. So I found a memory stone. I think this will be a great way for us to remember him, the love and joy he brought to our home. We miss him terribly. We will wait a few more weeks before we can get a new cat for our family. Our veterinarian will help us make sure that it is a healthy cat, and one that is happy and fits into our family. Carlisle can never be replaced. Having him in our life helped us realize the joy an indoor (only) cat can bring. I see we will likely always have a cat, after him.