My family is special.
Oh, I know... Yours is, too. But mine is a little more special than average. At least I think so...
Yes, they are a lot of work!! And yes, I am constantly worrying, helping, teaching, and praying for and about them. But my life wouldn't be as full or as wonderful without them in my life. Each member completes our family with grand, unique, and wonderful qualities. And, most importantly, each one is a really good person.... kind & good... you know, special. I am grateful for them every day. Really... every day! Even when they are driving me crazy! They are the loves of my life.
It is November and I have a grateful heart. Grateful for the blessings in my life, for my wonderful family, and for the beautiful Michigan fall weather. I love this time of year. We've been enjoying the change that the fall has brought us. Our family has been very busy, but at the same time, also trying to enjoy the cooler weather and beautiful autumn colors. Some of our favorite family activities include going to the cider mill and eating homemade doughnuts & cider, browsing the halloween stores in town, seeing free family movies on Saturday morning at the local cinema, going to the Friday high school football games (& seeing Spencer's half time marching band show), a trip to the pumpkin patch, trick-or-treating, scary movie parties, and going to haunted houses. (The last 2 are my teenagers' favorite activities -- Not mine! I steer clear of scary!) My mom also came to visit us for two weeks this fall. She came for Alex and Logan's birthdays, and stayed for Logan's baptism. My dad flew out for Logan's baptism as well. It was fun to have them here! We like having visitors, especially for such an important occasion.
Spencer is a sophomore in high school this year. Marching band season just ended which leaves Spencer A LOT less busy. His marching band had a great year of competitions. They placed first, and second several times. The theme this year was "Illuminations: Reflections of Earth" from Disney's Epcot's Fireworks show. The band director said it was the most difficult marching performance of his career, but he had confidence that this group was good enough to do it.... And they did an amazing job. There are only 50 members in the marching band, and Spencer has the only instrument in low brass. He plays the Baritone. Last week, during his high school Fall Instrumental Concert, Spencer had a solo. He is a very talented musician. Not only with the baritone, but also on the piano. He's been playing piano for seven years. He plays in priesthood and also for mutual opening exercises. He writes piano music in his spare time -- really beautiful music. Since Spencer hasn't had the time to go to piano lessons, Josh has been working with him. Lately, they've been working on church hymns and classical music like Beethoven. And pretty soon, Spencer will need to finish his second driver's ed course. In Michigan, kids are required to take a six-week course (Spencer took last spring), and then a shorter 2-week course after driving a certain number of hours with a parent. Can you believe he is only four months away from turning the big ONE-SIX?
Spencer rediscovered how much he loves scary movies and haunted houses this October. He went to several haunted houses with some friends, and a few scary movie parties (including one at our house). For as long as I can remember, he's always been interested in things that are creepy and scary. He was six-years old the first time he came face-to-face with a haunted house. We were at one of our favorite cider mills here in Michigan. He wanted to go in with Josh and his Uncle Tyler, but backed out two times before finally going in, even though I strongly recommended and encouraged him not to go. He came out very shaken by that experience, but fascinated none-the-less and talked about it for weeks and weeks afterwards.
Jessica is in eighth grade and at a new school this year. Jessica, Alex and Logan were all accepted into a local charter school for the new school year. It's been quite an adjustment, especially for Jessica. Last year, Jessica had several difficult experiences at her middle school that pretty much took a toll on her. (For the record, Spencer didn't like that middle school either.) And I was becoming less and less enthusiastic about the kid's elementary school. So, we looked into some local charter schools and applied to several of them last winter. Then, last spring the kids got accepted into two of them for the 2011-2012 school year. Toward the end of the summer, Jessica became increasingly more and more uncomfortable about leaving her old school behind and saying goodbye to pretty much everyone she grew up with. So, as a family and individually, we fasted and prayed about it. We came to the conclusion that it was the right thing for Jessica, as well as the boys. So, reluctantly, she started the new school in September -- Achieve Charter Academy -- which is only 5 miles away from our home. Heaving to wear uniforms, meeting new people, having more homework, and a different type of curriculum (which is a tad more difficult than before) was a lot to get use to. She was not a happy camper for the first week or two. But, in mid-September, she tried out and made the varsity volleyball team. She was very happy about it. She met lots of new girls and had something to belong to right away. And also, thanks to Jessica's 4.0 grade average last year, she was invited to join the Nat'l Junior Honor Society at school. She's finally feeling comfortable. Right now, Jessica is raising funds for her 8th grade Chicago trip in early June. I'll be going as a chaperone on the trip.
It didn't take Alex too long to adjust to the new school and his new class. He took it in stride. He made friends pretty easily and learned his new routine with no complaints. The only mumbling I heard was about the uniforms, but that was short lived. He decided he wanted to be in 5th grade band this year. On the second day of school, he had a private after-school session with his band teacher to figure out what instrument would fit him best. I sat quietly in the corner and watched in anticipation. It was hard for me not to jump up and give my recommendations, but I held back! So, after trying countless instruments, Alex and his teacher agreed that the saxophone would be best. He's been enjoying it. His 2-year piano background has helped him a lot as he's been learning the saxophone. And in January, his band teacher is going to hold try-outs for those who want to do percussion. Alex wants to try out. And this week, he's also trying out for junior varsity basketball (5th and 6th grade). He'll find out tomorrow if he makes the team. He thinks he has a good shot at it, but they will be cutting 10 kids, so we'll see (hope, hope...) He's still taking piano lessons (his 3rd year), and he just earned his Bear badge in cub scouts. Now it's on to Webelos.
Logan had the easiest time with transitioning to the charter school. I love his easy-going attitude. A wonderful trait, but I know it didn't come from me! Logan's eighth birthday was at the beginning of October. He is now a baptized member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. And, Logan is going to cub scouts now. He earned his Bobcat badge at pack meeting last week. Now we have two boys in cub scouts; three scouts total.... Argh! We knew the day would come that we'd have a ton of scouts in the family.... We'll see how it goes. It's hard enough to keep up with one scout!! Anyway, it's weird that all our kids are gone on Wednesday nights now -- young men (or varsity scouts), young women, and 2 in cub scouts! On the evenings that I don't have to stay (I'm the YW secretary), then Josh and I are free to run errands w/o any kids!!
For Halloween this year, Alex was "Alexander the Great", and Logan was a policeman. Alex wouldn't let me take pictures of him, but he wore the same costume for his 4th Grade Biography project last year, so I included that picture below so you can see how fun his costume was. Good thing it was warm this year for Halloween since he was basically wearing a toga. Logan looked really cute in his policeman uniform too. Love those boys!
The holiday season is just around the corner. I love the feeling that the holidays bring. Thanksgiving leading into Christmas. Decorations. Cheerful music. Giving. Serving. Family. But I sometimes get so busy that it slips away from me, and thus my family. The hustle and bustle of shopping, endless baking, parties every weekend, children's school events, and many other activities that seem to take over. Being so busy that I can't enjoy the holiday season is not what I call cheery. So, this year I am determined to simplify the craziness. I want change. I want simple. I want time with family. Time to serve. Time to ponder. I want to look forward to the holidays with a childlike anticipation, instead of dreading my to-do list. So, last night at FHE, we wrote down goals and made lists of how we can simplify the Christmas season. I'm glad the entire family is on board. It's going to be better this year. A lot more cheerful. More time with family. More time to ponder and enjoy....
I hope you can find ways to enjoy this upcoming Christmas season as well. It comes and goes so quickly....
Love, Julie
