I know... it has been awhile. We have been very busy most of our marriage, but the new season we are in has a 'new' busy that is more draining than ever before... at least it feels that way for me.

When schedules are busy because of the kids activities or family events... I don't seem to mind, it is a busyness that brings fulfillment. Being busy because of school, work & running the house... not so fulfilling! We are in our third week of full school schedule & me working (30-33 hrs a week). All I can say is that we have not found our stride yet, but we are working on it.

Terry has been able to be home most evenings which has made a huge difference, when he was at the building project for church, he was there sometimes as late as 1am!!

Sorry to say that we really havent taken many pics lately, and of course we seem to be out of communication with everyone... be patient with us, we will eventually work it all out. :)

The boys have completed there 1st Term ( we have 5 terms, 4 9-week terms, & 1 4-week term) and are in week 3 of Term 2. At the co-op we are in week 8, the boys are enjoying their classes. This year we decided to make their classes electives, except one of Gabes.

Andrew & Isaiah are taking
Science Labs thru Food:
Ex. They learned the different layers of the earth by using peanut butter, jelly, graham crackers & choc chip.

Cake Decorating:

Isaiah's Chocolate Banana Cake that he made from scratch & he decorated by himself with Icing they made in class .


Andrew's Chocolate Cake that he made from scratch & he decorated by himself with Icing they made in class.


Gabriel's Banana Cake that he made from scratch & he decorated by himself with Icing they made in class.
(yes that was 3 different recipes FROM SCRATCH totaling 6 9-in round cakes... joy :) )

Dinosaur History a Creation Perspective:
The boys sorta like the class, they would never admit that it was fun or cool... just ok. But ya know the boys, they love the dino talk... :)

Gabriel:
Drama:
Gabe loves the class, not sure what all has been done, but he loves it.

Cake Decorating:
Gabriel wanted this class until it turned out that it was him & his brother with 7 girls in the class... but I think that he has gotten over that now :)

Physical Science:
He is taking Apologia Science and it is ok :)

Cotillion:
Yes, you got it! Good 'le fashion etiquette, manners & dancing (ballroom dancing). He has many friends taking this class with him. All of us moms thought that this was worth the time :)
PE:
Jr. High - High School a variety of activities, Gabe loves it.

Marissa is doing well, she has finished all but 1 class or 2 classes for her Jr. year, is underway for her Senior year + is 6 weeks into interns. She is working at TCBY (yogurt shop) down the street, still part of worship for corporate & youth and trying to keep up with helping around the house with chores & dinners. :)

Patrick is recovering, injured his knee at work several weeks ago. We are very proud of him, with injured knee he still went on the SOE leadership camp/hiking trip and led a team of 1st year interns the whole week without complaining! They did a 3 mile hike that involved teamwork, he rocked it from what we have been told. He has one more week of P.T and then will be released to work back on regular shifts at work. He is currently greeting/checking at the door... he doesn't like that at all :)

Terry is working as hard as ever getting paid 1/2 the amount :) But he is working and these days that is a good thing! He has been incredible taking up the slack around here. Clearing out the garage of 1.5 yrs of storage... he has given the kids a couple days to find a place or bye bye. His other big project is helping me get the office turned back into a school area.

Me... well here is my schedule Mon. 9:30-12:45 Co-op, run home change for work leave by 1:30 get home by 8:30pm, Tuesday- Thursday school from 8:30-1pm get ready for work leave by 1:30 get home by 8:30 & Friday school from 8:30- 11 get ready for work leave by 11:30 home by 6:30....Every other Saturday I work 10-1pm.... Now after work I come in the door and am mauled by the kids :), give kisses loves get them to bed, have dinner, chk school wrk & chores for the day while watching a show with Terry... then try to be in bed by 11 or 12 depending on how late sis works & if Pat can pick her up.... so, yep busy is just different this year. I try to have the boys take turns learning how to cook meals ( during school, when schedule permits :) )

Well, that is what we have been up to :)