2006 in Review

2006 has been, incredibly, a year of stability for us. We’ve lived in the same house all year, Edwin has had the same job, and we’ve settled into a schedule that works for us.

As a family, we’ve been part of a home study group that has blessed us. We attend Vancouver Church of Christ most of the time, but we also like to help out at Renovatus, a new church plant, when we can. We’ve been attending a TaeKwondo class and Edwin, Patty, Jessica and Bethany all earned yellow belts this year. It has been fun living close to Patty’s parents and enjoying their company and their love for the children (not to mention free babysitters!) And we got a dog, a basset hound named Missy, who just loves to be loved.

Edwin works as a superintendent. The construction business has really taken off and Edwin is currently running 8 projects while his boss is out of the country. He also does side jobs on weekends and some evenings. Edwin took a week this spring to help with reconstruction in New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina. He also built a shed and is working to clear out the garage so he can do some personal projects. He is currently in the selection process to be a deacon at Vancouver Church of Christ. If you want a somewhat twisted view of what Edwin’s up to, follow his blog at http://entropyinthegarage.blogspot.com.

Patty still home schools the kids. She taught French, Poetry and assisted in a Sign Language class at Friday School, our home school co-op. She enjoyed tending a garden this summer that produced actual food. She completed another novel manuscript, but has not yet found a publisher interested in her work. Patty attended 3 writers’ conferences this year, including one that lasted 4 days. She led education time in the writers’ critique group she and her mom started last year. She helped develop a web site for the Vancouver church (vanchurch.org) and tried to keep up with writing this blog at least 3 times a week. Patty also found a wonderful prayer group that has blessed her beyond measure.

Jessica has shot up this year and hopes to be taller than Patty by the end of next year. She still loves doing little girl things like playing with her horses and leading pack of wild lions and wolves (comprised of other kids from church). Jessica started with a new harp teacher in January and loves to show off her musical ability. She took classes in flag twirling, shorthand and drama this fall.

Bethany has also grown and matured this year. She started piano lessons and loves to sing with her sisters and with the radio. She’s totally into space exploration and took some classes on astronomy and the history of space exploration. She also loves to play and would spend every day with friends if she could.

Tabitha is working hard to educate herself. She practices her letters and counting every day and has recently decided she’d like to learn to play violin, so she practices with Patty from time to time. She loves all things frilly and girly, wears a dress every day, and is particularly fond of her curly hair which makes her different from the rest of us.