Greetings to my long lost family! I really should be reading a very long chapter on computer networking right now, but here I am.
I check this blog at least twice a day, hoping there is a new comment or post. But, alas, there is nothing. Does anybody else do that? So I thought I would start a new conversation so that we can get caught up on all the latest news and so I will have a valid reason to stop reading this dumb book for a few minutes.
I will go first, in chronological order, or something like that:
First on the list is Shawn. He is still working in the ER, but his excitement has waned a bit. It can be extremely stressful most of the time and they don't pay their nurses nearly enough to do the things that they have do every day. He isn't going to quit (because we all know that isn't something that Shawn does....like...ever) but he has thought about it. He is still working for that research company too, usually about once a week. In fact, they asked him if he wanted to come back, but Shawn told them they would have to give him a very large raise before he would consider it. Who knows? Maybe once he gets his one year of "hospital experience" he might be able to go somewhere that pays better. We'll see.
I'm next! I have to say I am doing well, considering how much stress I feel right now. School is much more difficult than I thought it would be, but I'm keeping up. I do a lot of reading and searching the internet just to wrap my head around some of the concepts of computing. I came home yesterday almost in tears. I poured my heart out to Shawn and he brought me back to reality. He told me that school is just difficult and that I might have to work a little harder than some people, but what I'm doing is not out of my reach. It was great advice. So I keep on keepin on.
Next up is Alex. He is doing so much better lately! I'm beyond relieved. His meds are working and even though he still has his bad moments, he is doing great at handling school and band and everything else that stresses him out. We enrolled him in a part time online school so he is only at the high school for a few classes. It seems to be working out so far. He likes the flexibility and gets to work on his classes whenever HE wants to. He also auditioned for the CCM band again, so hopefully he will get to do that for another year.
Nate is crazy busy! I wish I could slow that kid down a little bit and I also wish I had half of his energy. He is swimming again, playing in the high school jazz band, plus the symphonic band, plus he auditioned for CCM too. That's all in addition to being in high school and doing church and family stuff. I hope he doesn't burn out! Did I tell you he wanted to learn to play the cello too? Ya. Right. I nixed that idea when he realized we don't have enough room in the van to transport his huge bari sax plus a cello back and forth to school. I also reminded him that there are only 24 hours in a day.
Seth is adjusting really well to junior high. So far there have been only a few incidents of hot shot 9th graders being rude to him. He seems to be just going with the flow. I'm so happy! I was worried (I guess I am still a little worried) about him going into junior high. It's just such an awkward time don't you think? Hopefully he is doing everything he needs to do at school because I never see him come home with homework. Hmmmmm....I better check that out.
Abby likes being in first grade. She told me this morning she loves recess and P.E. the best. She has a great teacher, which helps tremendously. She also comes home with more homework than all of the boys combined. What's up with that? It was the same way for the boys too when they were in first grade. Luckily she feels very important and grown up because the idea of homework to her is linked to feeling like she isn't just a baby. I'll take what I can get!
Ok. Your turn!
P.S. Mom, are you feeling any better?
I, too, check the blog often, though not as much lately because there are so few comments! I'm with Megan, ITS YOUR TURN! Anyone! Everyone!!! Please?
ReplyDeleteI know you are all very busy. But it really only takes a minute to write a few lines about what is new. Remember how great our first family blog was? Everyone participated almost every day, and it was so much fun. Have we all gotten too busy to have fun? I hope not!
School sounds very challenging, Meg. But Shawn is so right - you are capable of doing this. As hard as it is, I know when you get adjusted to it all, and used to studying and thinking hard every day, you will get better and better at it, and start to really enjoy it. So hang in there.
Sorry Shawn's job is so stressful. But I can't imagine all the things he is learning. I'm sure he will be able to improve his situation soon, and will start moving up the ladder, and be able to tell someone else to do all the grunt work!
And the kids! Wow! They are all so busy. We're so grateful that Alex is doing better. Hope this year goes well for him. His last year of high school. I can't believe it. Nate is incredible. How does he do it all? He sounds like he is taking advantage of every talent he has, and developing more all the time. What a great kid. Seth is going to be able to keep up with his big brothers, and will soon discover what his talents are, and really go with it. What a sweetie. And Abby. So grown up! Isn't it great when they love homework? It's like when they love to help around the house, up until they are good at it, and then it's not fun anymore! We'll hardly know her when we get home.
Your family is all so busy, I don't know how you keep up, but its such a fun time. I know this is a tired statement, but I hope you enjoy it while it lasts. It really is gone before you know it.
I am feeling much better. I never felt very sick, once the flu-like symptoms were over, but I couldn't leave the house because the bathroom was my best friend, if you know what I mean. But that is all gone now, and all is well. We are back in the swing of things, and enjoying it. We have a MSA FHE Monday night that is a murder mystery dinner, and Dad and I are dressing up and playing a part along with everyone else. We will take pictures and tell you all about it. We went to the ocean again on Monday and took another Senior couple and had a great time. We went to Carmel-by-the-sea, and through Gilmore, the garlic capitol of the world! It smells like garlic like you wouldn't believe! Fun, fun!
Hope to hear from everyone soon! Love you all.
Hi y'all. Sorry I haven't commented much. I do read the blog. I love hearing about what everyone is doing. Shipleys do sound busy! busy busy busy. I'm so proud of you Meg for being in school. I know the ER experience is really going to pay off for Shawn. And so happy the kids are doing great it sounds like.
ReplyDeleteSounds like Mom and Dad are busy as usual too. I'm glad you are feeling better Mom. A murder mystery sounds like great fun!
We are keeping busy here too. Just the normal boring stuff. There are three huge construction projects going on right by our house right now, so that's been fun. We are going to be putting the camper away for the summer and getting ready for winter over the next few weekends. I had to bring my tomato plant in yesterday because it dipped below freezing last night. Dave's a little stressed with work right now, just the normal stuff that being a manager brings, but he is doing really well otherwise. Dogs are great--Rocky just left a big spit string on my desk for me. LOL.
And that's all for me. Love everyone and have a good weekend!
Lol Tracy, ew. I don't think I've been as busy as the Shipley's or the Staley's but these last few weeks have been crazy. It's amazing how much work goes into a funeral. I guess you just don't realize until it is all your responsibility. I keep forgetting to tell you mom and dad, thank you for the plant. Broomhead let us bring Carol's motorcycle in the building to display for the viewing and Dave put that out right by the tire. Thank you all of you for your cards and phone calls and everything.
ReplyDeleteDave's doing pretty well. He was up for an area manager position and did not get it but they want to start training him for the position coming open at the first of the year. He feels good about that.
As for me it's pretty much the same. I babysit and clean for Amy but it's usually pretty quiet during the day with Dave sleeping and kids at school.
Shalee is awesome, she decided to take on 2 honors classes and an AP class and so far she's doing really well. She didn't realize just how much home work she was going to have so it puts kind of a damper on her social life. But she'll do ok I think.
JJ is also adjusting to 7 th grade. He was sick to his stomach the first few days he was so nervous. He's taking a drama class next semester he's excited for. He's been pretty sick this week with that crud going around. But I think he's getting better.
Donovan is struggling a bit with 6 th grade. We usually wait a few weeks to start him on his ADD meds to see how he'll do but it never fails that we realize he needs them. So we hope that will help. Other than that he's still the funny guy he always is. He is starting another growth spurt were hoping it's not the big one yet. We just know he's going to be a big kid so we're kind of scared lol.
I think that's it. Glad to hear everyone's doing good. Love you all