T H E B E A C H!!! Who isn't up for that?
JACKIE.....is a singer, so she is doing the Indiana University Children's Choir. After singing a few solos at church events, a friend asked me if she was in that choir. The Choir will perform the end of April. She is also performing in a dancing musical of Cinderella/101 Dalmatians on February 27th. This is with Bloomington Stages group. She loves the dancing parts as well. She is a narrator in Cinderella and Perdita in 101. Jackie is still doing gymnastics at BUGS here in Bloomington, and is about to move into Flipsters, which will be 4 hours a week instead of one. She is convinced her body will adapt to the extra work she wants it to do. Academically, she is LOVING science right now, loves being home schooled, and is doing well at 2nd grade level.
DALLIN......is a BEATLES fan. There are now 14 albums around the house, and he knows every word. He and Steve went to a tribute concert of the Beatles at IU, and he loved it. Star Wars continues to be a major part of his brain's activity also. Star Wars Legos decorate his room. He is taking piano lessons, but insists on playing theme songs from Star Wars, and uses the piano to figure out Beatles songs on his guitar. He is learning Spanish, writing, pre-algebra, still reading like a mad-man (since he was 4), and loves the comfort of home while he is learning. Dallin enjoys chess club and boy scouts. He is reviewing 7th grade levels, and doing very well. Next year, 8th grade, will also be spent here at home. THEN IT'S ON TO HIGH SCHOOL!
Tami is constantly ORGANIZING school supplies and home stuff and the kitchen---which makes her very happy. Someday she'll get to the garage and the loft closet... This surprises her sometimes, but she loves having Dallin and Jackie at home with her. She realizes time is passing faster, and they'll move on away from her soon enough. These are very valuable years for her. Tami cooks spuratically...when the mood comes, she'll make lots of food (too much for a full day of meals), then there will be no food for a few days. Everyone loves cereal! She is baking bread! Huge accomplishment. And most of the time, it rises. She struggles to not eat sugar, is mostly a vegetarian, and loves eating other protein sources. Don't start a conversation with her about food---she won't shut up! She wants to read her own books...but what is ENOUGH time to read? She wonders if she made a checklist like she has for the kids, including physical and spiritual care, and learning/school if she would have time for anything else. Then she'd also have to add the heading "work" to the list...that's what she spends most of her time doing.
Steve----oh, we all love Steve. He's our bread and butter, he's the lifeline we all hold on to. He makes the money! Steve's job at IU is going well. He rarely gets everything done before he has to come home, but it's where he wants to be. Steve is the FUN DAD. He plays with Jackie exactly as she needs him to, and they have a special bond that is wonderful to watch. He and Dallin share manly phrases and banter. And movie lines!
Our family is happy. What more is necessary? We attribute this happiness to our faith in God. Heavenly Father answers our prayers, we talk to him often, and we read his words together. Love and service are (most of the time) in our hearts because our Father loved us first. And Jesus Christ redeems us all the time.
