Trying Again

Oh, to have put together a lovely post, detailin g our activities only to have it lost when our dial-up connection is severed. To recap:

The kids are great. School is underway - and all are excited about new books and activities. We found a piano teacher that seems to have great possibilities. She pointed out some deficiencies in our #1 daughter's piano education - the absence of scale practice is one. Easily corrected. #2 daughter had her first lesson and is quite excited. The Civil Air Patrol (CAP) Cadet program has been very good. #1 son was taken up flying - a front seat ride. He loved it and now has aspirations of a pilot's license.

17 lambs took a ride to "go away" somewhere. It is time - prices are up, we need the pasture to recover from having 50+ sheep on it.

My favorite husband and I are well. He continues to enjoy his position at work and is enjoying the crisp, late summer days. I am a bit weary after a controversy resulting in a long, late meeting last night with frustrating results. Too bad we can't just walk away, but the organization is our church. It is intriguing to me as to how some interpret Christianity - and apply the interpretation selectively. Moving is a possibility (what would I call the update at that point? Hmm, I have my pick of states). What are nurses being paid in your state? How does the cost of living look? Meanwhile, we plan to scale back our involvement to reduce frustration. We have missed traveling due to weekend commitments and hope to take that back up again. I hear the Badlands calling my name. School, however, is great. Thus far A&P's "A" is holding. Tests abound this week. One in speech on Friday, another in Cultural Anthropology on Thursday. A quiz on the pectoral girdle, upper appendages and spinal column today - 19/18 - missed one and got two extra points. Fun, fun.

Happy Birthday - "Little" One

Today we celebrate our youngest daughter's 9th birthday. Nine years ago, I labored on Labor Day. She was a scheduled induction and my doctor showed up in the morning wearing shorts and sandals heading out to a party. He checked in on me every two hours or so and was in frequent contact with the nurse. We were blessed that all of my brothers and their significant others were available to care for our oldest two children as we had commuted from North Dakota back to Illinois to have the baby (can you tell I LOVED my OB-and had to COBRA insurance and had to stay "in the plan?"). Following her birth (with my physician approporiately attired and present), we were surrounded by family members - all of us awed by yet another miracle.

I celebrate her birthdays with great joy, but a tinge of sadness as the little girl is rapidly disappearing, replaced by a delightful adolescent.