October....

So...two weeks have past, and fall is here.  We are trying to stay ahead of...well, everything.  Schoolwork, bills, kids, jobs, sleep or lack thereof, church callings...everything.  Its amazing how when you think you have things under control or on a schedule, and you take a quick "nap" so to speak how things can get away from you while your eyes are closed.

Updates:
Ethan - he still struggles at school a little.  He wakes up in the morning and asks if he has to go to school each day.  He counts on his calendar for the weekend...and he's only in first grade.  Does this tell you anything about what his school experience is.  He has his issue, but I don't think the teacher or the school are right for Ethan.  I think he's already been pegged as a problem child, wiggler, talker, instigator, and once you are marked, it's hard to overcome that.  They send nightly homework home in folders and if they kids don't do them, they take away their recess the next day.  We won't go into how wrong I think that is for 1st graders, but let's just say, I'm ssssoooo close to homeschooling, it's not even funny.  Other than school, Ethan is an active and healthy 7 year old.  He is learning to skate on "real" roller skates, he is a lego starwars/indian jones/batman/harry potter xbox game expert, he loves to ride his bike and play with his real legos, and he sings and dances and is becoming quite the little movie buff.  Recent acquisition, How To Train Your Dragon...and he tells you what's coming, or what's happening even though we are all sitting around watching the movie with him.  He's our comic relief.  Ethan's flag football season ended.  He was finally starting to get the hang of it towards the end.  In his last game, he got the flags off the runners belt, and got to run with the ball himself.  He also got into a knock 'em down, tubble with a kid from the other team as well.  Yes, Ethan.  Now we are looking forward to basketball season.

Torey - Torey is getting better and better at her clarinet.  She comes home and practices most days of the week.  She's gotten several nods of improvement and encouragement from the band director already for being able to play things before the other kids or at least being able to play them better, as in tone, and recognizing what she's playing, better than the other kids.  She is getting ready for basketball season herself.  My sister and I will be coaching her league team again this winter.  Midquarter grades she was making A's and two B's, so that's good.  She has been reading a lot, and trying to stay active.  Torey is also learning to skate on "real" roller skates.  She skated a mile the other day and didn't fall until the end.  I was proud of her.  She's learning to do a fancy turn, but hasn't quite mastered skating backwards.  She's enjoying young womens and has already passed off a few value experiences.

Jason - Jason has enjoyed a two week break in his schooling and starts back up this week.  Instead of having online classes this session, he'll be taking two inseat classes twice a week on Wednesdays and Thursdays from 5:30 to 10:30pm each night.  The hours are interesting but he's looking forward to the classroom interaction and discussions.  He's counting down until graduation and at this point, has 32 weeks of school left, with a couple weeks of break inbetween all that.  We have decided that we'll be going to NY for Chrismtas this year.  Jason has arranged his vacation days at work to make this possible.  We'll be hitting Virginia for a couple days, and then up to Mexico, NY, for Christmas at his Mom's house.  He's excited, really excited.  He says it's his first Christmas with his mom and NY family in about 12 years.

Sara - I'm halfway through my semester at school.  Counting down to the end already.  This has been a long semester for me.  Maybe because I get up at 5:45 a.m. each morning and am lucky if I get to close my eyes by Midnight.  I'm glad hours at the theater have died down a little because that gives me more time to get my homework done and spend time with my kids.  I was called to be 2nd counselor in the YW Presidency last sunday and am looking forward to playing more of a part in helping the young women.  I get to work with some awesome ladies and terrific Young Women too.  I'm gearing up to coach Torey's 6th grade girls basketball team for the league her in town.  My sister Bethany will be joining me again to help.  It takes two with these sixth grade girls. ha ha. 

That's how we're doing at this point.  Trucking along towards the holidays, looking forward to spending time with our families.  We are so lucky to have wonderful families.  It's been brought to the surface of my mind several times recently, just how infinately lucky we are to have the gospel and all that we have.  We might not be rich according to the world, but what I have in the gospel and spiritually with my families and friends is worth so much more.  I thank my Heavenly Father for his blessings and for each member of my family.  Each person plays a vital part in my life and helps to shape me...and I definately wouldn't be who I am without each of you.  Thanks to you all.