For a long time, I was posting all of the "happenings" in our family on Facebook. I have recently come to the conclusion that those will eventually be lost, and I will have not record of them. At least with this blog, I can print and save all of my posts. 2012! The years are slipping by, and it really scares me at times. I just want to freeze time and enjoy every second of life. Natalie and Colton are growing and learning even faster than ever.
Colton is loving 2nd grade and has scored in the 99th percentile in math and the 97th percentile in reading. He loves to read, especially non-fiction, and is still building with Legos. He has decided that he wants to attend USC (go Gamecocks) and wants to be an engineer or architect. I am sure that will change several times before we get to college, but I am thrilled that he shows so much interest already. He is playning soccer for the first time this season. It takes up a lot of time, but he seems to enjoy it.
Natalie is in kindergarten, and she is a music lover. She loves to sing, play the piano and recorder, and dance. Her favorite related art class is music, and she comes home to share everything she learns each week. We are planning a trip to Dollywood since she learned about Dolly Parton in class. She lost her first tooth on February 6th and her second tooth February 17. She went to the dentist today and had to have a spacer put in. Teeth are already starting to cost a fortune! Yikes! Natalie has a new friend who recently moved into the neighborhood. Her name is Mikayla and she lives right behind us. They ride the bus home in the afternoons, and they take turns playing at each other's houses in the afternoons. It reminds me of having Theresa as a best friend for all of those years and her living behind us. I am hoping that she will have some of the same memories that I still have.
We have been active in church, and the kids really enjoy it. Midlands Christian Church feels like home, and we enjoy the activities that they provide. We spend time volunteering at our local thrift store (one of the kids very favorite things to do) and we are fortunate to have our minister live next door. It's nice to be able to walk over and ask a question or have his daughters over to play with Colton and Natalie.
After three years teaching at Lexington Middle School, I have moved to Dutch Fork Middle. I absolutely love it there! It's a bit of a drive, but I get to cross the dam every morning and the lake is gorgeous! I am able to teach 7th and 8th grade English/language arts to college prep level students. My heart has always been with the students who work at or below grade level. I am not best suited for working with honors students. I am on block scheduling, so I teach three 80 minute blocks and have one 80 minute prep. The school also operates on a rotating schedule, so each week the students will see teachers at different times. It keeps things fresh and doesn't allow you to get bored with routine.
Mike is still a paramedic for Lexington County. He still loves his job. What a blessing for both of us to have jobs that we absolutely love! I can't imagine working a job that wasn't fulfilling. He has been with the county since 2005. He has plans to take some courses for a teaching certification so he will be able to teach, but he has no plans to really change what he does. He loves public service, and will probably stay on the ambulance until his back gives out completely!
We live in Lexington, South Carolina. We love this place, and I can't imagine living anywhere else. We love the spring, when all of the plants start to bloom, and the grass becomes green again, the summer is hot and humid, but we lay by the pool the entire time. The kids love to go for walks in the summer to see fireflies and catch frogs. We love the color changes in the fall and all of the leaf removal that comes with it! We really do enjoy the yard work, strange I know. Living a mile from Lake Murray has it's perks as well. Fishing and Jet skiing on the lake is a favorite of the kids. We grill out and eat on the porch almost every night in the spring, summer, and fall. Winter isn't too harsh and doesn't last too long here. This year has been strange with the temperature bouncing between 70 and 30 every other day.
We have taken over my mom and dad's house and plan to stay here permanently. My mom lives with us, and I am so glad that the children are able to grow up so close to her. She drives them to school every morning, rather than riding the bus. It's something that she says she really looks forward to every day. Mom has "retired" from her full time job and is working part-time as a massage therapist. She seems to have found something that really makes her happy.
I guess that is about enough for now. I really will try to keep this thing updated... We'll see.
<3
