2010 Christmas letter

We continued to be busy, healthy, challenged, and happy in 2010. Rayne turned two in February and though he has been sleeping through the night for a long time now, he is still exhausting. He talks like a scholar and constantly. He knows his alphabet, numbers and shapes, but has shown very little interest in learning his colors. When his feet hit the floor in the morning he begins running, yelling, jumping, climbing, talking, screaming, hugging, kissing, and it does not stop until we put him to bed at night. He is spoiled, and opinioned, but also joyful and loving. He tells us often how much he loves us and enjoys snuggling. He is so busy and all boy!! I used to think mom was exaggerating when she talked about little Mike, I don’t anymore.

Lexy’s year began with us becoming painfully aware of some problems she was having in pre-k. She was in a small church preschool, and because of this we felt secure and safe that she was being treated lovingly and fairly, but sadly this was not the case at all. We cautiously allowed her to finish out the year. After lots of soul searching, professional advice, and prayer Monty and I decided that homeschooling would be best for her. We have unofficially begun this year and have started practicing. Since her birthday is right at the cut off, we will start kindergarten through the school system next year. I believe everything happens for a reason, and this experience is what opened our eyes and hearts to new options. We are excited and nervous about our new journey, but truly believe it is what’s best for Alexis. Right now we are exploring curriculum and really like the Waldorf program. Their mission is “to provide young people with the capacity for freedom of thought, empathy and initiative, so they will be able to make meaningful contributions to society and the world”. Lexy likes going to school at home and sometimes asks to do school work on the weekends. She still receives speech therapy twice a week, started a Daisies girl scout’s troop and is making new friends. She is strong willed and challenging, but sweet and loving to a fault. I feel honored to be the one to love and care for her and now to teach her.

Gary Consulting thankfully is staying busy. Monty has been working very hard and the business continues to grow each year. He has several good contractors working for him, and has many new clients.

I love staying home with my kids, it is my favorite and most challenging job I have ever had. I feel grateful I am able to do so. I have always been thrifty, but lately I have been taking it to a whole new level. I have started couponing, buying used, dented, clearance, and of course reusing. It helps me feel like I am contributing, and Monty appreciates the savings.

We bought a travel trailer in September, and absolutely LOVE it. We have been wanting one for some time, because tent camping with the kids (and Monty in that case) is just too much. We got a great deal on it. It’s a 2006 Starcraft with bunk beds for everyone. We have already camped at several music shows and had a blast. I love it because it is like homemaking away from home. Monty loves it because it is air conditioned.
We still have a passion for foster children and for that reason, we are still holding on to our foster parent license. I keep thinking every year our kids will be older (our life more stable) and we will be ready to foster again, but right now we just really aren’t sure. We are available for emergency placements and respite to help out other foster parents, but still are not taking any long term placements.

We have had another year of learning, growing and blessings. Our family grows stronger with every year that passes. As always we are thankful for all of your love, support, encouragement and friendship. Merry Christmas!