It Has Been a YEAR (since the last post)!

Time keeps ticking and we realized that we have not made an update on the blog for way too long!  So here is the summary of the past year….

We added a puppy (Shelby) this year! 

sports, sports, and more sports this year!

We will start with Bryce…he continues to enjoy playing soccer.  It has been exciting to see him excel, develop his ball handling skills and watching the teams actually starting to maintain their positions and play the game well.  Third grade proposed to be more challenging than previous grades because he actually had to learn to study from chapters in textbooks for the tests.  He did very well and loves math.  He took piano lessons the past year, picked it up very fast and was doing great, but by the end of the year, the excitement had worn off and he was glad it was over.  Bryce also played basketball this year and loved it.  He plays it almost every day in the driveway!  In the Spring, Bryce played for 2 soccer teams (one regular season and one ‘competitive’ team), which kept us busy with practices and games, but it was fun.

Bryce playing soccer!!

Elise tried a new sport in the Fall—softball.  She has not been shy in trying new things but is known for not wanting to continue them once started (we don’t let her quit, but we are ALL glad when the seasons end!)   However, she LOVED softball and it was fun to see her get better as the season progressed.  She had some great coaches that helped her learn the game.  Elise played ball again in the Spring and it was amazing to see how her skills improved and her team won the championship!!  Elise also took piano and like Bryce was very glad when it came to an end.  As far as school, Elise loves to read, P.E., and recess, and that about sums it up!

Elise playing softball!

Finally, Benjamin continues to grow and mature physically and emotionally.  It is very encouraging to see how the dynamics in our family has changed.  Bryce and Elise no longer cater to his every need, but treat him more like an equal sibling.  They all play very well together, so we are very blessed in that way!  Bryce and Benjamin tend to play more together outside being bonded with boy interests.  Benjamin went to pre-school 3 days/week and loved his teacher and made a really good friend named Jake.  To hear him talk about his friend was very exciting!  He played Spring tee-ball and loved it!  He can throw a ball unbelievable and all the coaches and parents noticed.  They would question us on where he learned to throw like he does and we can only say that it is a God given talent!  God has blessed him athletically!

This summer has been wonderful, but is passing fast.  We were able to go to Ohio and visit family.  Scott and I were able to get away for a few days to a conference he was attending in San Francisco, which was such a blessing!  We have been to the beach and had quite the experience with fishing and caught record sized grouper and red snapper (for our boat, at least!)  We are so fortunate to have a boat and my brother who knows where to go to catch these huge fish!  One highlight of the summer was the Back Yard Bible Club that we had the opportunity to participate in at the Birmingham Chinese Christian Church.  We had a great turn out and made lots of friends w/ our brothers and sisters in Christ.

Scott’s job is going well with his research and teaching and he just found out that he was promoted to Associate Professor with tenure!  This is a wonderful answer to prayer and so thankful that God granted him this promotion!  I continue to work 2 days a week with my home health company, Amedisys, which is a great blessing as well.  Well, this about sums up the past year.  Stay posted for the next update….big news coming!