WOW! Can we say whirlwind? Life has been both hectic and crazy yet fun all at the same time. So since we haven't talked to many lately here is what is going on.
Paul is still working like crazy - the plant is now on 24 hour shifts till the project is done - hence my poor husband is working 12-16 hour days right now. He still finds time to make it home on my school nights, complete homework with the kids and still help out around the house - how? I am not quite sure. One day he still envisions finishing the basement and putting in a band room with the bar, lighting and stage of his dreams - the whole family is excited. Yesterday the whole family pulled all of the dead weeds, raked the leaves and turned off all of the outside water to prepare for the winter. He really has grown a lot since we met almost two years ago. He has been an amazingly supportive and understanding husband and father and giving the situation that he was thrown into he will always be my hero. The kids and Paul have built this really amazing bond where Alexys would rather talk to dad than me. Let just say he over works, he cooks, he cleans, does homework with the kids and still makes time to help me study for my courses - some days I wonder how I found him and why it wasn't sooner.
Alexys and Chandler - those poor kids. We started of the school year pretty rocky with a new school that didn't have the same educational goals for our children as we did. On Tuesday Alexys and Chandler started a new school, Meadow Elementary - they are Mustangs now and this seems to be a much better fit for the both of them. Sadly they can no longer walk to and from school (which I am sure that they will appreciate come winter) and instead they ride "short" bus - no jokes about it around them - it is a sore subject.
Alexys' new teacher is Miss Hooker - Alexys loves her new school and her new 4th grade class. She now wants to earn money to start Karate with the neighbor girls. Since we have moved out here she has made a whole new slue of friends and often is gone playing with someone or having a sleep over at grandma's. We don't know what we would do without my mom lately as she has take the kids a lot! Alexys is happy as can be and can't wait to turn 10 in December - something about the double digits scares me.
Chandler's new teacher is Miss Franson, he has been moved to a small group teaching unit and after only two days has fit right in with his classmates and is doing well. We were blessed when we found Chandler's tutor Mary who comes to our home a couple of days a week to tutor him on his reading, writing and spelling. In just a couple of short months he has excelled so much, he is really starting to catch on. He is 8 and in 2nd grade this year and while still behind on reading and writing is excelling and interested in math - Paul and I really believe that he will do well. Poor kid has had overtime on education as he sits with Mary for 2-3 hours a week and then Paul and I also supplement his education with 6-8 hours of home reading, writing, spelling and math but he has done well with it.
I am still at my same old job with DWS attempting to save the world - all the while trying really hard to get through this semester of college. Anatomy & Physiology has been killing me. I really have enjoyed my Social Work class lately and am sure that this is the field I want to pursue for my adult career one day. Work has been hectic - we recently were all moved to new teams with new supervisors and cases. I have determined that I don't mind helping my new 300+ customers however I really liked and miss my old caseload of 300 customers - it is hard after building a bond with customers for two years trading caseloads with someone else. I guess I need to be positive and look at it as I have the opportunity to make a difference in my new customers lives just like I did with the others. But still... GRRR! LOL
All in all our family is still doing quite well, we have all had our ups and downs but that is also what keeps us all on our toes. We are planning and hoping to spend the Thanksgiving holidays with the Brooks Family in Richland, Oregon. The kids are begging for snow so they can go sledding. We are planning to have our first Christmas married in our new home this year - so that will be really exciting - now we will have to see if we can find time for Paul to hang the Christmas lights or put up the tree with his new work schedule.
We miss our family and friends and hope that they all understand that we have not forgotten them but have been building a family and a home. Time has just blown right by us. We wish everyone well and if we don't have a chance to see you have a safe and happy holiday season!!
The Brooks
