Year in Review

2013 is coming to a close, but as always, I try to look back over the year and remember what we've accomplished. This year has felt very like a whirlwind to me. So many amazing things have happened, and we've had some really great times. Here are some highlights...

Gabe (age 15 and a sophomore) is very involved in his high school running team. We live and breathe and sleep cross country (XC) in the fall, and in the spring it all channels to track.  He is doing very well, running solidly in the top 12 on the XC squad this fall, lettering in XC, and even winning a JV race. He has a good shot at varsity next fall if he keeps training and pushing himself.  He is also still involved in band, is always coming up with creative things to pursue, and keeps his grades at top notch as well.  I'm not sure exactly when he has time to do all this, but we are very proud! 

Bethany (age 13 and 8th grade) is also excelling at school. This year she earned straight A's for the first time ever, and is enjoying singing in choir and being a part of the yearbook committee.  She ran track last spring and had a great season, but is not planning to run again this year.  She has also become very involved in a local youth group she attends with several friends (since we don't have one yet).  She has many friends who are very amused by her sweet, funny, and sometimes quirky personality. We often have a good laugh over things she says and does. She is sunshine in our lives and it is impossible to not smile when you are around her.

Micci (age 10 and 5th grade) has handled two school transitions in two years with grace and confidence.  She is coming to Holmes with me this year and is having a great year so far.  She loves her teacher and is at the top of her class in everything.  She has made some great new friends, and is involved with student government and a playground mediation group called Peacemakers. She also helps in a kindergarten class a few times a week and is dreaming of becoming a kindergarten teacher someday. She is really coming out of her shell and gaining confidence in being a leader to her friends.  She is also still very involved in Irish dance and is doing a great job!






As far as Jon and I go, we are also both doing well.  Jon is still doing Guitar Club and is also teaching privately and in a homeschool co-op. Our church is growing slowly but surely, and we are excited for the coming year.  We moved out of our living room at the end of February last year, and we are again finding ourselves feeling like we have outgrown our new space.  So we are praying and looking for the next step. 
We were able to buy a home in the spring, and spent a couple of months remodeling before we moved in at the end of July. We miss our neighbors, but we love our new place. Jon and I also ran our first Bloomsday races in May, and accomplished our first half marathons in October! Running has definitely become a way of life around here.
I am in my second year at Holmes and so far, this year is going very well.  My before school choir has grown from about 8 students last year (on a good day!!) to right around 35 this year!!  We were able to take two field trips in December to sing for local businesses that provide support for Holmes. 
Dolly is still our sweet, lovable dog.  She will be 4 in April, and has become very lazy in her "old" age.  She loves to lay on the couch, take naps, and keep the neighborhood watch out the front window.
We have many plans for the New Year, including continuing to work on little jobs around our home, more running (lots of it), and some travels as well.  We hope this year end review finds you well, and wish for blessings, peace and joy in the coming year.  2013 was grand, but here's to 2014!!

If you instagram, you can follow our adventures using  #mightymeeks.