Soccer, Volleyball & Answers

A few of the many things that have been going on in our lives/family lately:

*Brian's Grandpa in New York has been having some health issues lately. His heart is starting to fail and he has been passing out alot. We are praying for him to come to know Jesus in these last days of his life.

*Avery's screening test at school revealed that she is very bright, but she is having trouble with auditory processing. This is not a surprise, in fact it's pretty much what I thought, so it was good have it confirmed by professionals. Auditory processing disorders tend to mimic ADD, which is the other thing I thought it might be. She's not quite old enough to be tested for ADD, but we will probably need to look into that in the next year or two. For now, she is going to be getting one on one time twice a week with a special teacher who will work with her on speed, focusing, listening and transition skills. Our main goal is for her to love school again and feel successful in the classroom. I am so proud of how hard she is working and her efforts, and I can't wait to see the progress she will make in the next few months.

*I am working as a caregiver at church every other Sunday. I keep the young two's (Laney's not in my class) on Sunday and I also take care of the babies/toddlers during our Wednesday night Awana and Thursday morning women's Bible study. It's quite a leap from teaching high school, but God is using this time of my life to teach me simplicity and patience. I hope I am learning what He wants me to learn. I have found that taking care of little ones is physically demanding. I mean, I am definitely tired from taking care of my own kids, but keeping a nursery for 3-4 hours, 3 days a week, is exhausting. But it's a blessing to bring my kids to work with me and take care of them while I'm taking care of the sweet little ones in our church.

*Brian is enjoying being an AP so far, but he a lot busier than he expected. Some days he doesn't get to sit down to eat his lunch until 2. He already busted a kid for selling drugs at school and another kid for threatening to bring a gun to school. The mother of that kid was pretty mad that Brian sent her kid to alternative school so she called him "Mr. Crappy." Ha!

*Our crazy, hyper, sweet dog Belle is starting to have some heart problems. We started her on a very inexpensive heart medication a few weeks ago, and we're praying it works to shrink her heart back down to normal size so she will live a few more years. I got very emotional about it when the vet first told me she may only have a year left. She & Bandit were our first "kids." We got Bandit right after we were married and we got Belle about a year later. They are such a great dogs, and it's hard to imagine not having Belle around. We are going in for another checkup next week, so hopefully Belle' heart is responding to the medicine.

*We went to the Third Day concert on Saturday. They are always great, but I really loved the opening act, Matthew West. He is one of my new favorites now. I especially love "Strong Enough."

I know I’m not strong enough to be

Everything that I’m supposed to be
I give up, I’m not strong enough
Hands of mercy won’t You cover me?
Lord, right now I’m asking You to be
Strong enough, strong enough
For the both of us

*Avery started volleyball and Tatum started soccer at the Y last weekend. We have been doing a lot of practicing in the backyard on both sports and they are both improving so much. It was so much fun to go to their games on Saturday. I told Brian I would love it if we always had some sports game to go to on the weekends. It's just fun to me. It was a nice day to be at the Y. It was freezing in the gym during Avery's v-ball game, then we went outside for Tatum's soccer game and it was hot, but with a nice breeze. Just fun.

Avery's team "Crush" is made up of 6/7 year old girls, most have never played volleyball before. Brian is coaching the team, along with a sweet high school girl. Avery got four serves over the net during the first game! Here's my little server below:

Tatum's team "New York" is co-ed four year olds. She has never played before, but she got the hang of it pretty quick. No picking flowers for this girl, she chased the ball down and even got to throw it in once.

Brian giving her some instructions during the water break. And her team meeting at the end of the game. I think they tied 1-1, but I'm pretty sure both goals were accidental.

And these two were great cheerleaders.

Yesterday, Avery received her first real Bible along with all the 1st graders at church. It is so cool and has the best pictures. She has not put it down once since she got it yesterday.

Here's our sweet girl, who always looks like she's just been in a fight. You can see the scars - one between her eyes and one beside her left eye. She always tries to do everything as quickly as possible and sometimes things like coffee tables or metal chairs just get in the way.

Brian will be 34 on Thursday and Bodie will be 6 months on Wednesday! I can't believe we've had him for half a year already! He is sitting up now, blowing raspberries, grabbing everything within his reach (which is why I got my hair cut short!), eating everything I put on a spoon, throwing a few fits too, but such a joy to all of us.