Hello, Everyone--
BRITT and Jason are doing well in CA, though I've only texted Britt, so I don't have details on much (other than that she's trying to work out a ride to come and visit here in September over Labor Day week.)
AUDREY is moving out on Friday (party at MY house on Saturday--haha--just kiddin'), and is counting down 'til she escapes the life of confinement she's been living and sails into the blissful sea of independence (double haha--I'm guessing she'll like us a LOT better within a few months =). She also begins her f/t college classes August 29th.
JAMES is dreading school beginning (August 23rd). He has managed quite well to avoid learning much of anything this summer, although I must admit that he has almost perfected his dish-washing/counter-wiping skills. Those will be of great benefit with Audrey moving out: we need his hands to help with KP when school starts again. Today, James was set apart to be the Teacher's Quorum Secretary, and he's quite excited. (Now that I think about it, perhaps his excitement was the result of noticing that he can now look DOWN on his dad's bald spot?)
KATIE now has all of her uniform clothes for her first year of middle school at Dave's (private LDS) school. She makes a gagging noise when someone mentions it, but when we were shopping for the shirts, she picked out a few hair "things" to go with the uniforms, and she wears the sweats (embroidered with the school logo) constantly (it's relatively chilly in our basement). She has done a FABULOUS job learning to clean to my spec's this summer: it helped that she did NOT try to avoid such learning experiences! I am sooo grateful that she'll be here to help this school year--again, with KP duty especially.
ISAAC has enjoyed the summer library trips, reading and drawing each day, but alas, has given a middling amount of effort learning to clean "things." One notable exception was cleaning the bathroom: he was so proud he showed his dad as SOON as Dave walked in the door from his summer-school gig. He and I have enjoyed our time together this summer, and it's bittersweet to have him tell me he wishes school wouldn't start so I could be here more with him. Ah, well....
DAVE finished his two summer school classes last Friday, which means he has two weeks to get everything together for teaching his core classes this year: English and World History (9th grade) and Yearbook. He's excited to have Katie going with him every day, and SWEARS he'll be home by 4p to get the kids a) working on homework/chores, and b) have dinner ready by 5:30p. He's figuring I'll be stressed out, and he's probably right. ("If I only had [his] brain"--while working f/t and being in grad school f/t--I would be fine!) He plans on going golfing with Dad sometime over the next two weeks before his school begins (August 30th). He also just bought some aluminum wire so he can make himself a chain-mail shirt this fall--sounds fun, right?
As for ME--here's your laugh of the hour: I am attending MATH CAMP Monday through Thursday this week! Yes, in only 8 hours a day, for four days, I will be completely reviewing all 16 chapters of the semester-long College Algebra text (gulp). Friday, I'll be helping Audrey move in and prepping my room/self for the first day of class at my school, Monday, August 22nd. Then, August 23rd-24th, I'll be at school 'til 4p and driving to Provo for my MPA Orientation nights (5-10p). Back to School Night (at my school) is Thursday, August 25th, from 6-8p. I did tell Dave that I'd do this "double whammy" deal through the semester (December break, really) and possibly quit at that point, depending on whether or not I sense a nervous breakdown coming on. If I tell myself I have a choice--even if it's not much of one--the semester doesn't seem so daunting. (If you happen to know any other mind tricks I might be able to play on myself, feel free to email them to me!)
You're all in our thoughts and prayers--it was good to see you all at the Reunion--
Elizabeth "Libby" Hancock