Only a few more weeks until Christmas.....(another week has gone by)

Well, another week has flown by and it's hard to believe it is only about 10 weeks until Christmas! Are you panicking yet??? I am trying not to think about it! Of course, this will be Esther Marie's first Christmas with us, so that will be very special.

We had Kinder music again today and Esther Marie still likes going. Each week her comfort level varies though. One week she was very shy and clung to me and then another week she was running around checking everyone out and dancing all around. Well, this week she was more on the shy side again and wanted me to hold her several times while she put her head on my shoulder. Up and down and up and down she went. It's a great little class for her because she watches the other kids with their moms or grandmoms and she imitates. She is also getting more language exposure while in the class. She is saying a few words clearly, but her language is still very delayed.

Hannah is thinking of joining the newspaper staff again at school since basketball didn't work out. She was on the staff last year. She enjoys it because she loves to write. I think this would be a good activity for her in addition to girl scouts. Joshua is finishing up a unit on the rain forest at school now and has been enjoying decorating his classroom. He did a project on the Harpy Eagle which is the type that lives in a rain forest, and he got to share with his class and several other classes. He is working diligently to learn his multiplication table. Remember when YOU had to do that? MaryAlyce recently learned a song and her teacher made a video of the whole class singing. They are submitting it for some contest and if they win, they might get computers and ipods. They are wanting to share some of the "technology" with a class in Tennessee...if they win. I think this is great! She is happily loving being a Daisy (girl scout), and she is now reading chapter books...Junie B. Jones is her favorite.

I am finding some time to spend on Wednesday evenings with a friend of mine while Jasper takes the kids to church, and that is giving me a much needed break during the middle of the week. It seems that it is harder to make time these days for some quality "mommy time." I must admit that the gym time is not going that well, but I am committed to sticking with it. Can the majority of us say that we just LOVE working out? (laugh) I think probably not! A couple of weeks ago I found this great Thrift Store. Why is it so great? Well, they are a 501(c)(3) business that gives ALL of their profits to missionaries and Christian missions groups. Not only can you shop there and pick up some great stuff for much less, but you can help others. And...I have found a place to take stuff from my house that I no longer want and I know it will be for a great cause. I feel like I have hit a bonanza! Perhaps when Esther Marie gets in school, I can volunteer to help there.

Last but not least, what is Jasper up to? He is still traveling some but not a whole lot. This travel gives him a nice break out of town, and I'm sure it's work he enjoys. He is working to finish up a project for his business also and that is keeping him busy. He does still have a lot of time for our family which is a super plus of having his own architectural practice. One of his bigger projects has been delayed further until next year and that is probably a sign of the times, so to speak. I think most building projects slow down when the economy is lagging. Please pray that God will continue to supply work and the necessary funds to sustain our family through this "depressed" time.

I hope all is well with you and if we can pray for you in any way, please drop us a note at our blog email address: www.4everinourhearts@gmail.com .