Hope all of you enjoyed this wonderful holiday season. Christmas is always my favorite time of year. The sparkle, cold weather, and family time always brings back wonderful memories.
For many of you, this may be the first time viewing my blog. I started blogging as a way to share photos and updates on our family with you our family and friends. I will admit that since the school year has started, I haven't does as well with posting regularly, but hopefully when you check in you enjoy reading about us. We hope to hear from all of you soon and enjoyed the cards and pictures you sent. While mine is always late, I do enjoy getting yours. While you are able to look back at my past posts - I am giving a condensed update of what has been going on in our lives during the past year.
Kris continued working for the railroad as a conductor until August of this year. He had committed himself to a year, but then decided it just wasn't what he wanted. Too much time away and unpredictability. Fotunately, he has a found a job that he is enjoying much more. He is a police officer for the City of Abilene. He works 12 hour shifts (with a set schedule) and alternates every 3 weeks between days and nights. In April he will go to the police academy for about 14 weeks, Monday-Friday. He continues to golf when he can and helped coach Elliott's flag football team this past fall. He also purchased an 89 Jeep Wrangler which he hopes to work on his spare time. He has wanted one for several years and finally found one that he wanted at the right price!
Elliott is a second grader this year and is very much into all sports - depending on which one is in season. Of course right now that means basketball which he will start in January. This summer he went to several golf tournaments and was proud to win several medals. After basketball he will play soccer. He has several friends in his class this year and enjoys having them over to play. He is no longer in the school where I work, so he is able to ride the bus to his school which he really enjoys. While he often says he does not like school, he does very well which we hope continues.
Matigan is in her last year of preschool and is ready for the day when she no longer has to go to the sitter. We are on a countdown! She is into everything girl - barbies, baby dolls, dress up, and make-up. If it isn't pink or glittery, she isn't going to wear it! She had a speaking part in this year's preschool Christmas program, and she did great! In addition, to lots of play, she also continues to take dance lessons which this year includes tap along with ballet. She really does a great job and will continue as long as she enjoys it.
I am still an SLP in Abilene working with children aged 3-6. Each year proves new challenges in the students I work with. While the paperwork side of things is always a burden, seeing the accomplishments in the kids I help is rewarding. I am also in my 4th year of coaching freshmen girls' basketball and have a great group of girls this year as well as the largest group I've had - 14. Because of all the crazy weather we've had, we have only played on game this season (we won!), so January will be a busy month with make-up games. Then as if I'm not bust enough, I have agreed to teach a college-level class for Cloud County as part of their off-campus program. It is one night per week for the spring semester, and I am teaching it in Abilene so no traveling. Looks like it will be a busy start to our year.
In April, we moved to a new home in Abilene. It is larger than our previous home and has many of the features we wanted in a home including a two-car garage! I love not scraping snow or getting out in the rain! Hopefully, you caught our new address on your Christmas cards - if not, e-mail me, and I'll get it to you. Hope all of you have a great year, and we look forward to hearing from you or seeing you soon.
For many of you, this may be the first time viewing my blog. I started blogging as a way to share photos and updates on our family with you our family and friends. I will admit that since the school year has started, I haven't does as well with posting regularly, but hopefully when you check in you enjoy reading about us. We hope to hear from all of you soon and enjoyed the cards and pictures you sent. While mine is always late, I do enjoy getting yours. While you are able to look back at my past posts - I am giving a condensed update of what has been going on in our lives during the past year.
Kris continued working for the railroad as a conductor until August of this year. He had committed himself to a year, but then decided it just wasn't what he wanted. Too much time away and unpredictability. Fotunately, he has a found a job that he is enjoying much more. He is a police officer for the City of Abilene. He works 12 hour shifts (with a set schedule) and alternates every 3 weeks between days and nights. In April he will go to the police academy for about 14 weeks, Monday-Friday. He continues to golf when he can and helped coach Elliott's flag football team this past fall. He also purchased an 89 Jeep Wrangler which he hopes to work on his spare time. He has wanted one for several years and finally found one that he wanted at the right price!
Elliott is a second grader this year and is very much into all sports - depending on which one is in season. Of course right now that means basketball which he will start in January. This summer he went to several golf tournaments and was proud to win several medals. After basketball he will play soccer. He has several friends in his class this year and enjoys having them over to play. He is no longer in the school where I work, so he is able to ride the bus to his school which he really enjoys. While he often says he does not like school, he does very well which we hope continues.
Matigan is in her last year of preschool and is ready for the day when she no longer has to go to the sitter. We are on a countdown! She is into everything girl - barbies, baby dolls, dress up, and make-up. If it isn't pink or glittery, she isn't going to wear it! She had a speaking part in this year's preschool Christmas program, and she did great! In addition, to lots of play, she also continues to take dance lessons which this year includes tap along with ballet. She really does a great job and will continue as long as she enjoys it.
I am still an SLP in Abilene working with children aged 3-6. Each year proves new challenges in the students I work with. While the paperwork side of things is always a burden, seeing the accomplishments in the kids I help is rewarding. I am also in my 4th year of coaching freshmen girls' basketball and have a great group of girls this year as well as the largest group I've had - 14. Because of all the crazy weather we've had, we have only played on game this season (we won!), so January will be a busy month with make-up games. Then as if I'm not bust enough, I have agreed to teach a college-level class for Cloud County as part of their off-campus program. It is one night per week for the spring semester, and I am teaching it in Abilene so no traveling. Looks like it will be a busy start to our year.
In April, we moved to a new home in Abilene. It is larger than our previous home and has many of the features we wanted in a home including a two-car garage! I love not scraping snow or getting out in the rain! Hopefully, you caught our new address on your Christmas cards - if not, e-mail me, and I'll get it to you. Hope all of you have a great year, and we look forward to hearing from you or seeing you soon.
