I have been putting this off for long enough...it's time to write again! Since it's been so long since my last post I will pick up from there and try to remember everything!
We had a wonderful holiday season this year! It went by much too fast for my liking, but we were just so busy, there wasn't time to really savor it! After Thanksgiving, things seemed to whiz by in a blur. The day after Christmas, we left for Michigan with the youth group and had an amazing time! We definitely want to go back next year. The services were awesome and the whole atmosphere of the camp is unlike any other I have attended. It snowed the last night we were there and Haven had a blast making snow angels and having snow ball fights! It was the perfect ending to a wonderful week!
Haven is still doing beautifully in school! She is now into the first grade sight word lists, which she already knows! They have recently divided all the kindergarten classes into groups: high, middle-high, middle, low-middle and low. These labels are based on the child's knowledge and understanding of what they are learning. Haven is in the "high" group, which makes me extremely happy! She goes to a different classroom during their language arts time...a class that consists of all "high" students. They have implemented this system to make sure that each child is learning on the right level. Some kids need more help than others, and it's hard to meet every child's individual needs when they are all lumped together. This way, each child is in a classroom with kids on the same academic level and it makes things so much easier! Haven has a poem that she has to memorize each week, and has to say aloud every Thursday. I can't believe how long some of the poems are. She usually knows it the first night she brings it home. She has an amazing memory, which is probably why she is so good in school. She also recently became a "Livingston Leader" at school, which is an award that is given to students who show excellent behavior! This also makes me happy, to know that she is so well behaved when I'm not around! All in all, she absolutely loves school and we are very happy with the whole situation!
She is also coming right along with violin! The teacher says she has a natural ability and she is progressing nicely. She got a karaoke machine, a guitar and a keyboard for Christmas....needless to say, there is always music in this house! I'm glad she has such a love for music. She loves to sing and play along on any instrument! I think once she gets a little better at violin, we may start piano lessons too!
I am now officially licensed as an insurance agent! I took my state exam several weeks ago and just finished my Allstate courses as well! I am so glad it's all behind me. It's definitely one of the hardest things I have done in a while. When I started the process, I had no idea how much work it would be. It's all worth it, but I'm still glad to be finished. I can only imagine what it must feel like to complete 4 years of college and finally have a degree! I am going to start working from home just as soon as I get my bearings and fully understand what I'm doing. Even with all the studying and extra courses, some things just can't be learned without "hands on" training. I will be at the office some, gleaning what I can from everyone else.
Aaron's work has been pretty slow, but is picking up little by little. I think he is going a little nuts without something to do every minute. He thrives on working constantly and he gets bored very easily. With Spring not too far off, I'm sure he will soon be begging for a day off!
I really can't believe it's 2009...it seems like only yesterday everyone was running scared about Y2K, and here we are 9 years later! Wow! Aaron and I have been married for 9 years now and Haven will turn 6 this year. I have been looking at some old photos lately and I just can't believe how much time has passed. It makes me a little sad to realize all the time that's gone by, time you just can't get back. It seems like the older I get the faster time goes by. I suppose it's that way for everyone, but I just wish things would slow down a little. I remember being 12 and thinking "if only I were 13" and then "if only I were 16" and so on. Now I'm thinking, "I don't want to turn 30". But, like my mom always says "getting older sure beats the alternative". And she's right, I'd rather be old than dead! haha
Our annual youth banquet is coming up in February and we've already been planning for months! There is so much that goes into planning something like that, a whole weekend for more than 100 young people! We are expecting quite a crowd this year and I'm hoping we can accommodate them all. Everything is coming together, but there is so much that can't be done until the last minute. That makes me nervous, because I like to have everything done at least a week ahead of time. I have lots of help which makes it easier. I certainly couldn't do it on my own! I always enjoy planning it and pulling it off. It's nice to be a part of something that people enjoy and hopefully be a blessing to someone!
The Monday after the banquet, we are leaving for a week at Disney World with mom and dad. It seems to be a tradition now...this will be the 4th year in a row that we've been. I am so looking forward to it! It will be nice to get away and relax after the banquet weekend is over. We have already booked our condo and decided what parks we'll visit. Haven is beyond excited, you'd think she's never been! I will probably not post again until we get back, knowing me like I do : )
I'll try to post some pictures when we get back!
