Chris' mom had hip surgery last Monday and came through well, however, had signs of heart stress or heart attack so they moved her to St. Mary's where they can monitor her heart better. She had an angiogram today, but we have not heard of how everything went.
My dad lost all his energy, and hair, of which I think the latter was more frustrating. I did talk to him today and he sounded like he is taking a turn for more energy since his chemo last Tuesday. I hadn't talked to him, because honestly I wasn't much company myself. It was good to hear his voice today.
Chris is taking Jonathan to football, making sure he has shoes to keep up with his growing feet, and doing all the handy man stuff: gutters, hockey shooting space, getting us raking, securing the camper, varnishing my bookshelves, and all the while being a good Dad & husband.
I am trying to teach the kids, but some days the kids are "trying" me! I'm enjoying the GPS, Bible, Outliers, and the Boy Who Came Back from Heaven, as well as Sunday mornings, and a few choice words from some friends to help me "find my way"!
Katya is working hard at school, is looking forward to driving lessons, she's a great help around the house, and is generally a really good big sister. She made some beautiful cards from a kit her grandma gave her a while back and gave one to me. She likes every minute we can spend together alone which is a rare occurance.
Jaclyn is cruising through her subject matter...but could pick up the pace on Algebra & Biology. She practiced her piano like an "outlier" today after reading the Outlier book in one afternoon. She's looking forward to hockey starting. She was reading Garfield and Stink to her brothers today and I heard a lot of laughing!
Sophia is having fun with soccer. She is not the quickest learner, but she is trying harder this year not to interrupt and give others a chance. She did read a pretty hard book for her, Carry On Mr. Bowditch, which we'll read again outloud, to secure her comprehension. I think she is more interested in keeping her hair beautiful. She is good helper as well around the home.
Natasha has been having a harder time this year. She is learning a lot, and doing her work faithfully, but she tries to get others in trouble, she lies, and thank God, she now confesses it later, she disrupts when someone else is getting instruction. She is very athletic and loves playing soccer as well. She likes to run and run and run, and she likes to do figure skating. She is under "strict" supervision most days, and we hope she will turn the corner soon in homeschool. Her reading is getting better. And it's encouraging to have her start telling the truth.
Jonathan had a disappointment with hockey this year in being selected for the C team. Many of us thought the B a more appropriate place. He's really motivated to get better this year to not let this happen again. Today he did sports for about 6 hours (hockey, phy-ed, football), as well as his math, writing and reading. He has read through 3 smaller science text books this fall already and awaits time with his Dad discussing it . After he finishes his math, we plan to move onto Algebra, so he's doing well for 5th grade. He's a little too competitive and needs to work on his self control when playing sport with girl siblings who drive him crazy! His favorite books this fall are, Heaven is for Real, The Boy Who Came Back from Heaven, 90 minutes in Heaven, and Outliers, and all his hockey, baseball and football books he picks up from the library.
Andre, does what is asked academically, and not much more. He is a quick learner in math, can copy well, but has a hard time with phonics, reading and spelling. He is very handy. He does not stop until he goes to bed, but I have been able to get him to sit quietly with a book for an hour. And he made a mobile today on his own. He is really good at hockey for his age.
James is picking up on reading, progressing in math, but still doesn't like to apply himself to reading. If he just tried, he'd get it, but wants us to point to each word and letter. All the while he can add fractions in his head without ever studying them. He loves football, and welcomes hockey when it comes. He loves to have his sisters read to him.
All the kids are doing well. We keep a pretty rigid schedule. We welcome any helpers who may come our way who would like to spend time with 2 or 3 at a time!
Keep Chris' Mom in your prayers, and my Dad. We are doing well, and I'm hoping for bed by 10 tonight!
Alesia & Chris
