A Long Awaited Update!

Okay folks, we know we have not been posting on the blog like we need to or like you would like for us to do. We are not promising this will get better but here is a long awaited update on what is going on in our lives.

As you know, Kaylee had a rather extensive surgery this past June. We are pleased to let you know all went well and she is really makeing progress at gaining some independence. Prayers have been answered! And we are, oh so grateful. She is working on total independence hopefully by March as her daddy promised her a trip to the beach over spring break if she will accomplish the goal.

This past summer was a busy summer for the family which is growing up faster than we would like. JT spent a week at his aunt Chelle's house and three separate weeks at summer camps of various kinds. Last year, he spent a lot of time away and got homesick somewhat. When he was asked about this concern this year, he simply siad, "I am older now and will be okay." He was okay and enjoyed all of them. Mom and Dad are not sure about him and Kaylee growing up so fast but that is happening whether they like it or not!

This past August, Shawna got a new job about three minutes from a house. This was a welcomed change to the 60 minunte drive she was making. She is now teaching college and really enjoying the job. The family is so proud of her!

Also, this past August, my (Jeremy's) job description changed. I am now working about a thrid of the case management responsibilities which I had and have taken on one to two clients in the addictions program as well as up to eight clients in the anger managment program. All of this is taking place at the same organization I have been working with for a little over a year now. I have found that I really enjoy counnseling and working with this population. It has been a welcomed change.

With Shawna's change in jobs, both the kids moved to the local school system where we live. JT made the change in March last year which has been really good for him. Kaylee moved in August and is really, really enjoying the new school and riding the bus. I (Kaylee) have already made lots of new friends, have one new best friend whose birthday is coming up, and love the fact that I can take care of myself and do not have to go to school with my mother.

Also with the change in Shawna's job, she found out she needed a new car. The old one had 230,000 miles on it and a cracked head. It was more feasible to get a new car. I (Jeremy) was totally shocked when she opted for a smaller, more economical car when she only drives three minutes to work. However, the price tag made me happy to make the change. She is enjoying her new Camry.

With the recent move to another state, a change in jobs, and other changes which have taken place, the family has not been able to take a family vacation. So, over the Labor Day holiday weekend, we decided to go to Mammoth Cave National Park. We had a pretty good time except Jeremy's back decided to go out and ruined some of it for us. However, we got to go to a Hard Rock Cafe in Kentucky, visit the cave, went to a place called Dino Land, took Kaylee shopping (something she loves!) but missed the Corvette museum due to the bad back. It was still nice to get away for a few days.

About three weekends ago, the family went to family camp, a work of the congregation we attend regularly. It was a lot of fun. Jeremy got to speak, Kaylee got to hang out with a lot of her friends, JT was nowhere to be found because he was hanging out with his friends, yet another indication he is getting older, and Shawna got to rest a while from the pressures of her new job. It was a great uplifting weekend for us all.

One of the saddest (noteworthy) events in the family is the fact that the kids did not dress up for Halloween. Kaylee said she was too old for it and helped with some little kid activities at Trunk-or-Treat. JT says he was a black belt in tae kwon do but the truth is he visited the Trunk-or-Treat immediately after going to tae kwon do practice and just put on his black dress belt for fun! They are growing up and will be back in costumes when they get to high school!

Two weekends ago, the guys (Jeremy and JT) met Grampy for for a weekend camping trip. It was great during the day. Not so great at night, The first night, we froze. The second night, we opted for a motel as we would go to service together the next day and did not want to show up smelling like campfire smoke. Oh, and we did not want to be cold, either! We had a great time as always. God's creation is truly amazing.

I (Kaylee) just got a new bed because I was falling out of the old bed as it was very, very small. My new bed is a full-size bed and I am enjoying it so much that I just want to skip school and sleep in it all day.

The family is super excited about everyone coming to our house for the Thanksgiving holiday. We are looking forward to hosting the holiday gathering and hope that all will enjoy it in our new house!

That is all for now. We hope you feel updated.

-J&K