Although it does not feel like December, with 50 and 60 degree days and sunshiny blue skies, it is still December, and with December comes the shortest days of the year (which aren’t a favorite of this family) and Christmas (which is). Shopping is almost done, cards are almost all in the mail, special cookies/candies are planned, parties and programs are on the calendar, family get-togethers are taking shape, carols are playing almost constantly, and the nativity is in its place of honor.
With Christmas plans and preparations well underway, very little left to do as far as the house project (I didn’t say nothing; I said very little), and school going very smoothly in full swing, I feel like I can finally sit down and write a little update on life lately.
Umm…besides Christmas, house, and school, there’s not a terribly huge whole lot going on. I think I can summarize pretty quickly without boring anyone too much.
As I write, Dad and crew are finishing up the siding on the house. It’s looking great, and we’re all greatly glad to be almost done. Bathroom vanity etc. is here and will hopefully be mounted next week.
Water is still an issue. As in, this week the water measured two feet in the well, and it did not recharge overnight. That’s a problem. Lord willing, drilling will commence in about two weeks. Stayed tuned; we’ll keep you posted. We’re praying that we’ll find water; otherwise we’ll go to plan B which is an underground cistern and water hauling. Either way, it’s time for a change. Rain is not coming, and the ground is still dry. Our green lawn is deceptive; there is no blazing hot sun to dry it up and thus it stays green, but, know this, we are still in a drought. Our conservation increases, with stock being watered and toilets being flushed with water from the 1500 gallon tank in the red shed. Yep, you read that right. Our boys (mainly Jacob) are regularly hauling 5-gallon buckets into the house so we can flush toilets. And, believe it or not, it’s working just fine. We picked up drinking/washing water from town last night, and we’ll continue to do that so as to save well water for showers and laundry. We’re getting by, and we know we can always go to Grandpa’s or Dave/Beth’s (thanks for all offers!!!!) for laundry and showers too. We know that; but it’s quite more convenient to do it here, for sure, so we’ll haul water for toilets as long as we need to.
Levi is working at CIT fulltime and then goes to PP for another 20 hours. Plus young group now and then, and he’s talked about catching a few pigeons in his free time (what’s that?!). We don’t see him much, but when we do he’s a favorite. He’s been helping Brett some on his house too which he enjoys. Not much else new.
Jesse started an internship in the R&D department at PP this week. So far he likes it, and twenty or so hours will keep him busy. His ICC class is almost done; he’s doing well. He’s signed up for a couple more next semester. He continues plugging away at Calculus using the DIVE/Saxon curriculum. Good thing he has a friend to help him when he gets stuck; he’s past me (thank you Trent!!). He spends some time in banjo practice every day, and has been diligently trying to work in piano practice also. He’s bound and determined that since Tori can play ragtime, he will too 
.
Sometimes I wish I was Tori. Because she gets to play the piano a lot more than I do. When she plays duets I can quickly justify sitting down to play with her (how fun is a duet with only one part, huh?); but other than that, it’s hard for me to sit down with so many other things to do. I am, however, getting closer to being caught up, and I hope to get in the game again soon…I miss playing. We found some great Christmas music online, and Tori is going to town on learning it; she’s smoking me. And it is really fun music; I love to hear her practice and improve every day. She has a ball babysitting Lincoln and Creighton a few days a month; otherwise she keeps busy with schoolwork, helping here, and riding the horses with Kate.
Jacob milks for Aberles twice a week, studies diligently to get it over with (cannot say he enjoys it), and then spends his days outside taking care of farm things. He is chief water-hauler too.
Kate does the same except she doesn’t milk or haul water. And she rides horses with Tori a few days a week.
Ben does the same except he doesn’t milk or haul water. And he works on his fort in the south grove some too.
Come to think of it, Sarah and Jewel do the same except they don’t milk or haul water. And Josh does the same except he doesn’t do any studying. Just play, do a few jobs, and be cute (which he is very good at).
Big kids practice their music like good little pupils (NOT) and sometimes we even play together as a family. Being real here. I wish they would practice more; they think they practice enough. I wish we would play together more; reality is it’s hard to make time. But we do enjoy it A LOT when we do it, and we’ve even started learning a few new songs that are really fun. Being brutally honest now. I enjoy it A LOT when we do it – frankly, I love it. It’s amazing, terrific, sounds great, wonderful, blahblah, very fun. But I think the kids endure it because they know I run the kitchen (as in oreo balls, buckeyes, chocolate chip cookies, fresh warm brownies with ice cream, get the picture?); plus they love me and so they do it for me. Without my pushing encouragement, I don’t think they would play as much. But see, I have this wisdom that says the day will come when they wish they could play better than they do, and they won’t have time to practice like they do now. So I shall continue to encourage them. With lots of oreo balls and buckeyes .
So much for brief update. I was going to run through a typical day here at the Meadowview Christian Academy but I think I’ll do that another day; this is quite long enough.
Update to this update - - - - -
the siding is finished, and it looks great!!
***px to be posted next week***
Rejoice evermore.
Pray without ceasing.
In everything give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.
I Thessalonians 5:16-18
