I thought I'd actually post something! Not much interesting is happening, actually. Scott is away again to Qatar. We pray he will be home for Christmas but the military is notorious for delaying flights, cancelling flights, breaking planes, etc. But enough of that. We pray it will work as planned.
Jenna began homeschool again in October. The teacher situation for her at school was not what we had hoped for, and the future was bleak. She's doing well at home of course. It's why I love homeschooling. Jen is also back in gymnastics now that soccer season is over.
Emma is still at Camden Elementary. I can't say she's excelling but things are progressing as planned and she is doing as well as we expected and has lots of teacher-initiated accommodations to help her get through the day. I am enjoying the break and working to restore our relationship as it had become pretty stressful during the past year. We continue to seek professional and eternal guidance regarding her disabilities and learning style. I wish I could keep her home this year, too, but seeing her make friends finally (she's never really been one to want to join in or get to know other kids) and choose activities she wants to participate in, without my help (or force in some cases) is so worth the sacrifice of education.
Emma has taken the initiative to audition for the school chorus. Tonight was her first concert and they did a great job. I am so proud of her for doing this totally on her own! She also learned how to play volleyball in PE class and asked if she could join the Camden Volleyball Club. She's had one practice so far and did pretty well...she hung in there and really tried hard the entire time. And considering a year ago she and Jenna both informed me, upon asking what sports they would like to do for homeschool PE, that they did not want to play "anything with a ball."
The new house is coming along and we are fairly moved in. We still have a lot in storage due to our current lack of attic space, but are hoping to soon have a shed built in the back yard that can accommodate what our attics always have. We have not made any changes yet, but our first big one is coming soon, much to Scott's dismay. We have this funky little back porch that is only accessed through our master bedroom, and is the only back-yard access. The kitchen "overlooks" this little porch via 2 windows, kind of an odd set-up, but it made sense when the house was built, before some other renovations took place. Anyways, we are going to remove the windows and put in a door. After levelling the floor, removing the clapboard siding (as it is an exterior room of sorts) and generally cleaning it up, it will be a pantry!! I am soooo excited about this. SO excited. I can hardly contain my excitement! After last year's kitchen renovation I'm not thrilled with the prospect of the mess this will create, but it's nowhere near the level of that remodel and we can probably get it done in a couple of weekends. Maybe less if Scott takes off some planned leave over the Christmas holidays. I'll be sure to take before and after pictures. Can't wait!!
Christmas is on its' way, of course. We have worked hard over the past few years to simplify and allow our holiday season to be more enjoyable, and this year is no different. We actually have no holiday parties to attend! Well, Scott's office party is coming up, but with him away we obviously won't be going. Emma had her holiday concert tonight, Saturday is the town Christmas parade (last year it was uncomfortably long but this year we live close enough to walk to the end of our street to watch so we can come home if we are tired of it...or cold) and Sunday is the church children's musical. Next week Emma's class seems to be taking the week off to do all kinds of fun holiday-ish activities (um, do we homeschoolers get to do that??) and then it's on to 2 weeks of winter break, in which the Strobel women will be sleeping late, spending a few days in our pajamas, and generally lollygagging around. I have big plans to bake and sew. I'm sure some baking will get done, but I don't seem to accomplish much these days, as demonstrated by the pile of laundry on the chair next to me that's been there since Tuesday. (It all gets done eventually...or at least disappears as people pull their clothes from the pile...) But I'm generally appreciative of our plan to spend our time enjoying the peace and quiet instead of always being on the go.
I have decided there's not much to say this year in a Christmas card so we're skipping that, too. If I don't happen to send out an email update, we wish everyone a very merry and blessed Christmas season!