Catching up for Valentine's

We've had tons going on in our lives, which of course relates directly to our inability to log them. So, in the spirit of sharing with those we love, and in an attempt to remedy our neglect, here's a catch-up:

Jacob: is sick. He's got the vomits, but still manages to be the sweetest piece of pie you've ever seen. He's enjoying his days with his mom, learning his letters and numbers, and playing with animals and cars. His brothers got him a special car for Valentine's Day and he woke to find it on his bed waiting. He was elated, despite being lightly crusted with last night's sickness. He's sad to miss Sunbeams today, because he loves being the big boy in there.

Joshua: is pushing, pushing, pushing. Liz and I had just settled into our movie at the theatre Friday night when my phone rang. The result? For the first time ever (we're talking almost ten years) we had to cut our date short and come home to exert a little parenting. Wild Joshua had reared his head and he was not retreating. He has a new love of puzzles, and loves doing them over and over and over. His strengths continue to be quite physical and mathematical—he loves his play time and his math books, and not much else besides meal times and lap time. This wild animal loves a daddy cuddle more than almost anything in the world, although he still maintains that Grandma's lap is better.

Michael: is growing up. He loves his basketball, his reading, and his new love of writing. He's taken on some new, quite limited, but mature responsibilities with the computer, including his own email address that allows him to email only his relatives, especially when he wants to share a book he's recently penned. He's learning more about other people, and is continually growing more sensitive and thoughtful. He loves being the oldest and having special privileges like staying up later to read. He also enjoy the special responsibilities of being the oldest, like being a good example and helping out around the house without complaint. He's such a gentle creature, but can be quite determined and stubborn when he sets his ind to it. I'm sure he gets that from one of his parents, but it's hard to know exactly which one . . . Last week during the snow, he and his friends earned $35 shoveling walks. We thought he was going out to do it as service, but the entrepreneur apparently took over mid-shovel. Either way, we were impressed.

Liz: is amazing. She's loving her new full-time work with APUS, and together we recently decide to decrease her course load with AIU so that she has fewer chats and live interactions with her students. It makes her work much more flexible and compatible with her more important roles. She's continuing to learn and serve with the Young Women, and last week's New Beginnings was a great success. The Young Women really love her, and she loves them. She's still in love with all the really important things: budget spreadsheets, doing her taxes herself, and schooling her boys. I've noticed that a big favourite for all is lunch time history. I think they're about to journey to the New World, and I know I'm excited about the discovery!

James: is tired. Rehearsals started this week for our Spring Musical, The Baker's Wife, and it's going to be a dynamite show if I live to see the end of it. He's also still teaching all the music majors, and is preparing a new class style for the Fall Music Appreciation classes. We're going to try a blended, or hybrid class: the majority of the work will be done independently and online, but once a week we'll hold class to answer questions and go over important musical concepts. It's a different approach, but I'm hoping the students (and the teacher—me!) will find it a great delivery method that minimizes classroom time, but maximizes learning. Our spring choral concert is March 4, and if we're very diligent, we'll actually be ready for it! When I'm not grading, planning classes, organizing concerts or piano competitions, I'm either baking or working on my kitchen remodel. The final plans are getting closer, but I'm still working out some kinks and trying to make sure everything is just right. We've decided yes to the island and we're probably going to go with the IKEA cabinets because they offer the greatest level of customization for the smallest price tag and still come with a hefty warranty. In fact, they might be identical to Bryce and Michelle's cabinets. Imitation=flattery, of course.

In general, life is both good and busy. We're excited about our upcoming trip (3 WEEKS!) and we're planning to have the best time in the whole world. So there you go—life as we know it, again. We really should record smaller, more specific events and memories, but who has time for that? Oh well.