Change --
That is was the theme of our 2008.
In February, Shawn's office closed sending his partner to find other employment and Shawn the sole survivor of Carbonite. He moved his office back home saving himself the hour to hour and a half drive to Skokie everyday. Now he works from home again. We spent the first four years of our marriage with him working from home. Then he went to two days at the office, then four, until finally five. It's been an adjustment having him home all the time again. And by all the time I mean the man only leaves the house to go to church on Sundays and about once a month to band practice on Thursdays. That's a lot of him being home. It's been nice though. I haven't had to beg, borrow, and steal a babysitter for my out of the studio jobs. And there have been quite a few this season. Plus, summer of '07 we had to hire a nanny in order for me to work while the kids were out of school. This summer Shawn was our nanny. It's been interesting.
He still works an insane amount of hours though. Sometimes 20 a day. I kid you not. Last week he basically slept every other day. Madness!
Also in February, we decided to end our time at Bethel Church and visit other churches. We walked into Village church on Feb. 10th and were hooked. We LOVE our church. The people couldn't be more friendly, the size is right, and the Pastor wonderful. We ended up becoming members around September of this year. This is the first time I've been a member of a church. Our past church, Grace, didn't really have "members". Although now that I think about it, Shawn was a member, but anyway this is my first time. We are quickly getting involved and loving it.
In June, we said goodbye to Highland Christian School. We, only by the grace of God, made the payments through that school year but knew that we needed to switch to a more affordable option. Bring on the public school. It was SAD! Nathan had the hardest time. Keyanna, being so much like her father, had no trouble. But I did worry as the new school year drew closer if she'd have a harder time.
Also in June, my mom purchased a camper in Plymouth. This was the best change ever! If you read back in the blog you'll see what fun we've had there this past summer. We already have our dates down for our 2009 sojourns.
In August, I decided to join Village's AWANA team as a 3rd - 6th grade girl leader. This was a big decision as I was already signed up to do CFC's AWANA again. Thankfully one is on Tuesdays and one on Wednesdays. Talk about a crazy week.
Also, August found the kids starting back to school. Only instead of HCS they began at Johnston Elementary. I was so scared for them on the first day. They came out and were completely fine. In fact, they loved it. I was and am so thankful for Johnston! I know it's the right place for the kids to be!
In September, Keyanna began horse back riding lessons. They say she's a natural and she absolutely loves it. I'm thankful for Nancy who drives her to the lessons each week.
September is also the weekend that we spent camping with Village Church during the hurricane. Who would have thought it could rain so solidly for an entire weekend. We were thankful, though, that we left when we did. We came home to Munster floating away and our basement seeping. One of the families that were camping with us were one of the ones that were directly in the flood zone. They had only about an hour to evacuate. They're okay. But it's taken time.
Small groups began in September for Village. They had a need for both host families and also for leaders. I signed us up for both. This is our first time hosting a group and Shawn's first time leading a study. Our group has been gracious in our mistakes! :)
November started Nathan's karate lessons. Again, I'm thankful to Drew for driving him. He's so adorable when he practices here at home. He enjoys being in the teacher role and teaches Keyanna what he learns when he gets home.
All-in-all 2008 was a good year. I'd like to think that I'm adaptable. This year I've been able to show my skill. I'm thankful for God's provision. He really does take care of us every day.
I'd like to close with a passage of scripture that has made me think this Holiday season.
John 1:1-12 -
"In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God,
and the Word was God.
He was with God in the beginning.
Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made.
In him was life, and that life was the light of men.
The light shines in the darkness, but the darkness has not understood it.
There came a man who was sent from God; his name was John.
He came as a witness to testify concerning that light, so that through him all men might believe.
He himself was not the light; he came only as a witness to the light.
The true light that gives light to every man was coming into the world.
He was in the world, and though the world was made through him,
the world did not recognize him.
He came to that which was his own,
but his own did not receive him.
Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name,
he gave the right to become children of God—
children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband's will,
but born of God."
Read this -- think on this --
Merry Christmas from the Liptaks!
So, the story of Panda Bunny goes as follows:
