After Craig and Amanda got home from Honduras we went straight to family camp. We had a week together in which we made an emergency trip to Dean and Nancy's. Nancy had a scare but it turned out ok. And we got to have some time with some of the extended Wikoff family. Amanda went to Adventure camp after we returned. Soon after that Papa and Cindy came to town, we had Luke baptized and then took a two week vacation. We went to Whidbey Island for some time with the cousins and my dad and Cindy. It was a fantastic time. The campground we stayed at had a ton of bike trails. It was cooler than what we had been used to (being on the coast) but didn't rain until the day we left. We got to see the bridge at deception pass from below, the kids played in the ocean, we battled at Bananagrams and Papa and Cindy tied the knot. It was a great time. Then the Wikoff's peeled off to spend some time with Craig's parents.
We stayed with them and did some day trips to Mt. Rainier, Tacoma Zoo and a Mariner's game. Mt. Rainier was socked in with clouds the day we went. The zoo was a blast. It was the first one Luke had been to and he was so excited about EVERYTHING! We even got to see the tiger cubs. The last thing we did at the zoo was ride the carousel. Amanda and Ben were so excited. Luke knew he should be too but wasn't sure what was going to happen. His horse started to move up and he looked a little worried. Then it came back down and he laughed and thought it was the best thing ever. His joy in the whole trip was what made it a blast. We had a great time with the Wikoff clan too.
Amanda had a big change about this time in her schooling. After finding out her best friend was going to public school she started asking about homeschooling. It is something she has wanted to do for some time now. At the end of our vacation time Amanda decided to enroll in Idaho Virtual Academy and stay home with Luke and me.
The kids and I tried to eek out every last bit of summer by going to the beach and playing outside. About August 26th I got a call from my principal offering me the job of a transition teacher for the middle school at Idaho Virtual Academy. And while I hoped to get a contract this is how God provided and so I said yes and started right away.
Craig and I celebrated our 19th anniversary at the Davenport Hotel in downtown Spokane. It was a great night away with much pampering and relaxation. It is a beautiful place to stay and have some time away. If you come to Spokane check it out--even if you don't stay there it is an amazing historic place.
The fall rush started when I started back to school. Amanda started shortly after me, then Ben and then Luke. With all the new starts it took a while to get into a good routine but by October we were beginning to feel it. Amanda has taken off and loves IDVA. She is very independent and responsible. Ben has a teacher who is new to the Sandpoint area and he loves her. He is a strong reader and leader in his class. Luke continues to love going to school and is riding the bus this year. The first time I put him on the bus he started out excited but then when the bus driver started to buckle him in and I was saying, "Have a great day at school, Luke." he got the glazed over, I am avoiding this, I am not sure about this look on his face. It broke my heart. But as he got off the bus later that afternoon he said to me, "I rode the bus 2 times!" and was very excited about it. Phew!
The fall rush started when I started back to school. Amanda started shortly after me, then Ben and then Luke. With all the new starts it took a while to get into a good routine but by October we were beginning to feel it. Amanda has taken off and loves IDVA. She is very independent and responsible. Ben has a teacher who is new to the Sandpoint area and he loves her. He is a strong reader and leader in his class. Luke continues to love going to school and is riding the bus this year. The first time I put him on the bus he started out excited but then when the bus driver started to buckle him in and I was saying, "Have a great day at school, Luke." he got the glazed over, I am avoiding this, I am not sure about this look on his face. It broke my heart. But as he got off the bus later that afternoon he said to me, "I rode the bus 2 times!" and was very excited about it. Phew!
Craig and I got to go to pastor and spouses retreat in Leavenworth, WA in late September. It was a wonderful indian summer few days we were there. It was great to be with our staff and other friends from around the district.
A few weeks ago I got to go to Northwest Nazarene University. It was fun being back on campus, but strange too. It was a freaky feeling to be reminded (in many different ways) that it has been almost 20 years since I graduated. How did that happen?! It was great to be with my RD's from college and see the students I know currently attending college. It just reminds me of what a rich life I have and it is in part due to my time at NNU.
My sister and her husband usually come for Thanksgiving but because of the weather they didn't want to risk their lives to be with us. So it has been pretty quiet and restful. I don't know how much longer we can stand it! The kids have been enjoying the new snow.
In this time to be thankful I can't tell you how glad my heart is for my family. While they are a lot of work, they are a lot of joy. Our extended families are a blessing as well. We are also so thankful for a handful of "family" that we walk this road of life with and our extended church family. We are so blessed to live in a beautiful community both in landscape and the people. I am thankful for friends from the past who have made me who I am and who continue to impact my life. And most of all I am thankful for the giver of all good gifts.
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