Update us, quick!

1. My girls are 2 and 6. DD6 is starting 1st grade in the fall; she's really into piano and riding. DD2 is a climbing monkey and an amazing chatterbox. She comes out with huge, long complete sentences.

2. I'm really into tap dancing and scrapbooking now and I've been working a lot on leadership stuff in my parish. I am freelancing as always, probably a bit more than in the past, but I try not to keep track.

3. Got a new car! For free! We're celebrating our 10th anniversary in September.

4. Went to Charlie and the Chocolate Factory with Johnny Depp. Liked it.

Shaun
"Home is not the one tame place in a world of adventure; it is the one wild place in a world of rules and set tasks."
   -- G. K. Chesterton

1. Girls are 8 (starting 3rd grade, getting emotional and hormonal. God help me, don't let her be as bad as I was!!) and 6 (starting 1st grade, reading now) and the boy will be 3 in September, working on potty training, but still not speaking actual words much. Also pregnant with a boy, due in November.

2. Not going to school, just working some on the farm and growing a baby! Still quilting and scrapbooking. Just not real active with it (who has time with three kids!!).

3. We are signing papers tomorrow on another 320 acres we are buying to farm. That brings us up to 1,200 ranch land, 500 farm land (all owned by us) and another 700 that we lease to farm. Keeps us busy. Married for 10 1/2 years now.

4. At a theater? Star Wars episode III. DS2's first movie. Had been a year since we went to a movie (we have seen 4 in the past 8 years. How sad. Three of those were with kids along). Other than that, TV will have to do. Saw A Few Good Men on TNT about an hour ago, now watching Goldmember. Quality TV, let me tell ya!!

Jenny

Countdown to baby!!!

1. DD is going to be five in September, one DS is 13 and the other will be 15 on Saturday.

DD is into insects and dance. She likes to say "butt" and scream with laughter while rolling on the floor.

DS13 is very big into boy scouts, running, reading,and mechanics. He is particularly adept at diappearing when there are house chores to be done, but makes up for it with man-hours at the family business.

DS-about-to-be-15-is is very interested in sleeping until noon if possible, instant messaging his friends on the computer for hours, and listening to music with antisocial lyrics. He gets excellent grades, plays soccer and baseball, and is very helpful with housework.

2. I just left my teaching job to be home and do the bookkeeping for DH's business. I'm homeschooling DD. I hope to get more involved in my community now that I'm not gone for 11 hours every day.

3. DH and I bought his family business which burnt down in October and are almost finished rebuilding it.

4. In a theater, Harry Potter/Azkaban. On DVD, A Series of Unfortunate Events and Ray.

That's us!
-Jo

1. DD is 9 next month (Aug) and DS is about 6 1/2 (Dec). They are very topsy turvy at the moment and not displaying their intelligence well. No school since late May, and no routine - it's a mess but we're all clinging on. No more kids pleeeaaase!!!

2. Well the reason for the chaos is that we moved back to the UK after 10yrs in Singapore. The kids don't start school till September, if things even go according to plan. We're buying a house (mortgage is good to go, solicitors are on track, valuation report arrived this morning... but we're in a rush because of school).

3. The rest is we bought 2 cars and DH has his office organised - he's gone in for his first day today, though he never stopped working or travelling. And my SIL announced this morning that she's just got a 3yr contract to work in Beijing!! I knew this move would be good for her, but she surprised me even so!

4. Movie?? Wassat?? Is that like entertainment or something?? I've been watching some lovely British television most evenings, but that last movie would have been in SIngapore and was probably The Sound of Music on video or maybe The Incredibles at a cinema, back in December for DS' birthday. A film for just me and DH?? Oh, I did go to one with just my SIL, maybe back in April... Some romantic comedy type I expect. Can't even remember!

Good idea Shaun - I'm losing touch too!

Kerri.

1. DS turned 14 earlier this month. He's homeschooled. He likes the computer, Nintendo/Xbox/DS etc and the bands Green Day and Good Charlotte. He also reads a lot and enjoys walking and playing with his dog.

2. I am still knitting dishcloths (After three years I still haven't progressed to anything larger than dishcloths and tea cosies!) I also like cross stitching and have several projects on the go. I also enjoy gardening. I waste far too much time watching the birds feeding from the bird table in my garden. I am also finally reading the Harry Potter books at DS' insistence

3. I am starting to think of going out to work. I will probably go back in a year or two so I'm thinking about either taking some classes or doing some voluntary work to get myself back in the swing of things. In the meantime I am resolving to make the most of my last year of two of 'freedom' before I jump back in the rat race!

4. DS and I saw War of the Worlds last week. I thought it was good, but tailed off a bit. I liked the first half better. We're hoping to see Charlie and the Chocolate factory soon.

Good idea Shaun!

1. Our DDs are almost 15 (sophomore) and 10.5 (5th grade). DD~15 is just back from SCUBA camp, which she loved and mraching band is in full swing with band camp from Friday to Monday. She plays clarinet in marching band, alto or bass clarinet in concert band, has played tenor sax in jazz band and also plays piano. DD~15 is currently vascillating between becoming a psychologist or a software engineer/computer animation designer. She is exceptionally talented in many forms of visual arts, especially drawing. DD10.5 is at "Critter Camp" this week and will be home on Friday. She will be in a gifted cluster class this school year...about which I still have some reservations. We'll see how it goes. Like many exceptional kids, she has an amazing capacity to become totally imersed in whatever interests her while completely ignoring/resisting what doesn't! Both DDs are Girl Scouts, as am I. DD~15 earned her Silver Award this spring and will be bridging to Senior Scouts this fall. DD10.5 is a Junior Girl Scout, and I received my 15 year pin this year!

2. I have been up to my eyeballs in classes at the University of Akron. I am a Family and Consumer Sciences Education major and will be student teaching this fall. I seem to be the family member in transition this year, as I graduate and turn 40 in December!

3. DH has been traveling more than we like, but that means business is booming and like anyone whose livelihood comes from a technology-based industry, we don't complain about that. We are gearing up for our camping trip to Kelley's Island next week, too.

4. The last movie I remember seeing in a theatre is National Treasure....if I've seen anything since then, it wasn't very memorable! We watched DVD's of Phantom of the Opera and Constantine last weekend. I didn't love Phantom...but since I could happily watch Keanu Reeves flossing his teeth, I enjoyed Constantine!

OH! Must head out for band pick-up!

Blessings,
Lenora
A good head and a good heart are always a formidable combination."
~Nelson Mandela

1. Pregnant with number 1, a girl. Due mid-November.

2. I'm in summer school at USC (Southern Cal, not South Carolina) and gearing up to go back to full-time classes and work in the fall before the baby comes.

3. DH is about to go to Scotland for a week because his musical is being performed at the Edinburgh Fringe Theatre Festival. DH will be there for the first few performances, after which he comes back to school as well as his teaching assistant job.

4. The last movie I saw was Batman Begins (a favor to DH!).

1. My DD is now 6 1/2 and my DS is now 8 1/2. Hard to believe since I started coming here when DD was 7 months old! DS is into baseball and playing with his buddies. Also Cub Scouts. DD is quite the dancer and is also enjoying soccer.

2. What I've done lately is accepted a FT job as a school psychologist in the district I've worked PT in for 5 years. I've done some combo of SAHM and working PT since DS was born 8 1/2 years ago. I think I'm ready for it, but it will be a big step. Fortunately, the hours are good and we will need no childcare. Also, the school schedule will be a lifesaver.

3. Anything new? Not really - just enjoying life here in Western New York!

4. Last movie I remember going to? I can't remember, sad, huh like Jenny said. I did watch Spanglish on DVD recently and kinda liked it.

1. 9, 7, 5, 3.5, and 22 mos. and one in the oven.

The big girls (9 and 7) play together (mostly with their dinosaurs) and the boys fight, but occasionally play together.

DD9 is very into reptiles right now. DS5 and 3.5 are daddy's boys and love to "help" while he works outside, fish, and watch Godzilla movies with him. All of the older children adore going fishing with daddy, in fact. DD22mos. is very, very cute, blue-eyed blonde curly-mopsy head, jabbers incessantly, speaks a few recognizable words, and loves to be a helper. She's learning to use the little potty as of this week.

Baby #6 is due in early February.

2. Sat around reading Russian novels. Ordinarily I homeschool and keep up with the house (sorta). Just like always!

3. DH is seeking new employment. We added a Mali Uromastyx (desert lizard) to the household recently. We're getting our garage door fixed tomorrow. I can't think of anything else.

4. Saw War of the Worlds with DH a couple of weekends ago. It was really good! Not a huge Tom Cruise fan (he seems squirrely in real life) but his acting was good. Incredible special effects. Great date movie.

1. Tony’s 19 and he'll be returning to St. Mary’s University for his 2nd year of college sometime around the 2nd week of August. He's still dabbles in music in his off time, plays the drums, guitar, and the bass.
Most of you know that Anthony (my cousin who lived with us for the last couple years) left this summer for SC where he's going to be attending USC in the fall. I talk to him regularly and he's quite content being back in the same state as his girlfriend of 3 years Ah, young love. We miss him much.
Trey's 7, he's a ball of energy as always, sometimes I just sit back and watch in awe. He's just finished his Science Fair project for the "2nd Annual Homeschool Round Up" here in Texas. He did a wonderful job and I'm so proud. His favorite activity right now would have to be swimming; I don't think he's missed a day this summer.
Savannah's going to be 1 on August 6th. She's been walking for about a week and a half and she's into EVERYTHING! She's waving bye bye and she's clapping for herself every chance she gets, she also throws the best kiss ever, she's our "Little Princess"

2. I'm about the same as always. Still "just" a SAHM

3. Dh's just been given a new title at work, not really a promotion but a higher salary range (good thing as he was topped out, which meant VERY little raise last year)
Pets, we have added a fish tank within the last few months so now we have the dog, cat, and 3 fish

4. The last movie I saw in a theater was I-Robot, and the last movie we watched at home was "Life Aquatic” NOT my kind of movie.

1. William will turn 8 on August 6th. He's a little professor, always asking to go to museums etc. He's also exceptionally kind and polite, if I may say so myself.
2. I have recently put the wheels in motion to become licensed as an RN in New York. New York is quite particular, so first my credentials must be verified (translation: money grab) then I will sit the NCLEX exam (translation: another money grab) and hopefully, by Christmas, I'll have another license in my wallet. It's been 13 years since I wrote the Canadian RN licensing exams, so I have a lot of studying to do. I hope to find a part-time job with flexible hours because ..
3. DH will leave for Iraq sometime within the next 2 weeks. He'll be away for at least a year. This comes directly on the heels of a one-year assignment in South Korea. Such is Army life.
4. I saw Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. Yes, that was as much for me as it was for the kiddo. Mr. Johnny Depp is delicious.
Rose

1. DB is 15 months, walks, has lots of words and knows her own mind far too well
2. Finished (bar later ammendments) the introduction to my PhD. Only 6 more chapters to go!
3. We are about to move to Oxford for a year. Moving in with MIL to save for a deposit to buy a house.
4. Last time I went to the cinema I was so pregnant I could barely fit in the seat! Last film I saw was Etre et Avoir. V good, v French!

Zillah

we are getting ready to start school!

1. DS 7 1/2 will be in second grade and DS4 will be in PreK 4. They attend a small Catholic school in the next town. Both love to be with our new addition Riley Joe Boxer who will be 5 months on August 9th. He is a kind and lovable dog who lets them dress him up and play whatever they want with him. As long as he is in the presence of his family, that dog is happy! He is sooo sweet.

2. I will start my 2nd semester of college in a couple of weeks to go toward my education degree. I work FT (school schedule) at the high school library as an assistant. This job has given me so much. I decided to go back to school, I get the school holiday and summer with my kids and the people I work with have taught me so much! They have quickly become my second family.

3. DH started a new job on Monday. Same company but a promotion. He is excited to be doing something different after 6 years!

4. Last movie DH and I watched was Hitch on DVD. FUNNY!

Jana

1. Alexa is 14 months. She is running around like a maniac and she is babbling like crazy. She loves dogs, barks and tries to lick their faces when she sees them. She says quite a lot of words and can understand most things we tell her. She will be a big sister around the end of March. We are excited and cant wait!!!
2. Working part time at Eckerd as a pharmacist. I didn't go back to work until Alexa was 6 months- was supposed to but she wouldn't stay with anyone. She screamed for 7 hours the first day I worked. I cried in the bathroom. Now she loves to go to my sisters, moms, dmil but I am much happier working part time so in the end she knew what was best for us
3. We are celebrating our 10th anniversary in November. Dstepson just got a car and his license so he is mobile.
4. I honestly couldn't tell you the last movie I saw in the theatre. A Beautiful Mind maybe?? Very very scary. We need a date night bad and I am dying to see Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. Dh recently made me watch The Thing with kurt Russell and I was not a happy girl. I never get to watch a movie and this is what he picks?? So I owe him and he will be forced to watch a major chick flick soon
Love Jackie

It was good to see this thread to be able to catch up with everyone.

If Joan of Arc could turn the tide of an entire war before her eighteenth birthday, you can get out of bed.
- R. Jean Carroll

1.My DH is disabled and a home spouse, his name is Randy. He is disabled with a disease called Myasthenia Gravis. He is 40. We have been married 20 years. Here is his webpage all about it. http://members.cox.net/roknrandy1/
Kaylie, our daughter, is 18, goes to college studying psychology, she wants to be a social worker with mentally and physically handicapped people. Max, our son, is 14 and is in middle school, plays trombone in the band and plays soccer.

2. I've been a hairdresser for 21 years, but since DH is disabled now, I need to change careers so we can have insurance. I am currently going to business college for a degree in office management.

3. We have 4 cats and my mother lives with us :/

4. Last movie I saw was Hitch....funny!!!