Cameron
Cameron has the privilege of being in first grade and part of the Chandler Academically Talented School gifted program in the Chandler public schools. His teacher Mrs. Robbins submitted information to the Arizona Republic newspaper for an article on how kids in the crowd stand out and he was featured in an article. The reason she chose Cameron is because he can recite all 50 U.S. states in the order by which they gained statehood.
This year Cameron became a missionary to the natives of Mexico. His dad and him took an overnight trip to Mexico and met with some indigenous folks that worked at a greenhouse south of Nogales, Mexico. On December 27th they are going to go to Boscanobe, Mexico to spend a week serving Ravah ministries by working on their facilities and hosting vacation bible school for the local children. Cameron has been looking forward to this trip since April.
For almost a year Cameron has been taking piano lessons and is doing quite well. He has played in two recitals so far and doesn't get nervous at all (at least we can't tell).
Cameron participated on a swim team for the first time this year and qualified for the finals in the breaststroke. In his heat he finished first after his friend Gabe gave him a tip that only an experienced swimmer could give (swim faster).
The best news of the year came from Cameron - he announced that he asked Jesus Christ to be the boss in his life. Mom and Dad could not be more excited. Plans are to see him get baptized sometime in March.
Carter
Carter is in his second year of preschool and loves to learn, although it has taken us almost 12 months to find this out. He loves the academics but could do without singing in Christmas programs. He is very, very, very shy and would like all the attention on others rather than himself.
Carter is very coordinated and learned to ride his bike without training wheels in early January. He loves to go ride on the "jumps" by the house. He has taken some good spills but always gets back on the bike.
We are blessed to have a swimming pool in the backyard and Carter loves it the most. He is able to swim across the entire length under water with just one breath. It is quite a sight. Next year he will be participating on the swim team with his friend Josh and his brother Cameron.
Carter is a little indecisive and that fact was evident when he chose to have his birthday party at Makutu's Island like his big brother. But then he changed his mind to having a pirate party at the park with a Piñata and then finally decided, at the last minute, that he wanted to go bowling.
There is one thing that Carter is not indecisive about and that is doing whatever his friend Josh is doing. If Josh is doing it then he wants to do it. This is how we get him to try out a few things.
Addison (Peanut)
This is one person that does not have a hard time deciding what she wants. She wants everything. She is also highly independent. If you have something on your plate of food that she doesn't have then she wants it. Addison pays attention to everything and is always listening to what is going on around her. She has to be part of every conversation, game and happening that goes on around her. Her favorite line is, "I can do it by myself!" This little girl keeps everyone on their toes.
Addison's summer activity was swimming. She took swimming lessons again this year and can finally keep up with her brothers in the pool.
Much to our delight, Peanut loves to participate in Awana's Cubbies at a local church. She absolutley loves to sing and dance to the songs. She loves to be in class with Carter and does a great job memorizing verses.
Shannon
The quote of the year from Shannon was "When does Grammie get here?" We are amazed that she keeps her sanity trying to keep up with three busy children especially Cameron, Carter and Addison. She gets away from reality for a bit by tuning in to "House Hunters International" on HGTV (it's her favorite).
She needs her Dunkin Donuts coffee with French Vanilla creamer first thing in the morning or the day is a complete disaster.
Cameron's teacher hosts a book club once a week, where parents can learn how to better parent their children. This has been a time of learning and understanding of these talented children for Shannon and has given the opportunity to meet other parents with similar challenges.
Shannon has been participating in supporting the womens ministry at church and greatest ministry, allowing Sheldon to participate in the ministries he is involved in at church.
Sheldon
Sheldon was honored and privileged to be asked to be on the Board of Servant Leaders and their church (Sun Valley Community Church) this year. He is in his 18th year at SRP and has no plans to leave anytime soon. He still loves cycling and teaching the kids to ride their bikes.
We almost lost our beloved desert tortoise Big Guy. he got out of the back yard one day and we thought we would never find him. We went on a tortoise hunt every night after school/work but were unable to find him. We put posters up with Big Guy's picture on it and someone finally responded and we got him back a few days later. He is safely in a box in the garage taking a long winters nap.
This past fall we had the best family vacation ever. Shannon's dad blessed us with a 4 night stay in Rocky Point. The weather was awesome and the water was even better. We played at the beach in the morning and spent the afternoons at the pool. Shannon and Sheldon logged many hours under the cabana enjoying the sun and the kids. The kids played so hard they would fall asleep while waiting for dinner. It was an awesome time and we can hardly wait to go back.
Many of these happenings are captured in this blog so take a few minutes and explore. We would love to hear from you and if you have a blog please let us know so we can explore it.
God has certainly taught us many lessons this year and we are blessed to have a God that loves us so much that he sent his one and only son to be an example for us and, more importantly, to die for us. We can have a relationship with God because of his Christmas gift to us. He is the Reason for the Season.
May God bless you and your family. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
Sheldon, Shannon, Cameron, Carter, Addison, Nala, Big Guy, Twisger and Disger
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