Wow! I can't believe that 2005 is drawing to a close. We've had a very eventful year, and in many ways it seems that it has been much longer than a year, yet on the other hand it has just flown by. As I'm sure it was for most of you, December was a crazy, busy month, with little formal schooling going on. We'll start back up again next week, but with a baby due in two weeks  , I'm afraid January may be much the same as December was.

Some highlights of 2005:

January: hubby burned out on job with horrible abusive boss

February: new job, not enough money

March: All of my family visited us in Vancouver, WA, trip out to the cold ocean.

           Elisabeth turned 4

April: got a job in UT. Moved to house on 20 acres in Utah.

May: found out we were expecting baby #4

June: Sarah turned 6. new job terrible

July: sit in front of swamp cooler roasting, with morning sickness, go to the park    most days and sit in the shade, play in the water.

August:Mary turns 1.  get new job in Wyoming. Move into another apartment/townhouse

September: Enjoy new little town, mom moves from family home to townhome.

October: visit gramdma in new home for halloween

November: Thanksgiving at our home with mom and brother Todd visiting

December: Visit mom before christmas, wait for baby (unless something happens in

                  the next few hours, baby will be part of next years news)

This September I started more of a formal school schedule and program with my six year old. We have been doing Ambleside Online Year 1. It has been enjoyable, but as we haven't really done any since Thanksgiving, we are not yet finished with the first term. Hopefully we will be able to finish the next couple of weeks before the baby is born, then I will feel better about taking some more time off before starting term 2. 

Reading is still coming very slowly for her, but I know that she will get it when her inquisitive little brain is ready. She is so brilliant in some areas, and "behind" in others. She definately has a very scientific brain, the opposite of mine, and it is a challenge for me to know how to help and develop this.

Elisabeth, my four year old is much more average in her development. She takes much less effort, and I fear sometimes that I tend to neglect her as she is so easy. She is coming along very well, learning along with her sister, and in most areas about the same level.

As for Mary, she is just a constant delight and trail. Trying to keep her out of things while we are trying to do school is a constant battle, and we have lately been waiting for her nap to try to do much.

It should be interesting how things work out with a toddler and a newborn.

This is rather stiff and boring. I usually write when I am in the mood or have something to say. I can claim neither at the moment, but as I haven't posted anything in nearly a month, and it is the last day of the year, I felt I should at least write something. I am just so consumed with waiting for this baby to come, that everything else has kindof faded into the background.

Happy New Year!