Keeping Up with the Raymonds

I am way behind. One of my goals at the beginning of the year was to write in my journal more. I am happy to say that I have improved my journaling, but between that, social media, and so many other time crunches this year, the blog has gotten pretty dusty. And it has been quite a year.

Scott has 1 1/2 years of fellowship left, so the light is at the end of the tunnel and he is starting to check out the job market. Honestly it does not even feel real. People tell me doctors make lots of money and that all sounds good, but it still seems as likely as having Ed McMahon show up at my door (is he even alive?!).

I have been balancing motherhood, running, and an assortment of random generally unpaid stuff: blood drives, volunteering at the food pantry, helping my neighbors get jobs, etc. Every day is different, and that is how I like it.

Bruce is 12 now. Seventh grade is a little better than sixth, but not by much. He just started with a new piano teacher that will help him hone his jazz skills; Bruce still plays with the middle school jazz band and is really good (I'm not biased, right?).

Phoebe is obsessed with Harry Potter. She loves taekwondo and just started a competitive sparring team. She also plays on a soccer team, scores lots of goals, and gets ridiculously competitive. She is super-tough, except when I brush her hair (then she cries).

Oliver is 4, goes to half-day preschool, and still wants me to lay down with him at night. Oliver loves digging in sand even when it is cold. He tried micro soccer this year; he was good at kicking the ball, but sometimes wanted to hold my hand while doing it.

Kentra is 16 now, just got her learner's permit, finished her fall cheer season, and is gearing up for indoor track. She is looking forward to moving back in with her family at the end of the year. It's been a whole year with us! It has been a learning experience for all of us and we are hoping this year has been a positive one for her. She didn't make it into the picture above - she was working on a group school project that day - but we are hoping to get some photos in the next few weeks of all of us.