Tidbits

--Max is playing Varsity soccer. He hasn't played soccer for a few years, as he chose football in AR. This is a level of soccer I have not seen before, truly amazing. He scored his first Varsity goal last night, and it was a HEADER! (obviously, this is when a player hits it in with his head) I did not get to see it, but Clay's description was very exciting. Max also had two assists. I love the soccer families. They have been fun and welcoming!

--Solomon has made a lot of friends and is a social butterfly. He is enjoying football, eating, and Algebra, in that order.

--Elliot was elected to Student Government by his classmates. He was also voted as Team Captain. In November, we will start going to meetings for People-To-People, and hopefully he'll travel with them to Europe in June. He has many friends and has the top grade in Science class.

--Annabelle is taking a 5 week gymnastics class and is counting the days until she can return to Martial Arts. She kicks and punches her way across the living room, shouting, "HI-YA!!" the entire path. She is also playing soccer, which is mostly in the rain. In her spare time, she is studying Mandarin on the Rosetta Stone program that Daddy bought for her. She looks VERY proud when she pronounces the phrase correctly and she gets a bell sound for a reward. I had been told by many adoptive parents that learning Chinese would be very important...and I see what it does to her pride. Truly cool and touching.

--Clay is very happy with this company. His boss is supportive and an extremely kind gentleman. Funny, we couldn't wait to meet him, based on what we had read. He does not disappoint. In October, Clay is traveling to Europe to visit some steel mills...Dresden (best art museum in the world), Slovania, and some other places. No wives allowed, or I would totally try to work that situation!!

--I remain in awe of the gentle manners of Pennsylvanians. The historic district in which I walk is fabulous. My new friends are gracious and kind. It rains a lot. My neighbors say that a huge treat is coming in the way of the jewel-toned trees. Apparently, the trees along the river become quite gorgeous, and the colors reflect in the water. So amazing.

My nephew Adam is on my mind daily. There is a cutting sting about suicide. At least now, in the first few months after his passing, the emotions come quickly when we speak or think of him. It is hard to sort out feelings and work through them and let them go. Why oh why? There seems to be no solution to feeling ill about it. One hopes that time does take away the sting of death.

I love you all and hope today is glorious for you! I am off to vaccuum three sets of stairs. A stairway is assigned to each son, but with their schedules, Mama is picking up the slack. Geez, sorry so long!! xoxoxox