Well, it's been awhile, but nothing's really been going on here. Alec has been away in Missouri (with his Dad) and I've been working many extra hours to keep busy these long summer days...
Alec finished the school year, our first homeschooling, with tremendous success. We all gained so much from this year of flexible boundaries and relaxed learning environments. We've all had a chance to reconnect with the things that truly matter in life. Oh, and Alec learned a great deal, too. I was his teacher, so I admit to being lenient with his grading, but I know that learning was far more enjoyable with the tension gone. The freedom to set our own hours was so nice, and school in our pajamas an extra bonus! The curriculum was designed in such a way that we both needed to stay accountable to the program. Where we took from the program in one place, we needed to give back in another. In all, a valuable lesson in life skills as well as academics.
Alec was able to stay in touch with a couple of his good friends from public school. Two, in particular, have kept in contact this whole year. Between weekend "plans" and internet gaming "battles" they continue to be inseparable. This is very reassuring as we move into his second year of homeschooling, and what would be his first year of public high school. One of the friends to whom I referred above is also a contact on Alec's MySpace page. They keep in continuous contact there. For any of you who know about MySpace, you know what I mean by "continuous." He has many contacts through that media--some consider it a worrisome avenue, but I also have a page and share most of his friends. Trust me, I'm on their pages every day...He also has been keeping in touch with his cousin, Sarah, who lives in Missouri, through MySpace. I am very pleased to know that he can keep up with family, and the two of them have become quite close.
Michael has been SO busy. His work has taken on a few extra responsibilities as agents go on vacation and he covers cases for them. Naturally, every case has had something happen while they've been gone...then there's Summer Session of school--5 hour lectures? Ew. Fortunately, his class sizes are so small (2 in one class and 5 or 6 in the other) that the Prof is pretty lenient. Session ends just as we are leaving for Iowa; in fact Michael will need to arrange one final after we get back. He'll have a couple weeks break and then, back he goes. I so admire his diligence. Michael's "extra-curricular" activities (CNT-Crisis Negotiation Team and Firearms Instructor) demand even more of his time. While CNT does not train as often as SWAT did, it still takes him out of the office ("out" is where he prefers to be).
Outside of work and school, Michael has also joined Church Council, which I think I've mentioned before. While normally this would be a heavy commitment of time, this year our church has an even bigger issue on the table. Another Lutheran church in the area, Our Redeemer, has had a dramatic decline in membership over a number of years, and has voted to sell its property. They are deciding whether they would like to merge with us, or start over somewhere else. We, of course, are deciding whether or not we want them to join us. Sounds cold, I know, of course we welcome them. There is much more under the thin outer layer...yeah, BIG issue. Synod, money, name...and Michael got named head of the Ad Hoc Committee. Sooo, extra meetings, phone calls...you name it! Whew.
Well, then there's me. Not much to report there. It's Summer, so I've been working extra hours. I'm available and there's a new employee, Donielle, for me to train. She is Fabulous! For the first time, I think someone finally gets it. I think someone will actually be able to do what I do. It's not hard, it's not rocket science. But it takes a certain savvy and a certain personality. I have it, and Donielle has it, too. I think I may be training myself out of a job. But a good teacher is supposed to do just that. And I hope in the meantime she is becoming my friend. The rest of the crew is doing well...a few rough patches, but we'll get through it together, that's what friends do.
Things have been pretty quiet at church these days. Since Confirmation in May, I've been laying low. I haven't planned anything for the youth, mainly due to lack of time through the end of May and all of June. As of July 1st, our Part Time Youth Director, Elizabeth, became Full Time. Her first goal was to immediately become more active with the middle school youth, so my presence dropped back instantly. By Fall, we will have our program in place and be running effectively. I plan to continue to be involved with the middle school youth on an extensive basis--teaching Confirmation and middle school Sunday School--but for the summer it has been important to let Elizabeth get settled. She is an amazing asset to our church in so many ways. We are blessed to have her at the church and as our friend.
To wrap up the summer, as many of you know, the three of us will be heading out on a road trip. The first of August will find us Eastward Ho! to Iowa for the Bierma Family Reunion. Let me clarify for the confused: Michael's Dad, Merle's family. This reunion has been brewing for about a year now, and it's finally here. There will be family from all over, many whom Alec and I will be meeting for the first time. We will be in Iowa for the weekend, and leave that Monday. From Iowa we will be driving into Colorado to the Bierma cabin. This will be another first for Alec and me. We'll stay there for a couple of days--not sure how long, depends on how many people are staying there, I guess. Eventually we'll head back home and do some laundry. It'll be a lot of driving, but that never worried a Herrick.
So I will be back in a few weeks with pictures and stories to share. Until then, enjoy the summer!
Blessings!
