(picture taken during the Christmas Party at Gowen Field, Boise, Idaho ~ December 2008 for the 183rd Airborne)
Crow Nest 2008

Well, here we go again…Another year has passed and the kids never stop growing inside or out. So I will attempt to keep you updated. (So long as they can stop growing for a minute!)

Jeremiah is 11 ½ and is getting those “adult” features. It’s probably harder on me because I can look him in the eye now. He is still very imaginative and creative and loves to pretend that he’s a spy so he can sneak up on you. However, not in his favor, I have a keen ear that can hear the slightest movement anywhere in the house. Needless to say, I’ve scared him more times than he me. He enjoys various projects with his “Papa Pfost” and is in the middle of making their own flagpole. Not sure where it will go once finished but these projects are very good for the both of them. The first part of the year he spent finishing up Bible quizzing from Genesis and won gold, silver and bronze medals for the quiz meets. This year, he’s studying Exodus and so far has earned himself a gold medal. He continues to amaze us yet he still struggles with his anger and aggression. We are praying daily for God to take the reins on this.

Thomas….oh, Thomas! Our little character! He’s embarking on 9 years come February. He loves life to the fullest and has quick reflexes when it comes to sports. At the beginning of the year he played in Upwards Basketball, with Sean as his coach, and was one of the star players for the team. He and his sister will be starting up again in January. He is creative in writing and drawing and is a big help around the house. With his calm spirit and tender heart he keeps tabs on the other two. It is nice to have both boys in therapy together for keeping an eye on each other. He loves to tell jokes, reads very well and Nana LOVES for Thomas to cuddle with her (as do I). Starting piano lessons has been a real treat for all of us. He loves to cook, clean, race radio control cars and always finds time to encourage everyone everyday about everything!

Laura is ‘7’!!! She just had her birthday on the 18th and we celebrated it on the 20th by having a “Spa Day” at our house. It was a 4 hour ordeal complete with manicures, pedicures, facials and massage. We snacked on cucumber, tomato sandwiches, or bon~ bon’s and other sweets. We were going to curl hair and make “do’s” but ran out of time. Lots of fun to be had! She will be starting Upwards Basketball in January and is anxiously waiting. She went to girls’ camp for the first time this summer and really loved it. She passed two swim classes this year and we hope to have her continue in the spring in Level 3. She is ALL girl!

They still like Webkinz and all three are doing very well in school. We started Idaho Virtual Academy in August and have found it refreshing to say the least. It allows us to be more flexible in the ways our kids learn best and I feel we’ve accomplished much more. They take every opportunity to make breakfast in bed. It was a tradition I was doing to help Jeremiah understand being sick. He’d never tell me when he wasn’t feeling good even if he had a temperature of 104, he didn’t give in. Every once in a while they surprise me and wake me up with breakfast (eggs, toast and juice) on our silver platter.

Sean completed his duty this year by going to basic and AIT from April through July and was recently commissioned as a 2nd Lt in the Idaho Army National Guard attached to the 183rd Aviation unit as a Chaplain Candidate, a MOS change from the band. He is employed with Pioneer Mortgage and Insurance as a mortgage loan officer while returning to NNU through their online Master of Divinity coursework. He will be leaving to South Carolina possibly by next summer to begin the Chaplain Candidate training necessary for his MOS. We look forward to what God has for our family and the spiritual journey he has us on. During the time Sean was away, I had an oophorectomy and was taken care of by friends, family and very faithful NNU students. Through this time I had to learn to rely on others to help us out.

I am a stay-at-home mom and enjoy it. This allows me more time with the kids and Sean while experimenting with new recipes and just keeping up with the growing clan. I have recently relinquished my authority as the Chair for Regional Early Childhood Committee so that I could focus more on the kids’ education. Next spring, I have the privilege to be making an Autism presentation to other Early Childhood constituents. These opportunities inspire me to continue speaking about what we’ve been, what we are and what we’re going to go through and they allow me to give God the glory through ALL our trials. I held my 4th annual Ladies Christmas Tea the first Saturday in December and it was sure a delight! There were about 30 ladies, including their daughters, in attendance. We had plenty of food, fun and fellowship and I’m anticipating next year’s tea time.

Even with school, virtual or online, we’ve been able to grow closer as a unit and each member having a special place in the family (Jeremiah with his smile, Thomas with his laughter and Laura with a twinkle in her eye). Sean and I are very blessed and proud of them. With everything that is going on with our society, economy and our country we see the struggles and are comforted that God is protecting us in the midst of fury. May we look to Him today and each day as we are reminded of the blessings He has given us instead of dwelling on material things taken from us.

He is the real reason we celebrate and we rejoice in His coming again!!! Merry CHRISTmas to each and every one and may 2009 be even better!

Blessed be His name~Melissa S Crow