03/05/08

Our lives remain full and enjoyable here in Virginia--as the photos should show.  Here's a quick member-by-member rundown of our family:

LISA: still enjoying her job with AIBS, about to mark 10 years on the job--a true milestone in today's job market.  She continues to move forward as a karate practitioner (now a Nidan black-belt), 3-time-a-week runner, and movie aficionado.  Did I mention "movie aficionado?!"  Lisa gave up doll making but returned to her earlier passion of jewelry-smithing and much to my chagrin, jewelry BUYING!  It's all good though.

JONAH:  Jonah is still pretty much a free spirit.  His hair is still long and blond, although it did get short last summer for a spell.  Jonah really enjoyed attending Camp Sandy Cove last summer and looks forward to returning this year to West-by-God Virginia!  He made us very proud last week when we learned that he was nominated by his school and selected to participate in a program called People-to-People that seeks to develop student leaders across America.  Through this program he will be joining other kids from across America for a week of activities downtown, including workshops, tours, and even the chance to meet some Congressmen (we might want to chaperone that part ;-)  Jonah is enrolled in Spring Baseball and waiting to find out which team he's on--Majors this year, so the ball will be moving faster!  Jonah's current passion is everything to do with warfare.  He is most interested in World Wars I & II and reads many books on the subject.  He is lucky to have a teacher this year who has taken a keen interest in him and we couldn't be more happy about his school situation.  OK, more A's would make us happier, but we'll take what we can get.  Jonah picked up a second black stripe on his brown belt, so is moving forward in Karate too!

HANNAH:  We haven't seen Hannah since she turned 13 and we immediately dropped her off at an orphanage, I mean the circus, I mean...since she BECAME A BOARDING STUDENT AT HER SCHOOL!!!  Hannah is in her 2nd year at Kirov Academy (www.kirovacademydc.org) and continuing to do well academically and artistically.  Her annual ballet exams are next week, so there's plenty of stress to contend with.  We are all very excited about a visit from Grandma in Kansas, Aunt Shelly, and cousin Courtney who're coming to see Hannah's Spring Performance in May.  Hannah has the usual busy summer of ballet lined up with a multi-week camp (New York's ABT) in Los Angeles and a couple-week ballet camp in England.  Hannah is kind of bummed about missing Horse-Riding-Camp this summer, but a visit to England Granny will solve that one, and a trip to Kansas will really take the sting out of it!

PATRICK:  I made a bold move and resigned from Federal Service last month!  I hadn't really been planning on it until I ran into a former colleague who told me about her experience with CENTRA Technology, Inc. (www.centratechnology.com) and the 5 others we both worked with in the Pentagon who went there as well.  Anyway, I'm enjoying my 3rd week on the job and so far so good!  In fact, I sort of wish I had made this move a few years ago.  I loved my job with the Coast Guard, but the commute and staffing shortages were starting to get me down.  I know, government trough and all that, but it really was a lot of work...HONEST!!!  The biggest part of leaving the Coast Guard (civilian job only, I'm still a Reservist) was that I no longer work in DC.  As such, Hannah got to move into her school.  She comes home on the weekends, although somewhat grudgingly since she is as happy as a clam at school.  I sure miss the time we spent together one-on-one in the car...I just don't miss the 15 hours per week of driving that came with it...that's right 15 hours a week!

OK, I've written enough for now.  Since our plans call for visits to Kansas and England this summer, we should be seeing many of you soon.  If not, well, I guess we really don't care that much about you...  Just kidding.  Here's wishing you all peace, prosperity, and good health in 2008.