Autumn Is Here

Hi Everyone,

I love the fall in Wichita. I still can't believe how much I missed the seasons when I lived in AZ. After such an unusually hot summer here, I promised myself I would not complain about the cold weather. Not sure how long it will last, but for now I love how cool the mornings and the evenings are.

The kids have still been busy, but it has slowed down some since the last time I blogged.

Dawson did a great job his 1st year on the high school soccer team. As usual his position was their goalie. I loved watching him play. Every time they had an away game, I would drive a van full of players since the school would not furnish a bus (budget cuts). I enjoyed being involved and cheering for the team. Unfortunately Dawson started using his head inappropriately (as my brother Dick put it)! Within 2 weeks he broke his nose and hit his head hard enough to get a concussion. The Dr decided he probably had 2 concussions by the symptoms he experienced. Needless to say he was out for the rest of the season. They were a little more than half way through the season. He was not happy, but he took the news well. He agreed he did not want to jeopardize another head injury. Although he was really disappointed it also meant he was out of PE, Lacrosse, working out at the gym and all other physical activities. He was a little bored with life. Gosh, I think his recovery time was for almost 1 1/2 months. He was able to play Lacrosse 2 times before that season was over. Now all of his sports are done. Hip Hip Hooray!! Now he wants to get on the indoor Lacrosse team in January. BOO!! He loves to go to all of the varsity football games. He's hoping like last year they will be state champs. So far they are undefeated. Otherwise Dawson is doing excellent in school and has a ton of friends. I think high school is going pretty well for him.

Keegan is still busy, busy, busy. She finished many of the projects that I had mentioned the last time, but still has new things on her plate. The play that she was in "You Can't Take It With You", was so hilarious. Keegan's character was the funniest. She was a ballet dancer that thought she was good, but was a terrible dancer. Through the entire performance she was dancing around the stage in her tu-tu. Making everyone laugh. Now she is in a musical called "Ragtime". I think they had 1 day to rest between the two shows. Knock on wood...so far her classes have been fairly easy and the teachers are not giving as much homework compared to last year. Maybe because they know how much work they have to do applying for college? Speaking of college...you don't want to mention the word around Keegan. She is so tired of constantly being reminded of everything she needs to do to apply for college. From her counsellor, teachers, and here at home, we are all asking her if she has this or that done before certain deadlines. I want to leave her alone, but it's only natural to want to make sure she is on top of some very important due dates. Everything is all scholarship related. Otherwise it wouldn't be so crucial.

Okay I am about to brag big time. I'm sorry if it is overboard.

Most of you know this already, but we are very excited about Keegan's achievement of becoming a semi-finalist for the National Merit Scholarship Award. The last time I wrote we knew she was a candidate, but since then she has advanced on. They started with 1.5 million students. Now she is in a group of 16,000 students. We are praying this Spring she will be selected amoungst 8400 winners. This award could have a huge impact on her future college opportunity.

Just a quick second to tell you about David and I, we are doing well, still happy to have employment and starting to already feel like empty nesters at times! The kids are off doing their own thing. Many times we find we are alone comenting on how this will feel one day just the two of us again. David talks about retiring, I think about getting 2 jobs to keep me busy!! Maybe I will adopt a baby...
I AM JOKING!!  (LOL)

Please keep in touch. Hope you are all doing well. It's hard to believe the holiday's are just around the corner.

As always, know that God loves you and wants the best for you. I will keep you in my prayers.
Love and miss you,

Marjie