Scott and I are in our 14th year of wedded bliss. We are living in Hebron, Maine... on 20 acres of lawn, field, pond, woods and stream... it's our happy place. We are one town over from my parents (still, 13 miles is a good "bumper"... can see the parents when I want to, but don't feel it necessary to travel that distance daily)... and half a mile from my in-laws (as it happens, half a mile is also a decent bumper).
Scott is working for Override... a subsidiary (as I understand it) (or maybe it's more of a spin-off) of Irving, in Portsmouth, NH. He loves it. You can look that operation up online (www.override.com), and let us know if there's any way he can do something productive in your town (then he'd have to travel there, and I'd be happy to go along for the ride... the OVERride! ha!) (lame, I know). He plays men's league, slow-pitch softball in Auburn, and assists with our kids' various teams.
As for me, I'm still doing some photography when I want to (which is not often, really, because I'd rather just stay home and not clean house). I am extremely blessed to be with the kids for nearly everything... this is the life I've always wanted, believe it or not, so I'm very happy. It's a hard job, of course, and many days I look and feel less than ideal, but whatever... it's extremely rewarding, and totally worth it. Ironically, I am still learning how to cook and clean... apparently these skills are essential to effective housewifery and successful stay-at-home-momness. Give me another 14 years, and I may just have the hang of it.
Lilly will be *13*(!!!!!) in July, and headed into 9th grade at Oxford Hills High School in the Fall (you're right... I'm too young to be the mother of a high schooler). She homeschooled for 7th grade before heading back into the system for 8th grade. She LOVES school. She plays viola in the orchestra, participates in travel chorus, plays softball and ran cross- country last year. Oh, and of course, she was a cheerleader this past winter.
Kate is 11, and in the 5th grade. She wants to homeschool next year, for no reason, I believe, other than she'd have me mostly to herself for a whole school year! She plays violin in the orchestra, plays soccer, sings in chorus, and wants to take up drums (good thing I have that snare from my sixth grade year!). Her teachers love her because she just strives to go above and beyond in all her endeavors (what a waste of energy, I say!).
Sam is 9, 3rd grade. He's a skater in every sense of the word... he completes and turns in as little homework as possible (that's my boy!), while still managing to meet or exceed all the standards. He plays no instrument, but loves (and plays) soccer and baseball. He's a natural athlete (must've gotten that from Scott's side of the family), and a real ham... keeps us laughing. He's the stick that stirs that pot... gets the girls all in an uproar whenever he wants (please do NOT feel sorry for him ever, just because he's the only boy... he holds his own, for sure).
Molly is 6, 1st grade. She follows closely in her brother's tracks, as far as schoolwork goes. She's highly intelligent, and easily bored with school. This is the child that has taught me the most about parenting... being a kid doesn't seem to come naturally or easily to her. She's my creative force... she loves to create art, and she can sing and act with the best of them. She played soccer (when she wanted to) and t-ball (ibid.), but currently is perfecting her Heelying techniques. Molly is the child we will worry least about in life, because though she will probably (most likely) make some bad (self-destructive, dangerous or otherwise scary) decisions, she's a force to be reckoned with... no one will stop her from doing what she darn well pleases in life. She'll be taking care of business and watching out for Numero Uno all the livelong day.
Sophie is 4, no class. Well, you know. She's probably the smartest of them all (she's had a lot of highly skilled teachers ahead of her), and will probably start homeschooling for real this fall, because she just misses the cut-off for kindegarten. She's a sweet, affectionate, Mama's girl, and we have a lot of fun hanging out together most days. She's a good way to wrap up the child-rearing experience.
We also had a baby 19 months ago, Phoebe, who was stillborn at 42 weeks. It was an odd experience... long story which I'm happy to share should you desire details. I'm working on putting that in the blog, but man... a blog takes time!
Oh, and we have one dog who's lucky to still be alive. (I am not a dog person.) Meet Max.
