November 18th Vicki Wrote

Happy Holidays,

I wasn't going to write this month, but I figured we needed all the extra prayers we can get. So fasten your seat belt your in for a bumpy ride............

Having 2 teenagers in college and 2 preteens at home, does it get any better than this? Most days when I have time to think, I seriously think this is the roughest stage of our families life. The key word in our family right now is "needy". Jim didnt like that word, so I changed it to "oblivious". Are you needy or oblivious?

Jim is not happy with his new job and the census of the house is no one else really is either. He gets home late. Seems to go on over night trips on Tuesdays when I work at night. His dispatcher is "oblivious" to anyone whos priorities may be FAMILY.A change in work right now is out of the question. We need to maintain this health insurance until Brandon is well on his way to recovery. When you have been a member of a company for so many years this transition can be the hardest.

Brandon is patiently waiting for Dec 15. His anxiety level increases every day. He just took a medical discharge for this semester and the next. Not being able to sleep or concentrate effects everything. He turns 22 the day before his surgery.He is feeling very anxious about feeling pain free. He has said he is starting his life over Dec,15. I cant wait for him to wake up after surgery and not feel the joint pain he has had for the last 12 years. Please pray for a quick recovery, he will need to live at home for 5 weeks. It will be a good test for everyones will power. I am so proud of the strength he has shown already.

Devon is so glad to be home ! I called him 2 days prior to him being home and he told us he was in Utah riding bike. All along he was in Virginia visiting Andrea, Joshs sister.It was a welcomed surprise. Jim asked him what his favorite part of his trip was...it was, Coming home..He lost 12 pounds when he was away. He and Josh got to be better friends. The bus ran great. Living in the bus was alot rougher than they expected. Devon got a job at Milford Enterprises until he leaves. He will leave for Shippensburg Jan 8. Dana is already out there. We have been enjoying hearing about his trip, having him home has been a pleasure,his pictures are beautiful. The memories and experiences of the last 3 months will be with him forever.

J.R. is doing well at school and enjoys going with Willie to Junior youth at Swamp. He is making new friends at school.Ashton has another cheer competition this Saturday. It is in Trenton New Jersey. This is the 3rd competition they've made it to. If they place at this one they qualify to compete in Florida for Pop Warner. The squad is amazing, the mounts they do are the same you see the big girls do. Ashton is the strong base that catches them all. She is excited !

I continue to be the organizer, director, and crew chief of this ship and I would never want to sail anywhere else.

We cannot discover new oceans unless we have the courage to lose sight of the shore...

May everyone have a Peaceful and Joyous Holiday,

Vicki