Do we really need to say anything else?

Snowflake Festival

December 13Th (Saturday)
So, another thing that happens around here in December is The Snow Flake Festival. This is put on by the Children's Therapy Clinic, which












is where both Izzy and Xan go once a week, Xan for Speech and Occupational therapy, Izzy for Speech. These people are amazing. The efforts that go into this to make the kids happy and enjoy themselves is just...... wow. Last year when they went they had a great time. This year we were a little later and didn't have time to make ornaments. But we played all the games, saw Santa, got presents and had a very sugary breakfast. And we actually have a good family pic!!!!!!!!! Thanks to one really nice therapist!!!!!!!! Then we took pictures with all of the kids therapists. Izzy and Callie ( I hope I spelled that right!) And Xander with Emily and RRachel and Marlene. The kids had a great time and so did we. This year it was held at the Ivy Tech banquet hall. (Cafeteria I think) but it was a huge space and really nice!!!!!!!!! We want to thank all the people who worked so hard and help our kids so much!!!!!!!!!

Fuzzy People

So since I hadn't put up any pics of the 6 new residents in our home (5 of which are temporary) here they are, one big fur ball. And also Admiral SnowBeard, whom many of you have not seen since he was little, little! So really here are 7 of our fuzzy family members. The other 2 were camera shy that day.

Way back in December

December 6th.....
Izzy went to her 2nd Tae Kwon Do Tournament. She did awesome!
Here are a few pictures. The woman she is standing with is her Master, Mrs. Bosstick. She rocks, I really don't think that I could even begin to do half of what she does with all these kids. But Izzy did great. Andy, Ti-Chi and Chi-Chi took her. I had a math test that day and my parents took the boys. But we got some awesome pictures and video. She had to do 2 form sets and next time she will be competing with in the weapons category. I think that the next tournament is in February.

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Graduation

So here are a few pics from Grad. It was on Saturday December 20th at 10am. For those of you who didn't know, please don't feel bad. I didn't tell anyone. I was very unsure about my Spanish and math grades and didn't even pick up my gown until Friday afternoon. And I went through Grad without knowing my Math grade. But it worked, cause I did pass all my classes!!!!!!!!!!!! So here are a few pics. I'm not sure what was going on with the camera, I suspect it has something with the setting, so we have really no good pics. But here is what we have.
I'll post more if anyone has them. I'm pretty sure Dave took some and I also have the ones from Chadon's Photography that I can at least scan in. But here is the best of the bunch we have.
I GRADUATED!!!!!!!!!!!!! THANK YOU TO ALL WHO HAVE PUT UP WITH MY GRUMPINESS, MOODINESS, HATEFULNESS AND STRESS. I WANT YOU TO KNOW HOW MUCH YOUR LOVE AND SUPPORT HAS MEANT AS I'VE STRUGGLED TO FINISH SCHOOL AND THOUGH I MAY NOT HAVE TOLD YOU I LOVE YOU ALL AND HOPE THAT YOU KNOW THAT!

Here comes Santa Clause

The happiest, most wonderful day of the year has come and we just want to wish you a Merry Christmas!

FINAL GRADES!!!!!!!!!!!

Class	Description	Units	Grade	Grade Points
ANTH-E 485	ART & CRAFT OF ETHNOGRAPHY	3.00	A	12.000
HISP-S 250	SECOND-YEAR SPANISH II	3.00	C-	5.100
HIST-C 376	GRK HST:BRNZE AGE-PERSIAN WARS	3.00	C+	6.900
HIST-J 400	SEMINAR IN HISTORY	3.00	B+	9.900
MATH-A 118	FINITE MATH FOR SOC & BIOL SCI	3.00	C

ARGH! STRESS!

In life we always know the moment we face a serious problem. Our heart rate increases, our eyes dilate, sweat pores go into overactive production, and best of all; we get that queasy feeling in the pit of our stomach. Many problems can cause this feeling like going on a blind date, having to give a public speech, being called to your bosses office, asking her to marry you, stepping into a ring with a professional prize fighter, milking a pissed off king cobra (my personal nightmare), telling your mother in law her new wall paper is really ugly (very touchy that one), apologizing to the other mother of the kid your 2 year old just bit (even if the little monster totally deserved it. little prick. push my kid down well now you have the brand to prove your actions bring about consequences. and another thing you little.... oops sorry! small rant), being the first guy in line to charge the front lines at Gettysburg (ouch, can we say fatal), and the worst one of all; TAKING A TEST!

In less than 72 hours Mindy will have taken three finals, 2 of which she must score a c or higher to pass. So at this time we are accepting prayer donations and the sincerely given "go get em girl's"offerings. Thanks for your long support and may we all meet in a better place.

i.e. graduation!

full moon discovery

Once a year the world is bathed in the light of the fullest moon of the year. On this special occasion a strange howl has been known to rise from the woods next to the Bartlett household. Ever the diligent student for adventure and scientific discovery, Mindy threw on her shoes and grabbed her camera. Past experience told her he was near. That's right! The full moon was upon her and once again the beast had risen. Through the night he prowled looking for the one who makes him howl. In the past there chance meetings had been fast and fierce. Only the heat of a hairy hands touch and a few scratches had she been given as proof of his existence, but tonight would be different. Tonight she would capture him in all his glory.

Without fear she strode out the door to meet her elusive lover. The light of the full moon gave the frost covered ground an eerie, almost dreamlike quality. In a trance Mindy stood at the edge of the walk, starring into the woods. Suddenly another howl sliced through the night, sending shivers through her scantly clad shoulders. Grasping the camera like a weapon, Mindy felt her heartbeat increase to a higher tempo. He was coming. Mindy stood ready.

Several minutes passed and the night stood still. Mindy began to worry he had already passed on. Maybe she had waited to long and missed him. Behind her a dog howled and Mindy jumped around behind her in fright. Stupid dog! She had been listening so intently the noise had completely surprised her. Her heart beat was so fast it sounded like two beats at the same time. Funny that she thought there were two beats. Suddenly she realized there were two beats and the second one was getting stronger. Turning around quickly, she saw something rushing up the hill towards her. In fear she stepped back, tripping over a limb in the yard. She fell screaming in fright and the camera flashed once.

Braced for the impact of the ground Mindy found herself floating inches from the cold grass. He had caught her. Quickly she felt herself whisked off her feet and carried into the woods. Again the fullest moon of the year had reunited them. The night was warm and filled with the sent of him. All the elements answered his call and again Mindy revelled in the magic of his embrace. In bliss she sank into darkness.

As the sun rose, Mindy woke to find herself in bed. She was dressed in a gown of leaves and dried dirt. On the table next to the bed sat her camera. It was dirty, but intact. She had been tucked in and her stuff had been carefully laid out. He was gone once again.

But had the camera captured her lover...................?

The Tree

So this year I remembered that the tree needed to be 8 feet tall. The first picture is of the tree in the distance highlighted with the headlights of the truck. Yes it was dark by the time we got our tree. Then there is Andy and Izzy standing next to the tree as it gets shook to pieces.That is Xander after picking out the tree, he hates clothes and the jacket was all I would let him shed. Then pood Dimon never even got out of the truck. he fell victim to the sandman as we pulled into tree farm, all dressed up and no where to go. Poor Dimey....

Guess what? 8 feet still touches the ceiling.....! And Andy beheaded the tree, he claims he only gave it a hair cut, but we all know how eveil those werewolf men are! He beheaded it!

And no, Izzy's not mad, she's posing.....

watch the tree grow fat and get lights!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!