Dear Richard
Things are starting to slow down, which is MUCH needed! Work
is definitely slowing down, to the extent that on Thursday I actually didn’t
even go to work because I had so many personal things to do, but that was okay!
We got all of our visiting teaching done in the afternoon, and I was visited in
the afternoon (which means that all of my 2014 visiting teaching is all done :)
) and then saw an accounting client and I also got uniform stuff for Joshua – I
only need to get shoes for him, and then he’s all kitted out! And he’s in the
yellow house, so different to all of you guys… And we also went for our annual
biokineticist assessment.
The big event was a Teaching and Learning conference on Friday.
I presented on a similar thing to the T&L conference in October, and it
went well again. I got some very positive feedback, and this time the
conference was a national one, so there were 100 or so delegates from
universities all over the country, so that was very gratifying :) And Ilse, my
friend, was the one who organised the entire conference, and it went amazingly
well! Everyone was very impressed :)
Saturday morning was the kids’ swimming gala, and they all
did great, especially Josh! Hannah and Caleb both cried about going into the
water, because it was colder than the water they’re used to swimming in at home
or at their lessons. But they did their swims anyway. And Josh just jumped in
and swam when he needed to, and he did well! His teacher actually wants to move
him to the school pool for his lessons from January. That’s going to make life
challenging, but he’s ready! I can definitely see that he’s ready for Grade 1
now, which is so wonderful :)
The only bad things really from last year were the continuous
blackouts, which are apparently going to be with us for a few years at least,
and then the lady that we had arranged for Joshua’s aftercare told us that she
can’t have him anymore. At this late stage that’s not at all ideal, but things
have always worked out for the best for us and our children, and we had been
having doubts about it being the right place for Josh, so it was a blessing
that she took the decision out of our hands. So now it’s figuring out what’s
best and what Heavenly Father wants for our family.
Yesterday we did our family home evening lesson on manners
and respect. We’re trying to teach the kids more respect, and with a 2 year old
who is very strong-willed it is very challenging, but I think he’s old enough
now that we can really start reasoning with him, and getting through to all the
kids more effectively. The really fun thing yesterday though was having most of
Andrew’s family, and Mom and Dad, over for a carols evening, similar to the
ones we’ve gone to in Simon’s Town in the past. It was the first time we’ve
done something like that with Andrew’s family, and they all enjoyed it :)
Just 1 week left of school and work, and then we’ll all be
on holiday for a bit, and hopefully get some good rest! Good luck with your new
companion ;) Exciting times ahead!
Love you
Shelly
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