09/04/06

    What are we up to now? Well, let’s see …

Jamie has started High School! He (9th) and Justin (11th) are both McClintock Chargers now. During our first camping and ATV riding trip at the dunes (over Halloween weekend, on the AZ/CA border at Yuma) Jamie was injured and spent 4 weeks in a cast. The ligament damage in his foot healed nicely and there was no break, but he’ll need to wear a brace for support when doing athletics. We cannot thank our friends enough for taking care of everything at the camp ground – including the kids and the quads – so that we could focus on getting Jamie in to the hospital in town that evening. Jamie made the best of his injury and in spooky garb, parked himself on the front patio Halloween night to offer fright and delight to trick-or-treaters. He’s also volunteering his time to work/ play with elementary age kids in the church music program. They just think he’s the greatest!

17, is it true? Yes. Justin is already 17! He passed his guitar on to Jamie this year after it seemed his little brother had picked up so much over the summer. He’s been in pre-season training for Lacrosse since September and games begin in January. Thankfully, we have no injuries to report there. He’s looking forward to this season as a varsity starter and the possibility of acquiring his driving (learner's) permit for driving.

Wesley continues to attend pre-school and seems to feed on all the information brought his way daily (ALL of it). Lately he has taken to art projects at home – drawing, coloring, cutting and then of course, displaying. He also continues with his weekly music program at church and enjoys “performing”. Pancakes made by Dad (“the best pancake maker”) and being read to every day are still his primary loves. Wesley is starting to “read” familiar words and phrases and working on memorizing his phone number and address. He’s a fount of info and entertainment, and like his big brothers, keeps us on our toes.

Amy flirted with the idea of moving back into professional work a few months ago, but we found the timing wasn’t quite right. So, having stayed at Honda, she is now admin assistant to the General Manager. Granted, the car business doesn’t offer a lot of holidays, but what offer can compare with a raise to stay and a no traffic 2-mile commute? Working part-time, centrally located to home, schools, doctors and the orthodontist, is really a great advantage with the kids too. The people are great! And if you need a new or pre-owned vehicle now you know who to call.

After 7 years, Lee is no longer with Motorola. Well, actually, Motorola is no longer with Lee or the other 30,000 or so folks previously employed in their SPS sector. Lee and his co-workers are now in the employ of Freescale Semiconductor which spun off from Motorola earlier this year. Same job, same team, same good times, one day a week working from home, and yep, still plenty of on-call.

Friends and family, we are very thankful, and humbled by your generosity. You are the true richness in our lives! May you be blessed accordingly and ALWAYS.

Lee, Amy, Justin, Jamie, and Wesley