Meet the Family

This is our firstborn, Miss Emilee. Emilee came home from Korea at the age of 5 months....what a day that was the summer of 1997! Miss Em forges the territory as firstborn well and is thoughtful to look behind and pull 'little brother' up too! I remember her asking when Shawn was five if she could remove his training wheels. We replied, "Are you kidding? You were seven when we did that. No!" Ten minutes later, she came in the house and announced, "Look at Shawn, he doesn't have on his training wheels! I disobeyed, am I in trouble?" He was riding like he had been doing this all summer. Em enjoys math, science, soccer, gymnastics, ice skating, volleyball, piano, violin and youth group. Emilee also enjoys traveling and her American Girl collection of dolls and accessories.

Well, these two would be the 'shakers' in our family--Shawn and Sophie (Yorkie). Shawn is up for lots of entertainment having to do with trains, cars, playing outside (in any weather from -15 to 90+)....it's just not an issue, playing his Wii, basketball, baseball, soccer, football....all things that use a ball! He also plays piano--for him, this is simply a 'means to an end' as he would like to play drums at our school and they require two years of piano first. I sure hope he might change his mind on quitting piano though as I enjoy listening to the kids play! Shawn's most recent hobby is collecting Lionel Trains! So far, he has the New York Central Flyer and The Polar Express. Shawn is our nine year old engineer and Sophie is his 'partner in crime'! Sophie will turn 2 on May 20, 2009. She's an encourager....'let's have some fun' is her mantra!

Well, this is 'dad' and me. We have been married since 1993 and so far things are working out pretty well! Greg is an accountant/business manager for a Native American school here in SD and prior to becoming a full time 'domestic engineer', I was a fourth grade teacher. Presently, I substitute in our district at the kids' elementary school and also our Middle School. The flexibility is great for our family, and I still get to put my 'toes in the water' (and go home without a pile of papers to correct!).

The days are busy with the kids in activities, etc., but I already know that these are the days I will reflect on as being the 'good ole days'....I will forget the fatigue, the days that I lacked wisdom, the frustration from trying to feed a picky eater, using the bathroom (by MYSELF!) etc. etc.

Greg and I enjoy going to the movies, family vacations, speaking in complete sentences (usually happens when we eat out!), and just 'hangin' out'. Greg loves to snowmobile, watch dirt track races and is a great bowler. Together, we also mentor a fourth grade Sunday School group, I help with the Youth on Wednesday nights and organize our local international adoption group.