Family Update :)

Jan and I caught a wicked head/chest cold last month. Jan's progressed into pneumonia. It was pretty scary for a few days, but he is doing much better now. I broke a toe/foot last month and was on crutches for 2 weeks and was privileged to wear a stylish shoe for about 6 wks :) I am also doing much better and am hoping to resume giving massages this week, provided anyone can afford a massage in this economy!!

I completed our taxes and am so pleased to know that we will be getting money back instead of paying!! Which may be a good thing as Jan is not getting a bonus this year, so things have been real tight!

The barn and fence have been a godsend this winter. However, as spring thaws the snow/ice and brings the rain, our barn is flooding. It has become obvious that we will have to do some major flood control work this summer to prepare for next year. It also appears that the water line to our barn has busted somewhere between the pump and the frost free spigot.

Auriana

Auri played the Snow Queen in the Princess and the Pea last month. I was so impressed with her singing and acting! She has really improved since last year. She is currently practicing to be a school play of Lost in Yonkers. She has been practicing 3-5 days a week for many weeks.The play will be March 27th & 28th at 7pm. We'll make room if you want to come on out to see the play! She was nominated last year, and again this year, to attend the MCT theatre arts camp on Flathead Lake this summer. She has to audition, along with kids from all over the world, but she has been told that she has an excellent chance to be accepted! Unfortunately, she is trying to get a job and as such may not be able to attend.

Auri has a boyfriend. His name is Chance and he is a very nice young man..although he is very similar to her brother (minus the authority issues)!! She has already made it clear to him that she may get mad at him easier then others as he is so like her brother (and we know how he is able to irritate her :) She will also be going to Junior prom...but not with her boyfriend, as she already had committed to going with another friend of hers, Dallin (arguably the cutest boy in school). Prom is March 21.

Jameson

Jamie started martial arts training in January at the Sakura dojo in Missoula, run by Jim Harrison (World Famous, Hall of Fame, etc). This is not a belt of the month club; it takes about a year and a lot of hard work to progress to the next belt. They don't even give them the belt to close their gi (uniform), it has to be earned! He is doing amazing well and seems to have a natural talent. He has already earned his white belt and is learning quickly. We have been so pleased with the effect his training is having on his attitude. He is already being used to help demonstrate the basics to the new kids. He will be allowed to start sparring as soon as we can get him the required protective gear ($350).

As you know, Jamie struggles mightily with school and as such has decided to attend the National Guard Youth ChalleNGe program this summer (if accepted). If he succeeds in this program, he will have a GED, discipline, perseverance, leadership and better hygiene! He has stated that he would like to go into the military after the program (though he will have to wait 5 months to be old enough to enlist).