The Mona-blog

Forgive me friends and family, for I have sinned. It's been 18 MONTHS since my last blog post! Suggestions for proper pennance welcome in the comments section. (Catholic guilt NEVER goes away!)

So I'm thinking it will be therapeutic to restart my blog. For starters, I am posting my "holiday letter" -- Hey! It's almost Valentine's Day!

At the end of a year that was frought with emotional ups and downs, many disappointments and frustrations, I didn’t feel like I had much to “show off” in the annual epistle, so I had determined not to write one this year. A couple weeks ago in church, we sang a hymn called “Count Your Blessings” and I couldn’t help but think of the love and support – sometimes overwhelming – that we have received from friends and family. In perspective, it seemed really dumb to ignore the people who bring us so much joy. So, if you find yourself reading this letter, know that we love you and are so glad you are a part of our lives – even if our lives are too crazy to connect more often than through our annual newsletters or blogs.

Here’s our family in a nutshell:

David continues to work for Jefferson County and teaches a couple of college courses online in the evenings. He is also actively involved with both the cub scouts and the boy scouts at church. In his “spare time,” David is working on finishing our basement. David’s exciting “fun” thing of the year was that he got to participate in the FBI’s citizen academy and now has a bunch of genuine FBI apparel and paraphernalia to show off.

I continue to substitute teach at the local elementary school. I am in my final months as the PTO president, which is a good thing because I was recently called to be the president of the Young Women’s organization at church. I also help with the office work and as an assistant director for 2 private show choirs. I’m still singing and playing the piano, running kids to and fro, and doing all the typical ‘mom” things. In my spare time I keep falling asleep!

Peter is a sophomore in high school and, like most sophomores is rather sophomoric. I would say that he is in a questioning phase; however, he assures us that he has all the answers, so I must be wrong. This fall Peter joined Dynamix, a private teen show choir, and we are very proud of the way he is using and improving his talents.

James is in 7th grade, and is, perhaps, more sophomoric than the sophomore in the family. James is, as always, very social and a favorite of all the young ladies. We are getting ready to brick up his windows and door. We currently still let him out for basketball, which he loves. He also likes skateboarding and has proven himself pretty good at snowboarding, too.

Daniel is in 6th grade, and has adjusted to middle school beautifully. He continues to sing in P’zazz children’s show choir, and had a very cute solo in the Christmas concert. He enjoys computer games and facebook – especially chatting with some of the older girls in Dynamix! AAAGH!

Rebecca is in 2nd grade and loves school, loves her teacher, even loves homework! Last week she told me she’s sick of the girl drama and she wants to be a tomboy. Can’t say I blame her, but I have a feeling the bows and skirts will be back in a few days. She is currently in 3 after-school clubs: International Dance, Computers & Chess. She loves to sing, and we are thinking it’s time to start piano lessons soon, too.

We are thankful for the many blessings we have, especially for our faith in God, which helps us keep everything in perspective. We send our love and wish you much happiness in 2011.

Love, Stacey, David, Peter, James, Daniel & Rebecca

Whew!! If you haven't died of old age before getting to this point in my blog post, you are a true friend! Or really bored. Hopefully I'll really reform and my next post will not be Happy Valentine's Day 2012! :-)