It seems to me that we need things in our lives that push us and twist us out of our comfort zones. Oftentimes this makes us uncomfortable, but that isn’t necessarily a bad thing. I was nervous beyond all reason when I gave Lianne carnations back in high school. Lianne and I were shocked and excited when we found out we were pregnant with Jaron. I used to get sick to my stomach every evening before my band performed a show. Those stretching moments represent some of the best opportunities for all of us to experience life and to launch ourselves and those around us into greater things. 2010 was filled with those kinds of moments for our family and we’re looking forward to seeing where they take us.
Early in the year we learned the tuition for the kids’ schools was going up substantially. That led us to consider the alternatives. We looked into the public schools, as well as other private schools, but ended up deciding to home school. Lianne was working as a sign language interpreter with the Virginia Beach school system. She quit her job to focus on home schooling.
We had also been talking about making a trip to Disney World, but we didn’t have anything really planned out. Some time in late January we were talking with Lianne’s parents, Jim and Kathy, and we talked ourselves into going over the kids’ Spring Break, which was the 1st week in March. It was our first trip as a family, and it was a blast.
Early Spring brought another phase in the slow transformation of our backyard into a legitimate suburban homestead. Lianne’s idea is to cover the entire yard with garden boxes and plant fruit trees all around the border. We added some raised beds and hope to add more over the coming years.
The kids starting taking tennis lessons and Jaron played tennis for the Middle School team at Norfolk Collegiate. He won a few exhibition matches and even won some inter squad matches to move up the rankings on his team. Ava played softball for the first time in the Spring and took to it the same way she does with every sport. She’s fast, she has a good eye, and she’s learning the game. She even had the opportunity to pitch in the Fall league and is looking forward to more time on the mound next Spring. Davin started karate and before long all the kids were clamoring to get involved.
The Summer was filled with trips to the beach, Busch Gardens, Water Country, and to our new favorite stomping ground near Afton Virginia. Lianne’s brother and his family moved back into town from DC and it’s been neat having them around.
Another huge change was that in September I quit my job with HP after 7 fun and productive years. The chance to work closer to home was too good, and I felt stagnant at HP. I don’t like change, and I had a feeling of homesickness my first few weeks at the new office. Eventually though, I settled in and am looking forward to lunches at home with the family.
So, the year of change is over, but I’m of the opinion that every year should hold similar stories. If it seems like we don’t have them, then we’re going to go out and make them happen. I hope all of you do the same. Stagnant water breeds disease, but flowing rivers are a source of life.