Mann Clan Confusion-- take 3!
It's been busy, folks. I'm not gonna lie. Between kids and sickness and celebration and mourning, we've been tied up... not literally, of course-- but Bailey does look at us kind of funny every so often so...
Heath was baptized on January 14th, 2012 by his father. Kevin and Heath were a handsome sight in white and the baptism itself was lovely. You could definitely feel the Spirit, especially when Heath came up out of the water. He was positively glowing-- though I think a part of it was knowing it was finally done! With his birthday falling so close to Christmas, Kevin and I made the executive decision to push the baptism to the 14th. Umm... that didn't go over too well, and to say that Heath was disappointed that he'd have to wait so long after his 8th birthday for this big event would be an understatement. There were some days after his birthday (but before Christmas) when he'd just blurt out how excited he was... to be baptized... and he truly was. Christmas had nothing on that big event! Brother Rocco Tummillo-- an amazing, long time family friend was kind enough to take some pictures for us so we could remember the day... and it was a great day.
A couple of weeks later, January 24th, we lost a good friend, Bobby Jay Garrison. The older boys knew him as a teacher at church and as the guy they wanted to teach them how to play accoustic guitar ('cuz chicks dig a guy who can play the guitar). The little ones knew him as the guy with the pirate patch and as Jai's dad... but we knew him as an incredible man with a huge love for life and who knew how to love with every ounce of himself. If you don't believe me, just look at his son. He'll be missed.
Dex and Quin have come out the other side of high school exams relatively unscathed. I'm sure that a certain someone's stomach won't agree with that statement, but it's done and I haven't gotten any notification of failed courses, so life if fantastic on that front. This, of course, means that it's time for new teachers, classes and grumbles. I have to shake my head at the thought, though, of having a son (Dexter- you are such a closet brainiac) taking pre-cal-- just 'cuz... Seriously?! I find joy in being able to remember my multiplication tables when I'm counting linear feet for casings at work and I have a son doing pre-cal? How can I complain?
Quinlan has ventured, once again, into the world of musical theater. Yikes! Like the house isn't already in a constant state of flux!? Let's add practices on Sunday afternoons and Monday evenings... ugh. That's alright, I guess. He's at that 'irritating teenager' phase, so the smaller doses are helpful. ;) I'm kidding-- I promise. :) He really is quite talented and we're excited to see his next great endeavor.
Kevin got a fantastic new toy... I mean serious household help at the end of January. He is now the proud new owner of a 24" Cub Cadet Snowblower with power steering, heated handle bars and a HEADLIGHT! I think it has more features than the old Sprint Kevin used to drive when we were dating! LOL! Now all we need is some snow and we'll be good to go! I told him that I thought we should at least fire it up so we'd know that it worked... he replied back that he'd wait till the summer! No sense getting cold if he didn't have to! Ahahaha! Oh, well. At least it's there and a part of next year's winter arsenal! (As a side note-- I've named the snowblower Sunshine. It really is the prettiest yellow and it's got an engine so it's totally legal! Kevin, as you read this, it's a done deal! If I couldn't name the van Lola, then I get to name Sunshine. Fair is fair! ;P)
Now, I'm feeling like I'm pushing my luck with this particular post, so I'm going to close for now. I'm hoping it won't take me this long to get back to updating again, 'cuz this is really kinda' fun and I love the idea of keeping people in the loop-- if they choose to be in said loop (but really, loops are kind of awesome and who wouldn't want to be in one of my making?!)...
Anyhoo... till next time, folks!
Colleen
