Wow! What a year. From November ’07 to August ’08, Bec (me) and the kids were in Arizona with my parents while Dave was on his second tour in Iraq with the U.S Army. I know that he missed us and especially those first few months of Ben’s life, but he did some amazing things and got to be a warrior rather than a paper pusher. He can’t tell us what he really did in Iraq until it gets de-classified in 25 years, but suffice to say; he was awarded a second Bronze Star.
Dave came to us in Arizona in August and was officially out of the military in October. He has started a web design company (www.warriorshepherd.com/design), and works as a substitute teacher in the local schools, until we move in the New Year.
Emma and Gabriella are still my girls. We still home school, although that will be ending soon with our new endeavour. Emma joined Brownies and has decided to be a famous dancer, singer, actress, and preacher! She still writes all the time and organizes classes, carnivals, and parties. She devours books and recently figured out inter-library loans. She regularly orders 4-5 books a week :0) Gabriella has taken to reading too in the past few months, she likes to read Spongebob (go figure) and Bearenstein Bears. Mostly she is into helping with Ben, and loves cooking. She loves getting on all my jewellery and big diamante clip-on earrings…she has her own sense of style and never likes what I pick out for her! Just like me though, the more colours you can get on the better!
Ben is a joy, but stinkin’ hard work. He learned to walk very early but failed to learn how to fall. He uses his head to break the fall, and constantly has bruises across his forehead. He loves to dance, as soon as music comes on, his knees start bending, hands go in the air and bobs his head. He likes to be outside to watch all the quail families and point at every airplane that flies over. But he cannot stand trash trucks, they freak him out!
Me, I did some sign painting this year (www.bobsdoodlesandbugs.com), and when I wasn’t ninja-catching a baby, braiding hair or packing, I have just been looking forward to our new big move…… January 10, we leave Arizona for Spain to go and establish and work in the G42 Leadership Academy (www.g42leadershipacademy.org). The first students should start arriving in March, with new semesters each three months. So it’s going to be thrilling and stressful and everything in between. The girls will be going to Spanish school (PRAY for them!!), this will help them integrate, make friends, and learn the language. This will be a massive deal for them, so I am truly hoping for a miracle. Emma is looking forward to finally having her own room as Gabriella wants to room with Ben….Next year’s letter will tell of the trouble those two get into together!!
But we are planning on getting a sofa bed in our apartment, so guests will always be welcome ( Brits bring PG Tips, and Americans bring peanut butter!) Mi casa es su casa.
Have a lovely Christmas,
The Hearn Family