What a year! I just still can't believe that it's less than a week before Christmas. We finally got our Christmas wish last week and got snow on the ground. It really wasn't feeling like Christmas with no snow on the ground. My mom flies in on Christmas from Florida and she needed a white Christmas, I don't think she wanted one but she is getting one.
Dan is still working for QSP. With the economy being like it is it is a scary business to be in. The sad and good thing is schools and groups still need extra money so hopefully we won't get hit too hard. This summer Dan worked for the Missoula Osprey, baseball team, as an usher. He really had fun doing it and even though the pay isn't much is considering doing it again. Dan turned the BIG 40 this year too. The sad thing was he was away from us as he was at his summer QSP meeting in Connecticut. (You can see a slide show of his life, check the July blogs). He continues to WOW us and spoils us with his yummy cooking. He cheered on the Montana Grizzlies last night, with a houseful of friends, to a hopeful National Championship but it didn't happen. The Richmond Spiders put us in a web! Oh, well, there is always next year.
I decided to run for another term for a seat on the Missoula County School Board. Lucky me no one chose to run for a seat and there was two open, so I didn't have to run a full campaign. My name was the only one on the ballot and we ended up having two write ins. 4,154 voted for me, err, or well, colored in the dot next to my name and I was allowed to keep my seat as a trustee. In May, I went back to real world with a real job. I am not a huge fan of pretty much any aspect of it. I miss being able to hang out at the schools and help in the kids classes, I miss sleeping in, going to the YMCA in the mornings, hanging out with my friends whenever I want, bowling in the afternoon league, ohhhh, working stinks. But, bills and money call. I've really had no time to scrapbook and that is always a new years resolution to try to add that into my life,ohh, next year.
Emily is now the BIG 13 and in the 7th grade. She had a busy year. She auditioned for a part in the play Seussical through our local theater and got a part as a Who. There was many long nights of rehearsals and over two weeks of performances. But it was awesome and she is just a natural up there. She played softball, made the All-Star team and played soccer again this fall. She still continues to be a superb student at school and plays the oboe. Emily was involved in her very first automobile accident, check out the October blogs, it's a good story.
Hannah turned 10 this summer and is in the 5th grade. She started cello and piano this year and is doing very well. She continues to be a soccer star and also made a softball All Star team. She even started pitching and hopes to spend more time up there on the pitchers mound.
Benjamin is 5 and started kindergarten this fall. In Missoula we recently implemented all day kindergarten, thus why I started working. He loves it. He told me he wants to be in kindergarten forever. He is already reading and just a little social butterfly. Everyone knows and loves Benjamin! He finally was old enough for team sports and played soccer and tball. This fall he really excelled at soccer and scored 7 goals in one game! He is a stud ~ but a sweet boy too.
On a sad note, we had to say good bye to a dear friend, Sebastian. We had him for 14years and they had thought that he was at least 2+ years when we got him. He lived a full life and it was the hardest decision we ever had to make, but, we had him put down in October. It was a hard time and still brings tears to my eyes, as it is now. He was a good dog! We still have our beast, Sadie, the chocolate lab. It was sad for her to lose her buddy she loved to torment but she is now loving all the attention.
All in all, it was a good year. With the economy and gas prices the way they were we were unable to do any travelling this summer. We were home bodies. But, we hope next year to drive to Erie, PA for my 20th class reunion and have a nice visit with family and friends. I am re-reading this letter and this has to be the most boring one I have ever written. Sorry for that, nothing fancy or funny. Just us. It must be since I put it off to the last minute and am just scrambling to get thoughts down and I still have some baking to complete. Feel free to check in on us anytime during the year on our blog. I try to keep it pretty updated, we would love to hear from you too!
We hope everyone has a blessed new year and a wonderful Christmas. Remember that Jesus is the reason for all this craziness we put ourselves through. We love you all! - The Hirnings (Kelley, Dan, Emily, Hannah & Benjamin ~ Sadie too)
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