Christmas Update

I haven't written an update on us in a while, so here is what we've been up to lately. I guess this should be considered our Christmas letter, since I didn't send one out this year. . .

Dani has continued to plan monthly art shows, called "Last Saturdays" for her church. She is having fun meeting with artists and musicians, advertising for participants, and helping set-up for each event. The church was recently awarded a grant to fund these events, so will now be able to make improvements and introduce new ideas, which should be exciting.

Dani has also gotten more involved in the community by volunteering at an assisted living center nearby. She goes there on Tuesday and Thursday mornings to lead exercises and visit with the residents, as well as help in the office. She has also been going an additional day each week to visit specific individuals or to help with holiday events like gingerbread house decorating, and Christmas caroling. It has been such a great experience for her to be around so many grandparent-type people. Sean and Cooper have even gone with her a few times to help out and meet the residents!

Sean has been busy at work training to be an ICU shift leader. This means, on the nights he is listed as shift leader, he is in charge of the unit and helping everyone else with their patients, instead of having patients of his own. He had been a bit apprehensive about this duty, but as it turns out, has really been enjoying it. He likes the change of pace and finds it both challenging and rewarding!

For those who don't know, Sean is working on the application process for getting his masters degree as a CRNA (Nurse Anesthesist). He has a few college classes and tests to take, as well as getting referrals, being interviewed and shadowing someone already working in the profession. He will turn in his application next Fall, applying for the CRNA program that starts June 2008. This past semester he took a Stats class as one of the requirements for the program, and got an "A", which was also a requirement. He will enroll in a chemistry class for the Spring semester, since we recently received news that he doesn't have to look at being deployed until the Summer (yeah!!).

Now for Cooper. Cooper will be 6 months old in a few weeks, and is a sweet, affectionate, and excitable little puppy! He is almost full-grown at 8lbs, and has a cute little scruff beard on his chin. His favorite game is "Fetch!" He is very well trained, and follows Dani everywhere around the apartment. He will fly with us when we visit Colorado for New Years. Don't tell him, but when we return from our trip, we have scheduled an appointment to get him neutered, and also plan on starting him in obedience school around that time.

We also have a cat. Her name is Cali, but we call her Misses. She is 6 years old and is the same colors as Cooper (mostly black & tan). She is a typical cat, so there isn't much to write. She eats and sleeps like cats do. When she is up and about, she runs very quickly to her chosen destination so that the puppy doesn't catch her - he's just a bit too affectionate for her tastes. She is curious about him, but only comes near when he is sleeping. We hope that they will become friends when Cooper is older.

Well, that is all of our news! We hope those who read this are also doing well, and will take the time to write a comment by clicking on the "comments" link below.

We wish you all a Merry Christmas and happy holidays!!