[Gathnet] The latest...

[am]

     Was writing to Ortal and decided that I might as well let people 
know that we are alive and even kicking - truly at least the kids (my 
joints did not like kicking).  Scott and I took the four younger kids 
left here at home this summer to a very nice firework display with all 
the essentials - well done, close by and relatively uncrowded.:-) .  
Bethany thought it should have been longer but everyone else was happy.

     Busy times here.  Christopher left June 4th for a nice computer job 
in Wisconsin - the first of our 8 to go off on his own.  He is putting 
in long days but after some searching found an apartment.  Now he spends 
part of his off time, cooking and cleaning and finding important 
furniture- an air mattress, desk, chair and bookshelves, fish.... Nate 
starts his final year at Point Loma this year - math is his major with a 
computer science minor.  He is planning to live in an apartment off 
campus this year with good friends of his from college - it sounds like 
a dorm away from the dorm.  Anna seems to be taking to college life well 
- I think she is a natural for getting things organized and done.  She 
did very well at her first year at Wheaton's Conservatory of Music - and 
this summer she has been a counselor again only this time for Wheaton's 
Honey Rock Camp in upper Wisconsin.  She earned college credits for her 
training this summer.   She is making noises about Wheaton in Israel or 
England next summer... we'll see what she decides to do.  Also this 
summer, Rachel is down in Texas staying with Scott's mom and doing a 
volunteer job at a vet clinic - it sounds like she is very busy as well 
and loving it.  She starts her last year of high school this coming 
year.  With all of her German classes and AP tests taken, she has quite 
a few hours of college credit to her name.  Tad will be starting 10th 
grade - he was been doing debate and speech this last year and talks of 
doing so again.  Must be something in the genes since Uncle Eli also did 
some law training.  He is working hard on memorizing Scripture for the 
big Bible Bee competition in late August.  Paul will be a 9th grader 
also working hard this summer on memorizing and algebra.  Micah starts 
7th grade - he is supposed to be working hard.  Bethany starts 3rd grade 
this year.  She is still a very social person and loves to have play 
dates etc.  She was also delighted to be able to attend Indian Hills 
Camp this summer and as expected had a great time.  The three younger 
are all doing Bible Bee and piano plus strings for Micah and Bethany.  
All five younger do Karate with a Christian Martial Arts Program at 
church (Chuck Norris style for those of you who are acquainted with such 
things)- some are planning and have time to earn black belts.

      Seems strange to have so many of our kids off this summer and one 
out of the nest.  Scott stays busy as usual with work and I try to keep 
up with the wild schedules and coursework for the gang.  Last year was 
really crazy, but God had everything all planned out as Christopher took 
a lot of the driving to help out - his job started just as the year was 
almost over.  I also did more traveling than usual for me last  year.  
We had Christopher's graduation in May 2010, then Anna's orientation at 
Wheaton, then Rachel out to the National Bible Bee Final Competition 
near Chicago, and Nate and I drove Christopher's car out to Wisconsin so 
that he could begin work on very short notice.  Can't say that I like 
flying, but I have not had a lot of trouble.  I guess we will have at 
least one trip this coming year - Rachel is looking at Houghton College 
in New York or Wheaton for next year.  Neither Scott or I have ever been 
to Houghton so we will probably make a trip there to at least get a feel 
for the college with Rachel as she makes a final decision.

     I think that is about all that is up at the moment.  With Daddy 
traveling on the east  coast with Jonathan and family, Beth is staying 
up with Mumsy and Mumsy comes down to our house on the days Beth is at 
work.  The list of things to do this summer is never ending - not only 
school but organization that has been on the back burner due to lack of 
time.  Things like hair cuts this AM which took quite some time as 
several had become very shaggy - Paul had some beautiful curls that were 
a shame to cut off, but he always tries to straighten them out anyway 
with water so no major problem.  I am eager to see how the year works 
out with Laura Gathman attending college nearby us next year.  It seems 
to be a wonderful fit for her interests.

Love to all,
Anita