Dear Friends,
Is it just me, or does each year seem to go by faster than the previous ones? I was warned when you have children, enjoy them while they are small because they grow up so fast. Well, I am already having “flash-forwards” of our five being adults and wondering what happened?!?
It seems like our children love
pretending to be grown-ups, while I wistfully
dream of having the energy of their youth.
I get down on my knees
and offer to trade roles with them, but they choose to
play "king of the mountain” on my hunched
back instead. I then change tactics and
decide to tickle them without mercy, assuming I can
deplete their energy reserves via their screams and squirming.
But, alas, experience has proven it only supercharges them into
high-energy projectiles. At this point, Patty (a.k.a.
“The Terminator”) enters the room and
screams for QUIET!!
Is it possible that five children born at the same time, from the same genetic pool and raised in the same household, could grow up completely differently? Those of you who are parents know the answer is YES! Here is a recounting of some of the uniqueness in our five this past year:
Sarah continues to be “Daddy’s lap girl,”
craving personal affection and interaction.
She prefers being
“Mommy’s helper” vs. watching television (thankfully
the TV does successfully hold her siblings in a mindless
trance). She seems to be naturally gifted
in dance (loves ballet and jazz), swimming, and singing (her voice has
perfect pitch). Her swimming and dance
instructors have asked her to move to the advanced classes (oh oh...
that means multiple classes for multiple children).
Rachel is more independent, but a great helper. Patty calls her “Cinderella” because she loves to clean the bathroom (while wearing a crown and tutu). She enjoys dancing (especially “tap”), but her real desire is gymnastics and climbing. At school, her nick-name is “Love Monkey” because she loves to climb and swing on the monkey bars (her hands have the blisters and calluses to prove it!). She also climbs the door-jams in our house (imagine a 35-pound blond cutie hanging upside-down from the top of the door jam!).
Hannah continues to be the charismatic rebel. She doesn’t mean to disobey instructions, she merely forgets them while following the beat of a different drummer. Hannah’s objective in life is to make everyone she meets her friend. Five minutes after receiving instructions at the LA Zoo not to wander off with strangers, Hannah was spotted 50 yards away with an unknown family. When confronted about her disobedience, Hannah introduced the people and explained they were not strangers since she had asked them their names and now they were good friends. She is quite the drama queen, too.
Joshua is on track to be the youngest
president of “something.” In addition to his
loud voice, he has a photographic memory and a
calculating mind. He was awarded the lead role
of “Joshua” in their school play about the “Walls of
Jericho.” Within the first week, he had
memorized his 42 lines (and most of the entire
script). He reads at the 2nd grade level and is
good at math, too. His classmates nick-named him
“Einstein." Now we are working on his humility.
Jonathan still enjoys a good head-butt and wrestling match. But he is also turning out to be a very sensitive guy. He is usually the first to pray for someone that is hurt (whether or not he was the cause of their pain) or to hug his mom when she is sad (it happens, you know). He loves music: drums, guitar, piano, hip-hop dance, etc. (do you know anyone willing to teach a 6 year old?). He has really gained control of his “exuberance” and seldom gets a reprimand at school (yea!).
The kids are all in “Pre-First Grade” (having completed Kindergarten last year) and will enter First Grade in Fall 2002. They love Culver Christian School and amaze us with their Biblical knowledge and talents. They are growing up fast.
I continue to work from home and am grateful that my financial planning profession enables me this privilege. Clients who come to my office seem very accepting of the need to step over a toy or two. Patty is also beginning to work with me, lightening some of the administrative load.
Patty’s folks, Jim and Connie, are doing great. After 35 years at Merrill Lynch, Jim is enjoying his retirement (he still spends a lot of time tracking stocks on his new PC) and even Connie speaks fondly of their new 24/7 relationship. They’ve been down a few times, observing them on stage at the school play and in the water at their semi-weekly YMCA swim lessons. They plan to join us for the Quints' 6th birthday party on January 23rd.
My folks won’t complain, but could sure be
doing better. After selling their
cattle ranch and cranberry bog this year, my mom continues to have
complications from her colon surgery (but at least there has been no new
signs of cancer). She just got out of the
hospital again and is recuperating at home.
We hope they can make it down for the kids'
birthday party as well.
Great Grandma Lolita continues to do well in Long Beach, WA. It still amazes me to watch her drive around town in her little Dodge Omni. We are all looking forward to celebrating her 99th birthday with her in June 2002. She is quite an inspiration!
Of course, the greatest inspiration at this time of year is that “God so loved the world that he sent his only son.” Jesus truly is the reason for this season. In the midst of this world’s turmoil, pain and calamities, we pray that you would find comfort knowing that God loves you and that he brings peace (and heaven!) to all who accept his love and forgiveness.
God Bless You... and God Bless America!
Scot and Patty
Sarah, Joshua, Rachel, Hannah, & Jonathan
Visit us online at
www.ShierQuints.com
Or email at Friends(aatt)ShierQuints.com