Collector’s Edition – Final Edition of the Millennium

That’s when the real work began. Although it’s a brand new house, there was (and still is) plenty to keep us busy. First, getting unpacked and making it feel like a home and not just a house. Thanks to Bruce’s insane organization, that only took about 2 weeks.

The next job was to get ready for our house warming. That included getting the mantel built and accessorizing. In April we were happy to share the home we had been blessed with, with our friends, family, and some of our new neighbors.

Now for the back yard. This brings us back to the matter of Bruce’s insanity. He decided this was a task that he would do himself. Carolyn was very skeptical. "Does he know what he’s doing?" was her question. "No" was his reply, "but I’ve seen it done on TV." Five months later, he was done (thanks to the help of some friends and family). A lot of hard work but the outcome made it all worth it. Carolyn now has the answer to her question.

Those five months weren’t just all work on the back yard. We took time to visit 4 Art and Wine Festivals. For the 4^th of July we had some friends over to barbecue and enjoy the fireworks. Oh yeah, did we forget to mention that we live behind the Great America theme park and have a front row seat for their fireworks shows. So, we set up chairs in the street outside our front door and enjoyed the spectacular firework show. This continued every Friday night for the rest of the summer.

We were glad to have Bruce’s brother, Eric and family visit for a week in July and then again in October. They are currently on home assignment for a year after spending the last four years in Ukraine as missionaries.
   
Carolyn’s last living grandparent passed away in July after going down hill with Alzheimer’s for the past year. A sad time but also a joyful time spent remembering his life. Carolyn’s sister and nieces were able to come for the memorial service. Carolyn enjoyed being able to spend some time with them.
   
We ended the summer with a camping trip to Pismo Beach. This was just a good time to relax, enjoy the ocean, and enjoy some time with friends.

Halloween was another busy time. Due to the pressures of the kid next door and Carolyn, we built a haunted house in our garage. it came out really weel - a few people didn't even make it all the way through. We're not sure how to top this for next year.

Well through all this, we still have our normal lives to live. So let’s see how everything is going with each of us.

Josh completed the 6^th grade in June. After finally diagnosing him with ADD and getting him some proper help with the problems he was having focusing in school, we saw vast improvements in his grades including making the Honor Roll twice (something we knew he was capable of). He is now in the 7^th grade and doing well. He again made the Honor Roll in the 1^st quarter and we just received his progress reports – all A’s with only one B. At $5 an A, we may go broke. Some things never change, he is still a video game junkie. I think the controller pad is just an extension of his hand. He is finally getting out and making friends, and has become good friends with the kid in the house behind us. He now knows there are other things to do besides video games, like roller hockey, bicycling, basketball, etc.

Carolyn is still at Nortel Networks, but not for much longer. Her job will be outsourced and she will need to find a new job. So she is getting in the job hunt mode. She has picked up some good skills at this job which makes her more marketable. She’s not real worried about it, but you can keep her in your prayers. She’s more worried about having a teenager in the house in another month. Is that because it makes her feel old or because she remembers when she was a teenager? Her other main worry is turning 40 next year. The big 4 - O!!

Bruce is still at Cypress. He has had to do a lot of supervisory roles as he has had three managers in the past year and a half. He is currently assuming half the manager’s role while the search for a "real" manager goes on. He would prefer to get back to doing his real job as a test engineer. Pray that God will work this out in whatever way is best. His health is fine and his medication for the Chron’s disease seems to be keeping it under control (he has pictures of his insides to prove it).

But, we own our own house now so the work continues. Something Bruce enjoys. And Carolyn loves shopping for things to put in it. So it only makes sense that we decorate it for Christmas. Again, Bruce’s insanity pops up and so do the lights – a week before Thanksgiving. However, he wasn’t allowed to turn them on until after Thanksgiving. Our tree is up, house decorated, and we’re beginning to enjoy the holiday season. 

We have a lot to be thankful for this year. Our health, our jobs, Josh’s school, our new home. But most of all our family and friends. 

Have a great Christmas and always keep your focus on the real Christmas story. Everything else is just the blessing he gives us.

Bruce, Carolyn, and Josh