In January Rachel started as a tutor for Nashville metro at Croft Middle school. She likes it a lot. It took a while for her to get an official list of students, but is getting into a routine. There were lots of snow- and “extreme-” weather days in January. Damon is happy as a clam at Vanderbilt where he plays with computers all day.
February - has been good to us. We both enjoy going to the monthly beekeepers meeting and look forward to ordering bees this year. We’ve been researching and studying bees for the last year. Valentine’s day was fun. We went out to eat at a local deli with American sized portions of tasty tapas with white wine. Our favorite restaurant is still La Terraza: it’s tasty, affordable Mexican fare, and within walking distance. At a recent Predators’ hockey game we were reminded that they aren’t doing so hot this year while “building the team”, but it was fun anyway. Rachel started her 25 volunteer hours for 2009 Mastergardener recertification, went to the monthly meeting for the first time in ages… and got to visit with a dear friend from Thomas Nelson Publishers at the same time! Rachel & Damon are both researching the possibility of Master’s degrees but are still undecided. Rachel’s Mom & younger brothers moved back home to Omak, WA last month where Mom Roberta works as an LPN>
March - came in with a roar of inclement weather. Rachel is enjoying her Spring Break as a tutor. We began planning for our belated Europe honeymoon plans, and purchased tickets. On a family note, Damon’s grandpa was rear ended and his car totaled. He is recovering well. Rachel’s niece Danielle is walking while holding people’s hands. She’ll be running around in no time at all and be keeping mommy Elizabeth busier than ever. Rachel’s other sister, Deborah, will manage an Inn in Chelan, WA this summer and is already preparing the premises.
April - was busily filled with end of school year efforts to keep students on track and to compile progress report data.
May – The weekend after school got out, Damon & I took our original honeymoon trip we wanted to take 2 years ago. We traveled through Germany and Spain (See our photo album link for pictures). Each of us got to show the other some of our favorite towns. I also got to visit with my Spanish family who hosted me several years ago while I studied in Spain for my Bachelor’s degree. We returned home tired and happy.
June - was hot and humid. Rachel has spent quite a few hours in the yard weeding and trying to save a couple of beautiful maple trees in the front yard that are strangling themselves with their own roots. Strange but true.
July - was unusually cool and rainy, a nice reprieve. Damon prepared for new students at Vanderbilt University by finishing up IT projects, from inputting new students into the database to installing and troubleshooting new technologies. Rachel finished her minimum mastergardener hours, and added additional hours by translating a PowerPoint presentation regarding weed identification into Spanish. Fun, fun! July 7th was our 2nd year anniversary. Amazing that we met over 5 years ago! We are slowly coming down to earth, however it is safe to say we are still honeymooning.
August – school resumes at Vanderbilt University, and in the school system for children. Rachel’s tutoring job last year was not renewed until the last minute. Then, hurray, another year of tutoring is ahead. In addition, she took a medical interpreting course that was tons of fun. We are blessed.
September & October – flew by as Damon took his first graduate level management class, and Rachel tutored struggling students. Our honeybees met an untimely demise during an unusually raining summer, and a difficult year for all beekeepers. :( Better luck next year. On the bright side, the trees loved all the rain!
November – 13th & 15th we each get a year older, and hopefully wiser. Time sure flies! Rachel and Damon know a great secret.
December – Damon’s holiday cookies (he makes them with his mom) are well loved as always. We celebrated Christmas with Damon’s mother and grandparents in Florida after driving from TN to FL. We finally get to tell everybody we are expecting our first little one. Hooray!
ar friends and family asking if and how much I'm showing. Here's a little treat. Two photos say it all (so far): 8 weeks along as taken December 10th, and 14 weeks as seen on January 23rd... I had to graduate to slightly more forgiving lounge-wear in the second photo. :)
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