This is Vern's last semester in his BS program. If all goes well he should graduate in December with a Bachelor's in Technology Business Management. His business is starting to pick up and he is slowly getting busier. A really neat thing happened to him the other day. The neighbor (who he has done computer work for in the past) told him that a friend referred him to this "wonderful" computer technician who he had heard really good things about, and then handed the neighbor Vern's business card. This summer Vern has been very busy in his calling in Young Men's. He has had the opportunity to attend Scout Camp, an overnight bike trip on Katy Trail, a 20 mile overnight canoe trip on a river near St. Louis, and in the Spring he did a couple of overnight camping trips with Jared for 11 year old scouts. Needless to say Vern has been knee deep in scouting and is very proficient in camping!
Chantel
Do you ever adjust to working 12 hour nights? Chantel doesn't think so. But, everyone is adjusting and it has fun to be able to have time to the days home with the kids or be able to spend time doing fun things with the family. Chantel took the summer off from school so she could attend Girl's Camp and Youth Conference without worrying about school. She starts back up in October. She had the opportunity to be the nurse at Girls' Camp, and was the unofficial nurse at Youth Conference. It must be that huge red first aid back pack that sets her apart.
Chantel had the opportunity earlier in the summer to interview for a transfer to Labor and Delivery at the hospital. The director chose another applicant, but it gave her the opportunity to evaluate what she wants to do. Because Pediatrics is a small unit and closed quite a bit during the summer the staff have the opportunity to float to other departments. Within the various experiences this has offered Chantel has come to greatly appreciate her department director and has chosen to stay in Pediatrics for the now-being. She really does enjoy working in Peds and since two new pediatricians have come into practice in Sedalia it seems Peds has been open a bit more with less floating, which is nice.
Victoria
Victoria leaves August 18th to start college at Stephen's College in Columbia. She will be studying within the equine science program. She is very excited that two of her classes are at the stables working with and riding horses!!! She will be living in the dorms there and has already contacted her roommate and suite-mate on Facebook. Her last day at her job at the animal shelter was the 30th. her focus now is getting things ready and prepared for moving to the dorm and starting school. She is very, very excited about this new adventure!
Cody
Cody is entering her senior year of highschool! She will be taking two college courses this semester, voice class and elementary algebra along with her classes here at home. This is also her last year of Seminary. Cody is still working on learning to drive to be able to get her license in January. She had a goal to finish her novel by summers end, and she is very close to that goal. It might take a bit longer, but that is okay, because every bit of energy put into this venture makes it better.
Along with her talent to bake, which we are always thankful for (if not a bit too overindulgent), Cody participates in choir at church, is an amazing artist (which has decorated our windows with brilliant flowers this summer), and one of the kindest people we know.
Cyrus
Cyrus enters his Freshman year of highschool this fall and will begin attending seminary with Cody. He attended Scout Camp, the overnight bike trip, the overnight canoe trip and Youth Conference this summer. Youth Conference also included his 1st dance. Cyrus showed an amazing aptitude to in his ability to dance with the young ladies. Chantel taught both boys how to waltz throughout the years and Cyrus put those talents to use waltzing and spinning the young ladies that he danced with.
On Sunday Cyrus will earn 4 merit badges in the scouting award program!
Jared
Jared and Vern attended a couple of overnight 11 year old scout camp-outs this Spring. Jared has spent his summer playing with friends, playing Wii and computer, mowing the yard, swimming at the pool and dreading the start of school in the fall. He talks a lot about how much he is going to miss Victoria and feeling a bit left out. This will change in January when he turns 12 and joins into the youth program. The he will get to do all of the activities with Cyrus and Cody, at least until Cody graduates in May and begins to attend the Young Single Adult branch.
This summer has been interesting. The Spring was cool and wet, the summer has been abnormally hot with Sedalia hitting 109 actual temperature this last Tuesday, and dry. The garden is doing well, even with the heat. Honestly though, we can not wait until the fall and the temperatures cool off. All in all though, we love Sedalia and Missouri and are really enjoying settling in here!
