Merry Christmas everyone!
It’s the 21st of December and Christmas Break for our boys
has started (although not for the grownups), so it must be time for the annual
Christmas letter to be written.
At the risk of sounding repetitive, it’s been a busy year. Having two boys in the Intermediate School
has put our calendar on steroids.
Let’s start with Karen this year – Her big news is that
within the next few weeks, her second published paper “I Don’t Fit In: What is Nonverbal Learning Disorder?” will be
included in an issue of the Illinois Counseling Association’s publication
“Contact.” Amid all the research, she’s
keeping her counseling license current, and still working as an office manager
for a Podiatrist. Although, the
Podiatrist has changed. . . Dr. Dennis, her previous employer has sold her
Springfield practice, and Karen stayed with the practice and its new owner, Dr.
Rolens. Her health challenges have
continued, as she’s had multiple dental surgeries and is about halfway through
twelve weeks of soft foods and wearing a mouth splint to treat
Temporomandibular Joint Disorder (TMJ).
She’s looking forward to February 10th.
Patrick remains with the Illinois Department of
Transportation. He’s picked up a few new
responsibilities, and now coordinates IDOT’s Information Technology Efforts for
tracking Commercial Motor Vehicles. This
involves a LOT of time on the phone, as commercial vehicles in Illinois are
administered by five separate state agencies, and he has to coordinate with any
interested county or municipal law enforcement agency, plus the US Department
of Transportation. Patrick’s still a
Scout Leader, as well, although his grand plan to do less appears to have gone
astray. He’s currently serving as a Unit
Commissioner, helping two troops and cub scout pack to improve their programs,
as well as serving as a Cub Scout Leader in the boys’ old Pack and a Boy Scout
Leader in the boys’ troop.
Joshua is a 5th grader this year, at the
Intermediate School. He’s enjoying being
in the same building as his big brother for a year. He’s also picked up the trombone, and was
thrilled with a successful concert earlier this month. He’s even more thrilled that he’s completed
his Arrow of Light and isn’t a Cub Scout any more, but is now a full-fledged
Boy Scout in Troop 48.
John’s had a very full year. As most of you know, he became a boy scout
at the end of 2015, and he’s progressed rapidly through the ranks, needing only
a couple of odds and ends before he becomes a First Class Scout in
January. He’s a 6th grader,
in his last year at the Intermediate school, and looking forward to moving to
the Middle School next year. John
immerses himself in reading, especially maritime history. His big event this year was a week at the
Jr. National Young Leaders Conference in Washington DC. He got to fly from Chicago to DC as an
unaccompanied minor (even if his luggage didn’t quite make it with him), and to
visit Harper’s Ferry, the monuments on the mall and the US Capitol. He was particularly impressed with his chance
to be on the House Floor. He capped off
his DC Experience, by being chosen to introduce the closing keynote speaker,
Anthony Robles. John’s very proud of his
experience, and mom and dad are proud that he not only got to go to DC, but
that he made a series of speeches to various community groups before and after
his trip.
A bit of housekeeping – in 2015 we moved to 27 Tanglewood
Drive in Chatham IL. Several of you
have sent Christmas cards and letters to “22 Tanglewood” and that’s threatening
to make our letter carrier go postal.
Please correct your records.
Merry Christmas!
Patrick, Karen, John and Joshua
This year’s pictures were taken at Fort Kaskaskia State Park
and Fort de Chartres State Historical Site in Randolph County Illinois during
our only weekend in October that didn’t have a Scout Function.
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| John -- Age 12 |
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| Joshua -- Age 11 |
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