Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Dear Family and Friends,

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year from South Louisiana!  As this year comes to a close it is hard to believe how full this year was.  Our house is busy, loud, and often times chaotic … I suspect one day Rhett and I will miss all of the activity!

This year Ethan (14), Aiden (13), and Aly (11) are all students at the Schools for the Sacred Heart, as they have been for years now.  All are good students, and enjoy school.  All are active in Scouting, and the boys are getting closer and closer to Eagle Scout.  All are active in athletics.  Both boys play lacrosse, this will be their third season.  Ethan is a defender, and Aiden plays Goalie.  Aly swims, played volleyball and basketball for school and this year will also be playing lacrosse.  We had hoped that there would be enough girls to put together a girls’ team, but there wasn’t so Aly will be playing on the boy’s team.  The women’s and men’s games in lacrosse are totally different, but Aly will be playing Goalie which is a position that will be the same for either gender.

Day to day life for Rhett and I has drastically changed this year.  In June I opened BrightSpots Behavior and Learning.  We provide Applied Behavior Analysis Therapy, for children with developmental disabilities such as Autism.  I started off sharing space with a dear friend who is also a mentor.  In August we moved into our own space.  It’s been a crazy fast, crazy good transition.  I am lucky to have found great people to work with me.  Rhett left his position at Radar Solutions, and now is handling the business side of the practice.  For me it’s a dream come true, I spend my days doing what I love.  Rhett is enjoying his role, is great with our staff, and makes it possible for me to just be a clinician.  In our off time we both spend the majority of our time between scouting, and various sports.  Rhett is coaching Aly’s basketball team, and will help as an assistant coach on the lacrosse field as well.

In September, I had a little health scare when I picked up an infection from the Gulf during our annual beach trip.  Recovery has been quite the process, and is still going on to some extent.  I have been blessed with amazing health care, and am quite thankful for healthcare providers who are not only great caregivers but friends as well.

Our summer was full as always, but we were grateful to get a chance to see all of Rhett’s brothers and sisters and his parents for a few days in July.  All of the kids enjoyed quite a bit of travel between camps, family visits, sports and trips with friends. 

2015 promises to also be a full year.  We have several trips planned, and hope to find chances to connect with family we don’t get to see often enough.  We pray that 2015 is one filled with good health, and blessings for you and yours. Merry Christmas!

Love,

The Theobalds

Rhett, Amy

Ethan, Aiden and Aly

Wow... It's been a while.

I sat down to begin to work on a yearly update, and went back to read last years .... when I realized I never did one.  I guess it is very appropriate that 2013 just isn't even acknowledged on our Blog, since it really did feel like the year was in another universe.  My last post marked the beginning of the last year in Graduate school for me.  Rhett and I knew that the last year would likely be the toughest, but man did we have no idea just how tough it would be.  The year was rough, it was hard being away from home as much as I was, there were multiple small crisis', and Rhett and I truly exercised our skills in working as a team to keep our family going.  All of that being said, we both knew it was as it was supposed to be.  I learned so much, and came out of Graduate school prepared to do something I love, and something that truly makes a difference.  The good news is that part is over! I spent the summer serving a few private clients and STUDYING harder than I've ever studied before ... and the result I passed my certification exam on the first try.  Since the average pass rate varies between 45%-60% of first time takers, this is a big deal!  So our fall has been one of transition.  Some of that transition is still occurring, and I probably will be able to lay out more in a few weeks in our Christmas letter.

We are blessed in the revelation that God's timing is perfect.  I can go back and talk to you about the last 14 years of our lives, and the way everything has "fallen" and there is no other explanation other than God plans more for your life than you could ever plan for yourself.  I have clung to the scripture Jeremiah 29:11 which says;For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.  

So that's where we are now, where we were in 2013.  I can't wait to tell you all about our kiddo's and how they are in the next few weeks.  

Hoping that everyone experiences the JOY of Christ, this Christmas season.

How Pathetic

How pathetic is it that I ve become a bi-annual blogger? Oh well, I guess it's just an indication of how fast our days seem to pass.  The kids got out of school about a month ago, and it doesn't seem right that summer is almost half over ... but it is.  Ethan completed 5th grade, Aiden 4th grade and Aly 2nd grade and are all looking forward to the next academic year ahead of them.  Much will be the same for all of them.  Same school's, same expectations, same school routine, perhaps the only real structural change will be that Aiden enters prep school.  Which at our school is the equivalent to middle school.  He will change classes, and have more than one teacher.  Last year this time I was freaked out by the prospect of Ethan entering prep school, but now that Ethan has conquered it with little trouble I am actually pretty excited that Aiden will be entering prep.  It means more academic challenges, a higher standard of accountability, and more opportunities for extra curricular activities. 

The boys and Rhett are active in scouts. Last year the Ethan played soccer, basketball, and baseball for the school.  Aiden played soccer and basketball, and would ve loved to play baseball but you have to be at least in 5th grade.  Aly played soccer, and community rec softball this year.  All enjoy their activities, and Rhett and I have fun watching, cheering, and supporting from the sidelines.

One of the major things going on in our household is I have entered the final year of Graduate School.  Which means that now I am doing my internship/practicum at the McNeese Autism Program.  The last year is intensive, and we were prepared for that (at least we thought we were).  My internship started in May and it has been quite the whirlwind, and will continue to be for the rest of the year I suspect.  

Many have asked me alot of questions about my major, career prospects etc... so I ll take this time just to explain a little about it.

My Masters degree will be in Psychology with a concentration in Applied Behavior Analysis.  Once I graduate I will sit for a national certification test, once I pass I will be credentialed as a BCBA which stands for Board Certified Behavior Analyst.

So what does a Behavior Analyst do?

    The short answer is: a behavior analyst will help you to clearly define the strengths and learning needs of your child. She will address those needs using research-based methodologies, and will guide your child’s program based on his performance data, to maximize her progress and development.

So what does that look like?  Currently, I am working with clients ages 3-19 all have developmental disabilities  with the younger children we are working on language development (developing sounds, and utilizing language for communication), foundational skills like labeling, requesting, identifying items, categories etc.  Some of my clients have/had no spoken language so we are working on utilizing eye contact, gestures etc... anything to create a connection to the world for the client.  The reason my descriptions are so general is because the field is all about individualization.  It is unlike the education field because I don't look at a client and say "Oh the diagnosis is ______ so we use this curriculum."   We assess the client and say "Ok their strengths are this, this and this ... how can we build on those to address their weakness' "  In the therapy room the word "no" has no real function, and learning is paired with Positive reinforcement.  Everything we do we collect data on, and we use research in accordance with individual data to make programatic decisions in how to best teach the individual.

So what kind of job will you get with this degree?  Well as a BCBA typically we will either work directly with clients on all of those sorts of things I mentioned above, or we will find people who want to be front line therapists and train them to implement the appropriate interventions, then we will monitor those therapists and coordinate and plan based on the clients data.  

Currently alot of BCBA's work within the Autism field, but  the field extends to many different areas other than just developmental disabilities.  I love it because I get to work on language and learning with clients, no day is ever the same as yesterday, I get to problem solve and I truly believe every child CAN learn ...so I get to be a part of that!  My core spiritual beliefs that every life is valuable make this a good fit for me!

Below I am attaching some youtube links of good examples of ABA therapy:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kfUb7eD7iEA&feature=results_main&playnext=1&list=PLE0D3BDD923C7FFC1

So that's the Theobald update from South Louisiana !

Happy New Year

Dearest Family and Friends,

Merry Chirstmas and Happy New Year from our clan to yours!  This year finds us even more settled in and in love with our home in Louisiana.  Any of the little details we wish would change, are just that ... small details.  All in all the big picture is great, and full of blessings.

Ethan, 11 this year has left behind the ranks of Cub Scouts and dove in head first to the world of Boy Scouts.  He attended summer camp this summer in North Carolina (without Mom or Dad), and enjoyed himself immensly.  While at camp he completed enough requirements to advance three full ranks in scouting, and experienced white water rafting for the first time.  In day to day life this meant, he came home knowing basic first aid, knowing basic food safety and how to cook some basic dishes, and knowing more knots than I knew existed.  I am positive there are many skills he learned that I left out, but those are the ones I notice most on a day to day basis.  This is his second year at St. John Berchmans which is now Berchmans Academy.  5th grade has been a big transition, but he has handled it well.  Rhett and I are proud of his growth as a student, and a young man.  Other than scouts, Ethan played soccer and is playing basketball this year.  Ethan has a passion for history, if you spent just a little bit of time with him a convesation about the revolutionary war, war tactics or various weapons would likely be topics of discussion.

Aiden, 10 this year has also entered the world of Boy Scouts.  Because of age however, he didn't begin Boy Scouts until November.  He attended winter camp in Louisiana over Thanksgiving break.  Ethan was also scheduled for winter camp, but was unable to attend because of illness.  I think this actually turned out to be a good thing, and allowed Aiden to experience his first away camp without big brother.  He really enjoyed himself, and also came home anxious to share many of the things he learned.  Berchmans Academy is a great place for Aiden.  He enjoys his school, his friends and all of the activities that go along with school and friends.  Soccer and basketball also occupy Aiden's time.  Aiden keeps Rhett and I on our toes, and laughing.  He has a spirit of joy, and is always pushing boundaries. 

Aly, 8 this year spends alot of time being the little sister.  The little sister role has her tagging along to many practices and games.  Lucky for Rhett and I, she typically does this with a smile on her face.  The soccer field remains one of her favorite places.  As a second grader, she has begun to enjoy reading for pleasure, and does well in all of her classes.  If you asked her she would tell you she loves math, and "despises" french. 

Rhett is still working for PHI, as he was last year.  He serves as the committee chair for the boy's boyscout troop, participates in the Dad's club at school, and is an assistant coach for Aiden's soccer team.  His role as Dad is the one that occupies most of his time and energy.

I am still working for a local non profit.  I left for a short period of time and took a full time position doing case management.  We quickly decided that a full time job, as well as full time graduate student wasn't condusive to my most important job as Mom.  Now I am working about 35 hours a week, and maintaining a full time load in Grad school.  I am officially half way done with my Masters degree.  Our current plan is for me to finish in May of 2013.  My work schedule will likely change some during 2012 as I start clinicals and have to dedicate more time to my school work.  The further into my Masters program I get, the more I enjoy it.  I am enjoying my time at McNeese, am blessed by great professors who are truly interested in mentoring their students, and am thrilled that the University has a top notch autism/developmental disabilities clinic in which I will get to complete my clinical training.  2012 will take me to several conferences in which I try to get a handle on the things like insurance billing, setting up a private practice, and some specialized therapy techniques.  Rhett is nothing but supportive, and is actively participating in making a plan for what happens after graduation.

We just returned from 10 days away as a family.  Rhett and I for the most part shut off our cell phones, and enjoyed our time with just the 5 of us.  The kids and I spent a few days with extended family before returning home.  We are still cocooning at home, knowing that break will soon end and our time will again be dictated by the commitments of life.  It seems cliche to remark how fast time passes, but it truly just disappears.  I spend my days as a Mom trying to savor every moment with my growing, evolving children. 

Rhett and I hope all of you are enjoying your days, and that 2012 will be one of blessings for all of you!

Love,
Amy and Rhett
Ethan, Aiden, and Aly
Theobald

Happy May Day

Spring has definetly sprung in our house.  The kids all head back to school tomorrow after a restful Spring Break.  We spent last weekend on the Florida Beaches, between a resort we love to stay at (that feeds kids for free) and sand that resembles sugar we are grateful to have such great beaches within driving distance.  Last summer in Hawaii, we were in awe of the beauty of the mountains so close to the beach and it's unique terrain ... but  disappointed with the beaches.  Gravelly sand, and huge unswimmable waves just aren't our thing.  Last weekend we rented a boat and headed out to a small island offshore, and the kids had a blast snorkeling near the shore, and swimming off of the boat as well.  We all came home refreshed, and a little crispy ... our only regret that we couldn't stay a few more days.

Aiden and Ethan both earned their Arrow of Light in Cub Scouts.  For Ethan this signifies his time to cross over from Cub Scouts into Boy Scouts.  We have been preparing for him to crossover for the last year or so.  Rhett and I were pretty thoughtful about the Boy Scout troop he would be joining.  Each troop has it's own personality, made up not only by who is leading it, and the boys involved with it... but also by the activities they do, and how often.  The variance is huge, and we had more than 5 choices.  Since the boys have both expressed the desire to continue with scouts all the way until they earn their Eagle Scout, Rhett and I wanted to try our best to put them in the troop that would be the best fit for their likes and personalities.  So we were thrilled to find a troop that Rhett really clicked with the male leaders (I m a firm believer this is BOY scouts, so I am supportive behind the scenes) , that is super active (this may come back to bite me :) ), that is large enough to have a stable group to be active, that routinely has boys make Eagle Scout .... and one thing not necessarily on my list but an added benefit is that they are starting a venturing group within the troop so as the boys are old enough they will have access to High Adventure activities.  Boy Scouts is a whole different world than Cub Scouts and really focuses on independence and self reliance.  So the leaders ask the parents to back off a bit, and allow the boys to learn to depend on themselves.  For us this means, Ethan will begin packing himself for trips, he will learn how to cook for himself when he is camping, he will learn to work with his peers to pitch his tent, he will work with his peers to plan the menus when he camps, he will learn first aid skills.  All of these things while a little scary for Mom are life necessities, and fit with our goal of wise freedom.  (Now do you see why we were so thoughtful about the leaders of the troop?)  So as a new Boy Scout Ethan will be attending summer camp in North Carolina with his troop this summer, and will get to do some fun things like white water rafting! Ethan is excited, and Aiden a little jealous that he is not yet old enough to crossover to Boy Scouts.  Aiden's turn will come in 6 months, but patience is a tough thing for a 9 year old!

Last month I started a new job. I left a part time position, and took a full time position.  After my 90 days of training I will be able to work from home quite a bit, and have flexibility that will allow me to still be involved with kids activities at school during the day!  It's the first time  since Ethan was born that I have worked a traditional full time job, so it's been a bit of an adjustment. We are all excited however, that after June I ll be able to have more flexibility.  I will also continue to work on my Masters degree, which I am enjoying.

We spend alot of time these days outdoors.  Enjoying the mild spring weather, before the heat and humidity will keep us inside.  The basketball goal, and our homemade kickball "field" are a few of our favorite things!

Yay, it's Month 2 of 12

It's finally Feb. which means spring is near! Tonight, we are hunkered down for a winter storm, which is all very comical to us because we ve lived aways above I-10 for significant periods of time.  I however, am happy to play along! I make sure the dogs have extra food, the pipes are taken care of, make a nice big gumbo, and bake some bread! I welcome the schools closing with open arms, and am looking forward to an unplanned free day with three of my favorite people tomorrow. If it does snow, I will rush the kids outside demanding that they enjoy it before it melts.  When picking up the kiddo's from school today, I noticed all the horses had on their coats, and the barn keeper was bringing them in loads of fresh hay.
They will all be warm and well fed.

 Last month I started parent-child journals with the kids.  It's been fun to write notes to each other daily.  It gives them that chance to express things to me that we may not find the time to talk about with the whole family around. I tend to gush all of the good things I feel in my heart about them onto the page.  With the boys though I find that in the journal they will write me back and say thanks, or I love you too ... where if I said it out loud they would groan and roll their eyes.  It's been nice, I feel like I get a little piece of individual attention with each one everyday!

New Year Luck?

On January 1st Rhett skeptically ate a large helping of greens and black eyed peas, as did I.  I wasn't about to be the one to insure a year of bad luck by not eating the appropriate foods.  So far there is no evidence that it helped our luck any. The first part of January has been rough around here ... There's been car trouble, an IPhone thats screen shattered, a television that broke, doggie drama, and kids whose clothes aren't able to handle their enthusiastic play.  Perhaps however, it has allowed me to exercise my perspective.  None of these things that broke were/are absolute necessities.  The car is the closest thing to a necessity, and Rhett and I had already been trying to sharpen our self sustainability skills by researching and being able to fix our own cars.  So Rhett repaired our car for $1.78 and 30 minutes of his time, the quote from the shop was $150 dollars minimum.  Thank you Lord for my resourceful Hubby!  The biggest victory I suppose is being able to keep a sense of humor about it all.  My second semester of grad school started this week, and I am excited about my classes.  I m crossing my fingers and toes that Feb. is less traumatic in our household!

Sadness

I keep this blog to keep others who are far away "updated" so to speak on our lives. I however, rarely if ever have blogged without self censoring. I find myself uncomfortable with being vulnerable, and putting feelings of frustration, anger, or confusion into writing.  The fear I suppose is that I may at some point regret what I wrote. So this entry is a new thing for me ... I have had a tugging on my heart for a while, at least a month to write about these topics.

I ve always loved Christmas time.  It's my favorite time of year. I love all that goes with it, the decorations, the traditions, the lights.  When Rhett and I were dating, I remember us scouring the local wal mart for the cheapest tree we could find.  Then we made ornaments, and garland.  The entire month of December we would make hot chocolate and drive around looking at Christmas lights.  It's just a great time of year!  Since the loss of my Godfather in 2007 I ve struggled to find that same excitement.   The motions are still the same as before he was gone.  It's such a weird thing to articulate ... I am filled with joy and sadness at the same time.  My joy comes in the experiences we have with our little family that are driven by the purpose of the season. The sadness however, makes me really want to withdraw from the activities that seem more superficial ... the office Christmas party, the professional open houses I needed to attend for networking purposes all hosted under the theme of Christmas.  My brain just isn't able to focus, and make cheerful small talk.   Perhaps it is the awareness that the joy with those we love can be fleeting.  Let this serve as a warning, unless your one of my children or my hubby I m not all that fun to be around during Christmas. I wonder if that will change in the years to come.

So let me tell you some of the joy we experienced this Christmas Season.  It is so much more fun to talk about the good, rejoicing in God's Grace is a great thing.  On December 15th Aly participated in her school Christmas program (as she has the last 2 years) now being a big first grader she is no longer a barn yard animal, but a candle holder.  The program as always was a blessing, and true sincere expression of the gift that our children are.  On December 16th (the 3rd Anniversary of Uncle Jerry's passing) the first song on the radio that morning as I drove the kids to school was I Can Only Imagine, which was played at his funeral. Ethan exclaimed "It's Uncle Jerry's song, he's still with us!" Yep, he is ... Thanks God for the reminder.  That evening the boys participated in their first Christmas program, since this is their first year at their school.  Joyful is the best description of being able to witness the sweet spirits of 100 little boys singing about the gift of Baby Jesus!

On Christmas eve I sent the kids in to get dressed.  Aiden came out in the red plaid shirt and black pants I had bought him for the evening, but had added his bright blue and mint green tie from Easter and his navy suit coat.  I said "Aiden you don't really need your jacket with that shirt" He interrupted me and said "Mom I wanted to look my very best for Jesus" I had nothing more to say, but said a little prayer thanking God for such a sincere child!  The best part, the priest stopped on his way into the church and complimented Aiden's tie.  Like everyone else we exchanged gifts, but it was our time together that was more of a gift.

2010 has been a rocky one, but I continue to be held in the Lord's peace and providence.  I am grateful for the faith he has given me! 

It's Christmas

Merry Christmas from The Theobald Family.  We are all doing well, and enjoying our time together as a family.  Somehow this year I just never pulled together a Christmas Card, I do however have some words I want to share with others so watch your mailboxes for New Years Cards.


This year once again finds us at home South Louisiana.  We adore the community in which we live, and consistently are finding more and more ways to stay out of "town" and shop, eat and live within the small community we live in. 

Ethan, is 10 this year. After a year of homeschooling joined the school community at St. John Berchmans.  He loves his new school, is a successful student, and for the most part a joy to be around.  This year he played soccer for the first time, and is looking forward to the spring season.  Archery, camping and boy scouts are things he gladly fills his time with.

Aiden, is 9 this year and also joined St. John Berchmans.  He too is a great student, enjoys his friends and school, and keeps Rhett and I smiling and on our toes.  He was also able to play soccer for his school this year with Ethan, and proved to do pretty well at goalie.  Aiden is an intense sports fan, and catches his favorite teams (the Yankee's, the Saint's and the Steelers) whenever they play on TV.  Baseball season last year was a delight for him, and he's ready to play again! 

Aly, is 7 this year.  She remains at the Academy of the Sacred Heart.  In celebrating her 7th birthday she remarked that she had been an "ASH" girl more than half of her life! Somehow I suspect she'll always be an "ASH girl".  This was her 3rd year playing soccer, and certainly won't be her last.  She loves it, and when it is not soccer season, she wants to know how long until soccer season. 

Rhett is working in the IT industry still, and is grateful to be employed.  He finds his enjoyment in his life as a Dad.  Whether it is weekend activities, a pick up football game in the back yard, or helping with homework ... our three blessings absorb the majority of his time and energy.

I am working part time for a non profit organization, and enjoying feeling like what I do matters.  Of course, my role as Mom still occupies most of my thoughts and energy. My perfect Friday during the day is spent helping out at the kids schools.  My role as student has changed a bit, as I have completed my Bachelors and am now working on my Masters. 

We will be sneaking away later next week for 3 nights of camping.  I am looking forward to ringing in the New Year next to a campfire just the 5 of us!  I hope our update finds all of you and yours happy, and healthy!

Love,
Amy and all

Thankful

I am thankful for:

    Three amazing children, who all arrived in my life in God's perfect timing, who are such individuals there is no doubt we were all created with purpose in mind.

     my husband who is an amazing Dad, and even after 11 years is still my best friend.

     living in a place that just feels like home.

     the Oaks.

    passion.  I am passionate about my job, my field of study, and my future career.

    peacefulness.  We live in an area that is peaceful, and serene.  There is no road rage taking the kids to school, rather lambs grazing, horses playing, and occasionally a loose calf in the middle of the road.

   community. Our families lives are better because we are part of a community.
  
    Teachers who hug students.

    My Father.

    The time I got to spend with those who are no longer here.

     Library Friday's.




 

Fieldtrip day

Today Ethans class went to St Josephs diner and helped serve meals to the homeless.  This is a diner I ve volunteered at several times before, with Americorps and different service groups I ve been apart of.  I was curious to see what his experience was like. When he got in the car the first thing he told me was that he hadn't eaten the lunch I had packed for him, because the teacher had told him to leave it at school because they would eat what they helped to serve at St. Josephs.  He then went on to tell me how great lunch was, but how he felt sad that he was eating food that maybe should ve gone to someone who really needed it.  More I am sure will come out about what he saw and thought about the day, in the days to come.  That's how Ethan (and I think other boys) works, he will share his thoughts when he has the time to process and apply them.

Tonight we had Cub Scouts, I really like our new Cub Scout pack.  It's just another chance for the boys to be with classmates, and Aly enjoys the other boys sisters.   It's super nice that they plan it with the meal included so it's a great time of fellowship, and makes it super convienent.  One of the scouts was telling us about his recent trip to DC and the Smithsonian.  I ve always loved DC and all of the exhibits around it.  I m ready to do another road trip with the kids this summer, and would love to include DC in that! Hopefully, time and finances will allow for that!

Everyday

On the way home from school on Thursday we came across 4 huge black birds in the road, from afar they almost looked like Turkeys ... While we were still thinking they were Turkeys Ethan said "Mom I have to put my bow in the car so that next time we see Turkey's I can shoot one" On driving closer we realized however, that they were vultures.  As we drove up they flew off. We drove past and Aiden said "Wait for there to be that many vultures something had to of died, what was it you think?" So I turned the car around and parked off the side of the road so we could go see.  Turns out it was an Armadillo, and a Skunk. Aly and I were completely grossed out, but the boys were quite satisfied to know what had attracted the vultures.  This was just down the road from our house, and just adds another species of suspects to what possibly killed our baby chickens last year.

Holy Cow!

It's hard for me to believe it is already November.  It has finally cooled off here, and I am enjoying the feeling of fall. Since I last blogged a few things have changed, but much is still the same.  No that's inaccurate nothing is the SAME, everything has evolved.  Although, I am still a Mother to 3 ... those 3 are not the same as they were yesterday, or even one minute ago.  God's grace embodies them and they constantly grow and change ...  it's amazing to watch.  Some may feel that's sappy or sentimental, but really what better physical evidence of the Lords providence than the hearts and minds of children.

Ethan and Aiden are back "in school" ... meaning they are in a school outside of the home.  They are at the St. John Berchmans which is on the same campus as Academy of the Sacred Heart where Aly has now attended more than half of her life.  When I drop all of them off in the morning I leave with a smile on my face because I know that they are where they need to be.  Their love of learning, love of their teachers and classmates, and sheer delight daily is evidence to me that all is well.  The school is unique, unlike others in our area... I d venture to say it's one of a kind.  The school is lead by 5 goals of education:

1. Encourage a personal and active faith in God.
2. Hold a deep respect for intellectual values.
3. Educate to a social awareness which impels to action.
4. Educate to the building of community as a Christian value.
5. Educate to a personal growth in an atmosphere of wise freedom.

The effect of the goals can be ascertained by any observant soul who steps foot on the campus, or interacts with it's student body.  Rhett and I are grateful to have the kids in a school that is on the same page as what we ultimately want for our children.  To live out the purpose for which God created them.  Day to day we are doing all the same things that any young family with three kids is doing.  All three kids played soccer this year, it was a successful season.  For Ethan and Aiden it was their first season, and they enjoyed playing as part of the school team. For Aly it was her 3rd season, and she again enjoyed playing with her classmates.  Rhett and I enjoy the school athletic community, and the time we get to spend watching them play.

The boys have joined the Cub Scout troop at their school and are looking forward to this being their last year of Cub Scouts and moving on to Boy Scouts.
The boys have made new friends and enjoy all of the social events that come with that.  I am nearing the end of my first semester of Graduate school, and am really enjoying all that I am learning. 

In April, we welcomed two puppies to the family.  Their names are Grand and Coteau.  A family at Aly's school was kind enough to give them to us, and we all have really enjoyed them. They are half lab half Australian Shepherd.  Cute as can be, and smart!  In case your wondering about their names, Grand Coteau is the small town in which the kids' school is located. It's a special place, I can't really articulate why ... it just is.  So Rhett named the puppies and it ended the argument that the kids were having over the names!

Life as Usual

Last weekend we had the pleasure of spending the day with Troy and Bonnie, and their three children Orry (who Ethan keeps calling Ozzy) Isaac (who is at that cute almost two age) and Annie (who Ethan thinks should ve been named Tronnie).  Above the good company of Troy and Bonnie, it is fun to be around a family who has some commonalities with our own.  6 years ago we had 3 little ones age 3 and under.  At that time we were in Idaho, plotting our move.  We really had no idea what was next, just knew Idaho wouldn't be the place that we stayed.

Since moving to Louisiana we have always been surrounded by family when we need it most.  It's not a daily thing or even a monthly thing sometimes, but our first 3 years here it was always when we had that need .. you know the one that is deep inside that you that you may not even realize is there until it is a filled up after a nice visit with those you love.  In the last 2 years those visits have decreased, with my Uncle/Godfather passing away and my Aunt/Godmother moving (to all places Idaho) there were those days where Louisiana began to feel as lonely as Idaho did.  Our hearts and spirits however are being filled on a  daily basis by the friends that have become more like family.  On those days when I have that need for those family members I am missing I end up picking up the phone, and calling one of those people I just need to hear their voice.  I am excited that several of those people we miss often we will be getting to spend  a week with this summer, all of Rhett's siblings and his parents will be together for several days in July.  The kids are excited to see cousins, and I am excited to see the rest of the clan.


Our days are filled with baseball games and theater rehearsals.   Ethan is dancing and singing up a storm in preparation for the big show Seussical Jr.  Aiden is loving every minute of baseball, and does little else.  Aly is happily floating between being the tomboy throwing balls with Aiden and the drama queen practicing songs and dance moves with Ethan.  We are embracing the spring, and bracing for the Louisiana summer. I even started putting together our hurricane kit together today.  We are planting a garden, working on landscaping, and playing alot of catch outside.  There is a possibility of a new member of the family soon, not of the human species.

Held in the Lord's Peace

As I reported in our yearly update, in November Rhett was laid off.  He and I had been praying for guidance regarding his job and my transition from school for about 6 months.  A lay off certainly wasn't the answer we were expecting, you could say it wasn't what we were desiring either.  After the initial shock wore off (within about an hour) we were both overcome with a sensation of peace.  Rhett said to me "you know, I feel ok about this.  God will lead us where we are meant to be."  So rather than being nervous, anxious and upset during this time we were both blessed with feelings of peace, faith and enthusiasm about what God had in store next.  The last 4 months Rhett spent the majority of his time doing what I think he does best, being a Dad.  He has helped out at Aly's school, come up with homeschooling projects to do with the Ethan and Aiden, and taken the opportunity to do things like take the kids to the park, to the library, things that he can't do when he is at work all day.

In January we found out what God had in store next for me.  I was offered a part time Parent Liason Position with a non-profit organization Families Helping Families. The hours are very flexible, and I get to do something I am very passionate about.  Encouraging parents and helping them find resources for their children is not something I ever imagined I would get a pay check for.  Earlier this week Rhett was offered a job doing IT stuff for a helicopter company.  He started Wednesday, and thinks he is really going to enjoy it.

I am thankful for the blessing of time together we had, but also grateful for the new employment opportunities.  When we decided to home school the Boy's this year, part of our motivation was we wanted to have the time to spend with them so that we would truly know what the best choices for them in the future would be.  We wanted the hands on chance to assess their strengths and weakness'.  Thanks to the blessing of time, Rhett was also able to fully experience schooling with them.  So when we sat down to discuss our options for next year, we both had the blessing of the full picture.

I suspect this will not be the last time in our lives that we go through a difficult time.  My hope is that when we are faced with difficulty we have the ability to have faith, and rely on God's grace to pull us through.

Can you believe it's March already? Ethan and Aly are enjoying CYT (Christain Youth Theater) and Ethan auditioned and was cast in the musical Seussical Jr. So we look forward to seeing the end result in May.  Soccer is back in swing for Aly, and she played her first spring game yesterday.  Aiden is excited to try Baseball this year for the first time, it should be starting soon.

Merry Christmas

For the fifth year in a row we bring you Christmas Greetings from Southern Louisiana.  Although, we have relocated homes, we are still in the same community.  As we brought in 2009 Rhett and I both knew that this would likely be a year of transition for our family, and boy were we ever right.

2009 brought changes in everyone of our lives.

Much is the same with Ethan and Aiden.  They are happy, healthy growing boys who keep us on our toes.  As the school year closed last year, we found that although both boys were still academically doing well ;Rhett and I were increasingly concerned about situations within the school they were attending. After much prayer, thought, and conversation we took the leap and decided to homeschool them this year.  To our surprise both boys were all for it!  It has been an adventure, and I have been pleasantly surprised at just how well it has gone.  We signed the boys up for a homeschool swim league that they participated in twice a week, and both are still very active in scouts.  I do know that at times they miss having a school community, so our continuing prayer is for guidance in making a good decision for them next year.  The boys are enjoying our new place, and becoming quite acquainted with the yard.  There are some big plans in the works as far as tree's to plant, forts to build, tunnels to dig, and ramps to construct.  It is nice that they are at the age where they take joy in creating and making this place our own, and it is definitely enjoyed by Rhett and I.

Alys life is also much the same, other than her world is ever changing as is the case with every 6 year old little girl.  She is still at the Academy of the Sacred Heart. It does my heart good to see her happily bounce out of school every day, greet her teachers with hugs, and know that she is exactly where she needs to be!  Soccer season this year couldn't come fast enough for Aly!  She enjoyed her season, was very disappointed that we had so many rain outs, perfected her skills and scored quite a few goals. It was a good season, and she is already counting down to spring soccer.  She is enjoying her new room, and has no problem keeping up with the boys outside.

I have finally completed my undergraduate coursework, and am gathering grad school applications, applying for jobs, and all of that other fun adult stuff.  My year was different in that the boys attended most of my college classes with me this semester. I would have their assignments mapped out and they would do their independent work sitting next to me during class. I was AMAZED at just how supportive ALL of my professors were, none had any issue having the kids in class and most made them feel more than welcome by asking them questions or including them in discussions.  Several of my professors expressed to me that they were very pleased that Rhett and I were taking charge of their education, and talked about how disappointed in public education they are.  I am still teaching professional development classes at the University, although it has been very slow due to the economy.  We are about 50% organized in our new place, but more and more things come together daily. I am enjoying the progress.

Rhett worked the majority of the year at the same company as last year, but was laid off in November due to the economy.  It, of course, took us a little by surprise, but in every challenge there are blessings.  He is hot on the job hunt, and has had some feedback indicating interviews etc. after the holidays.  In his time "off" he has been able to complete alot of our house projects.  He has laid new floors, changed out switches, door frames etc.  He also has spent quite a few days volunteering at Aly's school.  Being a historic landmark, there is always stuff to be done.  He joined the Dad's club and has helped out with painting, landscaping, decorating for Christmas, setting up for fundraisers etc.  I know he really enjoyed having the time to give, as we are all blessed by the school community at the Academy.  Aly was thrilled to see Dad on campus, and wanted him to sit with her at lunch.  What a blessing for him to have that time with her, something she will surely remember.  The boys have enjoyed having him assist me with their schooling, and I have to say we get it done alot quicker when there is two of us to answer questions.

This summer was much the same in our house, as I once again taught camps.  It however, was a little different as the kids and I struck out on a 16 day road trip to take in some sites and visit Rhetts family.  We drove from Louisiana to Texas to Kansas to Colorado to Utah to Idaho to Wyoming back to Colorado where we picked up Rhett at the airport and continued on to South Dakota to Nebraska to Oklahoma and finally home.  We camped quite at quite a few of the stops, and of course stayed with family in Colorado and Idaho.  The kids had a great time visiting cousins and Aunts and Uncles who they dearly miss.  When I conceived the idea of the trip many told me I was nuts! I have to say though, I thoroughly enjoyed my time away with the kids. Loved camping with them, and how we developed our own little team to set up camp etc. They each had a job, and did it quite well. If time, finances etc allow I would love to do something similar with them every year.  Mount Rushmore was amazing and I was so glad Rhett was able to join us on that part of the trip.

Thanks for taking the time to let me catch you all up on our clan. As soon as I find my USB cord I will upload some family pictures.  I hope this finds all of you in great Christmas spirits.

May 2010 be blessed for you and all of yours,
Love,
Amy and Rhett
Ethan, Aiden and Aly

It's SUMMER!

Wow, it's been SOOOO long since I blogged. I joyously finished up my semester at UL about 3 weeks ago. I had never taken 20 credit hours (that's 6 classes) before...and I hope never to again! It was a long semester, but the outcome grades and all were really good. There are several accomplishments like never having to take history or algebra again that made the semester very worthwhile. The kids finished up school for the year a week ago. Both boys ended on Honor Roll for the year. Ethan had the privilege (note the definite sarcasm) of participating in "High Stakes Standardized Testing" which of course is mandated by No Child Left Behind... so we were all anxiously awaiting those results. He did well. Scoring well above the state average in everything... but scoring a 98% on the reading comprehension portion. The sad reality of standardized testing is that once they test in April the teachers feel like there is nothing left to teach.

The boys have been very active in Boy Scouts and both advanced a rank this year. Ethan will be a WEBLO and Aiden a Bear Scout next year.

Boy Scout trip to Houston Space Center

Aiden at Lake Fausse Pointe State Park.

Since the heat of the Louisiana summer is here we have begun a routine of spending weekends at the University pool. There is no better place to pass the humid days of summer than the pool!

Spring Break this year found the kids and I in Panama City Beach, Florida. A good friend is the morning radio co host on 94.5 KSMB here in Lafayette. Their morning show hit the road for the break, and Ali (my friend) invited us along. We all very much enjoyed the beach, and it left us wanting to go back....SOON!

The first week of our summer break the kids had the chicken pox. All had fairly mild cases, and are fine now. So now the real summer break can begin. We have a busy summer planned. I am taking summer school for the first time ever, as well as teaching summer classes through the University as I have done in summer past. Aiden's mornings will be spent at reading camp at UL, and Aly and Ethan will spend some mornings at daycamp, some at Vacation Bible School...etc. Rhett heard about kidsbowlfree.com where kids can bowl up to two games a day for free...so we've been hitting the bowling alley a few times a week as well. Once summer winds down the kids and I are planning a LONG road trip to visit family and friends.

I am enjoying my time with the kids. There are few dull or quiet moments in our house! Ethan began reading the Harry Potter series shortly after Christmas and is now almost done with book 5. Rhett and I are delighted that he has come to enjoy reading as much as he has. Aiden tends to spend alot of time writing and drawing. He seems to enjoy being creative. Aly is practicing her writing skills, is learning to read and is counting down the days to next soccer season.

We are all happy, and healthy.

Time Marches On

The last few months have been full one's... I ll attempt to reflect on them, and then within the next week I will post some new pictures of our growing children. Tonight, being a Friday in Lent we went to eat seafood as is somewhat of a family tradition. Sometimes we just do tuna at home, but at least a few times we like to get out and enjoy our local culture. So tonight we did just that. The kids enjoyed learning to peel crawfish...Rhett enjoyed eating the ones I peeled for him, and we all enjoyed the music and company. Rhett had on a Jayhawk t shirt, and in walking to the dance floor met a couple who was from Lawrence but lives in Louisiana now.
The kids are barrelling through life at top speed. My favorite time of day is when they first wake up and are still groggy, they all still come out of their rooms and cuddle with Rhett or I ... it's nice to have my "babies" back for that 5 or so minutes. Our typical day has us all out of the house at 7am and returning home between 6 and 7 pm. Usually the week has passed and it seems that yesterday was Monday...
Boyscouts has been eventful in the last few months for the boys. They both qualified for regionals in the pinewood derby race, and enjoyed competing in that with Rhett's help. This weekend they are headed out of town with boyscouts and I will be joining them later on Sat. we'll all come home on Sun. Aly is playing soccer, and enjoying school and friends.
Rhett is keeping up with work, and being the Worlds Greatest Dad in his downtime. I m taking 20 hours this semester, and trying to finish up my service committment with Americorps.

Wrapping up the year.

The Christmas "break" is half over, and I m already dreading the end. The last few days have been heavenly, as Rhett and I were both off of work and we had some down time as a family. Today it rained, and rained, and rained. The kids rooms got some much needed attention, and we got some things better organized in hopes that the kids will be able to keep on top of it easier. Knowing that it is highly likely within the next 3 years that we will have to move, we are motivated to try to keep the clutter down. This week my goal is for the kids and I to go through and clear out cabinets that have become catch all's, as well as getting the Christmas Tree taken down. This year we bought a real tree, so we just need to undecorate it and take it to the curb.

About a week before Christmas I went through our everyday dishes and after much thought, discussing it with Rhett, I decided to take the drastic step of getting rid of all but one cup,plate and bowl per person.(I have nice dishes to use when we have guests) I had read an article in one of my Christain Mom magazines that suggested this as an end to the overheaping sink and dish battle, further more a great way to teach kids to do their own dishes...with a natural consequence that if your dish isn't clean you can't eat. Several times the kids have said "Mom where's my dinner?" with my response,"Your dish wasn't clean." The situation has remedied itself within minutes, and no one has gone hungry. Now most of the time after dinner one of the kids ends up washing their and their siblings dishes, they seem to quite equitably take turns and mediate it amongst themselves. I am happy to have an empty sink most of the time!

As we usher in 2009, I m hoping some of our basic household chores can become easier and less of a battle.
So what are your New Years Resolutions?

Christmas Greetings 2008

Our normal tradition since we became a family is to include a letter in detailing our year and updating everyone on our lives.  Last year  I didn't write that letter, rather did it in email form.  While I don't want to discontinue the letter all together, I find that most all of those interested in our lives come to this blog from time to time.

We bring you Christmas greetings this year again from Louisiana.  This is our fourth Christmas in Louisiana, things that were once new to us are now traditions and we feel at home here more than ever. Rhett and I have both changed jobs this year.  

Rhett is now the IT manager at a small company here in Lafayette, and I am still teaching very part time at the University's continuing education department, and serving as a part of the Universities Americorp team.

Rhett really seems to enjoy his new position, and we all enjoy his new schedule!  I am grateful to not be working nights any longer, and haven't missed the Casino at all!  Between school, work and kids I stay super busy...and feel so much better not being sleep deprived!  I took more hours this semester than I ever had taken at once (17)...and am getting closer, and closer to being done.  My classes are mainly Speech Pathology Classes now, and I really am enjoying them. It is a blessing to be pursuing a degree in a field I enjoy, and am passionate about.

My favorite role however, remains that of Mom!  As I watch them grow I wish there was a pause, or a slow-mo button I could use from time to time.  

Ethan, now 8, is a third grader in the French Immersion program at Evangeline Elementary.  He's quite the reader.  He enjoys school, and does well.  Boy Scouts, Taekwondo, and playing with his siblings and friends keep him busy outside of school.  

Aiden, now 7, is a second grader in the French Immersion program at Evangeline Elementary.  He's quite the artist and builder. He too enjoys and excels at school.  Boy Scouts, and Taekwondo round out his days as well.  

Rhett and I are thrilled with the boy's language skills, and still amazed that they have become bilingual.  It did get a little interesting when Ethan's French teacher (from France) gave her opinions on American politics to her 3rd grade class.  It provided great dinner time discussion about freedom of speech, and evaluating people perspectives in deciding how valid their points are!

Aly, now 5, is in Pre k at the Academy of the Sacred Heart.  She is learning some French this year, so is trying desperately to catch up with her brothers.  Soccer and Taekwondo keep her active and busy.  There is no place that we can imagine would be any better for Aly than ASH! When we discuss moving in the future, it's a struggle for us to imagine our family anywhere else!

The boys have become quite competitive and are always into something together.  Grass stains, hole's in the knee's, and dirt are remnants leftover daily from their time together after school.  Aly is right in the mix with whatever they are up to, and at times is the mastermind of it all!  

Ethan, Aiden and Aly keep us on our toes and laughing.  There are few quiet moments in our home, and many joyful ones.  We took several trips as a family this year,to Tennessee, to the beach,and to Disney World.  Our day to day lives are so busy that these short respites are enjoyed by all.  

Our daily lives are blessed with Friends that have become family.  From picking up kids from school, fixing us dinner on days that were just too busy, and just loving and taking care of us when we needed something they've done it all!  Rhett and I both are thankful for the blessing of good friends.  

We enjoyed snow just a few days ago.  We were thankful for the snow, but just as thankful for the 70 degree day that followed it!  Cold weather is something that will take getting used to when we move North again.

Although, time with family, and holidays have always been something I treasured ... the loss of my Uncle last December makes me a little more conscious of just how fleeting those moment's can be. I pray that you all embrace all of the moments with loved ones not just during this season, but all year long! I hope the Holiday's are enjoyed by all, and that everyone is healthy and happy for the New Year!

Merry Christmas!

Love, 

The Theobald Family

I will be uploading new pictures within the next day or so!