 Hello everybody. This past year has been a whirlwind! Anna is turning one on May 17 and I will finally graduate
from Central Piedmont Community College on May 13. I got fired from my job on December 10th which really threw me for a loop for a few months along with having three different bouts of sickness. Our house also gotten broken into on Christmas Eve. I got through all that, though, and since then I have enjoyed the time off and also done a lot of soul searching about my career goals for the future as well as my continuing education. In addition, I have been filling in at Anna’s daycare and finishing up my last class. Anna and I have taken a few little trips to the beach to see her Aunt Pat and a day trip to Charleston, SC. My other daughter Sarah, a senior, joined us on a trip to Asheville. I have caught up on some stuff around the house and read some great books. I have spent some time with friends too. Mike and I have had some problems, but recently have started attending a great church together and started counseling. We both realized that a spiritual answer was and is the only thing that can solve our issues. We are taking an orientation class about joining the church and have been spending more time together as a family. We are focusing on the joy and innocence of sweet Anna and the beautiful bond we have as a family. The moments spent with her remind us of what is true and right. We are on the right track. My other kids are doing great. Sarah is Yale bound next fall and Rachel is finishing up her junior year. She continues to compete in Horse Vaulting. Josh is finishing up his freshman year and has been active in ROTC and The Civil Air Patrol. They are all very good with Anna. They all are such awesome kids-smart, funny, concerned about others, and definitely unique in their own special way. I can hardly wait to watch Anna grow up. I am hoping to start a new job soon working one on one with a lady in a local art program for individuals diagnosed with a disability. I have passed the initial interview and will be spending some more time there. I still have to be interviewed by her guardian but if that goes well, it looks good that I will get offered the job. The job is two blocks from my house and it meets in a building behind a church. The atmosphere when you walk in is electric, music playing and art everywhere. The joy of the participants is contagious and I would truly be a lucky girl if I got to “work” there Also, I will be doing some grant research and writing for Anna’s daycare and for the art program. The daycare has offered to give me credit toward Anna’s bill for my time and effort. Mike and I are still working on the website business. Please pray with us that we will stay focused on our goal of being able to work from home successfully. I am also considering getting trained as a Kindermusik instructor. Music has always been such a big part of my life and I would love to share with young kids. Also pray for me as I take the next step of starting a bachelor’s program. I have pretty much narrowed my major down to two degrees-human services and organizational communications. This way I could get more of the hand on knowledge I want working with folks but also get more skills on the administration side. This would prepare me to start my own agency someday or to work as a consultant to non-profits. I am waiting on the job situation to apply. On the negative side, my Grandma Mott just passed away this past week and a local woman was found dead in the neighborhood. Grandma Mott led a full life and left behind 5 kids and a bunch of grand children. She was a strong woman having raised the kids mostly by herself and having to say good-bye to her youngest daughter, Janet, who died many years ago. Rest in peace Grandma. I don’t know much about the local woman who died, except that she was homeless and involved a dangerous lifestyle. Her name was Cynthia. We left some flowers on the fence near where she was found hoping that her death would not be forgotten. Anyway, thanks for tuning in to our new and approved website. It has been a crazy year, but a year to remember for sure. I have learned a lot and grown as a person, so I am thankful for that. I am excited about our new church and the possibilities for the future. My kids never cease to amaze me and Anna is well on her way to following in her sibling’s footsteps as an awesome kid in her own right. Take good care and God bless. Remember it is never to let to open your heart to a new and deeper understanding of spiritual things…Forgiveness isn’t easy but it’s worth it and don’t ever give up on people even when they hurt you. Most of all know that you are loved. We can only see what is right in front of us; we can not see the overall plan when we are in the midst of troubles. We probably won’t see it, but there is always hope. Life can be hard but God is Good. Anna sends her hugs and kisses… Love, Karen
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