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Okay, so after faithfully blogging just purely mundane and everyday events of our lives for a year and a half on VOX... I'm doing it.  I am actually switching on over to Blogger.   It's a heart-wrenching decision because one thing about me is that I am pretty loyal and I feel guilty leaving behind my first blog ever.  (but not that guilty)..  It's also tough because I'm pretty OCD about keeping things together in one location and I know I won't find the time to transfer all those videos and photos over but I figure coming back to review those moments in history is but a click away. (so I'm over it)  I guess I have a little bit of ADD in me because I want some new backgrounds, more options, different fonts, etc and so that is another motivating factor to go somewhere else.  So, if you are interested in checking in still and hanging out with us periodically as we experience life out here in North Carolina, our new blog address is:

http://carolinacoleclan.blogspot.com/

Hope to meet up with you there!

After 3 years of his first instrument, Stephen is retiring his flute.  He is loving his new instrument, the guitar and is happy to move on!   Taryn continues to enjoy playing violin with a group.  It gives her the incentive to keep practicing even though she has not taken any private lessons since this new year began.  She hopes to take part of Tehillah Chamber Players again next Spring, when, Lord willing, she will be able to drive herself to practice!

Here are two clips of their concert.  The first one is shorter with a recognizable melody from Fiddler on the Roof with a brief violin solo by Taryn.  The second one is a piece entitled New World Symphony which they both think is the best one out of the half dozen that they played and a little longer for fans of orchestra type music.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xGXOwxxziFs&feature=channel_page

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gCA3g1RQGr4

 

About three months ago, I did this post about Stephen's Shadow:

http://coleclan9rdfc.vox.com/library/post/stephens-shadow.html  Here we are 3 months later and Sam has indeed made a drastic improvement in just this short time of training!   He could not even make it across the pool without stopping but now, he makes it look SO easy.  This season of swimming has shown him that he absolutely LOVES to swim, even though every workout was grueling.

Steve too has been working hard with all his different strokes and has been fairly happy with how he has improved in the butterfly!  Stingrays ends for the boys next week already.  The time there was quick but very beneficial.  The coaches are tough but they certainly helped to train the boys to swim correctly.  Steve hopes to continue training well this summer (in prep for a fall triatholon and the Grace swim team) when our neighborhood pool finally opens in two weeks as he leads his siblings in a challenging swim workout routine.  I hope he isn't too tough with them?!?!

 

I don't think I've ever recorded that Howard was accepted as a candidate under care under our denomination's local presbytery.  (You can check out his funny photo on the link above).

This month also marks one year from finishing up the remainder of the massive 106 units towards graduating with a Master's of Divinity from RTS.  It's been a long journey.  This is our 9th year and we can finally see a dim light at the end of the tunnel.  This upcoming 10th year tackling this degree is probably going to be the toughest, not in languages (which was the hardest peak of his seminary experience) but with his time.  TWO very in depth week-long summer classes, ELEVEN whopping units (plus a field seminar for no credits, total of 5 classes this fall, did I mention he still has to work full-time too?), 3 GINORMOUS (Taryn promises this is in the dictionary but did I spell it right?) exams to take that have nothing to do with his classes (English Bible, Catechism and one other that I don't remember) and thankfully just 3 classes left in his final Spring semester.  Makes me tired just thinking about it but I'm glad I'm not doing the reading and the writing and the studying.  Just the supporting and praying. I'll take that anyday! 

After 5 years, between Taryn and Paige, separately, then combined, then separately again, we have successfully ended our Bright Lights study for girls (and moms).   It's been a joy to get to know 10 different mother/daughter combos over the years which include friends and family.  I wish I had pictures of each group of gals that we were privileged to share this experience with but alas, without having had VOX those first few years, it is NOT to be.

Howard and Stephen too finished off their experimental Dad/Son Five GUYS (five aspects of manhood) study with their group of dudes.  They enjoyed a great dinner together at the Five Guys restaurant and had a special time where the Men had a WORD to the younger men of the group.  Sadly, they neglected to snap that photo in front of the Five Guys restaurant for me.  It will be awhile before Howard re-groups and does this study again with the two younger boys but he says he definitely thinks it was well-worth the time and effort!

So, we've reached another milestone!  Child #3 has turned 13 and is

embarking upon her highschool years.  She chose to have lunch with us parents at New Zealand cafe for SUSHI!  She's heard so much about it from her brother and cousins that she just had to go and try it! 

We finished off her celebration day with our last Bright Lights study with some friends after two years of meeting with a sit-down mother/daughter dinner compliments of the Cooks.  

Paige is enjoying having Maddie in the same gymnastics class level these past two months!  They are now, according to them, becoming experts in their back handsprings.  Now, if they can just master the flyover on the bars! They both hope to move on to Advanced Elite in the Fall together.  IF they do, they can start learning routines and are super excited about that possibility.  They'll find out during their parent performance Wednesday!  

Paige is also on a countdown to her "13th" birthday.  That makes three official teens in our household come Friday.  What an adventure!

Stephen performed in his first recital for his second instrument, GUITAR!  He has been doing well and enjoying the learning process.

Click here to see it!  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g6eh1A1L9fc

 

 

Around these parts, the homeschool community puts on a sort of prom called the Senior High Gala.  Kathryn and Taryn went together and met some friends from one of their schools they attend (Geometry class) and had a BLAST!  Who says you need a date to spend an evening of laughter, fun dancing and to top it off a gourmet meal.  They were certainly glad they didn't let not having a "date" hold them back on making fun memories and having a great time with friends and each other.

What great timing for getting their hair done by cousin Christa who is still in town.  They were asked by someone if they got their hair "professionally put up."  Here's the result of her efforts:

 

Chris has been wanting a loft bed for awhile now and especially one with a desk underneath so he can do "school" in his room sometimes!  We told him he would have to wait a few years and perhaps we'd think about it.  But, the Sovereign One intervened and tonight he just got his dreambed and for FREE too!  Just so happens a friend had neighbors who have moved and wanted to unload this treasure.  We gladly took them up on the offer and four hours of work later....  (pick-up in two trips, take apart, put back together, etc.)  ONE HAPPY 10 year-old boy!