This is the letter I will be including in with Christmas cards this year - thought I might as well post it here ( in case the cards don't actually get done)
Festive seasons blessings and wishes to you and your kin, from ours.
It hardly seems possible that its been a year since I sat down to sum up the past year. The kids are bigger, although my licence says I am older thankfully I haven’t succumbed to the dreariness of being old and the multitude of projects we swore we’d (I’d) complete, seems just as many now than it was at the start of the year.
I’ve been consistent with a weekly update on our comings and goings on our family blog - http://evett-family-happenings.blogspot.com/ and its always wonderful that people come on and comment - or email me aferwards. I think it has come to the point now that those who refuse to learn about email or get on line for communication and networking will miss out on so many things in this world about us. Selfishly perhaps, I know its so easy to post photos and share news online, I hardly, if ever, write letters any longer. Technology is proving to be the great age divider and I am constantly shocked to find people my age who have no idea on the simplest things (facebook, emails, blogs)
The kids have their own blogspots ( which I help with) and Morgan is a keen photographer with a really interesting eye for details. Lilly keeps me amused with her take on the world.
Morgan began playing AFL this year, twice was chosen to represent his club in the mid match activity (mini games) at the Gabba and once chosen to be a Lions mascot. He has joined and performed with the school junior choir and was awarded Student of the month in Feburary.
Lilly has loved her first year of Jazz ballet - and after seeing her at her first concert, Morgan said he could do a better job - so promptly joined in. I am very proud of both of them and have cried bucket at the fetes and concerts they have performed in this year. They both were awarded a Highly Commended trophy at the end of the year - Lilly will def be going back next year, Morgan wishes other boys did dance as well and its hard to explain why they won’t do it. I’ve been doing dance classes as well as my karate classes; satisfied to be seeing small improvements every few weeks.
Earlier this year they both did gymnastics but when class times and teachers changed, we stopped going; which was a shame as it was a great club. They both do Little Athletics but goodness knows why they do it in the middle of the day when its 35 degrees outside. Poor kids are so hot and tired after one event , much less having to train and do several. I have been assisting every week as either the tiny tots teacher ( ha ha - me as a phys ed teacher) or as a recorder and supervisor for the boys group Morgan is in. Again, I am very proud of my kids - who - poor things - take after me in so many of my ‘abilities’. sadly running and jumping is not amongst them. I am really impressed at the supportive spirit LA has - as even mins after all the others have finished running their race - Morgan is still going as hard as he can - running the whole way - and finishing - he gets as many cheers as the boys who run first.
I wished someone had told me you turn into a big wet mess when you become a mother. All I seem to do is have my heart burst with pride ( and cry) or have it breaking with anguish as one of my kids hurts too ( and cry)
For all sorts of reasons we have not been camping this year - something we will be addressing next year and making a priority. However the kids have used their fishing rods and caught their first fish - a golden afternoon etched clearly in my memory for this year.
People have passed on, babes born, new marriages, split ups; the cycle of life continues. For me, this year has been a crystalisation of ideas and coming of age. As with most developmental stages though, the thinking of it comes before the embodiment and I am still to fully step into some of these decisions and lifestyle changes.
For much of the year, our family has followed a 95 - 100% raw foods eating plan. With the party season now in full swing, this has fallen to the wayside and its scary how quickly bad habits creep in and become firmly entrenched. There is no doubt that it is an extremely cleaning and healthful way to live - both for self and for the environment, but its sustainability in the modern world and society has to be questioned. I kept a daily log of our food choices and recipes on a blog http://family-journey-to-raw.blogspot.com/
I have had the delightful task of turfing everything from my wardrobe and either ebaying or giving it away. Five dress sizes down and at times I still have worthless self conscious moments despite the multitude of self development course, workshops and books I have consumed. Adrian gifted me a style consultants session, where I had my colours done and dependant upon my measurements, guided me through what clothing styles would best suit me. armed with this, I’ve been able to go shopping for new clothes - which in the past has always been a nightmare and something I have avoided. I now have bikinis in my wardrobe - which have been worn ( at home) on several occasions ( I am not sure the world is quite ready for me yet). Although I am not about to knock down any modelling doors - I am nearly at a stage I feel sort of comfortable - something I would never have thought I’d be able to say. The mind numbing and depressing thing that gets me though is that I still have such a long way to go and as part of my journey wonder if you ever really get there….
Its been a challenging year in health for Adrian. His seizures have gotten worse - or at least more violent - where he says the muscles in his arm and face are really tight or painful as they react. At least now, we can pin at least some of the reaction and seizures down to a gluten intolerance; though sometimes seizures come and there seems to be no reason. Anyone who has had to go down the path of celiac will understand the lifestyle changes which need to take place for the whole family. At least now there are choices commercially available and with us doing mainly raw, its been easier. Though in saying that lunchtimes for work are a huge challenge for the raw diet. Try taking salad an hour on a hot bus and putting it on your desk till lunch time and try and eat the slimy remains… ikkkkk
He has ridden his bike into work (26km one way) much of the year - till he came down with whopping cough. After collapsing at work and at home several times, he has had to take things very carefully and is still not our of the woods with this one. He has had to become a passanger in the car as its too dangerous and unpredictable for him to be behind the wheel.
We have been fairly quiet with our parties and ‘dos’ this year buthope to change that for next year. Though have a huge shed party up in Dalveen to organise to celebrate engagements, and milestone birthdays within the Mitchell Clan.
I have been consistent too with my writing commitments, which within the first few weeks of January resulted in me gaining a weekly column on Write Anything ( writing advice) and on Type A Mom (parenting advice). I’ve published my Friday Fiction every week as well. (http://annieevett.blogspot.com) The book I co-wrote has had some acclaim and given me the opportunity to lead workshops and be a speaker at groups, but has come to a stalemate, desperate for reinvigoration. Mid year I was asked to contribute to an Anthology - due to be published in January. During the year I have been asked to contribute articles for various magazines or websites - which have all been great for building me as a brand name - but no closer to earning any sort of income. All year, I have been putting it out there for my writing to eventually pay.. like money….I *should* know to qualify such goals…. I got my first paying job to write - a non fiction research piece on the inclusive policies within the early childhood system - a learning guide with assessment pieces. I’ve been asked to write another unit, so my first one must have ‘passed’! I have taught myself web design and have played around with the idea of just doing simple sites for people who don’t want to spent alot of money - but want a basic presence.
This year has flown and the next doesn’t look to be any slower. Next year brings us to a new turning point - Adrian will be seeking a job in May, I will perhaps be returning to teaching - at least on a part time basis and both kids will be at school full time.
I am typing this on Hamish - my new Mac - bought with the promises of paid work by the patron of arts in the house. I love it and have so much to learn ….just in case I wasn’t busy enough…..hope to see you visiting our family blog for more detailed updates through the year.
have a wonderous festive season - The Evett Clan
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