Captain's October Log

Hiya folks, 

Jak and Ender (and GO DUCKS!)

Sorry about the lull in writing. Lots of good things happening around the world right now and although our island is small we are happy to be a part of them still.

Beers and Babies 

The school year is off to a start and I am glad to say I am surviving, this year being a Kindergarten AND music teacher. I am humbled daily. My four and five year-old kids are slowly chipping away layers and years of never gaining patience and replacing it with a veteran, weary teacher. I pray daily, pray hourly, and hope to God that I can be discerning. My first formal evaluation was kind to me even though I felt I failed. My peers are supporting but I think it's mostly because none of them want my job. =-) Josiah has been my biggest supporter even though he is carrying the weight of midterms.

Beth, Janna and Jak 

 Afternoon on Lake Geneva with Mom!

I got to visit my sister and her new baby girl, Keatyn, in Wisconsin in October. Not only Jaymie and her family but Beth, Mom, Janna, Danny, and Ender all met me in Wisconsin. I was suprised how much I missed seeing Fall. All the colors were gorgeous. The kids were adorable and hilarious.

Legalas-uh I mean- Jakki and sisters bow shooting

Madisyn, Jak and Ender (I LOVE these kiddos!)

My good friend from high school, Tiffany, came to visit too!

Christmas is already in the air with my community choir. I am assistant conducting and accompanying this year along with my Kittian friend Clyde. He has chosen some fabulous Christmas songs and I am loving it! Christmas when its still sweaty hot is now second-nature to me...since this will be our second Christmas-time here. We will be back in Oregon for a couple weeks over Christmas break and our first errand will be hitting the wicked pow pow of Mt. Bachlor with the fam ("Snowboarding"). We look forward to seeing everyone we possibly can in those few short weeks!

Aunt Jane and Uncle Steve came to visit St. Kitts! We had a great time going out to eat with them, showing them our favorite beaches and chilling. They had a great time too going on the catamaran to Nevis, soaking up the sun (which did I mention is still hot here?) exploring the island and snorkeling. We had a balst showing them our island...even the power outages in the grocery store! 

Welcome to the family, little Keatyn Jane Braden! (Similar name to Jaclyn Jane? Yeah, no accident.)