Its been 2 years since our last Christmas letter. The year 2015 was GREAT but the letter did not get done. Seems like life is on a runaway train at times. We are ready for the quiet that comes with and after the holidays.
This house is very busy. Life changes very regularly with 3 teenagers and 3 wannabees. Now for the update.
Alexis and Charley are both Juniors at Central High School. Alexis is gearing up for college with her course work and her exam prep. Her current sights are on Iowa State with undergraduate work that will assist her in obtaining entrance into a Physical Therapy program. She has a year in as a YMCA employee where she teaches swimming lessons and lifeguards. After a delay in obtaining the privilege to drive she is now driving about town. Its eased mom's early mornings (0630 lifting) for which she is grateful. Alexis' favorite class currently is Athletic Training. She is excelling and thinks she has found her niche along with her swimming interest. Alexis was part of 2 relay teams that qualified for state this year. Alexis swims the freestyle leg. 2016 was the best finish ever for a CHS girls swim team. Maybe you saw them featured in the QC Times. She is really looking forward to getting into the new pool at CHS which was just finally filled with water!
Charley at age 17 is not as focused as Alexis on his future. His Junior year is proving to be a challenge with completion of his course work. He is currently ineligible to swim or participate in show choir. We hope he comes around for the end of the season. His team is counting on him. Its up to Charley now if he chooses to engage the tools. Charley enjoys singing at church and keeps mentioning the military as a future career option. Charley has completed phase 1 of 2 of his Eagle project at St. Peter's Church in Buffalo. His vision is to create a reflective area around an existing platform where a statue resides complete with a flower picking garden. Barry Dolan has been a huge help to us in assisting with mentoring of Charley and this project.
Xavier, Joe and Cariyana are at a new school this year. All Saints Catholic School. We wanted to move Cariyana from public school at Buffalo to private school and All Saints seemed to be the most loving environment. The boys were moved from Rivermont to All Saints for her benefit.
Xavier is an 8th grader! He has made many new friends and has joined the band as a percussionist. He is active with the Boys Scouts and is back swimming for the Metro swim team. His favorite pastime is to play with a new neighbor named Dillon. The Winters Family has been a real gift to us. Xavier is looking forward to earning his drivers permit in January after he turns 14!
Cariyana and Joe are both 5th graders at All Saints. Band is new for them this year. Cariyana is playing the curved flute and Joe the trombone. Cariyana has healed very nicely from her mid face advancement (LeForte procedure) last year and is now ready for braces. December 23rd is the day!! Another new look for Cariyana. She continues to practice her culinary skills in the Cummins kitchen. Come over for a taste!
Joe has a continued fascination with athletics. He played flag football this fall and had some great games. He is also swimming for Metro. He also loves to watch football on TV, especially the Hawkeyes with Dad and the Seattle Seahawks.
Nick and Angie were home for Thanksgiving but won't be for Christmas. Angie is loving her career as a speech pathologist in the elementary schools in Tucson. Nick's company will be implementing a work force reduction in January. Nick's position has been affected. He will get a severance package and an enhanced opportunity to get the house on the market to move to the Midwest. He has made multiple applications to graduate schools, its his turn to earn a higher degree. We are hopeful they will land within a few hours drive by fall 2017. Let the grand babies begin! We are ready and hope they are too!
For a few months this year we had an additional teenager living with us. Zach Taylor. Zach graduated last year and needed some support to get a additional/better job and save for a vehicle. He met those goals and moved out in October. He visits monthly.
Steve is currently working 7 days a week for his other wife John Deere. One thing we know is nothing stays the same there for too long. Much of the year was fraught with layoff days. Karen is exploring other opportunities in education but is still employed at Trinity College teaching nursing. This year her class held 79 wannabee bachelor prepared student nurses. We are continuing with some house enhancements compliments of our handyman Bill and almost have a completed basement bathroom. Its lovely. We are blessed.
Merry Christmas to all. May you have the best of everything in 2017.
---The Cummins Family—
