Current Cummins Standings

Nick and Angie

They are currently living in Bloomington, Indiana while Nick pursues a higher degree in microbiology. Angie has a great job working in an elementary environment doing what she loves, helping youngsters with speech formation. They purchased a 100 year old home on 4 acres. We enjoy visiting and helping with projects that require "more hands on deck"! See photos.

Alexis

Alexis graduated from CHS on June 3rd. She had a very full year with swimming and track. She plans to attend EICC and obtain her Associates Degree and transfer to SAU for an early childhood development major. She has three part time jobs (good thing, she likes to spend) and will be teaching swim lessons in a neighborhood pool this summer. Ian is still very much part of her spare time. We like him. She traveled to PA this spring to see her cousin Paige graduate.

Charley

Charley graduated from Granbury High School in TX. We traveled as a family for the ceremony. Grandma and Grandpa Grell attended too. We spent 2 days with a cousin in Heath together as a family and had a great time as if nothing had ever happened a year ago. So great we were convinced it would be OK to bring Charley home for a visit in Iowa. That visit turned sour after the graduation party we held hosting over 80 people in attendance. Charley left without saying goodbye the day after his and Alexis' party. His younger siblings were in disbelief he could do that. After all, it was all about the cash in his cards.

Xavier

Xavier was a Freshman this year at CHS and ran Cross Country and swam. He was a fine addition to each team. Xavier enjoys weight lifting and gaming. He swimming club for the Pirahnas. He is a pretty good worker and is often called on for small jobs in the neighborhood that pay--snow shoveling, grass mowing, pet care, and odd jobs. He has a learners permit for driving and likes to practice every chance he can. He is a very good driver.

Joe

Joe completed 6th grade at All Saints. He likes school and enjoys his friends. Joe loves to run and is running this summer with the high school cross country team. He is also swimming for the Pirhanas and continues to drop time in his events. His latest passion is Fortnite. Its all he and his friends talk and do. Its computerized gaming. He is addicted. He aspired to be a professional gamer on YouTube when he grows up. He and his best buddy Brandt Fellner love it. 

Cariyana

Cariyana also completed 6th grade at All Saints. She is not a big fan of the academic portion of school. She (and Joe) attended an engineering camp at SAU this past week and loved it! She also has a 2 day sewing class planned this summer and swimming lessons. She spends her time on her ipod and taking care of Annie her little dog. She also sings in the children's choir at St. Peter and is learning to sing Latin.

Added a cornice and blinds in the kitchen.

Hung a wall hanging that matches the wedding quilt that is on the guest bed.

A new front door was a project with multiple contributors.

family time

The garage was cleaned to house both cars and the implements were hung!

new window treatments and blinds in the dining area

The nightly ritual illustrates our accomplishments.

A family traditio--paella

Alexis' Senior Year

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Alexis' Junior Year

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Throwing it All Away

High school STATE swimmer throws his future swim opportunities away because he chooses not to do his homework.

Eagle Scout thrown away because said scout did not do associated paperwork and complete his Eagle project. Just a write up away...which would allow you a higher rank/pay upon entry into the military... not to mention life long recognition to be a stand out among your peers for a lifetime.

Potential high school diploma thrown away because he chooses not to do homework.

Your future is dimmer. Due to your choice.

We gave you:

Role models for behavior                                  

HUNDREDS of second chances

THOUSANDS of reminders

A therapist (Scott) to talk to for months and months

A success coach at CHS high school

1 on 1 help at home with homework

Mentors for YOUR special interests:  Barry Dolan, Gary Ammeter, Chris Grell, Paul Eure, Mr. Stahl, Mr. Reese

Learning disability evaluations that resulted in a 504 plan to assist you in success at school.

Medical assistance that included medicine to help you focus on school work.

Medical assistance that included antidepressants and mood levelers and counsel from medical professionals when you needed it.

Hundreds of swim lessons, coaching, opportunities to compete with other swimmers in larger venues because we believed in your abilities and so did others.

A phone-due to your own choices you no longer have it.

A laptop-due to your own choices you no longer have it unless you are supervised.

A house, a home, good food, clothing, a family who loves you.

Parents who taught you caring, responsibility, and how to live healthy.

An extended family who also loves and cares for you.

Your faith and a loving church family.

Quite a list. More than many, many persons have.

What we did not give you:

Another chance when you hurt your mother by attempting to strangle her.

Another chance when you laid nude on your bedroom floor refusing food and water in 80 degree weather for days.

More opportunities to destroy our family life.

The ultimate gift of love was given:

An opportunity to start fresh in Texas.

A clean slate.

There was no other way. This will be your best chance for the best life.

---Happy Holidays to All!---

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—

Alexis' Sophomore Year

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Charley's Sophomore Year

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