(updated October 10, 2004)
Wow, has my life changed since this time last year! I am now a business owner (again), along with my lovely husband, Christopher. We are very busy with The Learning Shops, although we have great employees who can and do keep the stores running each and every day. Christopher isn’t there as regularly as Kyler and I, because he is still involved with Sixbyte, his computer consulting company. I have been there quite a bit, even over the summer with Kyler accompanying me, and I am learning a lot about the business.
Kyler is growing like a weed, and he is learning more every day. We had a busy summer. He took swimming, and I took him to Big Splash because of his good performance. He loved it and can’t wait to go back next summer! The week after swimming lessons was Vacation Bible School at New Haven, and that was a highlight of Kyler’s summer! Christopher and I helped out again, and the whole family had a good time. Kyler also took dance classes this summer, once a week for six weeks. I did not teach his age group this summer, but I am his teacher again this fall. Kyler loves his new school, the University School, which is located on the TU campus. He is in the Early Primary program, which their pre-K. He is also looking forward to being a big brother, and he has changed his mind a few times between wanting a brother or a sister. Learn more about Kyler on Kyler’s Page.
So far my pregnancy has been going pretty well. During the first trimester, my apetite wasn’t quite normal for awhile, but now at five months, it is back full-force! I have been extremely tired and had a few headaches, but other than that, I can’t complain. The baby has been kicking quite a bit, which is always comforting. I’m just glad things are going smoothly. Everyone please pray that the pregnancy will continue in this way. As for the delivery, it will be full of surprises. I am going to try to have a VBAC (Vaginal Birth After Cesearean), but it may be that I end up with another C-Section. As far as I’ve researched, I am up for the challenge and am willing to risk disappointment or complications. (By the way, complications are not very likely—probably less risk than with another C-Section.) I will let you know how things are going later on. The baby is due February 4, but we will induce or have an elective C-Section if I don’t go into labor by some yet-to-be-determined date.
I am still teaching and taking dance quite a bit this semester and will continue through the semester if possible. Other than Kyler’s class, I am teaching two older kids’ tap classes, beginning adult tap and a kids’ ballet class. I am continuing to take tap and ballet classes as well. I am still involved with liturgical dance, both with Message In Movement and Footprints (the New Haven group). Message In Movement just held our 4th annual Dance Celebration Concert this afternoon (October 10), instead of in the spring as usual, and now I am officially on maternity leave from that (unless the rest of the group decides to do something for Christmas!)
As I have already mentioned some, I remain highly involved with New Haven United Methodist Church. Besides leading Footprints and participating in different areas of children’s ministry, I continue to sing in the choir during the 11:00 service. My mother and I are also leading the Women’s Bible Study again this fall. If you are looking for a church, I highly recommend New Haven. Follow the link for more information.
Thank you for visiting my webpage. Be sure and visit Kyler’s page, as well as the new SmithBaby II page.