1996
GREETINGS FRIENDS,
From the dreary North West winter the Scheid family wishes you a Merry Christmas (politically incorrect) and a happy New Year.
Nicole is now 8 and thinks third grade is tough. But with a lot of prayer, “Please Lord help me to read 170 minutes before tomorrow,” along with a lot of hardwork she just might make it. School IS tough and procrastination doesn’t help . . . fortunately praying and being everyone’s “best student” does help. Her favorite pasttime is fighting with Joseph; an unrelenting force crashing against an immovable object. To her Joseph is the source of everything that is wrong with mankind; she even yells at him in her sleep. It’s hard to believe she really loves him. But she does, and she also has a special place in her heart for Daddy; that is just fine with me. She loves horses and gymnastics, is a soccer star, rarely stops talking, but never misses anything, and never seems to be going at less than 110%.
Joseph seems to enjoy the challenges of seventh grade. He’s got quite a sense of humor and has parlayed it into a reputation as the class clown. He is always ready to try something new, bold, or just dangerous and keeps school interesting by getting into trouble. I enjoyed watching and coaching him in baseball and football this year; he’s a good little athelete with a lot of determination. More importantly, we’re really proud he has gone all year without a concussion. Joseph is still convinced that having a little sister has constrained the material wealth of the family, and has never forgiven her. He will play with her, but his favorite thing is teasing her.
Michael is now a freshman in high school and loves the freedom and responsibility associated with growing up; although he dislikes being held accountable when he’s squandered his time and comes up short on an assignment or a grade, he does relish the perks of the older age. He is now taller than mom and enjoys struting around showing off his height and muscles. He is quite involved in everything and really likes to tinker and explore. As a result he has become a “techie” and an apparent expert on everything from computers to coffee pots. Not one to have the big picture and use these talents for something useful, Michael decided to crack the school’s computer code and install a game. Seemed convenient to him and being a generous soul, he shared the game with others. All was well until another kid was caught playing the game and earned Michael the dubious distinction of a three day suspension.
Derrick is now in college at Western Washington University after graduating from high school with honors and a scholarship. He seems to be learning a lot about living; can’t wait to see how much academics he learned when we get his report card. One thing we know is that he probably will NOT be an artist; his whole drawing class broke out in laughter when they saw his picture during a serious critique of art (maybe he has hope as a cartoonist). He does love the Lord and is a good freind who has witnessed to his whole dorm. When he grows up he wants to be a lawyer or a Christian minister? I think he has a chance of success since he has gotten a lot smarter resulting in fewer arguments with his mom. But, he is still working real hard on the concepts of work, timeliness, and waking up before noon.
Bobette may have to take speech therapy. Seems like she is having difficulty forming the “N” and the ‘Oh” sound with her mouth. At the same time she has an uncontrollable urge to say “yes” everytime someone needs a volunteer. I told her she has to get a job and her reaction was to double up on volunteering. Now she’s stressed and doesn’t want to talk about it. Some of that stress may come from her attempt at setting new standards in materialism, as a true “material girl” she has enough fabric (material) to make casserole wraps for the entire U.S. Army and it’s all in our bedroom. She is also stressed from jealousy; Molly, our new dog, usually beats her to the door to greet me when I come home. No real basis for jealousy, Molly smells pretty bad.
I was just recently informed by Bobette that I somehow missed my mid-life crisis, and it’s too late for a red sports car. How about a red bicycle? But, Bobette could use a few “material” things and her mid-life crisis is still pending. People keep telling me that my hair is getting quite gray. After popping them in the nose, I notice that they are correct! Read some of my previous Christmas letters and tell me your hair wouldn’t be gray as well. Fortunately, my one loyal son, Derrick, associates the gray with wisdom and provides a Bible verse to prove it. I’m looking forward to retirement so I can relax and take it easy. Wonder what kind of job Bobette will support the family with?
God bless you all and let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts and the word of God dwell richly within you.
THE SCHEIDS, 1996
