This is a bragging post - fair warning!

My 7th grader loves math.  She is also very good at it.  This year she is doing Algebra I.  It's the first high school math class, and she is able to do it with a couple of 8th graders that are in her class (7th and 8th are combined).  NOVA High School (one of the other English language schools here) sponsored the CEESA Math Competition this year, and QSI sent 2 teams of 3.  The junior team consisted of 9th and 10th graders, and the senior team was 11th and 12th.  Aubree had asked to be on the team when they were first put together, but was told no, because she's only in 7th grade.  3 days before the competition, one of the boys on the junior team was sick and pulled out.  Mr. Vadah, the teacher in charge, went back to the coordinators of the competition and again asked if Aubree could participate - this time letting them know that she was taking the same math class as the freshmen.  This time they said yes.  Aubree was really excited to go!  I think part of it was because it took all of Friday and she was with friends, but also because she loves math!  They competed individually and in teams against schools from Moscow, Kiev, Bucharest, Warsaw, Helsinki, Belgrade, Prague, and Skopje.  It was a little weird, because 85% of the participants were Korean!  The QSI teams didn't win any awards, but Mr. Vadah was impressed with how well Aubree did.  Amongst the kids that competed at the junior level, Aubree scored at the exact middle individually!  We are so proud of her!  Because of how well she did, Mr. Vadah told her that next year for math, they will figure out the schedules so that he can be her geometry teacher, and she can still be in math class with the kids she's been with this year.  We are so blessed to be at a school that is capable of catering so well to our children's needs!

Change is good!

Just realized I never posted this.  I wrote it in January.  I thought I'd post it rather than delete it.

The kids went back to school this last week after 3 whole weeks of break.  It was long.  It was BORING (or so I heard every few minutes).  And it made me realize what a difference 5 months can make.  For 12 years, I had a child home with me at least part of every day.  It was fun and not hard to find things to do and keep us occupied.  We had play dates, we went to the library, we wandered stores.  When the big kids had breaks from school, we'd go visit family in other states.  It was FUN!
Several things happened this past August.  One - we moved across the ocean to Macedonia.  Two - my baby started kindergarten.  Having all three children in school has given me freedom to do whatever I want during the day.  I can go back to sleep after they get on the bus.  I can clean the house in the morning, and it stays clean until at least 3:00.  I can go out to lunch, or the market, or sightseeing with friends.  I have more adult conversations during the day than ever before!  It's incredible!  And when they get home from school, I love helping them with their homework and hearing about their day.  On the weekends we go out as a family, and explore and have fun.
We had a one week Fall Break, during which time we drove to Istanbul, had TONS of fun with the Donadieu family, and saw a part of the world I NEVER would have thought I would see.  We've been to Greece a couple times.  We have met some incredible people over here that will be friends forever.  I love that we are able to live the kind of life that most people only dream about.
But there are some things that are hard.  While we were able to share Christmas with good friends, we didn't have any family around, and had to wait until late afternoon to Skype with them.  It's difficult to keep in touch regularly when the time difference is so big.  I miss talking with my sisters whenever I want to.  Also, we go to church in someone's house.  Luckily, there is another family with kids around the same ages, but there's usually only 10-15 people that attend each Sunday.  It's really hard work being in a church group that is so small, but I know that all of us have grown spiritually since we've been here.  (Going back to a 3-hour block this summer, though, is going to be HARD!!!)
The new year has started, and we've got a whole year to look forward to.  Nick is starting to read.  Chris is working on his Bear in Cub Scouts.  Aubree is blossoming into a beautiful young woman.  Mike enjoys his job overall, and I love that I get to be a part of it all.  I am looking forward to the experiences that are yet to come, and can't wait to share them with the people I love!

I love reading!

But more importantly, my children love reading.  You know what one of the coolest things there is about being a mom?  Listening to your kindergartner read a book.  The next coolest thing?  Listening to your kindergartner, 3rd, and 7th grader read Macedonian.  It's so fun to watch them grow intellectually!!!

I'm an aunt (again)!

I LOVE being a part of a big family!  My brother and his wife blessed us with another nephew on Sunday.  One of the greatest things about living on this side of the world is being the closest to them (they are in England), and getting to visit them in just over 6 weeks!  I can't wait to snuggle that cute baby!  Hey - I have to get my baby fix somewhere!

Happy New Year!!!

I hope that 2011 is a great year for everyone!  I have so much to be thankful for, and much to look forward to - new nieces and nephews, trips to see family, and living in a place I love with my family!