Random reflections...

Hi everyone--

Well, it's been another busy time for the Beck-Aden family, but not quite as zany as the summer... Ellie-Kate has been loving pre-school. She goes every morning and stays on Wednesday and Thursday afternoons. Her friends include Jack, Corbin, and Macie, and she adores her teacher, Miss Tammy. She has been having a good time with soccer, and she is even enjoying dance this year (thanks, Miss Kelly!). She's dabbling in gymnastics at Twist and Twirl, an activity that she does every Thursday at pre-school, and we're starting to work with her at home on reading (thanks A Beka curriculum!).

Emmy has been a blur of activity-- soccer every day from 3-5 p.m. Girl Scouts, Model UN, Science Fair, band, cello, and, of course, school. She's doing awesome in her classes, earning all As thus far, but, wow, she's just exhausted. We're looking forward to at least a bit of a break between soccer season and basketball season.

Chelsea is loving Baylor. She's hit a few speed bumps during her first few weeks at school, and she's still looking for a job, but, overall, she's doing very well. She's earning good grades in her classes, and she's hoping to rush a sorority in January. In the meantime, she's hanging out with friends, studying, and competing on the Baylor Club Tennis team. In fact, in her first match, she played doubles, and they beat their opponents 6-1. Her team placed fourth in its bracket. Very cool!!

Britti is busy with 4-H stuff and wedding planning. We're hoping to secure the location and finalize dress selection in the next month.

Roger has been busy with soccer, prepping for his book and a leave grant, and helping with all of the kid stuff. Meanwhile, I have been busy with regular work stuff as well as developing campaign materials for my candidacy for NCA Second Vice President...

This whole election thing has been very odd-- definitely unfamiliar territory. On the one hand, I want to spread the word about my qualifications, interests, etc. On the other hand, I'm not comfortable with doing things that scream "hey, look at me." I've definitely learned that I wouldn't want to be a career politician! I truly love doing association work, and I'd be very grateful for the chance to do it, but it was very odd to introduce myself and hand out flyers at OCA. I'm not a "look at me" kind of gal-- I'm much more of a roll up my sleeves and do the work kind of gal. I'm really struggling to navigate what is appropriate, what is expected, what is obnoxious, etc. in terms of putting myself forward for this office. I absolutely *loved* the chance to meet new people at OCA. I'm just going to relax and enjoy those same types of interactions at NCA. It's so much fun to chat with new people and to hear their ideas and to learn about their experiences. Even if nothing else comes from this adventure, what a cool "take-away" it will be to gain some new friends in the discipline and to re-connect with old ones. I'm smiling as I type now because my friends in the discipline have been very cool and supportive, and they have really been amazing.

As always, thanks for listening and for caring about our family! I'd better head for bed so I can get up tomorrow for another busy week!!

Christie