I just realized that it has been quite some time since we’ve posted any information here. Looking back, I can really see why. We’ve had quite a time the last few weeks. It’s been a growth experience for us all.

Perhaps one of the real “highlights” is the fact that Jaclyn broke her arm roller skating. She went to a friend’s birthday bash and fell. She was a real trooper and was fighting through the pain over the first couple of days, so we decided to wait until Monday for a doctor visit. It wasn’t terribly miscolored, so we weren’t overly concerned and I was banking on a major sprain. However, x-ray showed differently. So we were to take her back in a few days for casting. However, that was one of those wonderfully icy wintery days we had here this month; however we were fortunate enough to make it over later that day and got the mission accomplished.

On that same day we were fortunate enough to finish the purchase of our van to replace the one the insurance company totaled out after a weather related incident in December. We were a one vehicle family for a month or so. Luckily we could rely on the generosity of wonderful friends. We have borrowed so many vehicles over the past month it’s been hard to keep track of them all. We are so grateful to so many generous people.

The past month has been one of faith and growth around our house as well. It’s been a month of snow days, illness through almost all of us, and many trials and tribulations. We are all looking forward to a “boring” life again soon hopefully.

We look forward to hearing updates on all of you.

Take care and Make it a Great Day!

We finally had a decent snowstorm this weekend, which in this part of the state anyway has become pretty rare. It was cold, but was good to see the kids outside playing in the snow. As I was running an errand this afternoon with Jaclyn, on our way out to the lake, we saw a couple of people on a snowmobile. All of a sudden it dawned on me…there are absoultely NO snowmobile trails around this part of the state. That was a thought that sent me back to growing up in northwestern Illinois and the great winters I remember growing up. I remember having very easy access to the snowmobile trail as it went right through our front yard. I can’t say what it is like these days, but I know while growing up, the trails in that part of the state were laid out similar to a highway system in that there were trails that took you to many of the local towns and villages. I remember the late snowy nights (since my bedroom faced the front of the house) watching the lights and listening to the snowmobiles drive by on the trail out front. It was a time where we often had enough snow to travel by snowmobile most of the winter. I think the thought that really got me today was realizing that Robert is approaching that age when I would talk my parents into starting the snowmobile for me and they would allow me to make a few laps around the neighboring field, and then make a trip through the yard every now and then just to check in. A friend today pointed out yet another memory of those times which was the distinct smell and sound of those snowmobiles. Most generally I’m very satisfied and happy with where my family has decided to call home; however there are those times like today when I get disappointed in myself in the fact that my kids are perhaps missing out on some experience that were so great for me growing up.

‘Tis the season to look back on the past year (and take a few minutes to catch up on posting here since it’s been sooo long!) We’ve struggled through the usual sickness going around off and on this fall. With seven of us in the house, it’s pretty difficult to find a time when at least one of us isn’t under the weather at least a little bit.

Most recently Jo and Rob had quite the experience recently. On the way to take Robert to youth group, they hit a slick spot in the road and after a few twists and turns ended up in the ditch. The van didn’t have much noticable body damage and was able to be driven home, but has a coolant leak of some sort so can’t be driven to the shop for service. With the confusion of the holidays, we are still trying to figure out how this is all going to play out. We do have rental coverage, but finding rental vehicles that are available to hold 7 people is a job in and of itself. Luckily we didn’t have a lot of vacation plans here over break, but are still working on arrangements to get our travels arranged.

The kids are really enjoying school this year. Thomas and Jaclyn are in the same class again as their grade level has lost enough students that they are a single section grade. Avon is actively looking at options with neighboring districts, but more than likely any sort of reorganization is a few years away. Robert is up in Middle School now and is really enjoying the change of pace. As he put it last night, there is a lot more freedom.

Jo is still doing a fabulous job as church secretary (and organizing many other things around church), while balancing all the other activities of the kids and taking such good care of all of us (which is beyond a full time job in and of itself). She is also charged with trying to help me keep my sanity as I still keep adjusting to my position as a 7-12 principal. That poor woman deserves any awards and accolades given. Along with the constant trips to the doctor to keep everyone healthy, Ali has also started physical therapy to try and correct some muscle imbalance that they believe may have been there since the birth process. This muscle imbalance is causing some of the plates in her head to be slightly misplaced, and her spine is somewhat out of shape; however, she has made incredible progress through exercises over the past few weeks.

Outside of that, this time of year brings us the usual hustle and bustle of the holiday season like many of you. We look forward to getting any updates on how you and your family are doing. We are sorry if we don’t take enough time to keep in touch regularly, but we like many others sometimes get sidetracked in the day to day dealings of life.

MERRY CHRISTMAS to you and yours!

The Janssen household has been like many others in the area the past few weeks in battling all the sickies going around. Jac has been doing most of the fighting here and actually was very disappointed she had to miss her class Halloween party last week. However, the fever broke and everyone was well long enough to safely go out and Trick or Treat on Halloween night.

The costumes this year featured Jo as a loyal Illini fan (with the way football season has gone this year I asked if she was going as the village idiot), Benton as the black kitty, Chris as the mad scientist, Ali the ladybug, Jac the rockstar, Robert the StarWars bount hunter, and Thomas the zombie. Many of you know that Halloween has always been a favorite holiday at the Janssen household (probably stemming all the way back to Chris’s teen years and love of the holiday!)

We hope you enjoyed this year as much as we have!

We marvel again at the wonderful talents with which God has blessed the young people of this area. The first two weekends of October is set aside as Spoon River Drive – a time when folks peddle their wares in their front yards, in roadside stands, or in booths in the park. One could make an entire weekend or two just driving the expanse of highway throughout a couple of central Illinois counties, taking in the beautiful scenery & the scents of hot cocoa & bonfires to match. But nothing compares to the nostalgia of a 100+ year old Opera House brought to life again by the laughter of folks far & wide being entertained by mere children, ages 1- 14.

Our crew took to the stage & left no one disappointed as they joined their friends to dazzle & amaze with Mary Poppins. Ben was the rookie this year & by far the youngest Rascal yet, at age 23 months. He joined The Wee Ones after their portrayal of The Three Little Pigs. He was to sing & dance to The Big Bad Wolf. Overwhelmed by lights, action & audience, he made an awful cute addition to the stage; end of story. He did, however, ham it up between shows! Thomas was yet another Michael (last year, he played Michael in Peter Pan) and Jaclyn played Michael’s sister, Jane. (How convenient!) Robert stole the show with his portrayal of the ludicrously hilarious Uncle Albert. Not a straight face could be found in that Opera House!

Some worry that kids miss out on opportunities by living “in the middle of nowhere” but the truth is, so much can be found right here in the heart of Spoon River Country – so much more than meets the eye at first glance. Friendship for sure; laughter is another given; but true community – a family, if you will, made up of those who gather around, that’s what we treasure here in the valley.