New sounds, beds, courses and operations

Well, school has started up again. This year I am teaching Year 2 children and that is really keeping me on my toes. Not just in trying to talk at their level but also ensure that I know the new curriculum and having all the activities ready for them to do. On top of that, I have been riding my from Gosford train station to the school. It has certainly made me more tired over the short term, but I know that I have already lost some weight and my fitness level has risen, so I am looking forward to keeping that up - except on rainy days.

Last Tuesday, Sharlene and I started our Auslan tuition course. We knew most of what was mentioned already. I was the only bloke there, and most of the ladies were from an educational background. We are constantly amazed at the intensity of the rivalry between Signed English and Auslan.

Zemiel has started at Kindergym on Tuesdays and is reported to be enjoying it very much. He is now making "ar" sounds, which is more exciting than I could express right now. Although he is picking up all frequencies when internally stimulated, Australian Hearing want to find out what he is hearing externally. So they want to give him another puppet test in the next couple of weeks. Sharlene also took him to a child surgeon today to have a look at his hernias. He has 3 at the moment. 2 of them definitely need to be operated on and the other might heal itself up. In any case, they will have to be seen to before he turns 3 years old.

Zem is now sleeping in his big bed. He has given the cot the flick and has decide he is a big boy now. It is really nice to see him make the transisiton now, rather than forcing him to do it when the new baby arrives.

Not much happening in the garden. It has been too hot to plant. Hopefully now that March is near we can start our Autumn/Winter crops. I have asked to see what I can do school concerning some nearby bushland that the school owns. I think I might end up having to write a proposal for a grant to do some of the things I want. All that is a scary concept for me, but I still want to do something.

Sharlene is still very tired and now hitting 19 weeks! We have been spending quite a bit of time getting our Adventurer club up and running again this year. We have been promoting it at the local Show, Pathfinder registration day and with friends and neighbours. Hopefully the club will be a significant size this year and others will see that it is worth being involved in.

Finally, Sharlene has also found the time to give some Bible studies to some friends of ours, whom we met through Pathfinders. It is very exciting to see these lovely people grow in the knowledge of God and his love for us.