Our 2013 Christmas Letter...a Little Late.

I’m going to quit saying, “It’s hard to believe another year has come and gone.”, though…it’s hard to believe another year has come and gone!  How does this keep happening?  This was supposed to be our yearly Christmas letter, but I didn't get it out quite in time, so we'll just call it the End of Year letter. 

As Heraclitus is often quoted to have said, “The only thing constant is change.” and, for us, 2013 proved that once again.

We started the year in Tucson with Janan turning 13 (GACK!  A teenager!)  Everyone says they grow up so fast, but you’ll never understand it until you watch a child grow.  It was a Dr. Who/One Direction-themed extravaganza with six of her closest BFFs in attendance.  They played Minute to Win It games, laughed and had a sleep-after (what we call sleep-overs, since no one ever sleeps).

She had also just completed her mid-term exams at Basis Oro Valley and was more miserable than she’d ever been in school.  Though she was doing quite well academically at Basis, the school was meeting none of her emotional or social needs.  After many tears, heart-to-heart discussions and hours of careful consideration, we made the decision that Janan (for the first time in her life) would attend the local public school.  Janan was MOST excited about riding a bus to school for the first time in her life (sometimes, it’s about the little things, right?).  As is typical, she immediately made friends and really loved the more relaxed atmosphere of Mountain Vista. But, she found that the entire curriculum was at least 2 years behind where she was academically.  

Janan loves learning and doesn’t do well with boredom, so I was impressed with her drive to show both herself and me we had not made a huge mistake in switching schools.  She stayed focused at school and active in the community.  For the 3^rd year, she volunteered for the Heifer booth at the Tucson Festival of Books (one of our FAVORITE Tucson events).  

Her dedication and passion for this amazing organization, led to a beautifully written recommendation letter by the local Heifer Coordinator.  And, that letter in addition to another touching letter written by the Youth Education Coordinator at Mountain Vista Unitarian Universalist Congregation, granted

 

National Junior Honor Society Member

Janan entrance to the National Junior Honor Society.  She was also selected Student of the Month, receiving the Principal’s Award, and Perfect Attendance making us, needless to say, VERY proud!

She finished her 7^th grade year at Mountain Vista, but we knew it wasn’t going to be the right choice to finish out 8^th grade.  On her own, Janan began looking for other options   We did know a friend of Janan’s attended Pima Community College and this was something she very much wanted to pursue.  

Long story short, Mama made some initial inquiries; Janan took the entrance exams and….at age 12 she was accepted to college.  

Her plans were to start classes in the first summer session.  Unfortunately, despite getting accepted and enrolling in the classes she wanted, the first day of class we found out the material was deemed “too graphic” (she was taking a forensic science class) and we were told no one under 18 could take the classes.  Janan was crushed, but took it all in stride and decided to enjoy her summer.  She joined the YMCA swim team and spent time with friends.

As all this was happening (and Mama was trying to come to terms with her 12-year-old being accepted to college), it became apparent that my job in Tucson was being eliminated.  So, I began the search (yet again) for a new job.  I flew out to Tennessee for a few days of not only amazing R&R with Jenny & Morgan Taylor at their gorgeous TN home and wonderful reunions with so many dear friends from my Saturn days, but for networking and distribution of my resume.  Upon returning home, I was offered the opportunity to interview for a new position with DeVry in Phoenix.  It was a lengthy, bumpy process, but I was finally offered the DeVry job in mid-July and started the new position in Phoenix on August 5^th.  

Amidst the chaos, we celebrated Janan’s 13^th Adoption Day with Nana and Poppy.  

Janan's Adoption Day is generally a large Fiesta with many friends in attendance and a pool party, but Janan asked that it just be family this year.  

Of course, the move to Phoenix meant ONCE AGAIN trying to find a school for Janan.  We talked to many friends, researched online and visited schools.  She was accepted to Herberger Young Scholars Academy, a private school for gifted children, similar to The Roeper School she attended in MI.  However, after getting accepted, we quickly realized all options for scholarships were gone (since it was so close to school starting and all the money had been awarded the end of the previous school year) and Janan really felt she wanted a school that would not only meet her academic needs, but her social needs as well.  So, back to the drawing board we went.  Keep in mind we’re packing the house in Tucson, trying to find a home in Phoenix AND looking for a new school with less than two weeks before I start my job and three weeks before school starts.  Things were a bit hectic and crazy.  

First day of high school!

As we considered all of our options, one that kept coming up was for Janan to start high school early.  We contacted the local high school in the area we wanted to live and they graciously agreed to do all the requisite testing and paperwork to see if it was possible.  On August 12^th, 2013, Janan started her freshman year at Boulder Creek High School.  She’s in all Honor’s classes (Algebra, English, Biology and Spanish) and, in her first semester went from beginner guitar to advanced (having never really played before). 

The one thing I swore I would “NEVER” do was grade-skip Janan.  But, it has turned out to be a blessing.  In her own words, she is the happiest she’s been since leaving Roeper.  She has made many friends, joined the BCHS Swim team, joined Key Club and Guitar club.  She is now tutoring other students in math and blossoming into an incredible young woman.  

Janan & Poppy at a swim meet.

I couldn’t be any prouder of all she’s accomplished this year.  

I always believe everything happens for a reason and I believe this move was all about her.  We’re DETERMINED to stay here until she graduates high school (she reminds me of this almost daily).

Janan's JV Swim Team Certificate!

Of course, it’s wonderful we’re still close enough to be able to share so many milestones with Nana & Poppy.   

First Guitar Concert

 

 

Nana, Janan & Poppy
at Butterfly Wonderland

 

They were here for many of her swim meets, for her Swim Banquet (where she was nominated for Freshman of the Year and Most Improved Swimmer, and received her JV Swim Team certificate), her first guitar concert, some family fun at Butterfly Wonderland and the one-night showing of the Dr. Who 50^th Anniversary movie.

50th Anniversary Dr. Who!

Nana remains cancer-free and has lost over 50 pounds!  Poppy is golfing, clogging and loving every minute of being a BCHS Jaguar Swim & Dive Poppy. 

Guatemamas in Miami!

Even Mama had a few highlights from the year!  I traded my 150,000 mile Subaru in for a brand-new, 2013, MANUAL TRANSMISSION (wahoo!) Honda Fit, got away for a long weekend in Miami, FL with three other Guatemamas, and was accepted into my Master's program.

We’re beyond blessed and we want to thank each & every one of you for being a part of our lives.

Love, 

Valerie & Janan