Friends in a Far Away Land

Not one, but two dear friends are set to deploy to Afghanistan in just a few short weeks with the 3-19th Agribusiness Development Team.  Major Jeremy Gulley, my current boss, and Major Shane Robbins, a former collegue, are both with the Indiana National Guard and educators in Indiana.  They are deploying together and will be doing their best to keep those of us at home updated.  If you are curious as to their efforts and mission, I am posting the link to Shane's blog here.    http://afghanistan.monroecentral.org/

Please pray for Jeremy, Shane and their families over the course of the next year.  I thank them both for their dedication to our country and wish them both a safe return home!

What have we done?

It's been several months since I last posted anything.  So, here's a summary of what the Reniers have been up to since November...

~Ally went from group swim lessons to private swim lessons.  The kid is seriously part fish!  She love the water and is really progressing as a swimmer.

~Peyton is now in a big girl bed.  She picked a Tinkerbell theme and loves it!


~I have been very dedicated to getting and staying fit.  My co-workers have been a huge help in the process.  We worked out together at least 3 days after work in our school's fitness room.  We also challenged one another to a 5K in April.  I was so proud of completing my first ever 5K that before I came down off my high, I suggested we do another in May...what was I thinking?! :)  So, we ran another and I got roped into being the running portion of a mini-tri for United Way in September.



~Darren got involved in a fantasy football league with his brothers and some friends.  That proved to be a lot of fun for him.

~Ally thoroughly enjoyed school this year.  She began the year reading only a select number of words and finished Kindergarten reading at late first grade level.  She loves spelling.  Once she mastered all of the Kindergarten, 1st grade and 2nd grade sight words, she moved on to spelling.  (I hope she will always enjoy learning so much!)

~Peyton doesn't sit still for long unless she is watching Caillou or the movie UP.  She also enjoys watching Tom and Jerry with Darren and Ally.  Instead of Tom and Jerry, Peyton likes to call it "Tom and Jerome" which sounds more like "J'rome".  Of course, she got this from her Daddy.

~Darren plays racquetball at least one time per week, usually two or three times, with a few guys.  It allows him to exercise his body and his competitive side.

~I have been incredibly busy with work.  My latest project is Viking New Tech which is a school within a school that will be opening in August.  I will be the Director of VNT (basically this means "principal") which means I am in charge of EVERY aspect of school design and implementation.  I do this in addition to all of my responsibilities as assistant principal of the larger high school.  Whew!

The Things My Kids Say...

When taking a picture of Peyton, she says, "Did you get my pouty face?"

Allison:  "I have the best handwriting.  Mrs. Courtney (Kindergarten teacher) says I even write better than she does sometimes."

Me:  "I love you so much."  Peyton:  "I know, Mommy.  You always tell me that."