We've certainly had plenty of posts about the exciting things that are happening on the Julie front, but you all probably would like to be reassured that the others in the family are keeping plenty busy.
Daddy is ramping up for a trip to the Philippines where he will be teaching a pastoral module on ethics as well as preaching several times in various places. He's ending his trip with a short visit to Hong Kong and the Chungs.
Busy as always, Mommy is working to close out the last school year and prepare for the upcoming one, with one less student. *tears* She has also been spending time helping a couple of older ladies in our church with medical, financial, and other personal matters. She's also running two Boy Scout first aid merit badge sessions, wading through many CALVARY co-op matters, trying to accomplish her summer-cleaning/project list, and planning for VBS in August.
In between and beyond all the excitement, Julie is still the same old Julie. She's working three days a week at the church and gives piano lessons on Wednesday. She is working really hard to finish the Crown (see the 2008 post for the trailer).
Sheryl is enjoying summer, and of everyone, seems least busy, but don't let that fool you. She's teaching three students the violin, and has been really diligent with regard to the co-op yearbook, which is trying to get finished! In between responsibilities, she likes getting together with friends and planning fun things for us siblings to do.
And Andrew . . . he's been astounding the family by his determination and diligence as he prepares for his six day of Boy Scout camp next week, but he still finds plenty of time for fun!
As for upcoming events: Vacation Bible School begins August 3rd, with Julie and Mother dearest teaching separate classes, and Sheryl helping in another class all together.
Then after our resident pastor returns from the Philippines, we're hoping to have a few days of vacation in which we'll be doing some day trips, etc.
Therefore, let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter. The Carlsons are keeping busy and at the same time greatly enjoying the Summer of 2009.
Thursday, July 9, 2009
Tuesday, July 7, 2009
Julie's Graduation and 18th Birthday Party
On June 27th, Julie had her joint graduation and 18th birthday party with Nathan Adamo. 
After a busy morning of preparation, the festivities began at 1pm. What followed were six hours packed with food, fun, fellowship, and games. Mommy Carlson and Mrs. Adamo made lots of dips and finger foods
with the much appreciated help of others who supplied the meatballs, vegetable trays,
salads, etc. We had borrowed a volleyball net,
and between that and our ping-pong table, 
the swings,
and a vigorous game of hide-and-seek, the kids had plenty of fun. After several ping-pong tournaments, some of the older children invaded the garage, and started a stimulating game of round-robin, in which the players run around the table, and as they get to either side, they have to pick up the ping-pong paddle, hit the ball, and then put the paddle down, before relinquishing the spot to someone else. 
Whenever someone messes up, that person is out of the game. The players continue to be eliminated until only two are left to battle for the chaplet! Andrew Adamo and Daniel were fierce
competitors, but Catherine, Julie, Phil, Stephen. and Becky held their own pretty well!
In the back yard, the much calmer adults sat
, ate, and talked at tables under the shade of three
canopies. The color scheme was multi-primary colors, and so the tables had a various colored table clothes. Marcus enjoyed the audience
, and posed for any cameras that happened to point in his direction!
In the house, the kitchen received a constant flow of visitors looking for food. In the dining room, a small table held the graduation cake and other desserts.
At about 3pm, everyone was called into the house to sing "Happy
Birthday," and Julie and Nathan blew out their token three candles. On the entryway table in the living room, Nathan's computer and Julie's computer were set-up, running simultaneous slide shows with pictures from their babyhood up until present day. Sheryl had kindly made up Julie's slide show and had added music, which wafted throughout the house.
At 7pm, the last of the guests left, and the Adamo and Carlson families rolled up their sleeves and began to clean-up. To complete the day of fun, Carlson kids and co. headed over to Montville to watch their spectacular fireworks display.
After a busy morning of preparation, the festivities began at 1pm. What followed were six hours packed with food, fun, fellowship, and games. Mommy Carlson and Mrs. Adamo made lots of dips and finger foods
with the much appreciated help of others who supplied the meatballs, vegetable trays,salads, etc. We had borrowed a volleyball net,
and between that and our ping-pong table, 
the swings,
and a vigorous game of hide-and-seek, the kids had plenty of fun. After several ping-pong tournaments, some of the older children invaded the garage, and started a stimulating game of round-robin, in which the players run around the table, and as they get to either side, they have to pick up the ping-pong paddle, hit the ball, and then put the paddle down, before relinquishing the spot to someone else. 
Whenever someone messes up, that person is out of the game. The players continue to be eliminated until only two are left to battle for the chaplet! Andrew Adamo and Daniel were fiercecompetitors, but Catherine, Julie, Phil, Stephen. and Becky held their own pretty well!
In the back yard, the much calmer adults sat
, ate, and talked at tables under the shade of threecanopies. The color scheme was multi-primary colors, and so the tables had a various colored table clothes. Marcus enjoyed the audience
, and posed for any cameras that happened to point in his direction!In the house, the kitchen received a constant flow of visitors looking for food. In the dining room, a small table held the graduation cake and other desserts.
At about 3pm, everyone was called into the house to sing "HappyBirthday," and Julie and Nathan blew out their token three candles. On the entryway table in the living room, Nathan's computer and Julie's computer were set-up, running simultaneous slide shows with pictures from their babyhood up until present day. Sheryl had kindly made up Julie's slide show and had added music, which wafted throughout the house.
At 7pm, the last of the guests left, and the Adamo and Carlson families rolled up their sleeves and began to clean-up. To complete the day of fun, Carlson kids and co. headed over to Montville to watch their spectacular fireworks display.
Monday, July 6, 2009
Seton Hall Orientation
To catch up everyone on my future plans: This fall, I (Julie) will, Lord-willing, be attending Seton Hall to study History and Secondary Education.
Further, I was accepted into their intensive Honors program. On the 25th and 26th of June, I had a two-day orientation at Seton Hall.
My mom and dad attended a separate orientation for parents that extended through the first day. They were both heartily impressed and excited. My two days were very informative, although rather drawn out and long. Thankfully, there were fun highlights sprinkled throughout the days, not to mention the delicious ice cream at the cafeteria! The most exciting and stressful part of the first day was registering for classes. Somehow (although it makes no sense whatsoever) we are supposed to sign up for classes before we even know who our adviser is. This caused some uncertainty and stress in trying to sign up for my recommended schedule. I will be taking a total of sixteen credits in the fall: a six-credit honors' class which will be studying ancient history and literature, the History of Education, Adolescent Psychology, American History II, and a one-credit University Life class, which tells us how to manage our time, do our laundry, and other things necessary to be successful college students! At dinner on the first day, I was able to meet one of the Honors professors, and had the opportunity to ask any questions which I had about the honors program. Since I had no inclination to attend mass, I had some down time which I spent on the Green 
getting to know a Hindu girl who is in my honor's class. As evening activities, the college had organized a money-less poker tournament, dancing, and even karaoke. Thankfully, my room-mate was a very quiet person, and when we went to check out the activities in the student-center and realized how loud the music was, we chose instead to head towards the gym and take a look at the pool. On the way, the library captured us, and we spent about twenty minutes exploring the most beautiful library
I've ever seen. When we returned to the dorms, we both washed-up and settled in for a good night's sleep.
The next morning, in my devotions, I read about the instance of Jesus' healing Peter's mother-in-law. Here I was in the middle of a very Catholic college reading about how "the first pope Peter" had a wife - God has a sense of humor!
The second day was spent with those people who will be in my honor class for the next few years.
I was very thankful for the opportunity to get to know some of those people even before school officially begins. Although the second day seemed to drag more than the first, it ended in an exciting way, when we received our laptops from the school. The computers are Lenovo Think pads and have some amazing capabilities! Finally, at four pm, my family arrived to pick me up, and my mom, dad, and I showed Andrew and Sheryl around the campus, making us one of the last families to leave!
After the orientation, I'm much more excited for fall and school to arrive, and very thankful for God's evident leading as I take this huge step into the unknown of the future.
Further, I was accepted into their intensive Honors program. On the 25th and 26th of June, I had a two-day orientation at Seton Hall.
My mom and dad attended a separate orientation for parents that extended through the first day. They were both heartily impressed and excited. My two days were very informative, although rather drawn out and long. Thankfully, there were fun highlights sprinkled throughout the days, not to mention the delicious ice cream at the cafeteria! The most exciting and stressful part of the first day was registering for classes. Somehow (although it makes no sense whatsoever) we are supposed to sign up for classes before we even know who our adviser is. This caused some uncertainty and stress in trying to sign up for my recommended schedule. I will be taking a total of sixteen credits in the fall: a six-credit honors' class which will be studying ancient history and literature, the History of Education, Adolescent Psychology, American History II, and a one-credit University Life class, which tells us how to manage our time, do our laundry, and other things necessary to be successful college students! At dinner on the first day, I was able to meet one of the Honors professors, and had the opportunity to ask any questions which I had about the honors program. Since I had no inclination to attend mass, I had some down time which I spent on the Green 
getting to know a Hindu girl who is in my honor's class. As evening activities, the college had organized a money-less poker tournament, dancing, and even karaoke. Thankfully, my room-mate was a very quiet person, and when we went to check out the activities in the student-center and realized how loud the music was, we chose instead to head towards the gym and take a look at the pool. On the way, the library captured us, and we spent about twenty minutes exploring the most beautiful library
I've ever seen. When we returned to the dorms, we both washed-up and settled in for a good night's sleep.The next morning, in my devotions, I read about the instance of Jesus' healing Peter's mother-in-law. Here I was in the middle of a very Catholic college reading about how "the first pope Peter" had a wife - God has a sense of humor!
The second day was spent with those people who will be in my honor class for the next few years.
I was very thankful for the opportunity to get to know some of those people even before school officially begins. Although the second day seemed to drag more than the first, it ended in an exciting way, when we received our laptops from the school. The computers are Lenovo Think pads and have some amazing capabilities! Finally, at four pm, my family arrived to pick me up, and my mom, dad, and I showed Andrew and Sheryl around the campus, making us one of the last families to leave!After the orientation, I'm much more excited for fall and school to arrive, and very thankful for God's evident leading as I take this huge step into the unknown of the future.
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