G is for Gathright

2017 Progress Report

Our First Dog= 4 Exceeds Expectations

Graton and I agreed as newlyweds that pets were not in our future. But when life gave us a super responsible 13-year old, a big backyard, and a neighbor with a lovable chocolate lab, we changed our tune. We got our first puppy, Salish, this June when he was 8 weeks old and all fell head over heels. He has exceeded our expectations in how much we would love him and how much work he would be!! Audrey has done the bulk of the puppy care, using the guide dog for the blind protocol to train him. The joy he brings us makes up for amount of time and frustrating puppy behaviors that we are still working on.

Our First Public School Experience = 4 Exceeds Expectations

We all felt a bit of trepidation sending a child to public school for the first time, especially Alyssa! We have been amazed at the caring and quality of Alyssa's teacher, principal, curriculum and school. Alyssa is having a wonderful experience, learning a ton, and making good friends. We only wish she could stay at Columbia Elementary another year before heading to middle school!

Amount of things Valerie can accomplish now that she's not homeschooling Alyssa and thus (in theory) has an extra 30 hours a week =1 Significantly Below Expectations

I'm still not sure how I can have 30 hours more a week and still feel like I can't keep up with everything. My fantasies of having a perfectly clean house, cooking gourmet meals, and never having any stress now that I'm no longer homeschooling Alyssa, have not been realized. Despite my illusions of homemaking bliss having crumbled, I'm really enjoying this new chapter in my life. I have relished the the career growth I have experienced through taking piano lessons with an excellent master teacher, working on my national music teachers certification, serving as the communications chair for our local music teachers association, and implementing group lessons and a music lab in my studio I also am enjoying teaching the 14-15 year olds at church, playing the flute with our church choir, and taking zumba and TRX classes at the YMCA.

Swim Team=4 Exceeds Expectations

Audrey joined a swim team this Fall and has loved it! She has worked hard and already advanced to a higher team within a few months of joining. She loves her coach, improving her strokes and the friendship with her teammates. As parent volunteers we are adding new terms to our vocabulary like "Daktronics timer operator" and "seed time."

Sports related injuries = 2 Below Expectations

We are doing our part to make sure the physical therapists of Mukilteo have job security. Thankfully both girls have only experienced mild sprains as a result of their athletic endeavors.

Our First Home Improvement Project=3 Meets Expectations

After years of renting apartments, we finally undertook our first painting project this summer. Although it was a learning curve for all of us we enjoyed working together to paint and redecorate Alyssa's room. Emboldened by our success, Audrey and I also stained our deck. Now if we could just get the leaves to rake themselves.

Working at Amazon=4 Exceeds Expectations

2017 was Graton's first full year as an Amazonian. He has loved the career growth he has experienced and the relationships with his colleagues.

The love and support we feel from all of you= 4 Exceeds Expectations

We are so grateful for your friendships and the joy you bring in our lives. We miss those of you that are far away and are grateful for the time we can spend together.

May your days be Merry and Bright!