Christmas, 2011 - Part 2

Santa was very good to Luke and his family once again this year. We had a great holiday!

First of all - my sister Megan taught me how to do a very pretty bow this year. I think it really revolutionized my gift wrapping. What do you think? (Can you tell I'm proud?)

On Christmas Eve, we celebrated, as always, at my parents' house. We ate great food and got great gifts. Luke scored with two favorites: his Dinosaur Train

...and his LETTERS. (We know the boy loves his letters!)

(Let me tell you: these letters have come in quite handy this weekend while Daddy has been sick and Mommy has had six weeks' grades to finalize.)

Then Santa visited - look at what he left our little monkey!

He also left Luke a very sweet note. Here are some highlights:

"No other three year-old on the Nice List has worked as hard as you have in 2011... Your Mommy, Daddy, Honey, Grand, Grandma, Grandpa, whole family and I are so proud of you, and we love you very much!"

I think Saint Nick was pretty right, don't you?

I hope all of you had a wonderful Christmas, too!

Merry Christmas - Part 1

For whatever reason, the 2011-2012 school year has really flown by. Actually, there are many possible reasons: a new schedule at the high school, a new program I run, a new school for Luke... The to do list runneth over in our world more often than not, but Christmas was still as busy and wonderful as usual!

I have to start with this darling picture of Luke on his last day of "work" of 2011. He was ready to PARTY!

Thanksgiving, 2011

Thanksgiving was absolutely wonderful. I am so thankful to work in a school district that gives us the entire week off. It always falls just at the point when we teachers and students really need it. We had a wonderful holiday this year, too!

DFW Autism Speaks Walk

(By the way, I am "cheating" - I am writing this on New Year's Eve, so I fear my details may be a bit sketchy. I am WAY behind on blogging - figure I ought to catch up before 2012 arrives!)

October Updates (better late than never...)

You know how you can tell that time flies when you're having fun? When you are writing an October 2011 blog post in February of 2012!

The two main October highlights were, without question, the trip Jeremy and I made to the final ALCS championship game and Halloween. Here we go...

Romans 5:3-5

The calendar page has turned from September to October, signaling the start of Fall and its accompanying bedlam. I’ve entered the second six weeks of the school year, Luke is about three weeks into his new school, and Jeremy’s entering the final quarter of his year. We’re going to blink and it’s going to be time for Christmas – and rather than that being exciting, it just feels like that’s one more thing to do. I’d bet you find yourself in the same situation these days. Days fly by, but when Friday evening arrives, you know that logically only five days have passed, yet your body tells you five months have. We’re tired. We’re a little overwhelmed. We’re feeling like life’s treadmill is operating at the speed of sound, and there’s so much noise, it’s tough to process everything.

Happy Birthday, Luke!

The reality of the stressful return to work means it is taking me a lot of time to get things done... including Luke's birthday blog post. Two weeks ago, Luke turned 3! It's so hard to believe. We truly had no idea when we were here:

...what amazing things God had in store for all of us with the next three years of Luke's life. We were so excited to celebrate him! 

Here's the big 3 candle featuring two of Luke's current favorites: Bob and Where-we (or Larry, but c'mon, Luke's pronunciation is way cuter) from Veggie Tales.

Before my guests arrived at Honey and Grand's, Luke fueled up with some lunch. (His favorites for his birthday: hot dogs, chips, and apples.)

We had a great day celebrating with family, each of whom Luke graced by saying their names! (This is a huge development for us, as you might know.) Luke, Mommy, and Daddy celebrated with all of Luke's grandparents (Grandpa, Grandma, Granny, Honey, and Grand), Uncles Chris (Cwis), Johnny, and Bobby, Aunts Lori (Wore-we) and Jackie, Granny, and cousins Alyssa (A-wiss-uh) and J.D., who, as you can see here, was digging some time in his jumper.

After pizza and salad, we hit the pool, and MAN did Luke have a great time swimming and judging his Uncles' Bobby's and Johnny's cannonballs into the pool. If they did not make a big speech, Luke was VERY disapproving!

 He opened his presents (as always, family, you are so generous!),

Was serenaded (to his bewilderment),

 ...and even enjoyed some frosting.

A special thank you to my parents for hosting us - it was a perfect day with loved ones to celebrate our precious, sweet boy! Happy Birthday, Luke! We all love you so very much!