Christmas Tour 2009

We traveled to see friends and family this holiday season and we had the time of our lives. Jack traveled beautifully!! That was the absolute highlight of the trip. We've learned some thing this time around- our last long car trip- we attached toys to his head rest- and he pushed them away- this time I attached them to the drivers head rest and his so it went along his side- he played throughout the trip- and I would add toys at different stops- which kept him interested. Our last trip he hit his face and yelled throughout- this trip he baby babbled and rarely hit his face. He received several sensory toys for Christmas- I'll post pictures of some of his favorites. Our friends and family really got into finding just the "right" gifts for him to engage him- and we had some real winners!

Here's our picture video of our trip! Enjoy!

Merry Christmas! 2009 Video Christmas Card

2009 has been one heck of a year- a mix of challenges and goodness- but as we reflect we finish the year thankful. We learned early in the year that 3 yr. old Jack has Cerebral Palsy- it leveled us and as Scott says "we learned that the hill ahead of us was steep and we had to bring our A-game to the journey." So we have- we've been learning what it means to advocate for Jack and we've just been plunging ahead parenting Jack and Ella with all our hearts. We've learned to celebrate the small stuff and we cling to hope as Jack makes his way in this world.

Friends, family and our community have been so good to us and for you we're grateful. This holiday season is so different for our family- we've tried to do less and focus on time together. So this year I decided to forgo the annual Christmas card, it's something Scott and I've done together for the last 7 years and we've really enjoyed it. But this year we decided to do something a little different. So to you our friends and family please accept this as our holiday wish for you a Merry Christmas, and a lovely and Happy New Year.
Much love,
Angela, Scott, Ella and Jack (and the third girl Tallulah, the wonder beagle)

Vacation

How can you not love that face!?! He is a happy boy!

Ella and Papa Dana fishing

We recently took a vacation to a lake- Ella learned to fish and Jack enjoyed all the love from grandparents and cousins and attention he received. It was a great trip. We're learning the struggle of how to keep a 3 year old, visually impaired, toddler occupied during a 10 hour car trip! It was tough for the little guy. He struggles with sensory issues- so he was sensory seeking the entire trip!! So we kicked into high gear when we arrived home and started some intense sensory play time with him. I'll post pictures soon of his sensory play time. We're always looking for new ideas of ways to engage him in play.

Happy Birthday Jack!

Jack turned 3 this week! Birthday's for Jack are simple and sweet. We're always looking for the "right" gifts for Jack. One Jack isn't engaged much by most toys- he's still figuring out how to play and how to explore with his hands rather than his eyes. So this year Jack received some counting maracas, bubbles and a big ball. He loves the big ball and the bubbles make him giggle! We learned about 10 weeks ago that Jack has CP and we're still learning what that means for him. He has more complex baby babbling with each passing day- and his speech therapist has heard him say "Hi!" and his teacher at school hears him say "Momma and DaDa" often. So with the coming year we're hoping Jack will develop some skills to communicate what he wants and needs. We've seen so much progress in Jack- we recognize we have a long road ahead of us- but he's doing so well! We're proud of him.

Race for the Cure 2009

Each year my family participates in the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure- this is our 5th year to walk- we do so for my mom Mary and cousin Annette who are both breast cancer survivors, and my Aunts Alberta Ruth and Betty Jean who both passed away after long battles with breast cancer. So today we walked- and we're moved by the tens of thousands of people who were walking for the same reason- because they too have been touched by breast cancer.

I love to see you smile

We just learned from Jack's neurologist that we have a much steeper hill to climb as we prepare him for the future. It was quite sad for us to learn that his introduction into this world was more difficult than we originally knew. This week we've been buoyed by the support of friends and family- their prayers, kind words and encouragment has given us hope for the future- for Jack's future. The thing I've been reminded of over and over again this week is just how much I love this little family of ours- I was taking everyone to school one day and this song came on "I love to see you smile" and I realize- yes- my happiest times are watching the smiles of my sweet, sweet children. So I put this together for them.

Ice Storm 2009

A view of our back yard

The roof was hit several times!

This is a view from the street


It's been a crazy few days- an ice storm hit Tuesday and after a few hours we felt we needed to get out of our home- and head for safety! We stayed with my parents. Our trees suffered the greatest amount of damage. We will need a new roof and a new fence. It's a mess. But we're all safe and we're hoping for power by the weekend. Keep us in your thoughts!



Here are a few pictures of our home.