We are still here....just not "here". I need to be HERE more but my kids need me more here. :)
Quick updates!
Luke is now 8 1/2 months and started crawling....right to the tree (gate has been put up). Then to the dog food. I still haven't figured out where a better place for that will be. I tried moving it by the back door but the little stinker found it in record time. He says "mama" (melts my heart every time...for now). Loves to eat squash and sweet potatoes. Hates baby food meats and green beans. LOVES his brother and sisters- he is pretty sure they were put on Earth to make him laugh (he might be right). I think Luke looks more like Jared than Jack did...we will see as he gets bigger.
Kate...our little tater. She is now 3. She loves to make believe she is a kitty cat....usually when she is scared or something makes her nervous she will hide under a chair and start meowing. I think I am seeing therapy bills in my future :). Kate LOVES LOVES LOVES her brothers and sister...she thinks they are on this Earth to play whatever she wants to play ALL DAY (and they usually do if they are home). They just can't say no to her adorable little voice and beautiful eyes that looks oh so sad when she is asking "pwease play wif me?"
Grace is 8 going on 15. She is so tall and beautiful. People always think she is closer to 10. We may have to hire a body guard in a couple years. Her love of horses hasn't ceased and she is already looking forward to summer so she can get back out to the stables to ride again. She doesn't know it yet (shhhh) but she is getting a violin for Christmas this year. She has been asking to start taking lessons and we found one in our trade group so we figured we would give it a try. Please send all ear plugs directly to my house starting in January. Grace is still our very caring, always helping little girl (i know she really isn't little but she is MY little girl forever). Her teacher LOVES her and says she can't ask for a better student and whenever anyone in the class is being left out (intentionally or unintentionally) Grace will leave what she is doing and go play/include that child also without the teacher saying anything. She makes my heart happy.
Jack is a big middle schooler, 11 year old this year. He got his first pimple and was so excited that puberty is starting....I guess I don't remember being excited about that but I am a girl and that is so NOT exciting! He is doing so well in middle school. In band he plays the bells and there happens to be another boy that also plays the bells that has some learning disabilities and comes with an aide to help him. After the 1st week of school Jack told the aide she didn't have to come to band because he would help this other boy with getting his bell kit set up and tell him when to stand with them and where to start playing. I asked him why he did that and he said, "I just wanted him to be like any other middle school kid and not have an adult with him all day". So, guess what....she stopped coming to band with him. Jack actually tutors him in bells (funny because it is Jack's first year too) on some days to help him keep up with the rest of the band. Again, he makes my heart happy. Jack's highlight has been the hunting season this year. So far he has gotten 2 deer and Jared has gotten 1...Jack would like everyone to take note of that :).
I feel so truly blessed this year. It has been a struggle in some areas but oh so wonderful in other areas. As we come closer and closer to Christmas I keep reminding myself of the true meaning of Christmas and wonder if I am teaching my kids the right things (less presents, more giving)...it doesn't help that we have a total of 5 Christmas' this year with family and friends starting this weekend. I pray that you all had a great 2011 and that 2012 is even better.
