Christmas 2019

Merry Christmas from our home to yours! We're happy you've visited us here, though of course we also love seeing you in person, and we hope you have had a great 2019! Please enjoy a few highlights from our year... 

CAYLA (11): 

In a word, Cayla has been FLOURISHING at Jefferson. Leah and I went to one of her IEP meetings last spring and expected much of the same as previous years. However, we nearly fell out of our chairs when one of the staff said, "We are going to be taking her behavior targets out of her IEP. Is that okay?"
"What?!!!" we both asked with big eyes.

The funny thing was they seemed surprised that WE seemed surprised. After years of pinching, pushing, and wrecking the beautiful art projects of other kids, apparently Cayla decided to just up and stop doing that stuff. It probably seemed like a minor thing to them, but Leah and I nearly started crying right then and there. It was a powerful moment that let us know that many of the hardships of past years had now been conquered by Cayla, who seems to have a knack for conquering the many obstacles in her path. Sometimes it takes a meeting like this for us to realize how far she's come.

Cayla is growing up and maturing. Maybe a bit too fast, as she has been talking about "hot guys" waaaaay too frequently lately. And of course, on the day when the class talked about body changes and puberty, Leah happened to be gone for a few days with work. I took one look at the pamplet that Cayla excitedly brought me and said, "Nope. Sorry. Mom will be home soon." Not ready yet.

We are thankful for so many kind-hearted classmates, as well as an understanding and passionate staff at Jefferson. We've been so fortunate for the adults that have surrounded Cayla at her two schools so far. And in two years she will be in Daddy's school! Crazy!

ELIANA (8):

Our middle daughter continues to test the waters to see what activities she likes. Eliana dropped dance this year, but tried a choir camp and a drama camp this summer. She also enjoyed playing soccer again this year.

She continues to love to read and write, and even performed one of her songs called "Over the Rainbow" at a church Original Works Night in October. She was remarkably poised and did a great job!

The best news with her in 2019: no seizures! We are so thankful! She has an EEG in a few weeks to see if we can continue to downsize the medicine with the hopes of eventually going off them completely. Blank Children's Hospital and Dr. Gutu have been so amazing.

Eliana is motherly and nurturing to both of her sisters, and it's fun to see her navigate both of their worlds with a knack for how to take care of them. We're excited to see where her soft heart will lead her some day.

ZOEY (5):

We had a big decision to make with Zoey this summer. Because of her birthday, she is right on the border between going to Pre-K and starting Kindergarten. Maybe it's a birth order thing, or maybe it's just how she's wired, but Zoey has always been ready to take on the world, so we decided to send her to Madison full time. She is loving school and learning so much. And some day, she will be a freshman while Eliana is a senior. Oh boy...

She was excited to start doing some of the same activities as her sisters, so we signed her up for soccer and dance. She enjoyed them both and takes them pretty seriously when she is out there, rarely smiling because she is so focused.

She has a zest for life and lives it full, and although her big personality sometimes means she fights big and loud to get her way, our girl is determined and competitive!

OUR FAMILY:

We enjoyed the girls' first Amtrak ride to Chicago this summer, and we had fun walking many miles exploring the city! Their hearts were tugged as we walked by many homeless people.

We also enjoyed our annual trip to St. Louis in July to visit Jerod's sister Codi and her family! Our girls can't get enough of their cousins:)

Jerod enjoyed a trip to CO with his basketball team in July. Highlights included white water rafting and Pike's Peak.

We've continued to be amazed by God's faithfulness in our lives, and we are so thankful for the family and friends we have been blessed with!

May you enjoy much peace & joy this Christmas and into 2020!

Love, 

Jerod, Leah, Cayla, Eliana, & Zoey