Instead of enclosing a letter with our cards, I decided just to refer you here. I figured 1) that it would motivate me to update our blog more often and maybe even keep it current knowing you may look again and 2) it already has so much history and pictures here for you to see.
It is so hard to believe that another year has passed. The kids are growing up quickly - to quickly if you ask me. Mike and I can never find enough time to spend with them. Sara is 11 and in 5th grade. She is doing great and loves school. She has become quite the social butterfly. This past year has been quite the adventure/challenge getting her integrated into the schools and into our family, but now it feels as if she has been with us forever. Everyone who meets her loves her. She loves life. She wakes up excited to meet each new day head on. I do not worry about her at all. I know she is going to do great in life. We are blessed to be a part of her story.
Sean is 10 and in 4th grade. He has proven to be great at any sport he attempts. So far his loves are baseball, soccer and basketball. He is itching to play football but has "mean parents". Sean is also an avid reader and can be caught with an open book at any time of day. He has definitely found the true joy of reading a good story - and we hope this stays with him for life. He loves camping, reptiles, and anything outdoors. Sean is compassionate, respectful, and an all around great kid.
Ryan is now 8 and in 2nd grade. He is also quite the sportsman out on the field. He is quick, alert, sharp, and fun to watch. He is fearless and will do what it takes for his team to win. As much as he loves teamwork, Ryan also spends hours alone in his room looking through his microscope. He will make a scraping of anything (and everything) to view and compare. He also collects coins, arrowheads, fossils, and shells. He has a zest for life and desire to learn.
Evan is 4 going on 15. He keeps us on our toes. He is a deep thinker. He could care less about sports. He loves crafts, painting, and drawing. He loves music, dancing, and gymnastics. He loves to go shopping and help clean. His favorite toys are dinosaurs, barbies, and blocks. Evan can entertain himself with a pencil for hours. He is cute, smart, and oh so fun to be around.
Mike and I are doing great. This past July we completed our first "custom built" house and moved in. It was quite the experience, but not nearly as bad as I have heard it to be. I guess we were busy with Sara and the boys and just did not have time to dwell on the details like so many get hung up on. Decisions were made quickly and we did not really have time to second guess ourselves much (like maybe we should have!). Now we are settled, just working on rugs, curtains, and such as we have time.
Most of you probably know that Mike was diagnosed (at age 40) with prostate cancer back in the Spring. In August he had a total prostectomy performed in Houston at MD Anderson. After a rough six weeks, he was back to his old self and is, in fact, running the half marathon in San Antonio this month!
We hope you have a wonderful Holiday Season. Please send pictures, cards, or comments as you have time!
