Tuesday, December 28, 2010

A Little Bit of Heaven

Christmas has come and gone, but not without new additions to our household. These new additions include sewing machines and PINS to go with it!...

a leapster (or MobileMe which Santa found a better fit for this little one), and a CAMO remote control truck...


a John Deere wagon and a baby doll for a little boy that loves babies (won't he make a good daddy some day!)...


Ahh, the joys of Christmas and the excitement that goes with it!

I picture the wisemen following the star, in search of Jesus, with the same enthusiasm and excitement! Eagerly anticipating what majesty they will find when they arrived at their destination.


These children are little slices of Heaven, right here on earth! And we 'rejoice with exceeding great joy!'

A few things that will be happening as we begin our 2011 year...

Where do I begin with this blessing and slice of heaven. Corbett calls he and a nephew of ours' "criminals" in jest (when they're together - their mischievous laughs always keep us on our toes! I think he's right... because this one can steal your heart right from you! We've got a good and exciting year planned for him. He will begin therapeutic horseback riding next Tuesday. I don't know who is more excited... me or him! We also had his neurosurgery appointment today. While he does have a 'cyst' in his spinal column, this doctor is pretty sure that it is not causing any problems. He feels it is not necessary to treat surgically, and his mild cerebral palsy and other symptoms are due to his low-birthweight, premature birth - not the cyst. He does want a follow-up MRI in a few months to make sure the cyst isn't growing. So, with a few more tests, procedures, and doctor appointments coming up in 2011 - we are still extremely pleased with his progress. Also, beginning in August - it is likely that he will attend The Rise School for Pre-K and Kindergarten. We are excited about that prospect and looking forward to his response to it. He is our go-getter, and continues to show his will and 'wittiness' on a daily basis!



This little angel-boy from Heaven has quite a tender heart, but will pull your leg with 4-year-old teases if he loves you and is comfortable enough with you! His new year doesn't have many changes. He loves choir at church, and enjoys playing his instruments at home, too. He doesn't really perform his masterpieces, but he performs them on his own quite often! He is my little technology genius. He can work my iphone, my computer, and his new MobileMe (kids handheld game) with ease and patience. He is also becoming our little hunter. I imagine his 2011 year will be spent perfecting his crossbow shooting skills (Santa brought him one), trecking in the woods of some new property we purchased - looking and listening for "scare-crows," squirrels, and deer - while picking up sticks and dirt! He's sure not to miss much this next year, with his observant eyes and heart!


This amazing slice of heaven is pure gold! If her joy and spirit could be duplicated, this world would be a much happier place! Her 2011 will also begin with horseback riding lessons. She has been anticipating these for a few months, and is super excited about them! Her cheerleading season has come to a close this year, and we'll see what August will bring. She had done amazingly with it, but doesn't have many friends/connections on her squad. If someone she's comfortable and confident with joins the team for next year, she is most excited about it! If not, we'll see what the year holds for cheering. She is doing an amazing job in 1st grade! Her skills and confidence are growing and gaining strength each day! She has the most sincere heart, she often has a hard time wrapping her mind around how people are bad/mean. She thinks of others and loves to help those in need. She, too, loves to sing! Although, I have a feeling that during this next year - she and I will be doing lots of sewing together. Which is quite alright by me!


I hope you and your's had a wonderfully blessed Christmas, celebrating Jesus' birth with childlike faith, enthusiasm, and eagerness! May your 2011 year be blessed beyond measure with little bits of heaven!



Saturday, December 18, 2010

"Magical" Post

The saying goes, 'Disney World is the most magical place on earth!'

Before I get to that.... I just want to let you know that it's pretty 'magical' here at home, too. A few weeks ago, we had a follow up visit with Whit and his developmental pediatrician. Due to some changes at Texas Children's Hospital, this was our first visit with this dr., but not our first at the Meyer Center. So, Whit had quite a history and right-up in his TCH record. From birth, to NICU, to cardio follow-up visits, GI visits, endochrine visits, Meyer Center visits, MRIs, developmental testing, and on-and-on. Those are just high-lights. Well, we went into this appointment not really knowing what to expect... new doctor and all. To make a long story short, we love the new doctor (we also loved the old one, but this one makes to top 5 list, too!). He did his exam, interviewed us and Whit, read through history notes, etc. The doctor was most amazed at his developmental progress, and was astounded at how he could SKIP with the amount of hypertonia/cerebral palsy that he has. He still noted a few things with his developmental delays - but was overall amazed at his progress given his start in life!! He doesn't want to see him again until he's in Kindergarten! Now, that's magical! (or a MIRACLE!)

We do have an appointment on December 28th with a NeuroSurgeon to receive information concerning some things found during his spinal MRI. I'll update with more of that when we find out.

Okay, now more "magical" news. Christmas is my favorite time of year! I just love it! Okay, that's probably not 'new' news...

This last weekend, we had the opportunity to go to Disney World. Yes... these three kiddos...
on an airplane...


Yes, a little crazy - you might be thinking. Yes, a little crazy - you are right! However, it was an opportunity too good to pass up, and we did - in fact - have a MAGICAL time!! Our church choir was singing in the candlelight processional on Friday night with a mixed choir of about 300 singers at Epcot. Corbett sang in the choir, and the kids loved it! We didn't get to do much else at Epcot. However, we had a great time at Hollywood Studios, Magic Kingdom, and Animal Kingdom. Here are a few of the highlights.... afterall, pictures speak louder than words!















Tuesday, December 7, 2010

Monday, December 6, 2010

Dear Santa,




In order for Santa to make sure he gets the lists right, we went to visit him at Bass Pro Shop on Saturday. Chap assured me before we even entered the building that he wasn't going to sit in Santa's lap, but he did want to tell him what he wanted - and he wanted me to go with him. I tried changing his mind, but it didn't work.
However, in the world of Bass Pro - there was another thing that he was glad to sit on...



There were also all kinds of other sights and sounds... but they did make sure that Santa heard all things on their lists. Santa did tell them he'd see what he could do...