Us!

 

I thought it was about time for an update on each of us! I think that the days are over for long updates on each child, so I will just combine it all.

Caleb is about to start Kindergarten! I can't believe that five years have already come and gone. I know he will do great in school! He has just recently begun learning to read, which is very exciting to this teacher mama! I pretty much spend all day thinking about who his teacher will be next year and who his new classmates will be. To say I am excited is an understatement! Of course I am anxious too. Last year he was in preschool for a total of 9 hours a week, and this year he will be gone 7 hours every day of the week. I am sure that will take some adjusting to for our little homebody! Caleb's interest in trains is still going strong. He can build quite elaborate tracks now. He loves to watch a Thomas show and act out each part with his trains. I am beginning to wonder when this will all end, but I guess it is cool to see how the playing with trains has taken on a new dimension. Caleb wants everything to be in order in his life. Today he begged me to let him open the refrigerator so that he could move the blueberries and strawberries, which were sitting on a shelf, into the fruit drawer where they clearly belonged! Of course, I let him do it! This trait has its pros and cons. He is orderly, but he sort of freaks out when things change. He also really worries about his stuff. A few nights ago at a Cross Country Team dinner, he was very concerned that I had left our diaper backpack in an opposite corner of the room from where we were sitting. I had to reassure him that none of Daddy's runners wanted to steal our diapers! Caleb and Abby are still the best of playmates. They get along really well most of the time. I am cherishing this sweet friendship!

  

 Abby is now three and a half, and she will be going to a two day a week preschool class this year. All summer, she has acted so excited about this, but within the last several days, I think that she is getting nervous. Abby tends to be shy and quiet in new circumstances. I remembering being that way too when I was little. But, once she opens up, she is a hoot! She just laughs a ton, and I can see her being such a fun person to be around as she gets older. Recently the kids have been into telling jokes. Caleb will tell one that really makes no sense and isn't funny at all. Then Abby will say something cute and clever, and we will all laugh. She really has a sweet little sense of humor. It is fun to see how she is maturing and growing so much!

  

Luke is almost 15 months old. Within the past month, he has starting walking all on his own! Really he was able to walk around his first birthday, but he just refused to do it, and he wanted me to walk him all over the house all of the time. Now that he can walk on his own, he very happily walks around and around and around our house. He spends most of his time circling from room to room. Walking is such a sweet special accomplishment considering all that he went through with his foot! I am so thankful to God for that experience (and for its resolution!), but it was tough for awhile there! Luke will continue to wear his brace at night while he sleeps. He has some really interesting positions with that thing on! He is also still taking two naps most days and seems to need that morning nap. He is so much happier when he has had it. Luke is going to go to one day of Mother's Day Out in the Fall. I am a little nervous about this, but I'm not sure why as both Caleb and Abby went at this age. I am excited about a little break for myself! Luke has gotten quite a bit feistier lately. He will scream and push if a toy is taken from him. He may just be our little firecracker of the group!

Jon is starting his 10th season as a cross country coach at Baylor. I am kind of in shock to type that number! He is busy with work but enjoys it. I am mostly just the manager of all of the above! I am also involved in MOPS at our church and have loved being able to facilitate Bible Studies at our church. This Fall, I will be facilitating a study on Daniel. I know that it will be really good! I miss teaching, and I am sort of looking forward to when I will return to work. Hopefully I can stay home until Luke starts school. Jon and I celebrated our ten year anniversary this year. It is fun to think about all that has happened and changed in our lives in the past ten years. I can imagine myself reading this update ten years from now and being touched by the picture of this time in our lives. I have to remind myself that the days are long, but the years are short. I want to cherish each moment with our family!

PHOTO CREDIT:  My dear friend, Jennifer Taylor!