TaDaa Thursday!

Carrie can read! Or so it would seem anyway. She had enough sense to be completely insulted by this note that Drew left taped to the piano bench (which has become a parking lot of sorts for his trains, trucks and cars). Carrie happens to love trains, trucks and cars (so do I, by the way) and the poor girl gets them taken away all the time. When Mr. Drew is at school, however, she gets free reign!!
Well, Drewbs, here's what Carrie thinks of your sign :) Personally, I think it's one for the scrapbooks... I just have to figure out WHOSE scrapbook to put it in!!

The Gift of Laughter!

Funny, just last Wednesday I was telling Drew's previous teacher that I realized what is particularly different about Carrie. She doesn't laugh! Not at all, really! When tickled in the right spots, she will let out a small "Ha" or tiniest "teehee"... but NO laughing! Drew used to quiet entire diners and restaurants with his long, hysterical laughter that was way bigger than his little body. But Carrie will just smile bigger, no laughter.

Well, Saturday was my birthday and my mom, Carrie & I went with Drew to his gymnastics class. While sitting in the bleachers I was trying to keep Carrie occupied and I starting tickling her and nibbling on her. No different from other times really... except that she laughed HYSTERICALLY! I was SO excited!!! She did it repeatedly and I was so thankful for the best birthday gift she could possibly give me!

It hasn't happened again since.... so it really was a gift just for that day. Hopefully her laughter will come back as a regular part of her life, but for now I say, "Thank you, Lord! You & Carrie really made my day!!!" As did my mother-in-law for telling me I still look 30!!!! :)

TaDaa! Thursday

Okay... lots of people do special segments on certain days, so here's mine! I've done a HORRIBLE job at updating you (and keeping my own records) on Carrie's progress and milestones. This is my official record-keeper now!

Today we'll cover ambulation! Last Monday Carrie began walking back and forth between the couches in the living room. It would take her about 10 steps or more and she would sometimes fall, but she was pretty successful! Every afternoon last week she continued to practice and by Friday she could even navigate her brother's trains, etc. that get strewn across the floor everyday!! Now she's EVERYWHERE and can quickly scramble up the stairs... needless to say, it's BUSY here!!!! As you can see she's pretty darn proud of herself!!!

HAPPY DREW DAY!!! FIVE YEARS!!!

Here it is, a 50-photo slide show... we made it for Drew, but if you'd like to see it you are certainly welcomed to! It doesn't take that long to watch.
We are so grateful to our Lord for bringing us a son who was custom-made for us! We still get choked up marveling over the whole thing... how very good God is! We love you SO much, Andrew! You're the very best!!!!

Make a slideshow - it's easy!

Conversation with My Boy!

Andrew came home from school and requested his usual bowl of ice cream. This is the conversation we had as he ate:

Drew: Boys don't like kisses.

Mommy: Oh, that's silly. Of course they do!

Drew: Why do boys say they don't like kisses?

Mommy: Oh, they're just trying to be all cool or something.
Do you say that you don't like kisses, too???

Drew: Yes.

Mommy: Why do you say that??

Drew: I'm trying to pretend I'm cool, too!! (with a big ice cream smile)

Maybe you had to be there... but I thought it was priceless enough to share :)

Snow Fun!!

We did it! We finally made it outside as a family to play in the snow!! Last year the snow was either gone, too icy or the trees were too icy (dropping spears!) or just not good packing snow... we never got to build a snow anything! We are making up for it this year!
Check out our snowman, the start of our igloo and our little turkey sleeping in the "turkey roaster" sled as I have always called it! Our kids always look like their stuffed and ready for the dining room table in that thing :) We also visited the neighbors for some fun in their yard since we quickly lost Drew to them anyways! Thanks Nick, Tina, Emma & Luke! We had a GREAT time :)

Christmas Cards!

Well... if you're waiting for your Christmas card from us, KEEP WAITING!!! I may have them to you at Easter by this rate, but they WILL come!! :) DHL apparently delivered them to me on 12/23, but we were away. They were either 1) not actually left by my door, or 2) stolen from my doorstep. Either way, I've been waiting and waiting for them and still don't have them in my hot little hands!! I'm mid-investigation and hopefully will have new ones soon enough! I worked really hard on those and can't wait to get them out to you!!
Happy New Year to each of you! Thanks for reading my blog and checking in on us!! We love to hear from you and will have many exciting new things to share over the year! January 15th is Drew's 5 year homecoming date and I'm working on a special slideshow for him, which I will post! I'm also working on a "year in review" scrapbook to post as well! So, keep checking in :)