Since my last post- there's been some changes around here. I became a board member of AADB, the American Association for the Deaf-Blind. I've had my hands full of working hard with the current board of trying to pull through some rough times within AADB. Prayers to complete the projects I have on my plate for that soon.
The kids have really grown by leaps and bounds in the last year, both physically and in their activities.
KT has completed her first season of AAU basketball with the Lady Gym Rats. She has improved significantly and upon going out for the school league, was rewarded with her hard work and many hours of practices by making the "A" team for her age group. The Lady Gym Rats were able to place third in the national championship tournament too.
KT in her red and white uniform holding the team trophy in front of a wall of plaques with a huge grin on her face.
KT also completed her 5th grade and last year in elementary school. She is now attending middle school in all advanced courses to go with her high abilities. She tested in at the beginning of the year with a L exile score of over 1300- Collegiate level! While it's a good thing, it's a struggle as a parent at times to keep things appropriate content wise when she's reading this advanced. However I will say that I am very proud of the young woman she's becoming, the strong faith she has in Jesus, and the strong character she has in knowing that she can stand up for what she believes and does not have to conform to the "norm" of today's society.
MD successfully completed her first season of competition level 3 gymnastics, in which she placed at the State South meet as 14th overall for 8 yr old level 3 girls. She was very proud of this accomplishment!
MD on a photo platform with the word State behind her, doing the gymnastics salute with a proud grin on her face for the medals she has hanging around her neck.
MD completed her 2nd grade year and is now in 3rd grade and doing VERY well. We made some changes for MD and with some medications, we are now doing really well and learning more and more how to help her reach the capacities of her abilities. She is able to focus more and is growing by leaps and bounds as a result. She too started this school year off with a L exile score of 971.... following right behind her big sister in reading and having excellent grades.
AC had a busy fall and winter, as he played his second season of flag football, then played his first season of basketball at our church. He is now in his first season of Rookie Tackle Football with full pads and gear. It's so fun to watch them at this age, as they learn what to do and make the plays.
AC with one of his coaches, listening to instruction with a basketball in hand.
Mike & AC in yellow "Steelers" shirts walking across the football field.
AC in his first game of Rookie Tackle, number 84, in a white helmet and white jersey with purple numbers and black pants. Mike walking to the left of AC in purple shirt.
AC also finished his first year of school in Kindergarten, doing well just as his sisters had. His teacher found it hard to keep him challenged in class, but Mrs. H did an awesome job of keeping him out of too much trouble!
AC has started his 1st grade year also excelling and advanced in reading with a 607 L exile score too. He is doing very well and Mrs. D. is keeping him busy now. He has also just joined up Cub Scouts and is looking forward to the fun there with several teammates/classmates from school and football.
One major highlights for me over the past year, is that I finally got to talk to my sister, Chelsea last October. Chelsea and her now husband, Dayne bought their first home and we got to visit as they had their wedding reception at their new place. MD was absolutely in heaven as she is a fanatic about horses and was in love with Fergie, daughter of family raised mare, Bucky.
MD delightedly patting the face of Fergie, a bay colored mare with her head over the board fence. Bucky, a buckskn mare and momma to Fergie, is seen in the background looking off into the distance.
The new year rang in and excitement was all abuzz here in central Indiana as the Superbowl was held in Indianapolis. We had the opportunity to take the kids to Superbowl Village one night during the week before the game and while was need to see some of the sights, it was also a well ingrained lesson to the kids of what alcohol will do to you. The kids all three were repulsed at the sights and smells of too many people drinking alcohol and openly voiced their dislike of alcohol. Hopefully that lesson will still remain in place once they hit the later teen years.... Mom can hope!
Image of Superbowl roman numerals, XLVI and the Superbowl trophy on the side of a large building, downtown Indianapolis
Mike, Rei & I posing with the Kids in front of Monument Circle in the heart of Superbowl Village with the large roman numerals behind us.
In April, KT's best friend, Miss L. had a birthday party in which she was unable to attend due to basketball. Thus we picked up Miss L. and had a fun day out with her and our family at the Indianapolis Zoo and our favorite place to eat, Bub's Burgers . It was a super fun day and we even had a new experience with the animals at the zoo! Typically the "Cats" will respond to Rei's presence, however this time we had a new animal take notice of Rei being there.
The Siberian Tiger, getting a drink though the very thick glass about 4 feet away from Rei and I.
Rei looking through the glass at the tiger, twice her size, only feet away from her. Amazingly, the tiger hadn't taken notice of Rei, even though she's intently watching and it is only a few feet away.
We head on back to the plains and see the giraffes, other "Cats", rhinos, and such.
The kids, KT, Miss L, MD, and AC, all lined up with the giraffe and baby giraffe in the background.
The lions were snoozing away as it was during the heat of the day, as seen her by the male lion sprawled on his side and sleeping away.
We then moved on around to the Cheetahs, which almost always come running to the glass portion of their enclosure to check out Rei. The kids all love seeing them, as they typically are pretty dormant animals and sleep as the lions were doing. True to fashion, they came up when they caught sight of Rei at my side.
The cheetah takes notice of Rei and is sitting up on alert to our movements.
Cheetah and guide dog, literally nose to nose, intently watching each other through the thick glass, with AC to Rei's right, at her side.
We then moved on to the Elephants and saw baby Kalina, the female elephant calf born earlier in the year.
Baby Kalina with ears extended and walking towards the camera
We then made our way back up towards the front to go through the Oceans exhibits. First off, was the shark petting pool, which is a favorite of my kiddos.
Miss L, KT, MD, AC, and Mike all at the edge of the pool to pet the small sharks.
And now for our surprise animal.... We made our way through the Oceans and the kids asked to go see the walruses. Typically you see them move around, and not much else. Well, this time the bull took notice of Rei being there!
Walrus face to face with Rei through the glass
Here the walrus follows Rei along the glass and interacts with her as well.
To be continued....
