Friday Photo Flashback

Three years ago today, at 7:07pm, Sam and I welcomed our son, Andrew, into the world.

There was plenty of excitement when he was born, that’s for sure. It was like a whirlwind. Three years later, and that whirlwind has yet to slow down!

Right from the get go, he’s kept up on our toes with plenty of medical things. His head was misshapen early on and one of the first things he had to get was a helmet.

Then there was laryngomalacia and surgeries to correct it. A laryngeal cleft that needed a surgical fix.

Ankle braces, followed by up to the knee braces, and in a month or so another set of ankle braces.

Not to mention 5 sleep studies, CPAP, and many genetic tests. And let’s not forget Speech Therapy, Occupational Therapy, and Physical Therapy.

Andrew, you kept your mommy and me very busy and, at times, very worried. We wondered if you would ever speak, but you certainly have mastered that! You are always talking now!

And your energy! Wow, if I could bottle come of that up! You are forever on the go. You never seem to stop running. You were born to play soccer (or any sport that lets you run around like crazy!).

When you are in a good mood, your laughter is contagious. You can be so very silly. When you wrestle, you are unstoppable (and often leave dad in tears because of a well placed kick or hit)! When you are in a bad mood, it ain’t pretty. You certainly remind me of my younger self. Of all of my four children, your temper tantrums top them all! The way you throw things may very well lead to a career in baseball or football.

You are unique, my son. I love you, always! You are a very special boy. You are a precious gift from God. I know that you will go on to do amazing things. Mommy and I cannot wait to be there with you and cheer for you along the way.

Happy Third Birthday, Bubby! Get ready to celebrate!!

I Love You,

Daddy

Ready for the Holiday Weekend

It’s lunch time at work. In just a few hours I will punch out and head home for the holiday weekend. I am truly looking forward to four days with my family. It’s been a very busy year for all of us.

I was ready to write that my son had his last appointment for the year today, but I remembered he still has one more. Today we saw his neurologist. We discussed the results of his sleep study, the MRI, and his EEG. It was a long appointment and we have some direction and a plan of action. 

I left the appointment and went right to work. I’m only a mile or so from the doctor, so I punched in early knowing I will be able to leave early. I was able to get most of my work done before lunch, so I thought I’d blog.

The other appointment, incidentally, will be to pick up his AFO leg braces. This is something that will help eliminate the toe-walking. Hopefully, he won’t need to be in them too long.

I recently blogged about our family tradition of getting a new Christmas ornament at Bronner’s. We had yet to go this year, but someone (maybe someone who read my blog) did the work for us. We received a Bronner’s box in the mail and the message inside said, “It looks like Daisy needs an ornament for that tree of yours!”

This week, I found out that McDonald’s has adult Happy Meals. Sam took the kids to get lunch and they brought me back one. Ella apparently said that mom and dad needed a toy, too!

How silly is that?!

Money has been a bit tighter this year than in the past. Normally, I would try to get something small for my boss and co-workers for the holiday, but I just couldn’t swing it. One of my coworkers got bags for everyone. There was a small gift and some chocolates. My gift was socks! Go figure, right!? Well, they are actually pretty cool.

If they only made socks with the Miser Brothers on them …

I’m looking forward to Christmas for many reasons. One of them is that the Elf on the Shelf goes back to the North Pole! It becomes work to do something with it each day. Some people really go all out! It’s crazy. My favorite one from this week ties into the last bit of news to share …

I don’t care if I use this one every year! Here is Twinkles, the elf, reading from the Bible. I said that it ties in with my last bit of news.

This week, I finished my 1st semester of the second year of my Bible classes. I will have three tests to do over the next week or so. Then I will move on to the second semester. I feel like I have really accomplished something. Actually having a lunch hour (which we really never got when I was on midnights) allows me to watch an entire class and take notes without any real interruptions. I’m hoping to keep it up and press toward the mark.

I know many of my blogger friends are taking a break over the holidays. I’ve got plenty of things lined up over the weekend, I don’t know that I will not blog, but just in case I don’t, I want to wish you and yours a very Merry Christmas. As we get ready to wrap up another year, I find myself grateful for you. Your own personal blogs, the comments you share here on my blog, and your friendship has brought me much happiness. 

I look forward to a year of sharing experiences with each other. 

“It’s not what’s under the Christmas tree that’s important, but rather who is around it.”

“The best Christmas gift is to realize how much you already have.”

The way you spend Christmas is far more important than how much.”

“From home to home and heart to heart, from one place to another, the warmth and joy of Christmas brings us closer to each other.”