The latest....

It has been almost a month since I have updated our blog....Sometimes time just gets away from me. But in my defense, it has been a really busy month. So instead of writing about just one event, I decided to give you the latest on all of us.

Sam is doing great in school! We are thrilled at his progress this year. Even though it was difficult for me to send him to school full-time a year early, it seems like it is paying off. Academically, he is all set. His reading skills are really coming along... much faster than we like some days, since it is becoming harder and harder to pull one over on him ; ) Not much gets by this kid!

I had a conference with his teacher a few weeks ago and he has met all of his Pre-K academic goals. His social interaction skills are improving, as well. Each week, he has goal sheet that lists 4-5 behaviors we are working on. He earns a sticker each day for "no arguing," "no hitting," etc. Those stickers add up to Big Boy Privileges at the end of the week. So far, it seems to be working very well. Sam is proud to show me his sheet when he earns all of his stickers! And even when he struggles in an area, he understands that good things happen when he does what he knows is right...and vice versa. I'm convinced that's half the battle right there...

Outside of school, he loves riding bikes and Hot Wheel cars...basically, anything that moves really fast! He is constantly asking what sort of car we will buy him when he turns 16. Poor kid... He already knows how old he has to be to drive, when he will graduate from school, and when he can go with Daddy to play real golf! So I think the challenge will be getting him to live in the moment. Mommy promises to teach him that as soon as she figures it out!

Here's Sam napping at school with his socks on his hands (no clue what that's about)

Stephen is also doing really well. Like Sam, he loves Hot Wheel cars. But he is really interested in puzzles right now. For Christmas, the boys got two really cool floor puzzles from their cousin, Jack. So Stephen has spent a ton of time putting them together by himself. He still likes wooden puzzles, but mostly, he is into jigsaw puzzles with chunky pieces. I bought him a new 24 piece puzzle yesterday and he put it together on the first try with no help. So if we could just potty train this kid, we would be all set!

He was doing great with the potty and then decided one day he wasn't interested. We didn't push him (since every book tells you not to) and now we are back at square one! Stupid books! So Spring Break is underwear week...AGAIN. He is back in underwear during the day and pullups at night. He is NOT happy about it and we have already had about 4 accidents today, but Mommy is determined. Enough already!

Stephen seems to be enjoying school. He attends Mother's Day Out two days a week, as well as the PPCD program two mornings a week. Some days, he does great and other days, it seems like he is still adjusting. We are focusing on encouraging interaction with other kids and have seen some real progress these last few weeks. He still goes to speech therapy once a week and is making progress there, as well. God has certainly blessed us with amazing people that work with our kids. We are so thankful.

Here's Stephen in Walmart wearing a Pullup as a hat. Once, again...no clue!

The Grown-ups--We are very thankful that Keith still has a job. Given his role working with people in insurance sales, there has been a great deal of uncertainty lately. But so far, so good. He has been given the opportunity to manage some new projects lately and is enjoying the challenge. At home, our life is pretty much all about the boys. But Keith did go play golf a few weeks ago (which he NEVER does). I was thankful that he finally took a little time for himself.

As for me, I am working at Kingdom Kids teaching Pre-K two days a week. I also direct the preschool choir at the church. Between those two things and taking care of the boys, I stay pretty busy. But it was all worth it two weeks ago when I got to see BOTH of my boys sing in church. Keith and I didn't think Stephen would even get up there, but he did it...two services in a row. : ) Nothing cuter than a whole mess of preschoolers singing "I Am a Promise!"

A few weeks ago, I finally gave in to Austin and headed to the allergist. So now, I take allergy shots twice a week. I am really hoping that it will help make life more bearable in the fall and winter months. Although we like our life in Austin, in many ways "The Allergy Capital of the World" is not my friend.

I have also spent a good bit of time filling out paperwork lately. Keith and I are planning to go on a Caribbean cruise for our 10th wedding anniversary this June--that means we both need passports. Keith just needed to renew his, but I've never had one. So I took care of that last week. I am also applying for teaching jobs next year. I am finally confident that the timing is right for me to head back to work. I miss teaching high school so much! So my applications are almost done. Then I will wait for God to decide if, when or where... If we have learned anything these past 3 years, it is that he always has a plan and his plan is best.

Well, that about sums it up for us. And it's a good thing....Stephen is paging me for yet another episode of Little Einsteins, so I am off to snuggle and get a little classical music stuck in my head!