Dear
Family & Friends –
I can’t
believe we are already at the end of another year!! This one sure went by quickly, maybe that’s
because we managed to keep ourselves so busy!
Jay is finally able to see a light at the end of the “back to school”
tunnel (at least until he starts his Masters).
He would have his Bachelor’s degree but because the review board dragged
their feet on approving his project, he had to get an extension until the end
of next semester. But, that is all that
is left until the degree is in his hands.
Jay continues to teach in Primary and this year he was lucky enough to
teach Kennedy’s class – she loved having Dad as her teacher!! Jay has also been able to spend some of his
free time with one of his true loves – golf!
I’ve
discovered a new love in my life too – road biking. My friends talked me into buying a bike and
I’ve never had so much fun while working out.
I look forward to the day when I can compete in my first Century (100
mile race)! I was also able to
participate in a mud run in New Harmony this year. We got a team together and pulled off a first
place in the all-female group category.
But I think the highlight of my year was being able to spend time with
my entire family. My brothers, their
families, and my parents all made the long trip to spend Thanksgiving at our
house this year. Then, just before
Christmas, my sister came for a ten-day visit.
I loved every second of both visits!!
Kennedy
started 3rd grade this year and has thrived!! I wasn’t too sure about her having a male
teacher, but Mr. Haluska has been such a good fit for her. She was recently tested for the HAWK program
(for gifted & talented students) but we haven’t gotten any results back
yet. She continues to play soccer every
time a new league starts. She even scored
her first goal this year!! I think I was
more excited than she was. Kennedy also
participated in a volleyball camp and league and seemed to enjoy this sport as
well. We have a little athlete on our
hands!! She has been begging for the
last year or so to start piano and we finally gave in. I’m so glad too because she is a
natural. I don’t think I have ever asked
her to practice; she does it all out of desire.
We sure are blessed to have such a great girl in our home!!
Talen
had a rough year this past year. I think
he has been sick more this year than in the last 5 years combined. He was hospitalized once for a couple days,
but we were able to work out some of his medical issues because of it, so I
guess it was a blessing in disguise. He
has started having “seizure-like activity” and is now fed solely through his g-tube. Despite all his little trials, he continues
to be the happiest little 6 year old. He
has loved being able to start Kindergarten.
We got really lucky and were able to get a really good family friend
hired to be his aide. This eased a lot
of my worry and concern about sending him to school. We are still working on getting him a
communication device. We have had a few
little hick-ups lately, but are hoping to get it all ironed out so that we can
get a device that will be beneficial for him and us. But our best news of all is that in October we
took Talen to Duke University where they are doing genome testing to see if
they can figure out a diagnosis. They
told us that of the last 13 cases they have worked on, they have been able to
find a diagnosis for 9 of them. So they
are really optimistic for Talen. The
doctors said that they are hoping to have some answers within 6 months, but no
word yet. (Of course, we will be
shouting from the rooftops if we get an answer, so we will keep you all posted!)
Daxton
has been such an amazing addition to our family. He turned one in April and keeps us all on
our toes. He has the cutest little
personality and continues to keep us all laughing. He loves to eat, dance, play with balls, and
copy everything that everyone else is doing.
His favorite thing lately is to watch Pete’s Dragon (he really only
watches the first 10-15 minutes then he wants it restarted). He says “Oh Petey, Oh Petey” and doesn’t stop
until we give in. He’s stubborn, but completely
adorable!!
Well,
that is 2012 in a nutshell. We pray for
health and happiness for you and your loved ones. Be safe and have a very Merry
Christmas!! We love you all!!
Love – Jay,
Shelly, Kennedy, Talen, and Daxton
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