Hello Summer

Tomorrow is the last day of school for Jacob. Do you know what that means? Summer begins for us on Thursday. The Past few weeks have been full of activities. Last week was Jacob's end of the year band concert. Jacob Plays the Drums. For 4th and 5th graders, they are actually pretty good!

After about 35 minutes or so, Gabe was tired of the music. He was just ready to go!!

Today was Awards day at school. Jacob ended up with 3 awards: Perfect attendance for the year, Best All Around Boy and The Biggest Heart Award.

He has grown so much this past year in 4th grade. I am so happy with the progress he has made. Alot of the credit goes to his teacher, Ms. Lancaster. Every year we seem to have a teacher that is exactly the kind of teacher Jacob needs. And she was the PERFECT match for his 4th grade year. We only have one more year left at our elementary school. This makes me sad. We honestly have had the best elementary school experience. I could not have asked for more.

We have alot of adventures waiting for us this summer. This weekend is Memorial day weekend which means pool time at NaNa's house. I am sure our Gabe fish will love the pool. He is already practicing in the tub. Next week Jacob will be getting his long awaited braces. And in a few weeks, he will be going to his first day camp. We don't camp, so we did day camp. Bugs are not our Friends!! Here is a piture of all 4 of us today at Awards day. Everyone has a decent look/smile on their face. This does not happen often!!!

Happy Summer!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Jacob is 11!!!

On April 26th our oldest, Jacob, turned 11--WOW---11!! Its hard to imagine that in a few years we will have a teenager. It seems like only yesterday I saw him for the 1st time. I mean REALLY saw him.

Jacob was born at 26 wks. I was quite sick and he was 2 days older before I was allowed to go see him. He was VERY small, had tubes everywhere and looked like an alien. I remember asking the nurse, " Are you sure he's alive?" The last 11 yrs have been filled with ups and downs. I praise God that there has been more ups rather than downs. Jacob has had over 20 surteries in his life. And a few still yet to come. I am thankful for a child who works hard, even though at times he struggles. Those A's, B's & C's are badges of honor. When you are told you preemie has a brain bleed, you wonder and worry about their quality of life. His quality is high (and at times, expensive). Yes, he has a touch of CP. But he practices running, jumping and climbing so that it isn't noticeable in PE, his favorite class.

Eleven years ago we were not given much hope. But God gave us more than hope. He gave us a miracle. Happy Birthday to our JacobJoe--You are My Sunshine!!

Isaiah 43:1 "But now, this is what the LORD says--he who created you , O Jacob, he who formed you, O Isreal: "Fear no, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; YOU ARE MINE."