Grandparents Day

Last Friday was Grandparents Day at Ian's school.  Because it was the day after Veteran's Day, they celebrated both at the same time.  As we stood to say the pledge and sing our national anthem, I was struck by so many firsts for Ian.  First, Ian has 4 grandparents and a even a great grandmother which is something that has been missing from his life until God brought him into our family.  Second, this is the first opportunity for him to be involved in any kind of school performance and of course, he ate it up.  Third, during the last year, Ian not only has become part of a new family, school, church, culture, etc, but he also has a new country.  We intend to be sure he always knows and appreciates his Jamaican heritage, but the fact is that he is an American! 

Tom's parents weren't able to make the trip and my mom was out of town, so my dad (Pa) and grandmother (Mamma) came to celebrate with us.  Mamma even won the "oldest grandparent" award and when she said that she was Ian Humphrey's great grandmother, all the kids cheered and Ian was so excited!

I have a great video of Ian trying to do the motions to a song with the kids, but I've tried for 4 days to get it to download and am finally giving up.  So, I hope you enjoy the pictures instead...

 Before the program began

 Saying the pledge to the American flag with his hand over his heart

 Honoring those who have served our country.  That's my dad in the center who served in the Air Force  before and during the Vietnam War.

 Hunter taking care of Ian during the program by dabbing the drool that he can't control.  Precious!

Mamma, Ian and Pa - thanks for coming and for taking us to lunch, too!  We love and appreciate you both!

5 Generations X 2

While Lindsay and Olivia were in Indiana to meet Brenna, we were able to get some 5 generation pictures.  What a blessing!

 Lindsay, Mamma, Daddy (aka Pa), me and Olivia

 This time with new daddy, Drew and baby Brenna

We also took the opportunity to take a "4 generations of ladies" picture with my mom.

So thankful for God's provision of and plan for families!

Much to Celebrate!

In the 11 days between October 15 and October 26, we celebrated the birth of our beautiful grandaughter, Brenna Noelle, our 30th anniversary and Ian's birthday.  We were blessed to have Lindsay and Olivia here for a week and Tom's parents for a few days.  So, needless to say, it was a busy and absolutely wonderful time!!!  The following pictures are from those 11 days and I couldn't even get them all on, so stay tuned for more posts in the next day or 2.  (If some of the pictures look familiar, it's because Lindsay stole my pictures to use on her blog!)

 Brenna at 4 days old

 Olivia in the duck tub - she LOVED it!

 Trying to keep her eyes open while Papa Grande gives her a bottle

 Olivia and Papa Grande

 Ian loves Olivia's toys that light up and make noise

 Uncle Ian's hair feels funny!

 The first several days that I managed to find excuses to stop by and see Brenna, this is what I found.  I didn't see her eyes for a week!

 Olivia, modeling her new hat

 Two of our beautiful girls!

 Grammy and Olivia

 Brenna at one week - there are those pretty eyes!!!

 Papa Grande does a pretty good job

 Drew zooming Ian around like a plane

 Proud and very happy grandparents

 Drew, Elizabeth and Brenna

 Aunt Lindsay and Brenna

 Dad-dad and Mom-mom with Ian

 I found the secret to seeing Brenna awake - go at night!  :-)  She was wide awake!

2-1/2 weeks

Words can't even describe how blessed Tom and I feel and how very grateful we are for the family that God has given us!!!!  

Fall Break

Ian was on fall break last Friday and yesterday, so Tom took both days off and we had a great time!  On Friday morning, we headed to Indy where we had professional photographs taken of Ian and all 3 of us.  (I've been meaning to do that for a year now.)  On Sunday afternoon, we headed to Merrillville for the sole purpose of staying in a hotel that had an indoor, heated pool.  The hotel was great and the pool was certainly indoors but I'm not sure how heated it was.  Tom and I froze to death and Ian's lips and tongue were blue, but was he ready to get out???   Noooooooo!  We endured it for as long as we could on 2 different occasions and then, convinced him to get in the hot tub, where he literally melted.  :-)

 The pictures can't do justice to the squeals (actually, shrieks) of excitement!  This kid loves the water!

 He is constantly trying to put his face in the water which makes us crazy, due to his aspiration issues!

 Mellowing out in the hot tub

 Ahhhhhh......

Fall break is over much too quickly and Ian was NOT ready!  He did not want to get up this morning and did not like it that Dad wasn't here when he got up.  However, he was excited to get out the winter coat and wear his new hat.  Simple joys!

Happy Birthday, Ian!!!

Our little man (who is not so little) turns 11 years old today! This past year seems to have flown by, but when we reflect on how God has blessed Ian throughout this year, we can see so many differences in his life. He has a new immediate and extended family that he loves and adores and is sooooo excited when they visit!! He still doesn’t like good-byes but they aren’t quite as traumatic as they once were. Physically, he has made so much progress and has grown a lot! His physical and occupational therapists have gone above and beyond in working with him (and us!) to achieve the goals they initially laid out for him. (We’ve moved on to another set of goals.) After a year of meetings and case conferences and evaluations and home-bound teaching, Ian gets to ride a school bus every day to a great school where he is surrounded by loving children and staff who are working very hard to find the best ways to teach him. He’s learning to use a communication device and a computer, which will open up a whole new world for him. He has some extra special friends from church, school and our neighborhood that he loves spending time with whenever he can.

Tom and I continue to marvel at God’s grace in our lives and the difference Ian has made to our family. His total excitement at the simplest things is a constant reminder of what’s really important. His sweet, happy spirit and that smile that instantly lights a room in spite of the challenges he has is always humbling. The big hugs and looks of adoration (especially for his dad) turn us to puddles many times a day. We are blessed beyond measure that God led us to Ian and is allowing us to be part of this little guy’s life.

Happy Birthday, Ian! We love you!!!

 The birthday boy with his special birthday hat

                                                             .....and his birthday balloons

Treats and treat bags ready to take to school

 11 years old!

One year ago today at 10 years old

Happy Anniversary to Us!!!

30 years ago, on a very warm and beautifull fall day, we stood before lots of friends and family and pledged to love and cherish each other "till death do us part."  Today we are still loving and cherishing each other and enjoying the enormous blessings God has given us.  His grace has brought us thus far and his grace will "lead us home."

In honor of this momentous occasion, we decided to have the front of the house landscaped.  Here are the before and after photos:

This is when we first bought the house.

 This is after the old bushes were removed and we had painted the trim.

 Before....

 And another before shot

 After the landscaping was "installed"

This picture was taken in St. Thomas a couple years ago but it's the most recent picture I seem to have of the two of us. 

More pictures of beautiful Brenna

Ian got to meet Brenna today and was very excited to see all three of them.  He even willingly handed over the balloons he brought her.

 Awwwwww

 Drew and Elizabeth said she was sleeping a lot but she woke up for awhile when we were there so her crazy Grammy could stick the camera in her face again.

Meeting Great Mimi and Great Pa