Year in Review

Like most years, 2011 was a year filled with highs and lows, changes and routines. We saw our Wonder Boy grow by leaps and bounds. We had fun with friends and quality time with family. We learned a lot - at school, at work, and even at play. It was a very full 12 months.

And here are a few images reflecting our journey through the calendar:



Here's to looking forward to the new year to come!

Holiday Wrap Up

For us, Christmas is not just a time for presents and food. Most especially, Christmas is a time for family. We treasure the time we have off and the opportunities we have been given to spend time with our families - both those related by blood and those friends who make up the family of our hearts.



Christmas is a time to fully understand the overwhelming blessings in our lives, to know we are loved and to celebrate the many with which we get to share our love.

God bless us, everyone; this year and always!

Deck Them Halls

Today was an early release day from school for the local boys and girls! And what better way to kick off the long winter break than a play date with a favorite fellow elf?!

Wonder Boy and his school bud spend a great couple of hours bouncing around the house, playing video games, and trying their hands at some holiday confection creations.



I think they did a great job considering none of us had ever given it a try before. It is unfortunate that the house didn't stand for very long and Santa's sleigh never really got off the ground either. But the boys had fun and were able to dive head first into the spirit of the holiday.

That spells success for me!

Do Over

Howdy! And welcome to our family blog!

We have tried our hand at this blogging thing before but couldn't find the right balance in the material we were posting. But now is our chance to give it another go. A 'do over' as it may be.

We will be revisiting some old posts and, of course, we'll be adding more as the days tick on by. Sit back, relax, and follow along as we hold up our magic mirror for you.

Buzz Words

As the end of November rolls around each year, Wonder Boy's elementary school hosts the preliminary rounds of the 3rd and 4th grade spelling bee. The top two spellers from each classroom are then entered into the school-wide bee.

Last year the Boy worked furiously to shore up his spelling skills, dictionary or word list ever at the ready. And we were all overjoyed when he made it through his classroom competition as one of the top two, followed by a very impressive performance in the combined competition.

With all of the craziness in our little world this fall though, we didn't have the opportunity to cram in spelling sessions like we did the year before. So you can imagine our elation when Wonder Boy came home with the news that he had again made it past the classroom competition!

This year, his confidence was miles ahead of where it had been the year before. And while we still did not manage much 'quality time' with the dictionary leading up to the school-wide competition, we knew that Wonder Boy would shine. We were not disappointed!

To finish any place further out than first is hard on all of these kids, but we parents understand that simply taking the chance, putting yourself out there for all to see, and giving it your absolute best effort means total success!

We're so proud of you Wonder Boy! And don't be surprised when Mom has you proof read her next written assignment!

Blue Boy

I've sat down to write about this several times now. But for a change, I am finding the words hard to come by.

Wonder Boy has successfully completed his Judo blue belt exam! And watching the performance is something I am not soon to forget.



He has come so far from the timid little boy who started his lessons so many years ago (nearly 4 years now). And while he is still not the biggest kid in class, he has held the highest rank for a good year now.

He's earned that rank as well as the respect of his instructors and peers. It never fails to strike me just how much effort he puts into his judo class. Sure, he likes to laugh and play with the rest of the kids, but when it counts, he gives his best effort and we have seen that shape him into a very fine student of the game.

Personally, I hope he has many more years of judo to come. The gifts he has received (confidence and discipline, to name a few) are the kind that will serve him well throughout his life to come.