2015 was good to us, at least as far as I can remember. My mommy-brain is a bit overworked just taking care of our little brood, so sometimes it's difficult to remember what I did yesterday, let alone sum up a whole year. One can only burn the candle at both ends before things start to get a little mushy. But, my general feeling is that we have so much to be thankful for this past year. Here's a quick update as to what our crew is up to now.
Myles is 7-years-old and in 1st grade. He continues to enjoy school and is well liked by his peers. We are blessed to be part of a very inclusive school that values all students regardless of differing abilities, and we have seen him thrive in this environment. The biggest change in Myles over the past year is his overall maturity. He continues to make developmental and academic progress in all areas, and although it can feel slow, he is already doing things now that several years ago I was afraid to let myself hope for. We continue to have high expectations of Myles and know he will have a bright future. Myles' main activity right now is karate, which he goes to twice a week. He is in "black belt training," which means we've committed to the program for the next few years and his instructors have committed to working with him to eventually get his black belt. Karate has been beneficial to Myles in a lot of ways; helping with his confidence, self discipline, and maturity - plus he has lots of fun! Myles has good buddies in school, but is still happiest being with his whole family, and adores his siblings.
Sydney is 5-years-old and in Kindergarten at the same school Myles attends. She is loving her first year of elementary school, and doing wonderfully. She is well liked by her peers and has also made some good friends. Sydney recently finished her fall soccer season and is eager to start gymnastics again. Sydney is cheerful, tenderhearted, compassionate, gentle, and a natural leader (albeit quietly) and teacher. She is so amazing with her brothers that sometimes I feel like we are tag-teaming this mom thing (don't worry, we're not). We are very conscious of what we ask of Sydney as to not give her too much responsibility. Because she is very mature and a natural helper, it's sometimes hard to remember she is only five. I admit I am unabashedly bragging on Sydney, but I am so proud of the girl she is becoming. Although I will always look fondly on the baby/toddler years, I am enjoying her as she begins to see the world from a broader perspective. Shortly after Thanksgiving this year, I was standing in the kitchen with the pantry doors open. She said, "Mom, we have so much food. Why don't we just take some of our food, and give it to people who don't have food," which then led to a good discussion about giving, generosity, and how we can help others in need. I think that comments like this speak to the character she is developing and the condition of her heart (or maybe also to the fact that her mom is a social worker and often talking about social issues). It feels like we've entered a new arena of parenting - really helping build and guide another person's character and worldview - and so far I love watching the person she is growing into.
Ryker is 3-years-old and in preschool. Ryker is our goofy kid. He's always looking for a laugh, and once he's figured out how to get it, he will keep performing until the joke is dead. Ryker is generally a happy kid with a lot of interests. He is strongly influenced by his siblings, who again, he adores. Thanks to Sydney, Ryker is in a perpetual game of "family," and because of this, I have gone full days being referred to as "Grandma," (I'm always the grandma!). Ryker is still a snuggler and will always be my baby, but behaviorally, he's going through what I like to refer to as a "rough patch." It's hard to navigate the world at three. His highs are high and his lows are low. He pushes his limits with us daily, but to his credit, will often listen when he realizes he's not getting his way. A couple of weeks ago, he was eating part of a candy cane after lunch. I went upstairs to do something, and when I came back down he asked me for a different treat. I said no being that he'd just had a candy cane. He replied by saying that he didn't like the candy cane, so he had thrown it away, and wanted something different. I just casually mentioned that I was going to check the trash to make sure his candy cane was in there, and he started begging me not to. It was the first time I had caught him in a fib to try and get his way. Thankfully kids change quickly at this age because right now he's our little challenge! Even with that, Ryker brings so much joy and entertainment to our family, and I am very much looking forward to seeing how he grows in these next few years.
Not surprisingly, Gilby's and my lives mostly revolve around our kids. Gilby is in his fourth year as Family Program Coordinator at Rocky Mountain Down Syndrome Association, and I have been with Children's Hospital Colorado as a part time social worker in the Sie Center for Down Syndrome for six and a half years now. We celebrated our 10th wedding anniversary this past October, and Gilby's 40th birthday earlier this month. We bought ski passes this season for the first time since having kids, and although we haven't been up yet, we are looking forward to getting back to, and sharing with our kids, some of our passions now that they are *slightly* older.
We are grateful for amazing friends and family, good health, lots of happiness, our faith, and a gracious and sovereign God that can bring peace even amidst unknown times. Words that have been resonating with me this Christmas season -
Hark! The Herald Angels sing
"Glory to the newborn King..."
...Now He lays His Glory by,
Born that man no more may die.
Born to raise the sons of earth,
Born to give them second birth.
Wishing you a very Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
Love,
The Gilberts
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