Monday, January 1, 2018
Kindness Advent
This year, we decided to do a "Kindness Advent" during the days leading up to Christmas. We decided on one intentionally kind thing to do each day for two weeks. We gave away gifts and treats, rang the bell for the Salvation Army, brought flowers to an assisted living center, made and gifted ornaments to friends, and mailed letters. Our Kindness Advent took the focus off of solely preparing for our family Christmas, and encouraged us to think of others. The kids were eager participants, and felt great joy in giving to others. I think this is a tradition we will continue!
Christmas
We had a sweet and simple Christmas celebration this year. We didn't travel, and no one was coming to visit, which minimized the busy-ness, and although we missed the family that we didn't see, it did allow us to enjoy our own family traditions and time together.
Christmas Eve we went to service at Red Rocks Church, and then to Grandma and Grandpa Schaefer's house. Siri and Raphael also joined for dinner and presents.
Christmas morning the kids were very excited to see that Santa had arrived and didn't leave without eating their treats first. We opened stockings, Santa gifts, and then family gifts before having our traditional waffle breakfast, and preparing to host family for Christmas dinner. Santa brought the boys an electric racetrack and Sydney got twin Hatchimals!
We have a lot to be thankful for, and this (mostly) calm Christmas season gave us time to reflect on all of it. We are blessed.
Christmas Eve we went to service at Red Rocks Church, and then to Grandma and Grandpa Schaefer's house. Siri and Raphael also joined for dinner and presents.
Brayden was so excited about all of his new clothes that he had to put them on...all at once!
Christmas morning the kids were very excited to see that Santa had arrived and didn't leave without eating their treats first. We opened stockings, Santa gifts, and then family gifts before having our traditional waffle breakfast, and preparing to host family for Christmas dinner. Santa brought the boys an electric racetrack and Sydney got twin Hatchimals!
We have a lot to be thankful for, and this (mostly) calm Christmas season gave us time to reflect on all of it. We are blessed.
Christmas Letter 2017
Happy Holidays! We hope this finds you enjoying the extra love & merriment this season can bring. The Gilberts have had a full 2017, and we continue to stay busy with all that having a young family brings.
Myles is in 3rd grade, continues with karate and soccer, enjoys school, and is having a great year. He remains *mostly* healthy, full of zest for life, and adores being with family. Sydney is in 2nd grade, loves school (especially reading), continues with soccer and gymnastics, and is truly the best sister. She is thoughtful, quirky, kind, and silly. She loves writing us notes, which we often find all over the house. Ryker is in pre-K, can't wait to be in kindergarten at his big sibs' school, and is truly at the best stage. He is our explorer, loves learning about dinosaurs, bugs, robots, etc, enjoys digging in the dirt, has taken to drawing/coloring, is so proud to have recently learned to write his name, and says the funniest things. He played his first soccer season this fall, and although he wasn't the most aggressive of the bunch, he was out there with the biggest smile, and a true love for game day snacks. Ryker is empathetic, generous, cuddly, and loving. The kids spend lots of time in the cul-de-sac out front on their bikes and scooters, which we are looking forward to trading in for skis this winter!
Gilby left his staff position at Rocky Mountain Down Syndrome Association in January 2016 to be a stay-at-home dad, but has kept busy on a contract basis with RMDSA and other small groups primarily providing tech and creative support under his own business - No Worries Digital Solutions. With grace and patience, he balances the schedule of a very full family calendar while maintaining a professional outlet. He even squeezed in time to help coach Sydney's soccer team this fall. I continue to work as a social worker at Children's Hospital Colorado primarily in the Down syndrome clinic, and spend any free time volunteering at the kids' school or running to their activities.
In January 2017, Gilby and I took a leap of faith, and became foster parents. We first brought a newborn baby girl home and had the honor of caring for her during her first 6 weeks of life. After she left us to live with a relative, we welcomed a 2-year-old boy into our home. He has been with us since May and we care deeply for him and his future. In just one year, foster care has brought unexpected challenges and heartache, but also more joy than we could have anticipated.
We are so thankful for God's continued provision in our lives. Wishing you and yours the best.
Love,
Jocelyn & Family
Thanksgiving
We had a really quiet Thanksgiving celebrating with just our family. It was an unseasonably warm day, so after watching the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade in the morning (the kids love it!), the kids and I went to the park and for a walk. Gilby did most of the cooking, but I chipped in a bit, and we had fun making a super yummy meal.
Ski Trip
Since the kids have the whole week of Thanksgiving off of school, we decided to take advantage of it, and spent four days and nights in Winter Park for our first ski days of the season. We left Brayden, our foster son, with another foster family to make it easier for us to all ski, and for some time to regroup with just the five of us. We stayed at the Iron Horse Lodge, and our room was a suite complete with a kitchen, and just barely large enough to sleep all of us. It also had a fun game room, an indoor/outdoor heated pool, and outdoor hot tubs that were really popular with all of us! We spent each day skiing, swimming, playing in the game room, and cooking all of our meals. The closest we got to even eating out was ordering a pizza! We met up with Raum and Siri for a day while they were snowboarding, and they were able to come back to our place to swim. Of course there are moments where kids get ornery, and adults wish everyone would sleep in just a bit, but overall, it was a sweet time away with our little fam.
Halloween
Unfortunately all four kids had a stomach bug the days leading up to Halloween, but that didn't keep them from Trick-or-Treating!
Robot Ryker, Fairy Sydney, Ninjago Myles, Lion Brayden, and Mad Scientist Gilby
A mad scientist and his robot.
Dearest Sydney
Sydney is known for writing us little notes around the house. When she writes to us, she has an expectation that we will respond. Gilby found this one after school one day this fall.
Dear: Dad
I want some alone time and the boys are all bothering me. Ryker was walking toward me and I asked him to play over there somewhere not by me but he kept walking toward me.
Love: Sydney
And Gilby's response -
My dearest Sydney,
Welcome to my world! Get over it! All the best.
Love,
Daddy
And some of her artwork, just because I think it's really good. Myles and Sydney have a great art teacher (Mrs. Mitchell), who walks them through step-by-step how to paint different things. Sydney really enjoys it and does really well, at least to me since neither Gilby nor I are very artistic!
I want some alone time and the boys are all bothering me. Ryker was walking toward me and I asked him to play over there somewhere not by me but he kept walking toward me.
Love: Sydney
And Gilby's response -
My dearest Sydney,
Welcome to my world! Get over it! All the best.
Love,
Daddy
And some of her artwork, just because I think it's really good. Myles and Sydney have a great art teacher (Mrs. Mitchell), who walks them through step-by-step how to paint different things. Sydney really enjoys it and does really well, at least to me since neither Gilby nor I are very artistic!
Fall Soccer Season
Myles, Sydney, and Ryker all played soccer this Fall, which made for busy weeknights and really busy Saturdays. Sydney had practice 3 nights a week, and Ryker one night a week, and all three had games on Saturdays.
Myles played with the TOPS soccer program again, which is geared toward individuals with disabilities. He is showing improvement each season, both in his skills, and in his ability to attend to and follow directions, and understand the game. He really liked it this season, and was really proud to have his own soccer team.
Sydney was again on the Rainbow Rockstars. Gilby joined Coach Ian as the assistant coach this year, which was fun for him and Sydney. Their team ended up pretty decent, and Sydney has some natural talent, although not much of a competitive nature.
Ryker was on his first true team this season - The Avengers! He ended up with a great team and coach, and had a lot of fun. They plan to stay together for spring season, and hopefully more years to come. Ryker will end up going to the same school as 4 of the 6 players. He is the second to youngest on his team, and it showed a bit in his ability and attention. He still has promise to be a good soccer player, but just needs a little more growth. He had fun and definitely loves game day snacks!
And Brayden here was a trooper through it all. He watched lots and lots of games, and when anyone was gone in the evening he would ask, "Soccer practice?"
Myles played with the TOPS soccer program again, which is geared toward individuals with disabilities. He is showing improvement each season, both in his skills, and in his ability to attend to and follow directions, and understand the game. He really liked it this season, and was really proud to have his own soccer team.
Sydney was again on the Rainbow Rockstars. Gilby joined Coach Ian as the assistant coach this year, which was fun for him and Sydney. Their team ended up pretty decent, and Sydney has some natural talent, although not much of a competitive nature.
Coach Ian, Olivia, Sydney, Coach Gilby
Olivia and Sydney have been in the same class for three years, and are best friends, so it was fun to have their dads coaching together.
Ryker was on his first true team this season - The Avengers! He ended up with a great team and coach, and had a lot of fun. They plan to stay together for spring season, and hopefully more years to come. Ryker will end up going to the same school as 4 of the 6 players. He is the second to youngest on his team, and it showed a bit in his ability and attention. He still has promise to be a good soccer player, but just needs a little more growth. He had fun and definitely loves game day snacks!
Ryker scores!
And Brayden here was a trooper through it all. He watched lots and lots of games, and when anyone was gone in the evening he would ask, "Soccer practice?"
First Days of School
Sydney and Myles had their first day on August 17, 2017. They are both still at Franklin Elementary, which we still think is great. Sydney is in 2nd grade and has Mrs. Gilbert (she LOVES that her teacher has her same last name). Myles is in 3rd grade and has Mr. Mayer, and switched to a new special education teacher this year, Mrs. Sheehan.
Brayden started his first day of preschool on August 21, 2017. He is in a 2-3 year-old classroom at Goodson Rec Center and his teacher is Mrs. Shadee. He goes Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays from 9-12.
Ryker and Brayden waving goodbye to the bus.
Brayden started his first day of preschool on August 21, 2017. He is in a 2-3 year-old classroom at Goodson Rec Center and his teacher is Mrs. Shadee. He goes Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays from 9-12.
And finally, Ryker started on August 23, 2017. He is a pre-K student this year returning to The Village at Ames, which is a preschool affiliated with Littleton Public Schools. He has Mrs. White and Mrs. K, and goes from 8:45-11:45 Monday through Thursday.
It was a good start to the year!
Monday, October 30, 2017
Ryker Turns 5!!
Dear Ryker,
It's cliche to say, but I simply cannot believe you are already FIVE! My baby is not a baby, or toddler, and to say you are a preschooler doesn't quite feel right as you just as easily fit in with older school age peers. Daddy and I are so proud of the little boy you are and the young man you are becoming. You are kind, thoughtful, sweet, inquisitive, smart, interested and interesting, funny, and have a positive attitude most of the time. You love to explore and dig, be read to, build Legos, draw, create, play pretend, ride your bike and scooter, are becoming more interested in sports, and love to go to the Museum of Nature and Science (the "Dinosaur Museum" as you call it). You are still innocent and enjoy being with Mom and Dad so much of the time. We'll take it as long as we can get it. Thank you for being such a light in our every day lives. We love and adore you.
Love,
Mom
Birthday Anticipation
Having a birthday the day before Halloween has turned out to be really fun. Ryker has morphed his birthday and Halloween into one event that he looks forward to with much anticipation. Several weeks back we were at the grocery store together, and when Ryker saw that they had Halloween decorations out, he look at me and declared, "I can't believe they are already decorating for my birthday!" He also attributes the neighborhood Halloween decorations to everyone prepping for his birthday. It's too cute.
Birthday Celebration
We celebrated Ryker's birthday this previous weekend with family and a few friends. We had tacos, cake, presents, and just let the kids play. Ryker had been asking for a cousin sleepover as the main thing he wanted for his birthday, so Raum spent the night with all four kids sleeping in one room. Ryker loved it!
Later today on his actual birthday, we will go out to eat (Applebee's per Ryker's request), and come home to a few more presents.
Happy Birthday to our precious little boy! He wouldn't agree to staying 4, so I'll try to soak him up as much as I can as the years fly by.
Edited later: Unfortunately, Ryker, Sydney, and Myles all got a stomach bug the afternoon of Ryker's birthday, so we had to postpone our Applebee's dinner. Since Brayden had already had the stomach bug, Ryker naturally blamed it on him. While throwing up in the bathroom he yelled out, "Why did Brayden do this to me?" and later while crouched over a bowl dry heaving, he lifted his head enough to exclaim, "Let's just get rid of Brayden!" In the morning, he came into our room and asked, "Are the bugs all out of my body?" Thankfully, the bug only lasted less than 12 hours, and Gilby and I were somehow spared!
Monday, October 23, 2017
Adam's Camp - Summer 2017
This summer we had the opportunity to go to Adam's Camp at YMCA Snow Mountain Ranch in Granby, CO. Adam's Camp is a family camp for children with disabilities and their families. Myles was in intensive, but still fun, therapies for five days while the other three kids attended a sibling day camp. Myles' group did one adventure activity per day including canoeing, climbing, swimming, horseback riding, and tubing. Sydney was in the Big Sibs camp and was on the go most everyday. They went climbing, swimming, miniature golfing, go cart riding, shopping, roller skating (her favorite), the two little boys were in Little Sibs camp and stayed onsite to do all sorts of preschool type activite - crafts, playground, nature hikes, scavenger hunts, etc, while Gilby and I had free time for four days in a row, which was much needed respite for us. We stayed in a cabin on the Snow Mountain Ranch property and were able to do fun things as a family in the afternoons and evenings. It was a great week!
Monday 7/31 - We arrived at camp in the afternoon to get checked in and settled. Since it was Myles' birthday, we had left home early and stopped at Beau Jo's in Idaho Springs for a pizza birthday lunch. We took the kiddos on a nature walk before meeting up with the other Adam's Camp families for a quick orientation.
Tuesday 8/1 - While the kids were at their day camps, Gilby and I went to a breakfast with other parents of campers. We then spent the day resting, reading, watching TV, and went on a little hike before having to pick up the kids. Things we don't often get a chance to do! We ended the evening flying kites out front of our cabin.
Wednesday 8/2 - Gilby was able to go golfing with another dad from the camp, and I had the whole day to myself. I sat outside of our cabin for most of the day and worked on updating family pictures and blogs. It sounds boring, but was actually just what I needed. We headed to the kiva and went on another nature hike with the kids after pickup. One of Sydney's highlights was the improvement she made with her roller skating.
Thursday 9/3 - Gilby and I went to the Hot Sulphur Springs during the day, picked up the kids and had family photos taken by the volunteer camp photographer, and then went tubing. The two oldest loved the tubing hill, but the younger two decided it was too scary after only a couple trips down.
Friday 9/4 - Hiking! One of the things I for sure wanted to do while the kids were at their camps was to go for a day hike beyond that of just a little nature walk. Gilby and I drove into Arapaho National Forest and hiked Caribou Pass Trail. It was gorgeous! Friday night the Potter family came to Snow Mountain Ranch to spend two days of their Colorado vacation with us. It was so great to catch up.
Saturday 9/5 - Adam's Camp activities wrapped up with a little program put on by all of the kids. Afterward we had a conference with Myles' therapy team. He loved all of the camp activities and made some good progress during the week. We drove to Grand Lake that night for pizza and ice cream with the Potter crew. It was fun, but also so rainy and chilly!
Sunday 9/6 - The Potters headed out after breakfast, and we surprised Sydney with a horseback riding session, which she had been asking for the whole week. It was her first time on a horse. I pictured the 1.5 hour session to be Sydney on an horse riding around a ring with an instructor giving her the basics while I watched from the side. Nope. It was a trail ride! I did not sign up to go along, and by the time I figured out she would be going off on a trail, it was too late for me to sign up because I had the boys with me. The staff kept referring to Sydney as "the unaccompanied minor" to make sure she was situated right behind the lead horse since she was the only kid without a parent! I felt horrible, but Sydney didn't mind at all. She was so brave and excited. 1.5 hours later and we picked her up at the end where she excitedly reported nothing but great things and fun stories. I was so proud of her!
A fun week that left us with memories, which will soon not be forgotten.
Monday 7/31 - We arrived at camp in the afternoon to get checked in and settled. Since it was Myles' birthday, we had left home early and stopped at Beau Jo's in Idaho Springs for a pizza birthday lunch. We took the kiddos on a nature walk before meeting up with the other Adam's Camp families for a quick orientation.
Tuesday 8/1 - While the kids were at their day camps, Gilby and I went to a breakfast with other parents of campers. We then spent the day resting, reading, watching TV, and went on a little hike before having to pick up the kids. Things we don't often get a chance to do! We ended the evening flying kites out front of our cabin.
Wednesday 8/2 - Gilby was able to go golfing with another dad from the camp, and I had the whole day to myself. I sat outside of our cabin for most of the day and worked on updating family pictures and blogs. It sounds boring, but was actually just what I needed. We headed to the kiva and went on another nature hike with the kids after pickup. One of Sydney's highlights was the improvement she made with her roller skating.
Thursday 9/3 - Gilby and I went to the Hot Sulphur Springs during the day, picked up the kids and had family photos taken by the volunteer camp photographer, and then went tubing. The two oldest loved the tubing hill, but the younger two decided it was too scary after only a couple trips down.
Friday 9/4 - Hiking! One of the things I for sure wanted to do while the kids were at their camps was to go for a day hike beyond that of just a little nature walk. Gilby and I drove into Arapaho National Forest and hiked Caribou Pass Trail. It was gorgeous! Friday night the Potter family came to Snow Mountain Ranch to spend two days of their Colorado vacation with us. It was so great to catch up.
Saturday 9/5 - Adam's Camp activities wrapped up with a little program put on by all of the kids. Afterward we had a conference with Myles' therapy team. He loved all of the camp activities and made some good progress during the week. We drove to Grand Lake that night for pizza and ice cream with the Potter crew. It was fun, but also so rainy and chilly!
Sunday 9/6 - The Potters headed out after breakfast, and we surprised Sydney with a horseback riding session, which she had been asking for the whole week. It was her first time on a horse. I pictured the 1.5 hour session to be Sydney on an horse riding around a ring with an instructor giving her the basics while I watched from the side. Nope. It was a trail ride! I did not sign up to go along, and by the time I figured out she would be going off on a trail, it was too late for me to sign up because I had the boys with me. The staff kept referring to Sydney as "the unaccompanied minor" to make sure she was situated right behind the lead horse since she was the only kid without a parent! I felt horrible, but Sydney didn't mind at all. She was so brave and excited. 1.5 hours later and we picked her up at the end where she excitedly reported nothing but great things and fun stories. I was so proud of her!
A fun week that left us with memories, which will soon not be forgotten.
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