Welcome 2012! Goodbye 2011...

Reflecting back on the year highlighted to me how far we've come in so little time.  We are truly FAMILY.  I'm so thankful to have a space to share our many accomplishments along the way!

Alana, still going by Biruktawit at this point, turned 7.  She was unsure that birthdays come every year for everyone.  No worries, she is sure now and delightfully excited to turn 8 in a few short days.

 

We learned that Myra feels the world in a different way and our eyes are opened to Sensory Processing Disorder.  It has been a LONG year in this department but progressively better.  We are finally learning how to parent her in a way that is helpful and loving.  Myra is learning to cope in more healthy ways.  I'm starting to like her again too!!!

Eden turned 2.  She is the baby of the family and LOVES this position.  Coco gives her too much candy.  Meme lets her stay up late.  I let her do almost anything she wants too. Eden has turned a major corner this year.  She is no longer scared all the time.  She is hopeful and at peace.  The world is her's!  It is wonderful.

Noah learned to love TaeKwonDo this year.  He is a fierce, book reading warrior.  It was almost impossible for  him to test last year because he was so afraid.  But this year was a totally different story.  So big, so strong, so bold!  And so kind and loving towards others.  I think he is the best son, opa, friend around.

Eden was potty trained and Myra learned how to send me to the nut farm.

Camping in Hawaii is better than living in Hawaii.  What's not to love?  The beach, the food, the weather, dirty bodies, no sleep, surfing.  We're hooked.

Alana finished first grade.  She learned to speak, read and write English at grade level.  She began learning math and science facts.  It was a great year!

Summer time and summer school = fun times and a break for me.  We really, really enjoyed Leeward Community College Summer program.  It was more than we could have hoped for or dreamed of.  What an outstanding team of teachers!!!  It really was a dream come true.

We decided to homeschool Alana, Noah and Eden this year.  Classical Conversations and the Ewa Beach Homeschool group provided a great structure and an amazing community to our year.  We LOVE Classical Conversations too much!

Eden is officially healed.  What an amazing testimony to God's goodness in her life.  We are completely in awe of the healing that took place in her body.  We are so thankful for her wholeness!!

Andrew moved to Hawaii and Brian now has a best friend.  Here they are on one of their man dates...he won't dress the same for me but for Andrew......

Brian tells me I've been promoted to Squad Leader.  Noah and Alana have taken over the roles of Team Leaders.  They each have a partner and are responsible to watch out for their team.  I love seeing the older ones take charge and lead.  It is a good life to be sure!

My first child turned 6, lost a tooth and asked about s.e.x quickly followed by several questions about s.tar w.ar.s.  He is NOT a little boy anymore.  I love him so much and with such a deepness that it is overwhelming at times.  

Myra turned 3 and started preschool.  She has left her baby days behind and is moving full force ahead into childhood.  

Happy 2012!