Dear Friends and Family,
First, let me inform you that I have decided to write my family newsletter online rather than printing it out on paper. It saves me time, postage, and money, and I'm on the computer most of the time anyway. Plus I get to include lots of pictures this way! So...if you know of someone I've left out that may enjoy this, please share this with them in any way you can. Thank you!
Now, onto the good stuff...
January
Estelle turned 2...but I don't have any pictures available at the moment--our camera batteries were dead when the party started! :(
March
Hmmm....was Easter in March or April last year? I feel like putting it under March--sorry if I'm incorrect! Here's a couple pictures of the Wilson side celebrating Easter.
It only took us about 15 minutes to get this shot...literally!
This was a looong day for her--this is how she fell asleep!
April
I signed up for substitute teaching in April, and was able to accept 2-3 assignments per week. It helped me to realize just how much I desire to become an educator, especially in the special education field. Watch out GVSU--I'm coming back, and I'm ready to show you what I REALLY have to offer!
May
We made a public declaration to raise Zeke in a Christian home at our home church on May 4.
:)
June
For one week in June we took students from the Saranac Youth Center on a bike trip in northern Michigan. They biked four days and attended the Big Ticket Festival for two days--LOTS of fun. I hope we can do it again in future summers...with a lot more students!
Mmmm...break--pbj/pop-tarts/powerade anyone?
Pulling into Otsego State Park Campground
Big Ticket '08 Main Stage
Just chillin' during the music festival
July
July 4 is almost always spent with Josh's side of the family in one way or another...here's a couple of pictures from the 2008 celebration.
From across the street
We officially closed on the purchase of our new house on July 12, 2008.
We were also able to attend the "Swisher-Miller Reunion" in Arkansas; it was so much fun getting to see all of our far-away relatives!
Hanging out at a swimming hole before making the trek to the lodge
August
In August i was hired as the "director" of a before and after school child care program through the YMCA. I enjoyed the job, but the hours made it rough on both me and Josh--I worked from 6:30 am until 9 or 10, and from 3:30 (or a bit earlier) until 6 pm. Between Josh earning a promotion during this timeframe and me having a job, and after a lot of prayer, Josh decided to step down as the SYC director. This gave him more time with the kids and I, and we are very pleased with the outcome. I would like to get more involved the SYC over the summer, so we'll see what happens...
September
As usual, we were able to attend my family's Labor day celebration, "Camp Wilson", complete with a Herald Hunt and s'mores around a toasty campfire. Josh had to work, so the kids and I tented it all by ourselves...and did pretty well!
Bright-eyed and bushy-tailed
Think he was hungry?
Obviously, he needed a morning nap!
Once again, THANK YOU Mom and Dad (Wilson) for putting up with us in your house for so many weeks, and for the countless hours put in renovating, painting, and all of the other move-in help you provided for us!!!
October
I love being able to dress the kids up for Halloween and show them off--aren't they adorable??
Yoda!
Ladybug :)
November
On November 2, Zeke turned one entire year old. It's still hard to believe so much time has passed by so quickly!
Zeke's 12-month pic...will be printed to hand out eventually, I promise!
Zeke likes cake!
One of many presents he STILL enjoys...along with his big sis!
November also marks the month that the YMCA program I was running was shut down due to low enrollment. I was going to go back to subbing, but I found an opening at our local intermediate school district. I interviewed and was offered the job. I am now an autism paraeducator. Think of it as a "personal assistant" for a high school student with autism, except I'm the one in charge. I just make sure he understands the assignment and stays on task. I also get to follow him around at a jobsite for a couple of hours a day...he is usually told to vacuum the hallways. Some days are better than others; I also have to make sure he's not pursuing his food obsession or constantly talking about the fantasy world he seems to live in to everybody around him!
December
"Baby icicle!!!!"
Having fun--for the moment anyway!
Daddy getting ready to read the nativity story before presents are opened
That's all I've got for you...I hope you enjoy reading this as much as I enjoyed creating it!
Shoot me an e-mail if you need updated contact information!