Update

Sorry we haven't been doing a great job of keeping up with our blog. Lots of things have happened since school got out. The kids have been reading a lot, but I haven't done a great job of working on Math or writing with them. Paul is finishing up his Masters class tonight! We will then get 2 weeks off before the next class begins :) 5 more to go and Paul will have his Master's Degree!

 I am healing from my surgery well. I still deal with fatigue and pain when I exercise. Other than that, I have been pain free since the surgery!!

Ethan broke his arm last Thursday falling from the monkey bars!!! Thankfully, it is a simple buckle break. He has a waterproof cast, and even swam in a swim meet this weekend. So many parents encouraged him because he didn't let his cast get him down.

Isaac's toe is healing well. He has been really enjoying the swim meets as well. Swimming pretty much runs out life now, but we don't mind. The boys are getting great exercise and making great friends along the way.

Elizabeth is having a fun summer too, but she really misses preschool and her teacher Miss Kathy. She loves dressing up, and has recently begun brushing her own hair in the mornings. Today she had me pain her nails pink and purple.

David is growing up so fast. He and I had some great time together this past week when Paul was in Arizona. I loved the snuggle and play time. It ended as soon as Paul got back home though. David now cries if Paul leaves the room. He really is a daddy's boy.

As a family, we have made Calvary Fellowship Cherry Creek our new chuch home. :) we all feel that God has led us there to stay!! The kids love Sunday School, we love the solid Bible based (verse by verse) teaching, and have made so many friends! It really is a family and everyone cares about each other more than just a "hello" type of care. Today Ethan chose to stay out for regular service with me, and he loved learning from Pastor Matt. So, he has decided to sit in regular service from now on. :) That is a somewhat short update on our family :)

David's progress in communication

David has been seeing a behavioralist for a few weeks now, thanks to Cherry Creek School District and the State of Colorado. He's made progress in leaps and bounds!

Over the course of the month, David has begun to do more than just point and grunt - he is starting to communicate, which is exciting! Abby (his behavioralist) has been working on simple signs, such as "more" - he has done that one to me a few times this weekend.

Words Sarah has heard from him this week:

• yes
• please
• outside

We'll add more if there are any others Sarah can think of. We'll try to make quick blurbs going forward to keep track of his progress.

- Paul

Ethan finally wins ribbons

I completely forgot about posting a blog about our Mother's Day weekend wins!! The weekend of Mother's Day, Ethan swam in his first long course meet with the Aces. He brought home his first ribbons of the year. I am so grateful for this past year because it taught Ethan humility, dedication, and perseverance. Ethan started learning to swim April 2011, and throughout the year-round season, he was swimming against 8-year olds that have been swimming for years. He went to each and every meet, and never won. The Aces mighty mini meet was the worst for him, because he saw all the other kids with multiple medals, but he didn't win at all. My heart broke for him, but at the same time, I thought it was a valuable lesson to learn. So, when Ethan won two 2nd place ribbons and one 3rd place ribbon. He did a fantastic job!

Almost summer!

Wow! The last part of the school year has flown by, but not without several more trials to face. Lets see, Sarah went to the hospital for food poisoning after a family dinner at Chilis. It was so bad, I don't see us eating out for a very long time!!

Sarah turned 30 over Memorial Day weekend! We had a very relaxed and special family weekend. Our neighbors threw a party, band and all, so we enjoyed spending time getting to know the neighborhood. We went to our neighborhood pool, and played some board games.

Isaac hurt his big toe :( Poor kid opened a door onto his foot and ripped his big toe nail right out of the nail bed. Sarah thanked God that Paul had been home so she took Isaac straight to the dr. The dr sent them to Children's Hospital where they spent several hours waiting for x-rays, and finally having Isaac numbed so his toe nail could be pushed back into the nail bed. It was an exhausting day, but God provided a stress-free environment that allowed Sarah to care for Isaac alone. Isaac also got to see for his own that God is with us always.

Paul headed up to the mountains this weekend for his first Men of Calvary retreat. Hopefully he is learning a lot about his walk with the Lord, and strengthening some friendships. We started going to Calvary Fellowship Cherry Creek last week. It is a much small church when compared to Calvary Aurora. We are very happy, and hope to make it our new church home. So, Paul is with 16 other men from that church group.

Sarah took all 4 kids to the dry run swim meet today. It was an experience, but God was with her the entire time. Ethan did fantastic! He already beat the times to get into the All Stars swim meet, and the season hasn't officially started yet! He is excited about pushing himself to beat the team records throughout the summer.