I had fun updating the pages on our blog and remembering back to when I started this blog almost a year ago. It's amazing to think about how many people helped to bring Kate home. It was a journey of faith and God continues to surround us with amazing people! We have the best team taking care of Kate's CP needs and her school is perfect! We love her teacher, Ms. Julie, and truly can't say enough wonderful things about her! I thought the More at Four program would be the best for her, but God had other plans when the program was full. He helped us find Julie who has helped in so many ways! It's a good reminder to me that my prayers are always answered, although it's not always the answer I thought it would be!
I will forever be grateful that Brennan was able to travel to China with me! It truly meant the world to have him along! I wish his adjustment to having a sister could have been easier once we got home, but hopefully he'll look back at the experience with laughter and appreciation because it forced him to grow and share a little more. Brennan is such a caring and wonderful person... I always say he's a "work in progress" though. I love the changes I've seen in him since June. He's truly learning what a special gift it is to have a sister!
I remember the months of August/September as the hardest months of my life! Going back to work was tough for everyone- especially Kate because I wasn't with her all day anymore! We all took our turns falling apart... but thankfully once Kate got used to her schedule everything settled down and life became easier. I wish I would have screamed for help and if asked to give advice to anyone adopting an older child, I would definitely suggest getting a babysitter once a week for "breathing time". I hope Kate doesn't remember much of this time of her life because her mom was definitely not her best. If she does remember, I hope she has empathy and understanding for all of us! If anything, it truly makes me appreciate our happier and less stress free days that we now experience with a lot more thanks!
Kate has truly amazed all of us! She has picked up on the language so well! The other day she learned the very American phrase "duh" and used it often (and appropriately). She cracks us up with her sense of humor! She truly is a funny, sweet, caring, and amazing little person! She is determined and stubborn too- both good things most of the time!
We took a walk today to the little playground in our neighborhood. It's about six blocks away and Kate walked the entire way! I would have never imagined she could walk that far back in June! I wish I understood how her CP makes her feel though- she's been a little grumpy tonight and so I'm thinking it may be because her muscles ache a little and she just doesn't know or understand that yet.
They are in the process of designing some new braces for her legs. The first ones have helped a little but her feet still turn in too much and we still go through a pair of shoes every month because of her toe drag. Hopefully the new braces will work a little better. What truly seems to work best for her is exercise every day! She often practices the skills that Ms. Caitlyn teaches her at physical therapy. Her newest skills are jumping and trying to balance on one leg. She's always so proud when she accomplishes one of the skills!
She still squeals loudly when she is excited! It is so cute to hear! Her enthusiasm brings joy to my heart!
Everyday I ask God to help me be patient, kind, loving, and sincere to everyone I meet. I ask Him to help me be the best I can be in all the "hats" I wear (teacher, daughter, mother, sister, and wife). I ask Him to help my words be understood clearly and for His arms to be felt around anyone who is hurting or sad. Finally I thank him for all the blessings in my life and thank him for the health and happiness of my family.
I don't always live up to my prayer (flashback to September)... but I know He understands and forgives. For 2012 my New Year's Resolution is to live up to my prayer even better than I did in 2011. 2011 was such a magical year! So many prayers were answered in such wonderful ways! I look forward to 2012 and all the wonderful memories waiting to be made!
Happy New Year!
Saturday, January 14, 2012
Family Pictures December 2011
My brother-in-law, Spyros, took these pictures for us. We were so excited to finally have everyone together to take the large group picture. It had been 24 years since we were all together at the same time!
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| Kate's "Sassy" look |
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| Dave, DeAnna, Norman, Wendy, Dan, Spyros, Kim Steve, Brennan, Penny, Kate |
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| My mom (Penny), brother (Norman), and Sister (Wendy) |
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| The kids were pretending to swim... |
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| My step dad, Steve, and his daughter Kim |
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| Spryos and Kim |
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| Wendy and her husband Dan with Kate and Brennan |
Christmas Part 2 (December 25- 28)
We arrived in Eagle River and checked into our hotel room. They actually had a little bit of snow which Kate was excited about until her boots got wet- then shd didn't like it anymore. Silly girl! We got settled into our room and then headed over to my mom and step-dad's house. Mom had decorated with all of our "old" decorations including bubble lights on the tree, old ornaments, the train that went under the tree, and other decorations we had growing up. It was fun looking around at everything! We opened more gifts and had so much fun talking and laughing together!
On Monday, Spryos (my brother-in-law) set up his camera and background so we could take family pictures. We spent two hours with him and got so many great pictures! It really was the most enjoyable photo session ever- and we got GREAT pictures from it! After the pictures, we all went to eat lunch at the Tipsy Turtle. It was really special having all eleven of us together! We put Kate down for a nap while Brennan and Norman went fishing. After dinner we all decided to go swimming at the hotel.
On Tuesday, we drove over to see my grandma Starks. Brennan and Dave hung at the hotel for a boys' lazy day. My grandma is 90 years old and amazing! She was on the floor with Kate playing, walking around the house showing us pictures, and telling us so many family stories. Kate loved my grandma's doll collection and grandma even gave Kate one of the dolls she had made. Later that afternoon several people met us at the hotel for an evening of pizza and swimming.
Wednesday came much too soon though... I packed the car (which was quite the job getting everything to fit) and we headed to the house for a little bit before heading out. We drove for about ten hours and got a hotel for the night. On Thursday we drove for about nine hours and the kids and dog never even got out of the car! They are amazing travelers! We arrived home late Thursday night and had quite a lazy Friday!
Eagle River didn't really have enough snow to play in, which was disappointing. The suitcase full of snow gear wasn't really needed this year. Hopefully Raleigh will get some snow this year!
I finally got around to doing some unpacking and laundry on Friday and Saturday and even started taking some of the Christmas decorations down. For New Year's we stayed home and just watched some movies. After all of our traveling, it was nice to spend some time at home.
Kate was happy to go back to school on Monday and Brennan was happy to have one more day off. I headed to school for a teacher workday and it was nice to get caught up a little and ready for the second graders again.
We had such an amazing Christmas! We feel so lucky that we were able to see so many friends and relatives! We also feel so blessed to share this Christmas with Kate!
On Monday, Spryos (my brother-in-law) set up his camera and background so we could take family pictures. We spent two hours with him and got so many great pictures! It really was the most enjoyable photo session ever- and we got GREAT pictures from it! After the pictures, we all went to eat lunch at the Tipsy Turtle. It was really special having all eleven of us together! We put Kate down for a nap while Brennan and Norman went fishing. After dinner we all decided to go swimming at the hotel.
On Tuesday, we drove over to see my grandma Starks. Brennan and Dave hung at the hotel for a boys' lazy day. My grandma is 90 years old and amazing! She was on the floor with Kate playing, walking around the house showing us pictures, and telling us so many family stories. Kate loved my grandma's doll collection and grandma even gave Kate one of the dolls she had made. Later that afternoon several people met us at the hotel for an evening of pizza and swimming.
Wednesday came much too soon though... I packed the car (which was quite the job getting everything to fit) and we headed to the house for a little bit before heading out. We drove for about ten hours and got a hotel for the night. On Thursday we drove for about nine hours and the kids and dog never even got out of the car! They are amazing travelers! We arrived home late Thursday night and had quite a lazy Friday!
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| Opening more presets in Eagle River! |
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| Learning how to play tic-tac-toe with Uncle Norman. |
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| So happy to be celebrating Christmas with my brother, Norman! |
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| Mom and Norman with some of his beautiful art work. |
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| Snuggling with Grandpa |
I finally got around to doing some unpacking and laundry on Friday and Saturday and even started taking some of the Christmas decorations down. For New Year's we stayed home and just watched some movies. After all of our traveling, it was nice to spend some time at home.
Kate was happy to go back to school on Monday and Brennan was happy to have one more day off. I headed to school for a teacher workday and it was nice to get caught up a little and ready for the second graders again.
We had such an amazing Christmas! We feel so lucky that we were able to see so many friends and relatives! We also feel so blessed to share this Christmas with Kate!
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| Nap time! |
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| Wendy and Mom |
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| Uncle Norman was nice enough to take Brennan fishing in the freezing cold! |
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| On the computers with Uncle Spyros. |
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| Great grandma's doll collection |
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| Great grandma and Kate 90 years old and four years old |
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| Grandma with three of her grandkids and one of her greatgrandchildren |
Saturday, December 31, 2011
Christmas 2011 part one (December 16- December 25)
We left Raleigh around 1:00 PM on December 16th for the long drive back to Wisconsin. I led the way and only took one wrong turn- LOL. Mom and Steve followed in their van. The first day was uneventful and we traveled for about eight hours.
After a great night's sleep at a hotel we were on the road again and cruising along for a few hours when I looked in my rear view mirror and noticed Steve had pulled to the side of the Interstate. I pulled over about a half mile up the road and decided I'd take the next exit and circle around to see what happened. As I was pulling back onto the Interstate I heard a loud sound and realized I had a flat tire! I limped off the freeway and to the next exit, which happily was very close! I pulled into a bar/restaurant and made a few phone calls. Mom and Steve had contacted a tow truck and we made plans for them to come to me in the two truck and then both go to get our cars fixed. I pulled all the luggage out of the very full trunk and got my baby tire out... and then stood there wondering what to do next! I didn't have to stand there alone for long though- two guys came over and offered their help. They worked hard to get the lug nuts off my tire and put my baby tire on for me. Meanwhile Brennan, Kate, and Zamboni watched from the backseat of the car. I tried to give the two guys $20.00 for their help but they refused to take any money. They were so nice! By the time the two truck came I was ready to follow it to get our cars fixed. Thank goodness for cell phones though- I don't think we would have found Mom and Steve without them! I got a new tire and they got a new alternator... four hours later we were back on the road. We were thankful that we could get both cars fixed and that it wasn't anything worse.
We said goodbye to Mom and Steve near Chicago and traveled on to Aurora, Illinois, to stay with my best high school friend, Leah. I was so happy to see Colleen and Tracy too! We had a relaxing and fun night together!
I left Aurora and headed to Madison, Wisconsin, on the 18th. I wanted to stay one night with my friend, Britt, and her family and then headed across town to stay with Wendy, Dan, and Norman. Madison was great and we got to spend a lot of time with Britt and her family as well as Norman and Wendy! We always feel so blessed to have such great friends and family!
Dave was supposed to fly into Madison on the 22nd but got delayed leaving Raleigh which means he missed his connecting flight. He found a flight to Minneapolis instead so I headed out to meet him there.
Brennan and Kate were both so excited to get to Minnesota and see their cousins, Aunts, Uncles, and Grandparents!
We had a great visit in Minneapolis and spent a lot of time with the cousins! We enjoyed dinner out with everyone, shopping at the Mall of America, hanging at the house, going to Christmas Eve service, and spending Christmas Eve at the Rischmiller's house (Dave's sister and family). Ted and Jan welcomed all four of our dogs and the six grandchildren (and all the noise) happily. We had so much fun!
We did stop at the Passolt's house for a little bit too. It's become a tradition to stop in and say hello during our stay in December. Kate was very happy to play with their youngest, Phoebe.
We left on the 25th to drive to Eagle River. I was very happy to hand over my car keys to Dave and let him drive for a little bit. LOL!
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| The two nice guys that changed my flat tire for me and refused to take any money for their help! |
After a great night's sleep at a hotel we were on the road again and cruising along for a few hours when I looked in my rear view mirror and noticed Steve had pulled to the side of the Interstate. I pulled over about a half mile up the road and decided I'd take the next exit and circle around to see what happened. As I was pulling back onto the Interstate I heard a loud sound and realized I had a flat tire! I limped off the freeway and to the next exit, which happily was very close! I pulled into a bar/restaurant and made a few phone calls. Mom and Steve had contacted a tow truck and we made plans for them to come to me in the two truck and then both go to get our cars fixed. I pulled all the luggage out of the very full trunk and got my baby tire out... and then stood there wondering what to do next! I didn't have to stand there alone for long though- two guys came over and offered their help. They worked hard to get the lug nuts off my tire and put my baby tire on for me. Meanwhile Brennan, Kate, and Zamboni watched from the backseat of the car. I tried to give the two guys $20.00 for their help but they refused to take any money. They were so nice! By the time the two truck came I was ready to follow it to get our cars fixed. Thank goodness for cell phones though- I don't think we would have found Mom and Steve without them! I got a new tire and they got a new alternator... four hours later we were back on the road. We were thankful that we could get both cars fixed and that it wasn't anything worse.
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| Three dogs, two kids, and three adults hanging out at Michel's Tires in Indiana. Four hours later and a new tire and alternator (and a little less money) and we were on the road again. |
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| Staying entertained at Michel's Tires. |
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| Hanging with the boys- Chris, Matt, and Brennan in Aurora, IL. |
We said goodbye to Mom and Steve near Chicago and traveled on to Aurora, Illinois, to stay with my best high school friend, Leah. I was so happy to see Colleen and Tracy too! We had a relaxing and fun night together!
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| "Where's Kate?" |
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| Kate and Brennan were super excited about this tiny bit of snow in Illinois! |
Dave was supposed to fly into Madison on the 22nd but got delayed leaving Raleigh which means he missed his connecting flight. He found a flight to Minneapolis instead so I headed out to meet him there.
Brennan and Kate were both so excited to get to Minnesota and see their cousins, Aunts, Uncles, and Grandparents!
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| Ready to play outside... too bad there wasn't much snow. |
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| Three adorable princesses- Kate, Alyssa, and Brielle. |
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| Kate was so excited to have a sleepover with Brielle! We love her princess room! |
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| Heading to Olbrich Gardens in Madison, WI, with Norm and Wendy. |
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| Fun times with Uncle Norman (or as Kate calls him "Uncle Jorman") |
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| Aunt Wendy and Kate have matching hair! |
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| Brennan with Usher and Mila the dogs. |
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| Julianna and Kate |
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| Jan and Kathy |
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| Grandma Jan with her two grandsons. |
We had a great visit in Minneapolis and spent a lot of time with the cousins! We enjoyed dinner out with everyone, shopping at the Mall of America, hanging at the house, going to Christmas Eve service, and spending Christmas Eve at the Rischmiller's house (Dave's sister and family). Ted and Jan welcomed all four of our dogs and the six grandchildren (and all the noise) happily. We had so much fun!
We did stop at the Passolt's house for a little bit too. It's become a tradition to stop in and say hello during our stay in December. Kate was very happy to play with their youngest, Phoebe.
We left on the 25th to drive to Eagle River. I was very happy to hand over my car keys to Dave and let him drive for a little bit. LOL!
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| Kate and Sophia Between all the cousins I don't think Kate's feet touched the floor very often! |
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| Kate and Phoebe |
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| Kate liked this big dog- she thought it was like a sheep. |
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| Skating at the Depot in Minneapolis. Kate and I watched. |
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| Playing in the basement |
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| Six grandchildren and four grand dogs on the Ranheim side. (We missed Brennan in this picture though.) |
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| Zamboni was the most mature dog there! He was a great traveler and house guest at all the places we visited. :-) |
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| Ingrid, Erik, and Muffy (their new puppy). |
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| Santa ate the cookies, drank the milk, and ate a little of his orange. |
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| Santa came! Kate and Brennan slept until 9:00 AM though! |
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| Kate and Grandpa Ranheim. She called him into the room and said, "Grandpa- I like you!" |
It was down to just our family, Paul, and Ted and Jan by Christmas morning. We couldn't believe the kids slept until 
9:00 AM! They finally woke up to see if Santa had come!
9:00 AM! They finally woke up to see if Santa had come!
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