Christmas 2011...

So many photos I want to share from christmas and I will work on getting them all up later today when I have some more time.  I just wanted to express on here how much I enjoyed this Christmas.  Last year I was sick as a dog with the stomach bug and basically, missed Christmas. It was not fun to plan so much for your family and have your parents come only to get sick. So this year, I am glad to say, minus some sniffles here and there, we were healthy on the big day.  We did miss out on some fun activities due to unseasonably cold weather here in South Texas. We had planned on Sea World with the kids and with the temps only at 43 for a high with rain for about 3 days, we didn't get to go.
My mom and dad arrived on the 22nd.  The kids were beyond excited to have them here and to spend time with them doing anything at all.  They haven't seen them since the begining of August.  We really do hate how long the time was between visits, but this year has been busy and we chose to stay home for Thanksgiving for a lot of reasons.  Having my parents here has been great.  I feel so lucky that they get along so well with Brandon and that my children have such a great relationship with them. Distance sucks, but my parents have made it a point to be as active as they can in their lives and it shows.  I am so thankful for that.
We had a very fun Christmas, lots of gifts, laughter and love.  I am beyond thrilled that everyone seemed to enjoy the day, the dinner and the time together.
I wish I could do a million things after my parents leave...I always look back and think I wish I took more pictures, we had more outings to fun places, we went here or there, but you can do that through life and miss out on all the fun you did have.  Memories are so special and made those.  I am so thankful we had the chance to do the things we did and next time I will work on the rest. :)

Here is one photo from Christmas and I will share more later. I am always sad to see them go and today is no exception...I miss them...no relationship is perfect, but I really do love my mom and dad and I love having them here with me...

Merry Christmas!

This year I wrote a Christmas letter, but only put it in a few cards since I felt so many people keep in touch through things like this or facebook.  But, then I realized it would be a nice chance to share the letter on here, for future reflection if nothing else.  

So here is our picture and letter we used this year for our cards...Merry Christmas everyone!!!!

Dear Friends and Family,

Happy Holidays! We hope that everyone is blessed with a wonderful holiday season. After taking last year off from writing the family Christmas letter, I am back and ready to report on our year. 

We have had a really good year here in Texas for all members of our family.  We can’t say enough how much we have loved our time here in San Antonio.  Three years has gone by way too fast for us and we hope one day we can return to call this area home. Right now the Air Force has other plans for us and we are going to be on the move in late May.  Brandon was accepted to AFIT at Wright Patterson AFB in Dayton, Ohio.  We know we will be there for the one year of school, but after that, your guess is as good as mine.  Brandon will move up in early May and the children and I will follow later in the month in order to let them finish school.

Speaking of the children...Zachary and Erin are growing and changing so much, too fast if you ask me.  Zachary is in 2nd grade and doing awesome. He is continuing to score off the charts and tested into gifted and talented.  He tried soccer and t-ball and enjoyed both a lot.  He continues to work very hard at all of his therapies...he goes 4 days a week on top of full days of school in a regular classroom.  He continues to amaze us with all he has accomplished.  He is an amazing boy, but I am a bit biased.  Erin is in 4 year old pre-K this year and doing great.  She has grown to love school, her friends and teachers.  She is a social, sweet, loving, compassionate and fun little girl.  She also tried soccer this fall and was quite good despite being so much smaller than her teammates.  She is still doing gymnastics and loving it.  She is just full of life and love and is learning new things every day. I am simply amazed at how much both of them have grown and changed during our time here in Texas.

Brandon has had a great year, enjoying work and chances to fly. He just had eye surgery and is looking forward to being contact and glasses free.  He is excited to head to Ohio and go to school again too for his second masters.  I have continued to stay busy with my mom duties.  You can usually find me folding laundry, cooking, cleaning, driving my taxi, volunteering and most certainly late...just like my Christmas card this year. :)  I have loved every minute to being home with the children and the opportunities it has given us as a family.  We have made so many great memories and friends here!

  We have so much to be thankful for this year and it doesn't go unnoticed that so many people aren't as fortunate. We are thankful for so much, including the men and women serving our country overseas during the holidays and wish them a safe and quick return.  We wish you all a very Merry Christmas, Happy Chanukah and a Happy New Year.  May you all have a safe, happy and healthy holiday season and know you are in our thoughts and hearts not just at the holidays, but throughout the year.  Happy 2012 to each of you. 

Love, 

Susan, Brandon, Zachary and Erin

Thanksgiving 2011...

This Thanksgiving we stayed at home, here in Cibolo, TX.  We didn't have any visitors from out of town, so we chose to go eat at the club on base.  I am not sure if I ever posted about my unfortunate Thanksgiving disaster a few years ago, but I had a mishap and ended up with 7 stitches and a few hours in the ER...since then I have not been to keen on cooking unless we had a good reason.  Two small children who are picky eaters, is not that reason.  :)  

So this year since we had no plans to cook at home and be busy in the kitchen, we decided to do something we have talked about for quite some time...Meals on Wheels.  It was a wonderful and rewarding experience. I am so thankful we had the chance to do this, to take the children and share this with them and to spread some love and joy into the lives a few people.  It was a great way to start a day that is really meant not to stuff your faces and get ready to shop, but to be Thankful...something I think we all forget from time to time.  

It was a very emotional day for me...I just couldn't stop the tears.  I felt so thankful to be able to do this for others. I felt so sad for the people we brought meals to and wanted to do more.  I felt an ache to get back to doing social work...after years being home with the kids and wondering if I would go back to that or find something else, I think this sealed the deal on where my heart is.  

I am not sure how much the kids really understood...we did our best to make sure they knew the meaning of what and why we were taking meals to people.  I do know we will do this again, hopefully soon.  I want us to never forget how lucky we are...how blessed we are...how fortunate we are. 

I am thankful for a lot this year.  I know how much I have and how often I forget to be thankful for it all. How much I have taken for granted and how much I don't show my gratitude for.  I know that there are people who I don't say I love you to enough and say thank you to as often as I should. I know that I want to work on that and make sure the people in my life always know I love them.  

But most of all I am glad that on a day called Thanksgiving, we did both.  We were thankful for so much and we participated in giving back...I think that is the best I have felt about this holiday in a long time.  

Here are a few photos from our day...

The children delivering the first meal...

 At the club after we ate...Zach was posing, mostly to hid the pumpkin pie he was wearing all over his pants...

 Photo by Erin...Look how good Brandon looks!  Lost 20 lbs and I think gave it all to me. ;)

 Me and my blessings...

 With their daddy....

Happy Thanksgiving!!!

Santa Surprises!

Yesterday we went out to run some errands at a nice shopping place in San Antonio. I had some returns, the kids wanted to spend money at Target on some toys...we have told them no new toys until Christmas, so they had to use their own money if they really wanted anything.  So...we did our shopping and when I ran into do my last return I saw some people caroling...in old clothing and it looked beautiful. So I went and got the family out the car to see them sing...next thing we know, Santa pulls up in a sleigh...no joke.  So we got to have a horse drawn carriage ride with Santa...it was awesome...Love random moments like this.  It wasn't what we had planned, but super fun!

Just something cute...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IPzQ0tEpYTQ


I love that my kids come home from school with things like this...

Gig Em Aggies!

I am not sure how two graduates of the University of Arizona have raised a son who wants to go to Texas A&M, but it has happened.  I grew up in NC and during basketball season I still cheer for beloved Duke, unless they are playing the Wildcats.  Brandon and I love our college, we took the kids to the campus two years ago, they each have U of A attire and Brandon, well lets say he tends to wear his AZ pride often. :)  But, non the less...we have a real Aggie fan in the house.  

Zach has been talking about A&M for a while and Brandon decided as a big treat and surprise he would take him to a game. So we waited until the morning of to tell him. Otherwise my sweet son would have been so wound up he wouldn't have slept for nights.  At 6 AM Saturday Brandon woke him.  When he got to the kitchen we told him he needed to get dressed and eat so they could be out of the house by 7.  He looked flustered.  He reminded us it was Saturday.  Brandon then handed him the tickets. His eyes went from glazed over to bursting out of his head. He was thrilled, beaming and said a big Yes...then he got dressed in record time. He was so excited it was awesome to see his reaction...honest and sincere.  He and Brandon met up with a friend who is an A&M alum.  They tailgated and then went to the game. They enjoyed the whole game, the Aggies won big...WHOOP WHOOP...and hung out after before heading home.  It was a fun, long day that Zach enjoyed so much...Brandon enjoyed and will be forever remembered.  How fun would it be if he ends up going there one day and we can show him this?

Zach and Dad pre game...great memories. 

A month of being thankful...

Each day this month on facebook I have tried to make my status something i am thankful for...be it big or small, I put something out there that is on my mind or heart.  Some days it is pretty silly, like my DVR or Ebay...mind you to me they are very important...but I am sure it seems superficial to others.  Reality is I am not sure 30 days is enough to say all I am thankful for...But, I will try here on my blog, to give some of my top 30 most thankful things, honestly included. ;)

1. Thankful for my health and that of my loved ones.

2. Thankful for a house, clothing, food, and not going without.  If anything, I have far, far too much.

3. Thankful for two children that love each other and are friends.

4. Thankful to be married to a man I can say I am proud of and admire all of his achievements.

5. Thankful for the opportunities to move, meet new people, see new places and have new experiences.  

6. Thankful for Facebook, email, text messages, free long distance and all the ways I am able to keep in touch with people who live far away. 

7. Thankful for my DVR, I won't lie on my own blog, I love TV and love getting to watch my shows when I have time. 

8. Thankful for ebay.  This one is very true. I LOVE ebay.  It is a great thing in my life. 

9. Thankful for all of the services we have for Zachary, his support groups, therapies and amazing people that work with him.  His progress and achievements are owed to so many wonderful people.

10. And, thankful for the families I meet through those groups....It is an amazing feeling to be surrounded by other parents who get it.  Who deal with the same struggles and concerns. No matter how different kids on the spectrum are, we all seem to circle the same issues. It is nice to not feel judgement or pity and be able to share with those who simply get it.

11. Thankful for great friends near and far, who don't get it first hand, but try their best.  They give me love, support and smiles when I need it and remind me that I am doing a pretty good job most days.

12. Thankful strangely for autism.  With it has brought many changes to our family, good and bad.  But it has shown me so much. 

13. Thankful for the chance for both of my children to be in great schools with wonderful teachers.  They both love school and that is a gift for life.

14. Thankful for Sally.  When I quit the gym last month to save money, she stepped up and became my walking/workout buddy again. I love it. 

15. The beach, especially my beloved Atlantic Beach.  I feel at home every time I am there and I love that feeling.

16. Thankful for surprises.  Some of the best things in life are surprises or unexpected events. I love them!

17. Coffee...my one sure vice...I love coffee.

18. Thankful that I get to be a stay at home mom.  I can go to lunch with Zach whenever I want, I have time to do fun things with Erin and just enjoy the kids...I am very thankful for that every single day.

19. Thankful for all modern devices that make my life easier...dishwasher, washing machine, computer, dryer, microwave, keurig, tv, dvd player, etc.  It is amazing how much we depend on them when one of them breaks...

20. Thankful to our assignment in San Antonio.  Until this assignment we hadn't had one that we really loved. I love it here, so much I could see us coming back one day.  Thank you AF for this assignment.

21. Thankful to be an American. Proud to be one too!

22. Thankful to have gotten to work in a career field I loved, even for a short time. I learned so much and met some amazing people that still make me smile and feel proud of what they have accomplished. 

23. Thankful to have my parents in my life and my children's lives.

24. Thankful for books and my love of reading...I love to read and get lost in a good book. 

25. Thankful for my walks...I love my long walks outside...time to think, unwind, exercise...love it.

26.  Thankful for the opportunities I was given by my parents...no matter if I failed or disappointed, they supported and loved me unconditionally.  They gave me wings and roots...even when it was hard to let me use my wings, they did.  They have taught me so much and always been there for me no matter what. 

27. Thankful for Brandon...he is my best friend and rock. I am so glad he puts up with me!  He is a genuinely good person and it doesn't hurt that he can fix anything. :)

28. Thankful for my Erin. She was one of the BIGGEST and best surprises in my life.  She has been such a wonderful blessing to me and our family. Her beautiful smile, personality, sweetness and big heart make me so happy and proud to be her mom.  I love her to bits and I am so thankful she came into our lives, right when she did.

29.  My Zachary. He has shown me so much about myself, being a mom and about life. He is so smart it amazes most people. He is kind, sweet, loving and quite funny. He is also someone that has come so far and done so much. He is my hero in many ways.  I am beyond proud to be his mom and I honestly don't feel worthy enough most days...he is wonderful...

30. Life....most of all I am thankful for my life...my chance to experience all of this and so much more. Each day, each sunrise and sunset...just thankful for that.

My wonderful blessings....never could be thankful enough for these two. 

Halloween photos...

I have been asked to post and I know I am late, so here are a few Halloween photos...

Sadly I didn't have my camera when we went trick or treating at Brandon's work and Zach didn't do his school parade...so not as many photos as we normally have...

Next assignment is....

The List came out yesterday and after weeks of sort of knowing, we can now officially say, we are heading to Ohio!
Brandon was accepted into the AFIT program for school...Air Force Institute of Technology.  It is at Wright Patterson Air Force Base in Dayton, Ohio.  He has to be there on May 17th, so he will head up there mid May, the kids and I will follow after May 25th.  We are excited to move up there...it is a great opportunity for Brandon, a great area for our family with good services for Zachary.  And we have some friends up there already, so that always softens any move.  We are however, me specifically, very sad to leave San Antonio. We have grown to LOVE it here in ways I didn't expect. It is an amazing area for us.  Our children have thrived in the time we have been here...we have been so blessed with great schools for both.  I have met so many amazing people and fun friends.  I have had time to be involved and enjoy being a mom.  We will miss all this area has to offer and the people that have been a part of making it so special.  I look forward to coming back here one day and settling down...we are dreaming big!!
So until May, I am going to enjoy the heck out of this area and my friends!  I am so thankful for our time here and will always love San Antonio.
Watch out Ohio....get Ready for the Millers in May. :)

Bracken Pumpkin Patch 2011

We love this little pumpkin patch on a hill in front of a preschool and church...it is in Garden Ridge, TX.  Never fails to be a family favorite.

My pumpkins in the patch...

As always a fun time and I am loving the great pictures we are getting from our camera. But I do think you can't go wrong with such cute kids as the subject. Happy Halloween!!!

Acknowledgements...

Last week was a busy week for sure.  On Thursday we had another ARD for Zach at his school...Texas term for IEP (individualized education plan).  Part of the fun of having a special ed kiddo.  :)  This one was painless and actually good.  We went to review speech goals since the speech pathologist this year is new...she retested him and set up new goals based on that.  His speech time is dwindling, but thankfully he still qualifies based on the fact he can't perform the tasks in real life situations that he can on a test or when asked by a teacher.  In other words, he knows what to do and how to answer, but can't impliment in real life.  He also finally got picked up for OT (occupational therapy).  He has been tested at school since he was 4 and never qualified. It is hard one in school, because you have to show how it impacts him on an academic basis.  Since he is so smart, no one thought it was an imparement.  He is sturggling with writing tasks and crying a lot when asked to do daily writing prompts.  He is having hte hardest time with creative writing.  Zach's world is black and white, imaginative play has never been a big thing with him, so this is no shock to us.  He is also becoming more and more sensitive to his surroundings.  For me this was hard to hear, but good to know they are noticing and trying to help instead of ignoring his needs.  He is getting what he needs and that is what is most important.  

Before the ARD his grade had an awards ceramony.  He was recognized three times...perfect attendence, the Responsibility Award for his classroom and the All A Honor roll.  So proud of him and all his hard work.  I can't believe how fast time has flown and how big he is, but he is growing up and making me so proud of the person he is.  

Here he is below...

Hearing his name called...

 Looking at his inclusion Teacher, she has been a big support and help to him this year...she visits him daily and helps him during rough spots in the day.  Fabulous lady.

 And his super Teacher Mrs. Webb.  She is also his best friends mom and my good friend.  She is a great teacher and has a huge heart.  She genuinely loves Zachary as he is and I am so thankful for that each and every day as I send him off in her care.

Here is the first 9 weeks, lets see how he does as the year goes on...

WINNER!

Zachary went with Brandon and my dad to see Ft. Macon this summer while we were at Atlantic Beach.  He had wanted to see it so badly and I am so glad my dad, a huge history lover, went with him.  What a treat for a little boy to do that with their grandfather.  As soon as he got back from Ft. Macon he said he wanted to be a civil war soldier for Halloween...this was July, so I wasn't sure if the idea would stick.  He said he wanted to be a union officer, not confederate too.  So months went on and he still wanted to be a civil war soldier.  So I searched and found him a costume and a corresponding book, Magic Tree House Civil War on Sunday.  They have to be a story book character for their school costume parade.  Last night he was given the chance to wear his costume to his social group he attends on Tuesday nights.  He was so excited to wear it.  Brandon took him and sent me the following video.  Such a wonderful night for a sweet child...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QwETjzO-wn0

Pictures...

The pumpkin patch wasn't what we had hoped or expected, but we went, we saw and we marked it off the list. :) It was so very hot and there was little shade...very busy and no pumpkins you could get without taking a long tractor ride that cost extra money....So we plan to hit our usual patch this weekend and know that it will be a success.  Then the kids and I can paint our pumpkins per our annual tradition.  So fun!
But a few photos from the trip to share...we did have fun and saw something new.

Waiting in line for the slide...she loved it.

 Shooting a corn canon...total boy!

 Miss priss in the corn maze...

 Alone on the tractor ride, she loved that thing...

 Enjoying her roasted corn...it was YUMMY!

 Little man....So very tired this day from a big weekend!

 In the corn maze...thankfully we made it through. :)

 BAA BAA!

 Oink Oink...

 Down the slide they go....

 Love those smiles...

 On the tractor together...

 Full of spunk...It was so darn hot out there I am not sure how they could jump around.  88 in mid October is HOT!

 Running across hay bails...

 My boys...

 My little man...

 Oh my Erin...

 The girls...

 I love her to bits...and she totally knows it. :)

 Deep in thought?

 Fun, fun...