Season’s Greetings Family & Friends,
We hope you are well and staying warm this Holiday season! It’s been another whirl-wind year for us! This year Ashton (6) is in first grade, Kiera (5) is in Pre-K half days, and Owen (3) has begun attending the three year old program at the Cumberland Elementary School two-half days a week and one day at St. Paul’s Preschool. The school year has been packed with activities and new routines. We’re all getting into the groove, but who knew the schedule would be so hectic?!
This Spring we spent time sprouting seeds for our garden, planting, and soaking in the warmth of the season. Over Summer break we spent time at the lake and enjoying the area activities- summer school, swimming, playing at the park, fishing, and camping. In July Shelby and I were able to jet off for a few days to Las Vegas for a much needed vacation! It was so much fun- I’m sure it had to have been a dream! While we were taking in the Nevada heat the kids made some fun memories with Grandma & Papa Fox. Before the school year we enrolled Kiera and Ashton in the youth soccer program in Cumberland. We spent a few nights a week shuffling schedules to make it work, but the season was fun and we all made new friends!
Medically the kids are doing wonderfully. We are on track for Owen’s future cleft related surgeries. We still have at least three more to go. He is developing well and making strides all the time. Recently his speech has been the focus of our efforts and they are paying off! He is frequently using two word combinations and working hard to more clearly articulate his needs through words. Ashton is growing taller and physically stronger every day! In the last eight months he has put on nearly eight pounds and three inches in height. He’s still small for his age, but he’s gaining all the time. It’s a blessing to see that his body is finally working for him. Both boys are now on a routine schedule with their specialists at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester. We are thankful to have so many skilled specialists and hometown healthcare providers to be on this journey with us! Kiera had her annual check and all is just as it should be- a happy healthy little girl. She falls right in the middle for her height and weight.
Shelby and I are doing great. This year seemed to be a test of our resilience to tragedy and trust in God. We have been on the front lines of the incredible journey of raising our unique family for six years. We have been tested physically, mentally, and financially. Never could we have planned just how complicated our lives would become when raising medically challenged children. We have pulled through some really tough times and finally feel like the bits of sunshine we get during the storms are setting the stage for rainbows.
My days are packed with my Mom duties, but my job with Adventures is a nice departure from the routine. I really enjoy the marketing and social media management as well as the camaraderie of my coworkers- even if most of our communication is electronic! I have continued my connections with my college and served last month on the Marketing and Business Management curriculum advisory panel. More recently, I have been given the opportunity to work within our school district as a parent liaison to the help other parents navigate the special needs education process. It will be extreme part time, but it’s a position I look forward to. My heart goes out to those families navigating the waters of special education and I hope my knowledge of the process can be a comfort and asset to those in need.
As we celebrate Shelby’s 15th year of employment with Nexen, he will be saying goodbye to his career there. Shelby has accepted a new position with Abrasive Specialists, Inc. in Minneapolis, MN as a Senior Application Specialist and Sales. It’s an incredible career move that we’ve waited with much anticipation to announce! He will be beginning there after the New Year! Most of his days will be spent visiting accounts, in office, and some from home telecommuting. Shelby is really looking forward to the move and the kids and I are really looking forward to having him home in the evenings!
2013 has been an incredible year! We have so much to be thankful for- especially your prayers, encouragement, and friendship. We are looking forward to 2014 and the new opportunities it holds! Merry Christmas!
Love and Hugs Always,
Sarah, Shelby, Ashton, Kiera, and Owen
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| 2013 Fox Christmas Card |
