This year brought many changes! On January 20th, Levi Joel was born. Levi means "connected to" and Joel means "God is Yahweh" so our prayer is that he always be connected to Yahweh. The first week of Levi's life was very eventful, as he spent it in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. He was having trouble breathing because a small portion of his lung had collapsed, but it repaired itself and he has not had any problems since. We are so grateful for him, his sweet cuddles, contagious laugh and smile, and his intense dancing. He and Silas have a powerful bond and love playing with each other. Silas is often eager to help by running to get something that Levi needs, and Levi loves to tag along and play with Silas' toys.
In July I applied for and received a new teaching position, only two minutes from our house! I start and end my work day an hour earlier than I did in my old school district, so I am enjoying the extra afternoon time with our kids. I am still teaching special education resource (parts of my day are spent with small groups in my room and other parts are spent with students in general education rooms), with Kindergarten through 2nd grade students. I am still getting used to changes of being in a new district, but I love the special community that a smaller district has, and also enjoy having my own classroom! Silas started half-day preschool at what he calls "our school" this year, and loves it! We really enjoy seeing each other in the hallway, and although there is an occasional scream of "that's my mom!" as I walk by, he is pretty good at just giving me an adorable grin and waving when we see each other.
Perhaps the biggest change for our family this year is that Micah has gone back to school for Engineering; he is leaning toward Civil Engineering. He just finished his first semester of what will be four years of school, and he got straight A's! He will be attending Heartland Community College for the first two years, and then hopes to transfer to U of I or Bradley as a Junior. He had afternoon and evening classes this semester, and was able to watch the boys two days a week. They sure cherish that time with him! On the days that Micah studies and has class, they go to a lady right outside of town. It's perfect for Silas because she lives on a farm and he loves getting dirty and "helping" her pick tomatoes, rake, and dig holes. Levi loves to do whatever Silas is doing, so I assume he will do the same as he gets older!
The year has had its difficulties, with learning to balance life with two kids and Micah in school but as Colossians 2:7 says, we try our best to "live in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as we were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness." I'm so grateful for our simple house that doesn't stay clean for very long at a time, for my new job that is less stressful than my last one, for my husband who is such a good student...and I am forever and deeply grateful for our boys, both of which were brought to us in special ways. We went through years of struggles to get both of them and I never take that for granted. They are such blessings, and make my heart melt many times a day.
Look how they've grown...
Praying that you are blessed during this season!
Sara (and Micah, Silas, and Levi)
