Sarah SpotlightSarah is 3 3/4 years old this Christmas! She's 39" tall, weighs about 30 lbs., and is just a happy little camper.
Health-wise, Sarah is great. She's running, learning to jump on the trampoline, and once a year takes therapeutic horseback riding. She's talking a lot more, and we have come to learn that she understands far more than she lets on...
After a rocky start, Sarah has decided that she loves preschool. It's 4 days a week, and she rides the bus. It's a reverse-mainstreaming program, that has both special needs kids as well as peer models. She is making incredible progress - this year, Sarah's biggest accomplishment is probably her improvement in social skills. She is making eye contact, can be around other kids without crying, attends Nursery without one of us there, and is learning to be sensitive to others. She's finally decided that giving kisses is OK, and so if you ask, she'll slobber one on you. (We love it.)
We were actually relieved when Sarah was diagnosed as PDD-NOS (an autism spectrum disorder) this fall. It means that she qualifies for programs both in the school and here in the community, and so we'll finally be able to get the help and support we need to deal with some of her unusual behaviors. We're currently signed up for a 3 week autism training course - 8 hours a day, 5 days a week for the whole family. It should be a great help. If you're interested in learning more about autism/PDD, check out this website.
Daddy's Doings
Daddy earned himself a new nickname on the Utah deer hunt this October. Seems the men had just stopped the Jeep at a new spot when Gary spotted a buck. He jumped out, positioned himself for the shot, released the gun's safety, pulled the trigger, and ...click. Apparently, guns are more effective with a shell in the chamber. No buck, and now his CB handle is "Click".
Gary's still with 3M and he still travels... when he's home, he's busy with his church calling as Executive Secretary to the Bishop, or finishing the basement with whichever visiting relative he roped into service. If the visitors keep coming, he should have it finished soon!!
Once again, Gary led the P--- Packing Company into uncharted waters with the introduction of jams to round out the product line. This year saw the debut of strawberry, blueberry, blueberry lime, and peach jam. The blueberry had to be re-marketed as "topping", since it was a little too soupy to qualify as "jam", but it cleared our shelves quickly anyway! All in all, a good year for gardening and canning.
Mommy's Meanderings
I've had lots of opportunities to improve my computer skills... I was called as the Relief Society secretary at church, and I publish the weekly bulletin as well as the annual handbook. Starting next year, we'll be publishing online at www.squeakertimes.com. At this point, my web publishing experience is ZERO, so I guess I better learn fast! Visit our site anytime, but don't expect much until February or later. Maybe by then I'll have things figured out. I hope.
This year I bought a Handspring Visor (handheld organizer). It's great at letting me organize all the data that seems to clutter my life. I even persuaded my sister to do the same. Now I can't live without it.
I did some "crafty" things this year, and completed a baby quilt (with help from my mom & sister), diaper stacker, and dust ruffle. Hopefully I'll finish the crib bumper before my newborn nephew turns two...! I also did some personal and household redecorating (new haircut / painting our room & bathroom). Next year, the basement!
Family FoiblesTravels this year included Michigan and Utah (no surprise). In February, Sarah stayed with Grandma & Grandpa K--- and Mom accompanied Dad on a business trip to Vermont. It was a great get-away.
This Christmas, Sarah and I volunteered for a shift as Salvation Army bell ringers at a local grocery. Sarah lasted the first hour, and I finished out the final hour alone. I must admit, donations were MUCH higher when she was ringing the bell!
Merry Christmas to all!
Gary, Laura, and Sarah
Friday, December 8, 2000
Wednesday, December 8, 1999
Christmas Letter 1999
Merry Christmas from the P---!
We hope this letter finds all of our family and friends happy and healthy as we end the millennium.
The most wonderful thing about 1999 was that it was a lot like 1998. We didn’t move, Gary didn’t change jobs, no new kids, etc., etc. A wonderfully stable year.
Sarah is 2 ½ and doing well – she’s happy and there are no major health problems. She continues to charm (and ultimately manipulate) her parents, grandparents, doctors, and therapists. Everyone is very pleased with the progress that she’s made in the last year. She’s walking now without the aid of braces. The concept of language seemed to just “click” at the beginning of the year, and she began to understand when we spoke to her. Recently she’s begun to be able to express her own ideas in two or three word sentences, and things are really getting interesting. Oh what goes on between those two cute ears! Sarah will probably remember ‘99 as the year she started horseback riding. There’s a wonderful therapeutic riding center here, and believe it or not, 2 year olds on horses is not unusual! Sarah LOVED it. Her horse’s name was “Moonshine”.
Gary and I are doing fine. Gary is really happy at his job; it’s a great mix of office work and travel. I’m doing well with my job as “mom the taxi” for all of Sarah’s therapies, but I’m strongly lobbying for a minivan!
We didn’t seem to find much time for hobbies this year, but we did have a big garden. Our “P--- Pickle Company” continues to gain fame amongst family and friends… so much so that we’re planning on doubling the cucumber planting in 2000! This year we added salsa to our list of canned products. We’ve received so many generous donations of canning jars that we actually could go into production (if we had the time!) but for now it’s just fun to make pickles, tomatoes, chili sauce, and salsa to keep and to share.
We’re looking forward to another wonderfully stable year in 2000… but who knows what the future holds? Merry Christmas and Happy 2000!
We hope this letter finds all of our family and friends happy and healthy as we end the millennium.
The most wonderful thing about 1999 was that it was a lot like 1998. We didn’t move, Gary didn’t change jobs, no new kids, etc., etc. A wonderfully stable year.
Sarah is 2 ½ and doing well – she’s happy and there are no major health problems. She continues to charm (and ultimately manipulate) her parents, grandparents, doctors, and therapists. Everyone is very pleased with the progress that she’s made in the last year. She’s walking now without the aid of braces. The concept of language seemed to just “click” at the beginning of the year, and she began to understand when we spoke to her. Recently she’s begun to be able to express her own ideas in two or three word sentences, and things are really getting interesting. Oh what goes on between those two cute ears! Sarah will probably remember ‘99 as the year she started horseback riding. There’s a wonderful therapeutic riding center here, and believe it or not, 2 year olds on horses is not unusual! Sarah LOVED it. Her horse’s name was “Moonshine”.
Gary and I are doing fine. Gary is really happy at his job; it’s a great mix of office work and travel. I’m doing well with my job as “mom the taxi” for all of Sarah’s therapies, but I’m strongly lobbying for a minivan!
We didn’t seem to find much time for hobbies this year, but we did have a big garden. Our “P--- Pickle Company” continues to gain fame amongst family and friends… so much so that we’re planning on doubling the cucumber planting in 2000! This year we added salsa to our list of canned products. We’ve received so many generous donations of canning jars that we actually could go into production (if we had the time!) but for now it’s just fun to make pickles, tomatoes, chili sauce, and salsa to keep and to share.
We’re looking forward to another wonderfully stable year in 2000… but who knows what the future holds? Merry Christmas and Happy 2000!
Tuesday, December 8, 1998
Christmas Letter 1998
Happy Holidays from the P---!
1998 has been quite a year at the P--- household! Sarah, travelling, and settling into our house (landscaping) have all kept us very busy!
February --, Sarah turned one. We had a small celebration, and she enjoyed her cake, as you can see from the photo! Sarah’s second year has been a busy one - in April, genetic testing revealed what we already knew – that our daughter is one in a billion! She has an extremely rare chromosome abnormality (“2Q35 deletion with material of unknown origin” – not very catchy). This is the reason for her low muscle tone and delays in development. Sarah has a wide following of doctors and therapists who find her irresistible. She attends several types of therapy sessions each week, which keeps MOM THE TAXI very busy. Sarah hasn’t realized that she’s working; she just thinks she’s the center of attention and everyone wants to play with her! She is making wonderful progress, and keeps the therapists busy writing new goals for her. She’s cruising around, and getting more confident every day. Mom is just trying to keep up with her!
Sarah (and her parents) certainly hasn’t suffered a lack of attention in 98. In March, Grandma and Grandpa K--- visited. In April, Nana P--- stopped in. In May, we took our first family vacation – an overnight trip to Nauvoo, IL where they have a restored Mormon pioneer settlement. In June, Sarah experienced the great outdoors in her first campout. She was a little confused – the tent seemed like a place to play, not a place to sleep! July was very busy – Gary spent most of the month on a business trip to Singapore, overseeing the installation of equipment in a new 3M plant. My sister Karen and her husband Bob came to visit while Gary was away, and Sarah and I drove back to Michigan with them. In August, we went to Utah to see the P---, for a mid-August day at the Pineview Reservoir, and some more grandparent spoiling. In September, Gary returned to Singapore for 3 weeks, and near the end of the month,
Sarah and I joined Grandma and Grandpa K--- at their timeshare condo in Hilton Head, SC. Over Thanksgiving, Sarah and I went back to Michigan to cheer up Great Grandma G---; Gary stayed home and laid sod in the backyard – all by himself! This Christmas we head to Michigan.
When we were not travelling, we were trying to finish our backyard. When the year started, we had nothing but dirt… and now, a sprinkler system, 17 pallets of sod, 3 garden boxes, 3 landscape beds, and 22 trees later… we have a YARD. Lots of work, but definitely worth it. It looks GREAT.
Gary continues to enjoy his job at 3M, especially the travelling. I’m doing well, grateful that I’m able to be home with Sarah. My old job at 3M was a piece of cake compared to this one, though! In our “spare” time, we’ve been busy with church. Gary is the Young Men’s president, and is responsible for all of the youth activities. I’m the Activities Committee Chair, so I organize and plan all of the church socials. Our callings have been a wonderful way to get involved and meet people. We’ve made some really good friends, and really feel like a part of the community here.
In summary, 98 was a great year, filled with family, friends, and LOTS of new experiences. We’re looking forward to 99!
1998 has been quite a year at the P--- household! Sarah, travelling, and settling into our house (landscaping) have all kept us very busy!
February --, Sarah turned one. We had a small celebration, and she enjoyed her cake, as you can see from the photo! Sarah’s second year has been a busy one - in April, genetic testing revealed what we already knew – that our daughter is one in a billion! She has an extremely rare chromosome abnormality (“2Q35 deletion with material of unknown origin” – not very catchy). This is the reason for her low muscle tone and delays in development. Sarah has a wide following of doctors and therapists who find her irresistible. She attends several types of therapy sessions each week, which keeps MOM THE TAXI very busy. Sarah hasn’t realized that she’s working; she just thinks she’s the center of attention and everyone wants to play with her! She is making wonderful progress, and keeps the therapists busy writing new goals for her. She’s cruising around, and getting more confident every day. Mom is just trying to keep up with her!
Sarah (and her parents) certainly hasn’t suffered a lack of attention in 98. In March, Grandma and Grandpa K--- visited. In April, Nana P--- stopped in. In May, we took our first family vacation – an overnight trip to Nauvoo, IL where they have a restored Mormon pioneer settlement. In June, Sarah experienced the great outdoors in her first campout. She was a little confused – the tent seemed like a place to play, not a place to sleep! July was very busy – Gary spent most of the month on a business trip to Singapore, overseeing the installation of equipment in a new 3M plant. My sister Karen and her husband Bob came to visit while Gary was away, and Sarah and I drove back to Michigan with them. In August, we went to Utah to see the P---, for a mid-August day at the Pineview Reservoir, and some more grandparent spoiling. In September, Gary returned to Singapore for 3 weeks, and near the end of the month,
Sarah and I joined Grandma and Grandpa K--- at their timeshare condo in Hilton Head, SC. Over Thanksgiving, Sarah and I went back to Michigan to cheer up Great Grandma G---; Gary stayed home and laid sod in the backyard – all by himself! This Christmas we head to Michigan.
When we were not travelling, we were trying to finish our backyard. When the year started, we had nothing but dirt… and now, a sprinkler system, 17 pallets of sod, 3 garden boxes, 3 landscape beds, and 22 trees later… we have a YARD. Lots of work, but definitely worth it. It looks GREAT.
Gary continues to enjoy his job at 3M, especially the travelling. I’m doing well, grateful that I’m able to be home with Sarah. My old job at 3M was a piece of cake compared to this one, though! In our “spare” time, we’ve been busy with church. Gary is the Young Men’s president, and is responsible for all of the youth activities. I’m the Activities Committee Chair, so I organize and plan all of the church socials. Our callings have been a wonderful way to get involved and meet people. We’ve made some really good friends, and really feel like a part of the community here.
In summary, 98 was a great year, filled with family, friends, and LOTS of new experiences. We’re looking forward to 99!
Sunday, December 8, 1996
Christmas Letter 1996
Greetings and Merry Christmas from the P--- Family!
This year has been a year of settling in. We moved into our new home last December, and since then we've worked on putting in our landscaping and driveway. It's starting to look like a home!
We have another project under construction this year - we're expanding our family. Laura is due in March. The clinic has a policy of not telling the parents whether it is a boy or a girl so ... Gary thinks it's a boy, Laura thinks it's a girl. One will be right!
We also planted a garden this year; we might have overdone it a little with 12 tomato plants... the abundance continued when a neighbor gave us an ice chest full of pickle cucumbers! After a donation of 20+ canning jars from a co-worker, the P--- Pickle Company was formed. We both agree that our favorite are the bread and butter pickles. Fun, but tiring.
Both of us have been busy when not working around the house. Gary was called as ward Cubmaster and Webelos leader. But, he now has the responsibility for calling someone new to those callings, since he was recently called as 2nd Counselor in the Bishopric. Wow! Talk about a busy life! Laura continues her calling as the Stake Primary Secretary. There's lots of travelling - our stake is several hundred miles wide - which may have to be put on hold during late pregnancy. It's a wonderful calling, though.
Travel this year was mostly family-related and Utah-bound... Last Christmas with the P--- in Utah, Gary's brother's wedding in Salt Lake in June, and the traditional P--- family deer hunt in August. While out for the hunt, we were also sealed in the Salt Lake Temple (or, did Gary go hunting on our trip out to be sealed..?) Either way, we've been so blessed this year. This year's Thanksgiving and Christmas will be spent with Laura's family... with travel to Michigan for Christmas.
We're looking forward to a 1997 filled with new experiences, and a definite lack of sleep. Maybe we'll be blessed with a quiet little one...!
Have a happy and blessed 1997. Love, Gary and Laura
This year has been a year of settling in. We moved into our new home last December, and since then we've worked on putting in our landscaping and driveway. It's starting to look like a home!
We have another project under construction this year - we're expanding our family. Laura is due in March. The clinic has a policy of not telling the parents whether it is a boy or a girl so ... Gary thinks it's a boy, Laura thinks it's a girl. One will be right!
We also planted a garden this year; we might have overdone it a little with 12 tomato plants... the abundance continued when a neighbor gave us an ice chest full of pickle cucumbers! After a donation of 20+ canning jars from a co-worker, the P--- Pickle Company was formed. We both agree that our favorite are the bread and butter pickles. Fun, but tiring.
Both of us have been busy when not working around the house. Gary was called as ward Cubmaster and Webelos leader. But, he now has the responsibility for calling someone new to those callings, since he was recently called as 2nd Counselor in the Bishopric. Wow! Talk about a busy life! Laura continues her calling as the Stake Primary Secretary. There's lots of travelling - our stake is several hundred miles wide - which may have to be put on hold during late pregnancy. It's a wonderful calling, though.
Travel this year was mostly family-related and Utah-bound... Last Christmas with the P--- in Utah, Gary's brother's wedding in Salt Lake in June, and the traditional P--- family deer hunt in August. While out for the hunt, we were also sealed in the Salt Lake Temple (or, did Gary go hunting on our trip out to be sealed..?) Either way, we've been so blessed this year. This year's Thanksgiving and Christmas will be spent with Laura's family... with travel to Michigan for Christmas.
We're looking forward to a 1997 filled with new experiences, and a definite lack of sleep. Maybe we'll be blessed with a quiet little one...!
Have a happy and blessed 1997. Love, Gary and Laura
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