Wow - Another year since I've updated

So, obviously I'm not too serious about this blog thing. 

To update anyone that hasn't kept up with me another way, let's see.  Luke is now 3 1/2 years old and growing like a weed!  He's wearing a 5T shirt or a 5/6 if there isn't a 5T available.  He can wear 4T shorts, but the pants look like flood britches.  He has one super cute little saying right now...when he means 'yesterday' he says 'lasterday' and 'tomorrow' is 'nexterday.'  I do correct him, but it's still cute!

We've moved back to the Gadsden area and now live with my parents in Glencoe, Alabama.  My house sold for a loss earlier this month.  I have my belongings distributed among three separate storage buildings.  That's what happens when you had a six bedroom house and have to move into a fully furnished room! 

Since we're back in the Gadsden area, Luke had to change schools.  God blessed us with his new teacher...my mom's best friend from Junior high, Nancy Thorton!  Luke is doing so well and has adjusted like a champ.  He knows his alphabet through the letter 'T' and can 'read' Brown Bear, Brown Bear.  Nancy says that he'll probably be ready before his 4th birthday in September.

I'm still working for Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Alabama in Birmingham.  My title officially changes on April 9 to Senior Application Systems Analyst/Programmer.  Nothing about my work (or paycheck) changes.  The company just decided to adjust our titles to more closely match the industry.  I am in the Claims Processing area of Application Development, in case you're wondering.  I know a lot about the National Correct Coding Initiative edits as well as the Medicare Advantage product that we offer.  Those are my areas of expertise.

I am able to telework from Gadsden a couple of days per week, which saves me gas and allows me to spend more quality time with Luke during the week.  I'm very grateful for that privilege.

I am still very active at College Heights Baptist Church and have been teaching an adult class on "What Baptists Believe" on Sunday nights at 5:00 PM.  Luke loves his Sunday School class and defines his weeks by Church-day and school days. 

Charli just turned 6 (March 15) and Sam turns 6 this weekend (April 7).  Julia will be 10 on May 16 and Zack turned 14 in January.  Mom has moderate to severe osteoarthritis.  She had to come off of her arthritis maintenance meds because they were damaging her kidneys.  So she's in a lot of pain, most of the time.  Dad is will continue to have chest pain due to his severe chronic angina.  He tries to hide when he's hurting, but doesn't do so very well.

Matt is in his second semester of law school.  He and Carol will celebrate their second anniversary next week.  We're blessed to have her and Zack in the family.  Zack is such a great kid and so much fun to be around.  He reminds me a lot of Matt at that age.  Charli is taking gymnastics and fights sinus/upper respiratory infections as much as I do.  It doesn't help that her Mom and step-dad are smokers.  When she visits there, she almost always comes home sick.

Pam and Jud are doing great and staying super busy in Rome, Georgia.  She still teaching at Johnson Elementary and started the "Johnson Pavement Princesses" running club for girls this spring.  They're super active in their church, Pleasant Valley South Baptist.  Jud is a Deacon and is on the AV committee.  Pam sings in the choir, of course, and is a member of the PVS Singers.  Julia has been in several pageants and done well this spring.  She continues to dance and take piano lessons.  She loves to read as much as her Aunt Amy.  Sam is an awesome little ball player - no matter what type of ball you hand him!  He's playing coach-pitch ball this year and is fantastic!  The Rutland family will take their happy selves to the Big Apple in June.  Look out New York!  They already have tickets to see their favorite major league team take on the infamous Yankees!  Go Braves!

Moving back to Gadsden, I miss getting to see the Barons regularly.  I'll be taking Luke to a few games this year.  Barring a change of plans, Dad and I plan to see the Rickwood Classic on May 30.  But, I won't be taking Luke downtown to that - or any - game.  The Barons will be moving downtown next year, so we'll probably switch to the Rome Braves as our minor league team of choice at that point.  Going down to Hoover to catch a game was pretty safe; going a few blocks down from the homeless shelter, not so much!  If I'm going to have to drive an hour anyway, I might as well see a Braves affiliate!

I'm not making any promises about the next time I update the blog, so I'll just say, "Until then..."

Since it's been over a year...

It's about time for an update.

Luke is doing really well. He's growing like a weed and has a huge vocabulary. He's learning his letters; saying our meal blessing and night-night prayers; sings Jesus Loves Me, Jingle Bells, and numerous songs from VeggieTales; he got drums, a saxophone and guitar for Christmas and loves music; he learned the story of Jonah and the Whale on the 16th of January and even though we missed church on the 23rd, was able to re-tell it to his teachers on the 30th. He's off the bottle and sleeps through the night at home.

He's about 39" tall and weighs around 35 lbs.

I'm updating some of our pictures on the site.

On other news, Mom retired from DHR yesterday! Congratulations on a job well done!

So, it's been a while

I know that I haven't posted since September, but being a single mom to an 18-month-old is challenging.

Today, Luke saw a pediatric opthamologist for the first time. He was diagnosed with Accomodative Esotropia. We ordered our first pair of glasses today. When the glasses come in, we have to use Atropine eye drops to make the stronger eye (Luke's right) blur and force him to use the weaker eye. This is much better than the patches I had to wear. I can't imagine how my parents kept those patches on me!

Luke has remained off the top of the growth charts for height. At his 18 month check-up, he was 35 1/2 inches tall and weighed 27 lbs 4 oz.

I'll try to get a new picture up soon.