Time seems to be going by so quickly! Not quite sure how that happens when sometimes the weeks and even the days seem to drag on and last forever!
Our weeks are still pretty hard as we try to keep up with schoolwork and homework. Sometimes all it feels like we do is work on incomplete schoolwork, do homework, work on a project, work on completing study guides, and study for tests. We all definitely live for Friday nights! Those nights are still our pizza and a movie night! No homework, just us relaxing.
So, since tonight was actually a light homework night, we thought we'd take a moment to share what we have been up to. Here's a recap month by month.
JANUARY
January began with going back to school after a glorious Christmas Break with family and friends. January also brought the birth of Carter Hankinson. Cori and Phil welcomed their second son into the world on January 10th. We went to visit them on the 19th. The girls love holding newborns as much as Mark and I do!
We celebrated Liv's birthday on the 15th. She is a beautiful, smart, witty 12 year old with a great sense of fashion! Between Christmas and her birthday, she got two pairs of boots and a pair of shoes. She also planned a fabulous hot chocolate bar for her birthday party!
We also attended several events during our church's annual Missions Conference. It is always an amazing weekend learning more about what the missionaries and non-profit organizations we support are doing and learning about new ways we can serve others.
The end of January brought us two snow days! We love snow days more than we love Friday nights!
On the last day of January, Elena received more of her re-immunizations. We go back for more at the end of April.
FEBRUARY
On February 1st, Liv's school chorus sang at the Gwinnett Gladiators hockey game. It was great fun!
The girls went to the Winter Jam concert at the Georgia Dome with their youth group and we had a much needed date night!
Then February 11th - 14th brought four more snow days!! We had the best snowcation filled with sledding, snowman making, talking walks in the snow, watching movies, reading and napping!
On the 26th, Elena had her regularly scheduled three month check up at Aflac with Dr. Lew. We LOVE him! He is the best doctor! He knows Elena so well and how to handle all things with her. Elena's counts were perfect according to him. He is so happy with her progress and we will go back to see him at the end of May. We also saw an endocrinologist for the first time. At this point, the doctor is going to simply monitor Elena's hormone levels for another six months before we have to make any decisions regarding possible hormone replacement treatments for Elena.
MARCH
Last month, brought Elena's induction into the Beta Club at school. It's mission is to promote academic achievement, character, service and leadership. Elena has already participated in two service events and is enjoying meeting new friends.
We are also on the hunt for a piano teacher for Liv. She decided that she would like to take lessons.
Both girls are still taking dance classes and are learning the routines for their May recital.
Life is definitely feeling more and more normal and more settled. Each day, we feel like we are able to breath a little more easily.
Next week brings our Spring Break. We are ready for a week of no school and no homework. It will bring us some much needed rest and relaxing. We are looking forward to fun filled days and nights replacing stressful, tiring ones. At least for a week. Then, we will be ready to tackle the final six weeks of the school year and all of the state tests and finals that come with it.
Thank you for continuing to pray for us and for being a part of this journey with us!!
In Him,
The Tates
"Great is the Lord and most worthy of praise; His greatness no one can fathom."
Psalm 145:3
