May 29, 2006....Memorial Day was very hot but we still had fun at the Glen Oak Zoo and playing in the water after we got home made Sierra very happy. She cannot wait to get our new pool up!!!! The picture in the middle is of a Chinese Alligator.

May 29, 2006.............We all had so much fun this Memorial Day Weekend. We went to a barn dance on Friday night and yes, I forgot my camera. We then went to the indoor water park here in Peoria and Sierra loved it. She was at first very nervous but then slowly got use to it!!! She had a blast. Still will not go under the water falls but loved being in the water. That is Sierra with her Uncle Jimmy. Then on Sunday after church we had a cookout at the house. Yes, once again I forgot to take pictures. It was great just to have everyone over again. I believe this might of been the first time since Sierra has been home. She loved having friends come and play in her room and play in her little cottage on the deck. And then, after the last three months of struggling to get Sierra to sit down in the bath tub she accomplished it on Sunday night!!! What an event that was!! I do believe the wonder of the water park helped with that!!! More pictures later!!!

May 23, 2006..........Summer type weather is finally here and Sierra was able to wear her shorts!!! She does look cute in her red out fit but what she really loves is the ladybug on the shirt. We hope everyone is having nice weather at their home too!!!

May 21, 2006..............Last night was a big night for Sierra's big brother, Corey and a long day for Sierra. It was as if she knew that we had huge plans that night so she could not fall asleep for her afternoon nap!!!!! But she did last the late and long graduation ceremony. Actually as always, she did wonderful. Yes, was tired and bored but made it through...........probably because she was so proud of her big brother Corey!!!!

May 18 2006.....Sierra with her three big brothers....Top one is Corey..Middle picture is Brandon and the bottom picture is Billy. She loves them so much!! And you probably guessed it she is very much loved and spoiled by them!!! Mike and I are blessed to have 4 wonderful children!!

May 18, 2006...........Finally new pictures to add!!!! Do you think Sierra has enough toys yet??

May 17, 2006........OK I have tried to update pictures but my blog is not allowing it.......so I will try back later!!! Sorry!!!!!

May 17, 2006...Well it has been so long since I have updated. Sierra is learning new words daily. Her ability to communicate with us has increased so much. We have learned that Sierra's favorite food is ramen noodles and pizza!! She could eat either one all day. Doesn't matter where the pizza is from or who made it she will eat until it is all gone....or hidden. Went to Dr. Gootie today....her ENT specialist and he says her tubes look great. He also made a positive remark about her lip. We are also very pleased............especially Sierra. This weekend is a big weekend for our family. Our middle son, Corey, is graduating from high school. He is so excited about going to college. He wants to (at this time) major in computer science. He is Sierra's favorite brother. She gets so excited when he comes home from school, work, or play. She calls him Cor, Cor. He plans on attending the community college in this area and then transfer over to Bradley University which is only 15 minutes from home. So Sierra will hopefully get her Cor Cor time in during his college years!!! I know it would be hard for her if he does decide to go away for college but I think it will be hard for her when any of her brothers go away for college. Our oldest son Brandon is majoring in philosophy and minoring in Theology and then when he goes to a four year college is going to major in Theology. He wants to either be a teacher or a professor someday!! Being in the school environment runs in our family. My dad was a primary and junior high school principal, my sister taught at the community college, my other sister is a special education assistant teacher and I work in the schools as an occupational therapy assistant. I don't ever want to leave at this point. I love working with the children with special needs especially the children diagnosis with Autism/Sensory disorders. I am just concerned about how Sierra will react to being left when I have to go back to work. This Friday we are attending a meeting to get her evaluation process started in the local public school. She went to the school screening last week and she does qualify for ECE...which is the Early Child Education classroom specialized in the children with special needs. Sierra is a very smart girl but her communication skills are still lower than her peers which affect the score on the school testing. Nothing that shocked me when I took her. I knew that the scores would be very low but by this time next year.........watch out!!

May 4, 2006...........Sierra is having so much fun now that the weather is warmer and the sun is shining!!! She loves being outside playing with sidewalk chalk, riding her bikes, and playing basketball. Yes, I have myself a little tom-boy.
But still loves talking on the phone...just like any little girl/big girl!!!

May 1, 2006...Sierra wanted to show off the pictures that Grandpa Billy took of her yesterday at church. She is healing so well and she continues to love her smile!!! She is so much our "lil gorgeous"!!!!