Avery Grace

Avery Grace

Wednesday, December 25, 2013

Beeson Holiday Letter 2013

Beeson Holiday Letter 2013
“Blast this Christmas music. It's joyful and triumphant!” The Grinch -Dr. Seuss

I have a terrible memory.  Truly.  More often than not, when people say "remember the time when..." I usually don't.  It's a little embarrassing.  But thankfully, I have technology on my side to help recall a few details, since the big things usually remain remembered.  I'm grateful for my smartphone so I can document with pictures, and social media like Facebook that enables me to look back on my own page at memories past.  Because, let's be honest, life is all about the memories we share.  Especially during the holidays,"the most wonderful time of the year."  Just today I had the pleasure of documenting a few holiday memories with my girls, and experiencing the smells, tastes, visions and wonders of Christmas.  Like everyone else, the cherished time of childhood seems to zip by in a flash. And the moments that I want locked in my brain are those shared with loved ones.  We've had a few great, and a few not so great memories in 2013.  And as we soak in the season of magic and joy, it's fun to look back on the growth, changes and challenges that shape our perspectives, lives, and hearts.

We have so much to be grateful for this year, and every year.  Not the least of which is our soon to be fourth (and final) baby due to arrive in only a few short weeks.  Most of you know of our big news, and we are delighted and surprised to be expecting the pitter patter of little BOY feet on or around January 10th.  A new adventure for us!  Our hands are certainly full, even more so are our hearts.  Some of you may think we’re crazy, but something about having a child with special needs like Avery made us want to surround her with siblings, chaos, laughter, and noise!  We wouldn’t have it any other way. 

Our three precious girls bring us so much love.  Presley, now 3, is going to preschool 5 days a week at an Episcopal School here in Frisco, Tx that we adore.  She LOVES school, and is thriving there.  Kaylin, age 5, is in kindergarten and keeping everyone around her on their toes!  She is as spunky and feisty as ever, and is reading well and always creating lots of drama.  Both of our “little” girls are already excellent sisters to our “big” girl Avery, age 7.  Avery is doing well in her special Ed program, and is getting better at identifying pictures on her communication device (her iPad).  She was officially diagnosed with Rett Syndrome this year, which explains so much of her debilitating motor skills, epilepsy, inability to speak, and overall level of functioning.  It was somewhat of a relief to finally have a name for our sweet daughters’ many disabilities, and we are so grateful to have found a team of doctors in Houston who took the time to evaluate her (for hours) and give us some answers we have been looking for over the years.  We continue to be blessed with fabulous therapists, teachers and caregivers too! It really does take a village. 
   
Bryan and I are doing great, and are so lucky to have each other on this journey (which in many ways is really like a roller coaster!)  Bryan continues to work in the energy industry and is very happy with his company and position.  I have just completed yet another graduate program to further my career as a therapist/consultant working with individuals with disabilities and their families, and have really enjoyed working part time while also being a student and full time mom.  We are so blessed to have friends and caregivers who help us in so many ways as a family. 
   
So there you have it!  We hope that you and yours have found an abundance of grace, joy and hope this year, and we wish you all a season full of sparkle and wonder, and a 2013 illuminated with love, good health, peace, and a bounty of happy memories.
                
 Love,  Bryan, Jenny, Avery Grace, Kaylin Joy, Presley Hope, and baby boy Beeson