A very Merry Christmas and New Year

Photo Credit: Green Chair Stories

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!  What a special holiday season it has been for us.  River Butch has been with us for 5 months today and he is one happy-very happy, kind, goofy, smart and adorable little person.  He and Scout are best buddies, with some sibling fights mixed in, and he is also very thoughtful to our Lu.  When someone calls to talk to me and the kids- like a grandparent or Jason, River often makes sure Lucia has some airtime too.   He takes the phone and scurries over to Lucia saying "Lucia, Lucia" and holds the phone in front of her. Heart melt!  He and Scout take turns bringing me diapers, her bottle, wiping her face, they kiss her goodnight, sing her songs... It's what I hoped and prayed for but didn't really expect.  A runaround playmate for Scout, someone else to love on Lu, and someone else for Lu to love and teach.  My friend Courtney asked me the other day how it was going and I said it honestly doesn't seem like a big deal.  River is a BIG deal but he just fits in.  He is a part of our family and we just do our thing.  I had no idea what our world would look like with our new son.  Our world is very similar, but River has made it more colorful, brighter, created more laughter, more chaos and more love.   I believe God helped with this match and we are in awe thankful.  River Butch Dawkins we are SO thankful for YOU!

Christmas felt different this year with the excitement of Santa, reindeer, Christmas movies (jason said too many movie watching-bah humbug) and all the magic that goes along with the season.  This year reminded me of the magic I felt growing up..

Christmas morning stockings!  Santa came!

 This past weekend we went to Breckenridge with my family.  We took up all the gear for Jason and Scout to ski, and gear for the rest of us to sled or play in the snow.  New Years eve we ate a delicious feast in our condo, hit the hot tub and the next day we woke up to 2017.  It was a sunny, not too cold, perfect mountain condition bluebird day.  On a whim (not giving to much thought to it before), I googled a number for Breck's handicapped skiing program and picked up the phone.  A couple calls and less than 2 hours later, Lu was geared up and we headed to the mountain program!  Our Lucia was going to ski!  About 45 minutes of getting to know Lucia and setting her up in a ski seat, she was off with 2 skiers and Jason.  It. Was. Incredible.  Lucia was happy, even cracked some smiles, was patting her hands, and skied for about 1 1/2 hours! To say this was the best first day of any year for Jason or myself is an understatement.  The high of trying something new, going out on a limb, being excited but nervous, can be the best feeling and I felt it through our Snowbird, our Lu.  I'm so impressed and inspired by their program the Outdoor Education Center- they couldn't have been better!  We will be back!

Lu testing out her ski's with her instructor Amanda

getting excited!

https://youtu.be/x8r80szxeCg

Check out her cruising in the link above!
 Scout took a lesson the following day and enjoyed it too!  Our "kind and aggressive" (she went down the hill without waiting for anyone said her instructor) little athletic Scout.  So proud of my girls.  River shouldn't be too far behind when we start him.  Now I need to dust of my skis gear... I have a hard time doing things I know Lucia isn't able to do..no excuses there now!  

Thankful for our new son River.  Thankful for our snowbird brave Lu.  Thankful for the sister who was born without anything "special" who couldn't be more full of life and puts up with all that comes her way in her very SPECIAL way- our Scout!  Thank you God for our little munchkins.
Happy let's Ski New Year!
And Uncle Dennis- Wow-Such Wonderful News!!!!!!