What I have learned...

Last year at this time we were celebrating every sound Courtney could hear. Today, we are not only celebrating the sounds she hears, but the words she says. It has been an amazing journey with ups and downs, but overall good. I can't help but reflect on all of the things I have learned as I met a young mother recently who thinks her son is deaf, but is afraid to tell anyone. She heard Courtney talk over the phone and I couldn't help but feel emotional, not sad, just emotional. Most things I already knew, but were simply confirmed this past year.

I have learned that as a parent we will sacrifice everything for their well being, for them to be successful. I have met families who have moved to another country to get the best care/therapy they could find. We are only trying to move to another city and it is difficult, I can't imagine another country!

I have learned that for everything in life there is a season and every person chooses what that season is. For me, I am a mom, a wife and a business owner. I can't be the best athlete, I can be in shape, but running a marathon will have to wait. I want to go back to school for my doctorate, but that too will have to wait. It is not my season. However, I love the season I am in.

I get to drop off and pick up my kids from school, not everyone can do that. I get to keep Courtney at home most of the time. I have a flexible enough schedule that I can make a doctor appointment, dentist appointment, or schedule surgery for myself or my kids any time or day of the week. With that comes sacrifices I am willing to make because I can't do it all. If I say yes to something I am saying no to something else, and that is okay.

I have learned that in a marriage the feelings love turn into actions of love. Filling up my car with gas, loading my car before a business trip at 6:15am, getting the boys ready and taking them to school at 6:45am every morning he is home so I can work out in the morning, and the list goes one. It is truly the little things.

I have learned that I couldn't be the mom, wife and friend I am today if it weren't for my parents. As I dive deeper into parenthood I understand the importance of being a good role model. I am so thankful for their continuous support through all of our trials and tribulations. They have taught me there is always a solution, never quit, work hard, be fair, be kind, to name a few. Thank you.

Most importantly I have learned what unwavering faith is. It is not something that comes easy, but is the biggest blessing to actually exercise it and leave every worry, sorrow, hurt and pain to Him. Sometimes we get the confirmation that everything will be okay. I now know that okay may not be the answer we want (i.e. I wanted Courtney to be able to hear - that would have made me okay). Well, Courtney is deaf and I am okay. Life is difficult, but I know in the end I will be okay.

As I reflect, I feel humbled at the many blessings I have been given. God is good, life is good!

Comal County Fair

Yesterday we went to the annual Comal County Fair. Yesterday also marked the one year anniversary of Courtney's cochlear implant surgery! My mom and I are in debate over if the surgery date or the activation date is her hearing birthday. I am going to go with the activation date so I will wait to write more on her progress until then!

The kids had a blast and it was amazing to see Courtney take in all the fair excitement! Logan loved the kiddy rides and Jeremy... Well, Jeremy scared his mother to death. He decided he wanted to ride a big kid ride. The Super Shoot. This is the one that goes straight up in the air and then just falls down. I was a nervous wreck. He is only 6!!!! Bryan quickly told me that just because I don't like rides doesn't mean I have to hold him back. Hold him back??? He is only 6! Jeremy did it not once, but twice, and we could have won big on America's Funniest Videos for his facial expression as the ride came crashing down. I couldn't watch the first time, but I did the second and it was hilarious!

The boys loved petting the baby animals, but Courtney wasn't so sure. She didn't even want to touch the baby chicks! She kept saying no and bye-bye to the animals. We have gone every year and felt a little sad knowing that it might be our last as New Braunfels residents! (Hopefully!!) Here are a few pictures of the night.

Happy 2nd Birthday Courtney!

Dear Courtney,

I can't believe today is your 2nd birthday already! You have brought us so much joy and on a journey we have learned to embrace. Your sweet spirit and laughter are infectious! I love seeing you interact with your brothers. Through all of the roughness you hold your own. You are a strong willed little girl which can be very difficult now, but later in life will be one of your greatest attributes. "Sassy Pants" is sometimes an understatement!

This last year has been an amazing ride, watching your world open up to sound. You still seem to take so much in visually. I love to watch you and look at your eyes as you take in the sights and sounds around you. You are social and love to blow kisses to everyone, including airplanes, buses and semi trucks! Our family wouldn't be complete without you and we thank our Heavenly Father for you every day!

I look forward to your growth and development this next year. It is hard to envision as we never thought you would dance when you heard music, turn to your name, or light up as we sang Happy Birthday to you. Thank you for choosing us, we love you!

Love you!
Mommy (Moaney)

Re-Cap

I had to post this picture of Courtney in honor of my friend Lisa! She is working so hard to feed her children nothing but nutritious food. She posts excellent healthy recipes, and my kids stuff their faces with sugar loaded cupcakes! Needless to say, I have a lot to learn from her!

Things for the moment have slowed down so I thought I would post some pictures and do a re-cap on life at the Kohlers. After our trip to CA this summer we had to come home and decide where we were going to put Logan for pre-school. Bryan and I both felt that Logan needed something more than daycare and needed a true pre-school. Before we left I had discussed with the director of the Parent Infant Program at Sunshine Cottage, Logan enrolling there but there wasn't a spot. However, when we returned they had made a new class so there was a spot for him. We were thrilled. At the same time they mentioned there was still openings for 1st grade. I ended up going home with two enrollment packets and a lot to discuss with Bryan!

In the end we felt it was best to send the boys there. Courtney will start there next year and go there through 5th grade. It seemed a little crazy to have Logan at one place, Jeremy at one place and Courtney at another. If money grew on trees, we would be able pick everyone up when they got out of school if we paid for after school care. At an extra $200 and something PER child it just wasn't going to work to have them at 3 separate places. So, August 11th they started school.


They are loving it! Logan is in a class with 4 other children, Ms. Judy his teacher and Ms. Amanda the instructional assistant! So far they have baked cookies, made pizzas, done all kinds of craft projects and has named himself "Logan 3". The audiologist that works in his class is named Logan, but she is a girl. My Logan can't get over that a girl can be named Logan, too. His teachers enjoy him and some of the things he says. For example, he was laying down for nap and asked his teacher about the clock. She explained that it was a clock and that it tells time. He asked if it ever stops. She told him that time doesn't really ever stop and that the clock may stop if it needed new batteries. He chewed on that for a few minutes and then said, "Man, those two skinny dudes (the minute and hour hands) never stop."

Jeremy is doing great and loves his other 7 classmates, Ms. Browning his teacher, and Mrs. Rodriguez the instructional assistant. He seems to like all of the subjects and loves to read. He talks the most about science. They take a lot of field trips at Sunshine Cottage and he is really looking forward to those!!

Courtney still goes once per week and her annual evaluation showed that she is functioning in the 15-18 month range. However, she has mastered many of the skills in the 18-24 month range. According to all of the assessments we did, she knows over 200 words and can say around 50. Her latest audiogram shosw that she can hear at 30db across all frequencies and 20db for some speech sounds. The goal is to be between 25 and 35db so she is right where she needs to be for now. It is just so exciting to see her growth and development!

With all of that good there is a little craziness. Sunshine Cottage is 35 miles away from New Braunfels. Which doesn't sound too bad except we do the roundtrip twice per day for a grand total of 700 miles per week. The trip in the morning takes a minimum of an hour one way because we are heading into San Antonio. So, we have put our house on the market to see if we can sell it and move a little closer to San Antonio. We have shown our house a few times, but no bites yet. We are keeping our fingers crossed!

During the middle of it all, Courtney and I flew to Utah to visit my good friend Missy. She recently had a baby and I just had to meet him and her daughter, Ashlyn, who is a month younger than Courtney. We had a great time!

Aslyn and Courtney

Me and Missy

Parker, Courtny and Ashlyn

Thank you Mike and Missy! Hopefully we will all be out this winter!

Bryan celebrated his 31st birthday yesterday! We didn't do anything big, just had dinner at home and yummy cupcakes for dessert! The boys really wanted to get him a work watch, so we picked one out at Academy. They were too cute about it. We started a new family tradition, inspired by another Kohler family. It's called the Birthday Box. We cut out all kinds of shapes from construction paper. I asked the kids why they loved Daddy and put one reason on each piece of paper. I added mine as well and a few from Courtney. A few highlights were: Logan - "I love Daddy because he lets us pick out the carts." (the cool car cart at the grocery store that I never get because I can't maneuver it!) Jeremy - " I love Daddy because he loves us all." Courtney - "I love Daddy because he blow dries my hair." (Bryan really does this after he gives her a bath - I love it!)

All in all life is good at the Kohlers! Hopefully I will do better at updating rather than waiting 2 months!

Happy 6th Birthday Jeremy!

Dear Jeremy,

I can't believe you are 6 today. You are growing up so fast! You are turning into such a polite young boy. Daddy and I can't thank you enough for all of your help with Logan and Courtney. You are kind, loving, and tender hearted. We miss you very much, but know you are having so much fun in California with your grandparents.

Over the past year you started school and are reading above grade level. You have a love of learning and your mind never stops, or your mouth for that matter! You started racing BMX bikes with Daddy and are doing quite well with it. It was also your first year for soccer and T-Ball. When the "little ones" are napping you always whip out the crayons and color pages upon pages. And, for some reason, you love to sing and can actually carry a tune!! You love to go to church and say the most heart felt prayers. We are so thankful we have you as part of our family. You are strong, determined and a great role model for your little brother and sister.

Thank you so much for the best 6 years! We can't wait for the next 6 and many more to come.

Love,
Mommy

Hey buddy!!!! I want to wish you a happy 6th birthday. You are growing up so fast. I'm very proud of the little man you are becoming. I'm so proud of how polite and thoughtful you are. We'll race bikes more when you get back to Texas. I love you Jeremy!!! -Dad

One Year

A year ago today we began Courtney's journey into the hearing world. We have come a long way since this day last year!

This morning Logan ended up in my bed and Courtney was in the pack and play in my room as well. As soon as she spotted me she hopped up and yelled, "MOM!" I love it! Thank you Courtney!

"Bobpa" and "Daddy"

This Father's Day the kids and I were able to spend the day with my dad. We went to I Hop for breakfast, Dad's favorite, and just enjoyed hanging out at home. Unfortunately, Bryan was, and still is in Texas. The kids really miss him, especially Logan. We will celebrate Bryan next week when he joins us in CA.

I think the best gift that any of us could give Bryan and my dad came from Courtney... Almost one year ago to the day we never thought that hearing her say "Bobpa" clear as day to my dad and "Daddy" clear as day to Bryan would mean so much.

And, that little stinker says, "Momo" for my mom, and "Gigi" for Bryan's grandma and a whole lot of nothing for Mommy!!! What the heck is all that about?! Soon enough, I know!