What a YEAR!!!

I can't believe its been a year...I am overwhelmed with joy and excitement at how far we have all come. Laura started First Grade today and we celebrate as she has been with us right at a year now. Unbelievable how time flies!!! I feel such joy when I see how much she has changed. She is more friendly, outgoing, willing to try new things, more confident, and all around a happy 7 yr old. I will never be able to explain to her the circumstances of her young childhood, but we just keep reminding her that God brought her to us a gift. I hope one day she will feel the same way. I am so thankful for all our friends and family that have invested in her. I am thankful for ConXion Cheer and the hard work they continue to do by building her trust levels. I am so grateful for our church and the children’s ministry. So many people have contributed their time and efforts in reassuring Laura and building her character. She has seen her brothers several times at the Palmer Home and they have come to our house for a visit. I have to continue to remind myself that God has a plan for them as well. We are praying for that plan and trust Jerm 29:11. We took her to St Louis this summer and had just about the best family trip you can have...City Museum and Six Flags were so much fun. She LOVED the rides and is a good little traveler...thanks to my niece Holly who traveled with us.  We are excited to see what this school year brings...I am hoping this Reach program will be exactly what she needs to continue getting caught up. Gary and I tell her all the time, "just do your best". That is all we want for her...just to keep trying and never give up even when things get hard.

School Year

I can't believe its almost the end of the school year...Laura has come SO far since Christmas. She is reading up a storm and even "shushes” us when we try to help her with words. She will move on to first grade, but will be in a program called Reach next year to continue extra one on one help. We couldn't be happier with this choice and feel like she will exceed well in this environment. She is getting ready for a cheerleading competition in Destin and seems to love every bit of it. They have been practicing up to three times a week and between that, church and school, we are all exhausted!!! Again, I don't know how my friends with more than one handles all the coming/going. Gary took her fishing the other day and she enjoyed holding the rod and watching Elliot run around. Also, with Easter just around the corner, we have had lots of fun shopping for dresses. She will have the opportunity to visit with her birth mom and brothers. She is SO excited to see her brothers and can't wait to hide eggs with them. We are getting ready for the summer which is full of various camps, swimming and lots of family time. Words cannot express how blessed we are!!!

Christmas

I can't believe its been two months since my last post...time is flying by!!! We had an incredible Christmas with Laura. She was completely overwhelmed by all her gifts!!! It was so much fun to watch her open and express such joy. I think her favorite toys were her DS Game and her numerous barbies with accessories!!! She has gone from a size 4-5 to a 6-7 very quickly. She LOVES to snack and eat sweets. Her favorites are string cheese, frozen yogurt and fruit. Also, every time we go out to eat, she ask for Mexican and can finish a bowl of cheese dip by herself. Gary always picks her up after cheernastics practice and has started a routine of taking her to Tropical Smoothie. She reminds me every Tuesday that HE is to pick her up. Another funny story is that I was in comfy clothes the other day to drop her off at practice and she said, "Mom, you can just drop me off at the door, you don't have to walk me in", ha. I just laughed and agreed. She is a very funny child, but is extremely sensitive if she thinks you are laughing at her. Elliot our dog has replaced his comfy dog pillow by our bed for a piece of carpet in her room...he follows her everywhere!!! I look back and can't believe how far she has come. All is well in the Rikard household and we are ready for spring-summer to hurry for some outside play and swim time :-)