2009 Christmas letter

Dear Friends and Family,

Rayne brought in the year turning one. We had a small family gathering at the house, where Rayne had his first taste of cake. It was not love at first taste, but he has grown extremely fond of it as the year progressed. He seems to have done everything incredibly early. He walks, talks, sings, climbs, jumps, flips, marches, runs, and is into everything. It feels like we skipped a lot of stages; however separation anxiety is not one of those. He does not like to be away from me, and honestly I am not that crazy about it either. He has remained big and healthy at all of his check ups, staying in the top 90 percent. He is smart, handsome, healthy, happy and oh so busy.

Lexy is in VPK this year and goes three half days a week. She is going to a very small school in the church we got married in. They are patient and structured with her. She still seems to be struggling to keep up with the other kids in her class in several areas. Lexy continues to work with the amazing therapy group that we have had her in since we got her. She gets speech twice a week and OT, when there is an occupational therapist available. Since her birthday is in August we are talking with her teachers and therapists about waiting an extra year to start her in kindergarten. She is big for her age, but it may be more important that she have the extra year to mature and catch up developmentally. She has also started tumbling and loves it. She is not always graceful, but according to her coaches the strongest one in her class, not a big surprise to us. Her 4th birthday party was a big hit. She had a princess themed party at our local indoor play place. Grandma lavished her with a real Cinderella dress, and tiara and decorated her princess birthday cake to look just like her. She is beautiful, funny, thoughtful, affectionate, and stubborn. We are so proud of her.

Gary Consulting has stayed steady. Monty has brought a few more contractors on board. His business is good and continues growing. He has a really great group of clients, many of whom have become friends. They show so much love and support for our family, and we are grateful.

Mike Jr. and I have started making some green arts and crafts. We are trying everything from belts, to fishing lures, and all from recycled products. I have been gathering people’s trash everywhere I go, even Lexy’s school is helping collect stuff for some of our projects. Our kids enjoy recycling, reusing and buying used. They don’t understand the full impact of their simple actions yet, but are like doing it. I was hoping to have enough stuff made to set up at a few craft shows over the holidays, but we have just been too busy. I love spending time and sharing these projects with my brother. We are not planning on getting rich, but we are having fun with it.

We are still a licensed foster home though we have only done respite a few times to help out other foster parents. Our schedule stays pretty full, but we have decided to stay licensed and connected. We don’t want to take on too much, but we are not ready to give it up. We desperately want to help more foster children. We are still finding our family balance and are taking everyday as it comes. We are proud parents and love our family time!

Wishing you peace, love and joy in 2010!
Merry Christmas! HUGS!!
Monty, Amanda, Lexy and Rayne Gary

Family News

Rayne turned one on February 3 and we had a small family gathering. He had his first taste of cake and icing. He wanted nothing to do with either; he even gagged at the taste of them. Monty has requested a DNA test, because he said there is now way his son doesn’t like cake. Everything went great at his one year check up. He is still at the top of the charts in height, weight and head. She was also very pleased with his development once again. He can say lots of words now. It is so fun to watch him grow….he learns something new everyday.

Lexy is still doing great in school. She has a new teacher that is very structured and focused on preparing them for preschool. Lexy does very well in a structured environment. She is still facing some challenges with some speech, sensory and behavioral issue. She is still going to speech therapy weekly and we have just started her in occupational therapy weekly as well. We are hoping it will help her have better body awareness and get on top of some of her impulse control issues. It has been brought to our attention that she needs to be tested for lead. We are also going to schedule some neurological testing, because of a tremor in her hands. We just want make sure there is no permanent damage from her injuries. With all that being said she is doing exceptionally well. She is happy little girl, that loves to help everyone. She loves her little brother and is also making big accomplishments everyday. It is also a joy to watch her grow and learn.

Monty and I are doing great too. We survived our first year with two children. I think it has taken me the entire year to find some balance, but I finally feel like I have my head above water. Don’t get me wrong I still face new challenges everyday, and it is not easy. I just have a little better handle on it. We did re-license our home and are ready to take foster children on a short term basis. Thankfully there are not many children coming into care right and they do not need us.


Hope all is great with all of you!

Rayne's 1 year old update

Rayne turned one on February 3 and we had a small family gathering.  He had his first taste of cake and icing.   He wanted nothing to do with either; he even gagged at the taste of them.   Monty has requested a DNA test, because he said there is now way his son doesn’t like cake.   Everything went great at his one year check up.  He is still at the top of the charts in height, weight and head.  She was also very pleased with his development once again.  He can say lots of words now.  It is so fun to watch him grow….he learns something new everyday.

Lexy is still doing great in school.  She has a new teacher that is very structured and focused on preparing them for preschool.  Lexy does very well in a structured environment.  She is still facing some challenges with some speech, sensory and behavioral issue.  She is still going to speech therapy weekly and we have just started her in occupational therapy weekly as well.  We are hoping it will help her have better body awareness and get on top of some of her impulse control issues.  It has been brought to our attention that she needs to be tested for lead.  We are also going to schedule some neurological testing, because of a tremor in her hands.  We just want make sure there is no permanent damage from her injuries.  With all that being said she is doing exceptionally well.   She is happy little girl, that loves to help everyone.  She loves her little brother and is also making big accomplishments everyday.  It is also a joy to watch her grow and learn.

Monty and I are doing great too. We survived our first year with two children.  I think it has taken me the entire year to find a balance, but I finally feel like I have my head above water.  Don’t get me wrong I still face new challenges everyday, and it is not easy.  I just have a little better handle on it.  We did re-license our home and are ready to take foster children on a short term basis, until we can get a larger home.  Thankfully there are not many children coming into care right and they do not need us.