Merry Christmas!

Christmas 2006, Santa came to Cason's school.




Christmas 2006


December 21, 2006

Dear Friends and Family,
It’s Christmas time again and we wanted to update everyone on the last year or so of our lives.
A brief recap for us: in the spring of ’05 Luder graduated from Washington and Lee School of Law and I graduated from Southern Virginia University. We did this while Cason was one year old. Then Luder studied for the bar all of last summer while I was pregnant and searching for a home for us in Richmond. He passed the bar and we bought our first home in Richmond. Luder began his legal career at Morris & Morris in downtown Richmond and we settled in and prepared for the birth of our second son. Luder Abram Milton was born on November 21, 2005.
Abram has been such a joy to our family. Shortly after his birth he had a prolonged case of jaundice. When that passed he became ill for the next several months. We quickly learned patience and long suffering. We were very sleep deprived. One of his last major battles with his illness happened to fall at the same time that I lost one of my best friends in this life. My Nan (my maternal grandmother) passed away on May 6, 2006. It was a really hard time for our family but we managed to get through it.
Abram is healthy now. We just celebrated Abram’s first birthday and Cason’s third. Abram is talking and walking. He can say mommy, daddy, duck, go, Bop, no, yes, bath, hot dog, book and several others. The words aren’t really clear but they are understandable. He grunts loudly and aggressively when Cason is trying to take something from him. It is really funny! He loves to eat, play and read books. He loves to try to keep up with Cason. He is an all around great baby!
Cason started school this year. He is in a preschool that is close to our home. He loves to go to school. He loves his friends at church and school and he loves visiting family. He isn’t a big eater but I guess that is normal toddler behavior. He is funny and very smart. He loves to learn and is very sensitive. He has recently told me, "Mommy, I'm crazy about you!" and "I couldn't have done it without you." Whenever I apologize to him he says, "It's Ok Mommy, everyone makes stakes." (He means everyone makes mistakes.) He really loves his brother, when they wake up they run into each other’s rooms and squeal. It is so cute!
Luder is still working hard in his career. He has more cases than ever and is really excited because he just landed his first lobbying client. Lobbying has been a goal of his for a long time. He was also called to be the Young Men’s President at our church. He still manages to be an incredible father. It really makes my life more enjoyable to see this type of love shared. Luder hasn’t had a lot of time for his hobbies this year but occasionally he exercises, reads and keeps up with sports. He really looks forward to going back to Costa Rica one day.
As for me, I am barely able to keep up with the two little monkeys at home. It seems like I am so busy with lots of “help” from the boys. We try to take time every day to play outside or go somewhere fun. We go to playgroup and the gym, which everyone enjoys. I am also in the Young Women organization at church. I teach on Sundays and help with organization and weekly activities. It is good to be around the youth. They are strength to me and provide an opportunity for me to make myself better as I know they are looking to me to be an example. Richmond has been a great place for me. I have met some good friends and found some neat places that I enjoy.
As usual, we wish there was more time for visits and less distances to be traveled to make that possible. As the year passes I realize that Nan's passing has had me thinking and reflecting about health, life, death and I guess I take more time to stop and be in the moment than I used to. This is why I didn't get out the traditional Christmas card. I just couldn't take the time away from the boys.

We wish you all health, safety and peace this year. We are so grateful for our many blessings, especially the birth of our Savior. I hope you will all stop and spend time with those you love and let them know how you feel. We love and miss you all.

Love,
Luder, Ginny, Cason and Abram Milton