Wow - what a year 2007 has been. There's been good and bad and everything in between but through it all God has been faithful and we are here to celebrate the birth of our Savior. The highlight of the year would have to be our trip to Costa Rica. We traveled to Costa Rica with Amy's parents and her brother and his family. We spent the first week on the Pacific coast in a town called Playa del Coco. We stayed in a beautiful home that sat on a cliff overlooking the ocean. Needless to say it was a level of luxury that we could easily become a custom to. While in Coco we spent a few days at the beach, did some deep sea fishing, took a river ride through a wildlife refuge, and visited some surrounding towns and villages. And we can't forget the shopping and lazy days at the house playing in the pool. For the last few days, we traveled east to the area surrounding the Arenal Volcano, one of the active volcanoes in the area. We again were very blessed with our accommodations and had a terrific time in the rainforest. Although the clouds never cleared completely for a view of the awe inspiring Arenal, the sights were amazing. Pictures don't do it justice - so you will have to plan a trip for yourself to see what we mean. For us, the best part of the trip was zip-lining through the rain forest. It was like a scene out of the Amazing Race and an incredible experience. Landry even got to fly like Superman - something he continues to talk about. For more details and pictures on our trip, scroll down just a little and see the blog entry on Costa Rica.
Landry is now 4 1/2 and is anxiously awaiting the day he gets to start at the "big school." For now he is attending preschool at our old church. His week is supplemented with speech therapy (as much as 5 hours a week) as we continue to work on his verbal apraxia and articulation issues. His speech improves by the day and I am amazed at how far he has come. I never thought I'd see (or hear) the day when I would actually tell him to be quiet! We have become quite good at interpreting and understanding what he is saying, but every now and then he throws us for a loop. Context is everything! He does not frustrate easily and is a really good communicator. I can't wait to see the plans that God has for him unfold as he grows. Knowing God and his sense of humor - he will probably be a preacher or speaker of some sorts.
Landry is definitely all boy and is currently obsessed with Superman and Batman, tractors and trains, and playing with his friends. It is so fun watching him grow and develop and experience new things. It's hard to remember life before him and we definitely wouldn't go back to it! He is growing into such a considerate and empathetic little boy. He is often first to run and hold a door open for someone or comfort a friend when they are hurt or sad. And personality and humor he is not lacking! He is little charmer - and despite his speech issues the kids at school love him.
Steve has once again started the year in a new school. He is now coaching at a 5A high school on the other side of San Antonio. He is the Assistant Varsity Coach for the girls teams and started the season helping the Junior Varsity team while their coach was finishing football season. Although the season is not starting off as he and the other coach hoped, the experience and exposure he is getting at the 5A level will benefit him for the future. He is also teaching Sophomore English. He had one of his friends from La Vernia also transfer to this school so he was able to start the year knowing someone. He has since made some new friends and is enjoying his time at Southwest High School.
Amy continues to work at home as an attorney for the Texas Workforce Commission, although a change is on the horizon. She is working on her Alternative Teaching Certification and hopes to become a teacher. She would really like to teach 2nd - 5th grades or Government to high school seniors. Yes - she knows this is quite an extreme and she is getting used to the looks on peoples' faces when she tells them this. In actuality though, it really shows the two different sides of her personality. No - I didn't say multiple personalities!
In May, we started a new adventure with our church. We were part of a small group that left Community Bible Church in San Antonio to help start a satellite church - Community Bible Church New Braunfels. It has been amazing to watch God work in our new church. Amy is the Children's Director and oversees the program from nursery through 6th grades. Steve has helped with some planning for the youth. We also lead a small group with other married couples in the church. In addition to our satellite, CBC has started about 12 satellite churches across the state, country and around the world. God has opened some amazing doors and on any given weekend there are 11,000 people worshipping through CBC.
We are excited to see what God is going to do in 2008. Please keep us in your prayers as Amy looks to change careers, Steve continues to impact the lives of students through teaching and coaching, and as Landry starts kindergarten. It looks like 2008 is going to be a big year!!!
We would love to hear from you so feel free to leave us comments here or e-mail us at amybiddison@sbcglobal.net. Check back throughout the year to see how we are doing!
The Biddison Family
Steve, Amy & Landry
