Date: Thu, 28 Mar 2013 07:07:34 -0400
To: April Luehmann
Subject: Maya! 🙂

Good morning, April!

I just wanted to say that your daughter is hysterical and makes us laugh every, single day! I think about these little cuties all the time and this is just one tiny incident that kept popping into my head~

Mrs. St. George came to see Maya this week and we were right in the middle of a lesson. Maya was very much “into it” (talking about comprehension, the need to THINK and ask ourselves questions when we read etc., the magic of reading and how it can make us laugh, cry, take us to faraway places, make us “feel” like we’re there and so on). Maya looked up at me, as if to say, “Is it OK if I go now?” I asked her to please finish the little bit of her snack first (which, by the way, she always “taps into” when we first start our day, it’s like the little nibble she needs or likes to get going). She instantly put the whole “thing” in her mouth, smiled a huge smile and put both arms up, as if to say, “All gone! I’m clean!” I guess maybe you had to be there but it just made Helen and I crack-up, one of those many times it’s hard to keep going with a lesson because they are just so darned cute!

I also wanted to reiterate the kindness I see from her on a daily basis, along with creativity. She was having a disagreement with Halle the other day and made some construction paper representations of her feelings. One was a sad face, one was a heart, cut in half and “broken,” and another one (I think with Halle’s name on it). They were able to straighten it out together but she didn’t speak when she reported it to me/us…she simply showed us the signs. Unbelievable…J

A classmate was in tears (and frequently is, although this week has made a huge transformation and I wonder if Maya’s kindness has had a lot to do with that!)…it was dismissal time. I was trying so hard to get a smile from this child before she walked out the door but she was too far gone (over something VERY tiny but obviously meaningful to her!). Maya watched from a close distance and proceeded to walk up to us, put her arm on the child’s back, spoke very gently to her about how things will be OK and not to worry about when things don’t always go our way etc. The child stopped crying and the two of them walked hand-in-hand out the door. Let me tell you…another one of those moments where it was hard for me not to burst into tears!

These “Hallmark Moments” that happen are often with these little ones and your daughter most definitely has the gift of sincere (!) empathy, caring and love/respect for others. Her “creative juices” are not only blooming (bursting) all over the place but are also put to good use in social/emotional situations.

I just wanted to share that…it’s so important to hear these little things that slip by way too often.

Have a great break and thank YOU for sharing your beautiful daughter with me! She is amazing!
Love,
Karen J

It’s your birthday – and everyone is remembering you and celebrating the blessing you are to the world!!

The last 2 weeks have also been an incredibly hard time for Oma, Opa and our family. Below is the email that Oma wrote to our family today.

You understand that Opa is sick and that Oma needs our thoughts and prayers to take care of him. Your prayer last night was:

“Thank you God for the food we eat.
“Thank you God for the birds that sing.
“Thank you God for everything.
“Thank you God for making Opa better.
“Thank you God for helping Oma take care of Opa.
“Thank you God that Amy is there to help.
“Thank you God for Jojo and birthdays
“And iPod cases that sparkle.
“Amen.”

On the next one, pay special attention around 2:07 – That is when you start reading your own story of Christmas traditions – You can see Oma’s face recognize it and then Opa’s enjoyment at the end. You rock!!

Oma and Opa spent Christmas with us in Rochester – reading to you, playing with you, meeting your friends at school, having special dinners… This is a time we will always treasure!! Remember when Opa fed Jojo beer?!?!? And Jojo LOVED it!!!!! We laughed SOOOOO HARD!!!

From: Mom and Dad
Date: Sun, 17 Mar 2013 06:16:08 -0500
To: April Luehmann , ranae rohe , Mary Rohe , Bruce Friedrich , Kelly Johson , “MARK.LUEHMANN@cmsenergy.com” , “js_1923@hotmail.com”
Cc: Muriel and Gene , Mom and Dad Lloyd Luehmann , Jessica Stark , John & Julie Falkers , Jonna Stark , Jenessa Stark , Bianca Luehmann , Amy Strande , “gusf@me.com” , shelly rohe , Alka , ruth , Beth , “bettydiersen@gmail.com” , “bjturock@me.com” , LaRae & Clay Fromm , “eunicelow@charter.net” , Cassandra Pierce , “hsylviahall@comcast.net” , jeremiah stark , My Jim , “jnmussell@yahoo.com” , “klongland@sbcglobal.net” , “lfromm@spartan.org” , marilyn friedrich , muriel and gene stark , Rachon Rohe , Uncle Wally
Subject: HAPPY 8TH BIRTHDAY, MAYA!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU
HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU
HAPPY BIRTHDAY, DEAR MAYA
HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU!

GOD’S BLESSINGS TO YOU
GOD’S BLESSINGS TO YOU
GOD’S BLESSINGS, DEAR MAYA
GOD’S BLESSINGS TO YOU!

I began this email yesterday morning. I was sitting at the computer when I heard a thud from our bedroom. Lloyd was on his way to the bathroom and had fallen. Amy and I helped him to the bathroom, where he passed out. We called 911 and the ambulance came to take him first to the Austin hospital and then on to St. Mary’s in Rochester, where he is now a patient.

Lloyd was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s/dementia last May. Shortly after that he quit driving and we sold his car in July. He continued to be very active and involved. Last summer he biked well over 1,000 miles, we continued to go to water aerobics nearly every morning, we volunteered, went to plays and concerts. About two weeks ago, things began to change rapdily and drastically. Lloyd was no longer Lloyd.

Last Sunday morning he tried to leave the house at 2:30 in the morning. When I couldn’t change his mind, I called 911. Police officers arrived and he was taken to the hospital for observation. He spent Sunday and Monday in the hospital and returned home on Tuesday morning. He continued to be very confused and agitated. Amy arrived from Seattle on Wednesday. It has been such a blessing to have her here with me the past few days. Mark arrived from Michigan last night.

The goal at St. Mary’s is to try to regulate a new Alzheimer’s medication he started on Monday night. For Lloyd, this medication has caused increased shaking, weakness in his legs, and increased agitation. The doctor in Rochester has prescribed a different dosage and time for taking the medication. We pray that he can return home, but he will need his meds to be working for him. Right now, they are not.

Sounds like Maya had a very special birthday, with lots of celebrating. She was in our thoughts yesterday as she celebrated her 8th birthday.

Please continue to keep both Lloyd and me in your prayers. It is such a devastating disease.

We send our love,
Miriam

This post documents your last day of being 7.

Jesus having a very special dinner with his friends before He went away – to remind them not to be afraid, and to show them a very special way to stay connected.

The Lord\'s Supper – Questions we have for Jesus

The Lord\'s Supper – I want to stay with you

The Lord\'s Supper – Why I\'ve called you to dinner tonight…

I know we’re a week early, but I believe in Birthday Months – It’s so easy and fun to celebrate you!!

You really wanted to have a special time where you could introduce your “Bestie” from Cobblestone to your “Bestie” from Council Rock, so tonight we had a very special night with Siobhan and Halle.

We went to the place you have been begging to go since we took you a year ago, and the server surprised you with chocolate lava cake for your birthday!! So we got all fancy and went! SO MUCH FUN!! You girls were so grown up – you tried new foods, you used your napkins, you spoke quietly (most of the time) – – and you also skipped to and from the bathroom (that you visited 3 times), danced in the booth to fun songs, and “kid-i-fied” the chocolate cake before wearing it all over your faces for a cheesy picture. Almost 8 is the PERFECT AGE!! I’m so so so SO glad you’re not growing up too fast!!

After the restaurant, you hot tubbed, painted, and we ended the night with a new story I bought you for your birthday:

The Rag Coat by Lauren Mills –

“People only need people, and nothing else”

– Papa in The Rag Coat

You have wonderful people!!

Invitations – done.

Love it!!

Love being your Mom!!

In no particular order:
Siobhan
Eva
Emily
Lindsey
Delilah
Halle
Samantha
Anna

Some pottery painting. Some icre cream cake. All good!

Random Fun Pictures: