Gloria Sola Gates!

Little Gloria Sola Gates was born at 0114 on 06JUN07 at the Landstuhl Regional Medical Center. She was 7lbs, 12oz , 18 inches long and is a VERY beautiful and healthy baby. Her name is taken from a latin phrase meaning To God Alone Be The Glory.

Amy did very good during the birthing process, and the doctors and nurses on the floor were in awe of her experience and composure. Still, the birthing process is a grueling and painful one. We thank God that he kept both mother and baby safe and healthy through the ordeal.

Little Gloria's family came to escort her from the hospital in full battle rattle. As you can see below, she is very well protected!

HOOAHH!

Wrestling Champion!!

Gabriel’s wrestling season here in Germany has been quite an exciting adventure for the Gates family. Daddy coached the team as an assistant coach and had many opportunities to build into Gabriel’s development as a wrestler. Still, from practice one, Gabriel showed that he had natural abilities that just cannot be taught. A 2 time New York State champion and CW4 in the army served as our head coach. He constantly commented on Gabriel’s natural talent, and really loved watching him wrestle.

Gabriel finished off the season with 19 wins and 2 losses. He pinned just about every opponent and never lost by more than 3 points.

If you ask him what his favorite move is, he would say the double-leg takedown, and he executes it well. We look forward to many more successful seasons.

Spelling Bee Champion!

Many of you know our VERY capable daughter, Grace Louise. She had a chance to shine in the annual Baumholder Homeschooling Association's Spelling bee spanning kindergarten through 8th grade. Homeschooling is quite popular in the military community, and this is especially so here overseas. Grace has nearly replaced her father as the family story reader, and we are blessed to have her as the oldest of 5 children!

Grace competed in the annual spelling bee without missing one word and took the title of 1st place overall champion for the 2006-2007 school year.

We are so proud of our little champion Grace Louise!