Update #4: Weimaraner

Yeah!!!! I finally got the dog I have been wanting forever! She is adorable--her name is K.D. ("Katie") and she is a full-bred Weimaraner. We had to name her something original (and apparently, long) because that is how all the other names on her Pedigree are. So, we decided on Kori Delmira Garcia. Kori means "God's Peace" and Delmira means "Noble Protector". She is really a good puppy. We got her a little over a month ago and she is pretty much housebroken, walks without a leash (and doesn't run away!), and is overall a very laid back dog.

I started back for Fall semester around the same time the kids did. I got hired to do an externship position at the hospital that I will be working at after I graduate, so I will start that in a couple weeks probably. It's basically additional clinical experience that I will get a few bucks for. I need all the experience I can get before I am on my own as an RN so that I don't kill anyone!

Brad is applying for an Air National Guard position in Ft. Worth, TX that he hopes to get. It would just be the 'one weekend a month, 2 week a year' thing, but it's a better position that his reserve position that he is currently in here.

Now I think you are pretty much caught up on our lives...until next time!!!

Update #3: School Year Begins

Back to school--I totally love this time of year. We all know that my favorite season is Fall and I think that's why I love it...it's when the kids go back to school and get out of the house!!! No more, "Mommy, I'm bored!", no more "Mommy, Dylan won't stop touching me!", and no more wet tracks through the house from running in the sprinkler. Actually, I love having the kids around all Summer--they still go to daycare since I still have classes, but we do get to spend alot more time together than usual.

We did tons of boating this Summer. Brad and I went to Grand Lake for a week long getaway which was very nice. The kids are like fish in Lake Arbuckle--they absolutely love the water. We got to camp with our friends several times as well. Then, finally, school started. Dylan and Taylor both go to the same school now--Taylor is in all day Kindergarten and Dylan is in 1/2 day Pre-Kindergarten. Taylor was really excited, but a little concerned that she wouldn't be able to do the work--as if she wasn't smart enough or anything. This was back in August mind you...the other day she came home (about a month later) and said,

"Mom, I was so frusterated in school today!"

"Why?"

"Because our teacher made us do worksheet, after worksheet, after worksheet!"

"Did you have problem's with them?"

"No!"

"Then why were your frusterated?"

"Because I finished mine first every time, then I had to wait for everyone else...they take forever!"

Haha--guess she's not worried anymore!

Dylan was a little different (since it is his first time in "Big Boy School". The night before school started he was so worried that he didn't fall asleep until 11:30. He went to bed at 8:30 and tossed and turned. When I went to check on him this was our conversation,

"Dylan, what the matter?"

starting to cry, "I don't want to go to school!"

"Why?"

"Because I don't want to ride the bus to daycare after school! I don't know how!"

(he's never been on a bus before)

"Dylan, the teacher is going to help you get on the bus, and make sure you are OK"

"Really?!?!"

"Of course! She won't let you get on the wrong bus, and you will recognize the bus driver because it will be Miss Misty from your daycare!"

"Miss Misty???"

"Yes."

"Oh boy! I can't wait to ride the bus!!!"

Haha! He was OK after that. The first two days went well, then he started with his attitude and the rest is history. He gets in trouble at least once a week for yelling or throwing a fit about something that doesn't meet his expectations. Same ol' same ol'.

Here's some pics from the first day...

Update #2: Chiari Malformation

Sometimes I get a little scared when I have to take DJ to the doctor...whether it be for an illness or a regular check up with his specialists. It literally seems like every time we go for what we think is going to be an average check up, we find out something else that is wrong with him...it really sucks.

I know, I know, life is not fair and I should quit whining.


DJ had an MRI this Summer for his headaches that he was having. It showed a new problem in his brain called a Chiari malformation. Without going into a ton of details, it is a problem where a portion of his brain (the cerebellum) is herniating through the opening in his skull that his spinal cord enters through. So, he had to go see his neuro surgeon, who ordered another MRI of his entire spine which showed the Chiari (again), but also showed a Syrinx. For those of you who don't have time to click the link...in a nutshell, it is a collection of cerebrospinal fluid on his spinal cord resulting from the Chiari. His brain is getting pushed into his spinal cord...great.


So, the surgeon wants to take a wait-and-see approach right now and continue with annual MRI's of his brain and spinal cord. This can be corrected with surgery, but it involves cutting away a portion of his skull to allow for movement of the cerebellum and drainage of the syrinx. If it worsens and is not treated, it can lead to muscle weakness, abnormal vision, severe headaches, and permanent paralysis.


Humph...Fabulous!!!


The neuro surgeon is almost positive that the shunts in Dylan's head (which artificially control the flow of fluid) caused this problem. I wonder sometimes how these parents do it that have kids with severe abnormalities like mental retardation or kids that have fatal cancer. I guess I have to think this way to make myself feel better and to keep in mind that my child is pretty lucky. It still makes me want to hurt that stupid babysitter.

Update #1 - DJ's Birthday

I am going to do a few separate updates for you guys since, once again, I have been neglecting this site! That way, you won't feel like you're reading on, and on, and on....

OK, so for this first one, we will go back to the end of June when my not-so-little guy turned 4. He had a pirate birthday party at the house and had a ton of fun. He was running around saying "Arrrrrgh, matey!!!" most of the day. He had a bunch of his friends there and got way too many gifts. In fact, he had so many to open that once he opened one, he would drop it, and rush to the next present without really even aknowledging it. It was pretty funny--he had a blast. We decorated mugs, played cannonball toss, and dug for buried treasure. Here's some pics...