Hadassah's 1st Orchestra Concert

Note: I forgot about trying to post this. Sadly, I still haven't figured out how to upload the video.

Yes, I know I am WAY overdue (again) for an update, but I just wanted to give everyone a chance to see Hadassah in her first orchestra concert. So, from the ECISD Music Department's "A West Side Orchestra Concert" presenting the orchestras from Odessa HS, Ector JHS, Bowie JHS, Crockett JHS, and introducing the 6th grade elementary orchestra students from Austin, Alamo, Blackshear, Burleson, Cameron, Noel, Pease, San Jacinto, Travis, and Zvala Elementaries.... here is the First Year Orchestra, conducted by Dr Larisa Bairamova (Hadassah's orchestra teacher) performing "Aunt Rhodie's Appetite"

Miracles Still Happen

In a 30 minute time period, there were 172 car wrecks in Tarrant County today. One of those was my husband. Ronnie avoided a multi-car pile-up, but in the process, the truck hydroplaned and hit the retaining wall tail end first. Ronnie is okay and on his way to his dad's house in Abilene, where he will spend the night before coming the rest of the way home.

God still looks out for us, people. He is still there, and He still cares.

Overdue and Probably Boring

Yes, I know it's been over a month since my last posting. Honestly, not much has been happening, except that all of us have been having problems with our allergies. Let me think...



We took a second trip to Tyler to visit with Ronnie before school started.



The three older kids started school on August 25.



Hadassah auditioned for, and made, solo & ensemble choir, even though she hasn't been in choir at school. She is also taking viola lessons this year.



Michael's blinking picked back up around the start of the school year, but has settled back down again. He has auditioned for the regular choir. We'll find out if he made it on Friday. He will be taking guitar lessons.



Kimberly is being Kimberly again this year. She has impressed everyone with how well she does with her glasses. Her teacher and I think she will make improvements over last year (provided she settles down).



Stephan was staying home with me, but he started "school" on the 15th. He is doing wonderfully with potty-training at school but has regressed a bit at home.



I have been doing some volunteer work at the school, including one day when Kimberly's teacher aide was out. That made me decide that I still wanted to sub for the teacher aides again this year. What can I say? I just love being up at the school. I think I'm fascinated by all that those tiny kids can do. I really enjoy the Montessori environment. I also have become the proud owner of my very first sewing machine and table(Thank you Diane & Kerry), and I have a plan rolling around in my mind for the first project I want to do on it No, I'm not counting the $30 or $40 machine I picked up this summer at Michael's, which I'll use to eventually teach the kids with.


Ronnie has managed to come home for his days off... twice, but our family sure did enjoy both weeks when he was home. The company he works for, ECCO Drilling, doesn't look like it's going to be doing too well though. He was contacted by someone at a company that he had previously really wanted to go to work for, and they're talking to him. We're keeping our minds and options open. We don't like the thought of uprooting our family again only to wind up stuck without any options.



What is to come? Honestly, I don't know, but that's okay. I will try to do a better job of keeping things up-to-date though.

Praises!!!

Can you guess by the title what I am going to say?

Michael had a 3rd EEG this morning, this time at the neurologist's office. His EEG was normal, and he has been cleared. Of course, the neurologist says it's because the EEG was done in his office, by his technician, where he can control everything. (Hmm, 2 EEGs showing suspicious activity, and he wants to take the credit for the normal 3rd one? Possible, but I think there's more to it than that.) The MRI he had the other day was normal as well. The neurologist believes that the blinking is a mannerism that Michael has developed, aka motor tic.

Yes, we will continue to watch Michael. Yes, there is still a possibility that he could develop seizures, but so could any of the rest of us. I will be speaking to his teacher and the other school staff so they will know what to look for in case he does begin to have them.

Do I believe that this is the end of the matter? My belief is, probably not. My hope and prayer, "Please God, let Michael be completely healed of this and never have to worry about it again." Realistically, I know God's will for our lives is also God's perfect will, even if we question it.

Thank you everyone for your love, prayers, and support.

Neurologist's Appointment

We just got home the neurologist's office. Thankfully, he doesn't think it seizures. However, Michael has to do yet another EEG (3rd), but this one will be done at the neurologist's office. I'll let y'all know when we get the results from that. Now, I'm off to find some nourishment for my stomach.

Intermediate update on Michael

Well, I finally talked to the neurologist. According to him, both of Michael's EEGs are "suspicious" but are not showing "classical seizure activity." He is consulting with a colleague on Michael's case, and he is having his office work us in around 9am Monday morning. It is possible that we will have another EEG done in the neurologist's office.

Mom, if you're reading this, thanks so much for everything you've done for me lately. I love you!

Sneak Peek at Michael's MRI

Quick update on Michael --

He had a 2nd EEG this morning, followed by an MRI this afternoon. Mom was able to bring his MRI up on the computer in NICU and review it with the neonatalogist that she works for. While he is not a neurologist, Mom says that he didn't see anything big wrong such as a tumor or missing chunks of brain. Yes, we cheated a bit doing this, but at least it relives a little bit of concern.

Now, for the waiting part again...