OK, I know....

I am updating. Get off my ass, ok? Here is why I haven't updated in so long:

On the 18th, I took Emma to the doctor because she had a sore throat and fever. All three kids were cultured for strep but, in the end, Emma was diagnosed with adenovirus. Dex became ill by Saturday and Claire on Sunday. By Christmas day Claire had developed pink eye as well. Josh got sick on Christmas eve. Everyone but me was sick for Christmas.

On the 20th, Josh's grandpa Al (that we visited in Vegas in October) flew into town for the holidays. He stayed with us until Christmas and then moved over to Jane's. He will be back here on Monday. Al has Parkinson's and has many symptoms, the most notable being that he falls down alot. By Christmas day, he had fallen on the same arm and hip enough to have me take him to the doctor on the 26th. Yesterday afternoon, I took him to the hospital for MRI's of the affected areas. Amidst all of this, we are also looking for a reasonable priced independent living center for Al to move into in Lubbock. Due to all the falling, we cannot send him back home alone.

Also, yesterday afternoon, I took Dex in for his 15 month check up (about a month late). He seems to be maturing fine except for the fact that he has not gained a single ounce since his 12 month check up. The doctor said he would be more concerned if he didn't know what the rest of us look like. Since he does, he thinks the skinniness is likely genetic. (Duh.)

Another appointment we had this past week was on the 21st. It was Emma's first visit with her psychologist. Those of you who know us know the anxiety and fear that Emma has struggled with her entire life. Social settings have always been difficult for her and we have finally decided to try to help her with this through therapy. She has tentatively been diagnosed with Social Anxiety Disorder and Sensory Integration Disorder. More testing will be done, but there is the possibility that she may wind up being diagnosed with Asperger's or some other mild autistic spectrum disorder. More therapy is being prescribed including speech therapy, occupational therapy, and physical therapy. It has been a scary and worrisome time for us. The first person we saw was a psychiatrist, a few weeks ago, who prescribed Emma zoloft and told us about other therapies we could look into. When we asked her if zoloft was even safe for her, she said that it would probably be fine. We decided we needed a second opinion, which is where the pyschologst came in. She agreed that Emma is much to young for zoloft and is working with us to find the right help for Emma.
We had always operated on the idea that Emma would eventually outgrow her "shyness" and have a normal childhood. It has become apparent that it is unlikely that will ever happen without the right therapy. The biggest problem I have encountered throughout this is family and friends whose response is, "There is nothing wrong with her, she just needs to be forced to socialize" or "Why are you doing all of this? She is just shy". People who haven't dealt with psychological and neurological problems before have no idea that this is something Emma can't be "forced" out of. She is young enough that she can be taught how to deal with it, but she will never outgrow it.


Between sick kids, falling grandpa's, MRI's, pyschological testing, and Baby Jesus' birthday party, I have been a little busy. The next person who bitches at me about updating is going to get a swift kick to the groin.

woop woop

I am mostly updating because of this. My sister is following in my footsteps, and I am flattered, except that I think she just said I look like this thing:

Thanks, sissy

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Funny things said in my house lately:

Josh (as he darts by): Don't tell them where I am hiding! That is cheating! (Covers himself with the curtains, toes hanging out.)

How old are you, Josh? Furthermore, I learned the rules to hide and seek about 25 years ago, thankyouverymuch.

Dexter: Oh Shit! (When it got a laugh, it was followed by ohshitohshitohshit, with a little dance and a smile. Lesson 32498- don't laugh when they cuss.)

random bits and pieces

Holy crap, dudes. Less than 2 weeks until Christmas. I am mostly finished shopping. I only have one person left to buy for. (If any of you know what I should get Frank, now is the time to speak up. If you don't know Frank, disregard. Unless, of course, you know of the perfect gift for a grown man that works alot, collects nothing, and claims to not want or need any man-made product.)


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In more interesting news, Dex is walking. More zombie (arms straight out in front of him, stiff legged and stumbling) than coordinated walking at this point, but I think it still counts. It is especially endearing when he makes it to his destination and stops to clap for himself.


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Big trip in the works for February. Megan and I are meeting Karin in Dallas, and plan to party like it's 1999. Ok, realistically, Megan will be 6 months pregnant and Karin will have an infant in tow, but party we shall. Until 9:30, when we all pass out from staying up so late. Still exciting, considering that we get to see Karin twice a year at this point.

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Did you know that Flickr has an amazing selection of "found letters" clip art? Check it out:


Now, anyone know where I can get a 2.5 inch x 10 inch frame?


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I like this quote today:

"Happiness is like a butterfly; the more you chase it, the more it will elude you, but if you turn your attention to other things, it will come and sit softly on your shoulder..." - Thoreau

Why the telephone beats AIM, hands down

Recounting of IM conversation with Karin's husband, Jared.

Me: somethingsomethingblahblahblah

Jared: somethingresponseblahblah

Jared: One second

Jared: baby

At this point my brain goes into automatic meltdown. Karin's husband just called me baby. What do I tell Karin? I am imagining my death, in which Josh and Karin will join together to kill me. What in the hell is Jared thinking, calling me baby???
(Jared returns)
Jared: OK, sorry.

Me: Baby????

Jared: Yeah, he was crying.

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A secondary title for this one could be me VS my ego

Nuggets of wisdom

From Claire tonight:
If you have a booboo, that is bad news. If you don't, that is good news. That's what friends are for. And friends don't eat junk.


Well said, my dear.

Time keeps rolling on

Today marks the two year anniversary of my dad's death. I don't know that any of us are really coping any better than we did last year, but we survived it last year so I suppose we will again this year.I think the reason it bothers me so much (besides the obvious) is that I have plenty of friends and family who have genuinly crappy dads. Absent fathers, self-absorbed fathers, useless fathers, take your pick. But I actually had a really good dad. By no means was he perfect, but he made an effort his entire life to improve ours. I supposed I should feel lucky for the 25 years I had with him, but I am still struck by the unfairness of it all. I miss you, dad.

BTW- I am especially thinking of you today, Misty. Hope that both of our days go by quickly.

Why Josh is grounded from the water colors