End of Another Era

Savannah finished a busy wonderful year at preschool.

She had awesome teachers in an awesome school.

I can't believe how grown up she is.

She'll be going to Kindergarten in a couple short months!

Daddy had to have surgery, so he didn't make it to the ceremony.

He surprised his girl with flowers and a balloon, which won him a kiss.

The ceremony was SO cute!

As she walked down the aisle to "Pomp and Circumstance", I found myself wondering how fast the next short years will pass before she'll be 17 and graduating high school.

She was very upset about graduating.

She cried until they called her name.  

She said she doesn't want to grow up.

I agree.

Big D assured her that she could just keep going to school and graduating over and over again... 

...like her mother.

We sure do love our sweet little graduate!

"Normal" Summertime?!?!

10 days seizure-free.

One month inpatient admission free.

If we didn't have a potential neurosurgery in the works... 

it might seem like the beginning of a "normal" summer.

But it sure is fun enjoying the moment and these two goofy, summer-loving girls! 

Wordless Wednesday

Happy Mother's Day

In the spirit of Mother's Day, I wanted you to hear from my children.

To hear from Brooklyn, click here.

 To hear from Savannah, click here.

Happy Mother's Day!

The End of a Chapter.

 Back when I decided to start grad school, it wasn't much of a decision. 

I mentioned to my mom that I always wanted to get my Master's.

She asked, "Well, why don't you?"

I replied that I'd have to hurry up and take my GRE to apply.  

She told me to hurry then.

I got a decent score, got accepted, and went to grad school.

 

And being the nerd that I am, I loved it.

I definitely had no idea what a wild ride the next two years would be.

But nonetheless, I pressed on.

 There were a few times that I wasn't sure I would finish.

In fact, I cried on a poor UVA med student who tried to calm me down about a hospitalization, explaining to him that I had a thesis to be working on and I needed someone to make my baby well so that I could finish school already.  Aaron, if you are reading this, I'm sorry about the meltdown, I hope you found a better attending to study under, and I finished!

On Friday, May 11, I walked across the stage at Virginia Tech and shook President Steger's hand and had my Master's Degree conferred.

 

It was a happy day.

 

It was nice to know that despite the challenges of being a mom, an employee, and a nurse/therapist/doctor/aide/etc... I got to do something for myself.  I got to accomplish something.

 And apparently my family spent the long ceremony taking bets on how long it would be before they were watching me get my PhD.  (Its at least a few years away.)

Now I am a Hokie Alumni for life. 

 

Which does have some benefits with regards to football tickets.

 

I know you all really want to see pictures of the First Lady, but I skipped out on that ceremony.

I'm not really a fan.

And the snipers on the tops of all of the buildings were a little intimidating.

The girls attended the ceremony.  I hope that they will have a vague memory of it one day, and that they realize that if Mommy could do it, they can too. 

Education is a powerful tool.

Brooklyn gave me a thumbs up.

And Savannah pointed out that she is graduating preschool this year too, and she needs at least as many presents as I got.  Duh. 

It is hard for me to believe that the last time I graduated college, I was about 5 months pregnant with that little stinker... and now she is entirely too grown up.

The Hokie Chapter is over.

But the Hokie Nation will live forever in my heart.

Amino Acids and Other Things I Wish I Paid Attention To In School.

 Does anyone know what amino acids are?  Anyone?  Hmmm?  Yeah, me neither.  But I got a big education on those microscopic things lately.  Apparently there are approximately 20 identifiable amino acids in your body, and they are the building blocks for protein, etc.  And they are supposed to stay within certain levels, or else they can build up and become toxic.  Apparently, Brooklyn has a few that are elevated, but not to the toxic level right now.  Which means somewhere, things aren't functioning like they should be.  In some people, certain elevated amino acid levels can indicate a metabolic disorder.  However, if you have a complicated kid, her amino acids won't be elevated in the typical manner that indicates a metabolic disorder.  So you will get a phone call that goes something like, "Your child has abnormal levels of amino acids in her blood.  However, they do not go with any specific identifiable rare disorder.  She could have something that hasn't yet been identified.  Or maybe not.  So the results are nonspecific.  So we will proceed as we have been so far.  Try not to worry about it." 

So you will go on about your life knowing that you have one more piece of the puzzle.  And knowing that things don't always go as planned.  And to be aware that, "We must be willing to let go of the life we have planned, so as to have the life that is waiting for us."  That life?  A one piece at a time puzzle putting together life... without knowing what kind of puzzle you are creating.  Just knowing that its beautiful, that the experience is hard but wonderful, and that there are lots of laughs, hugs, and smiles along the way.  And that you won't ever give up... and you wouldn't trade even the hardest days in the world for anything.

Western Round-Up Day!

My cute cowgirl had a great time at Western Round-Up Day at school... milking a cow, riding a pony, swinging a lasso, and greeting everyone with "Howdy, Partner!"  Love it!!!!