June Posting

We made to Ohio -- trip was uneventful for the most part....although Zach's new birthday present was left behind on plane ($70 computer thingy) and we packed both DVD players on the leg from Hawaii to Houston to Columbus -- Madison screamed (or what people thought was screaming...her Mama, mama for 3 whole hours...before I knocked her out with benadryl and motrin) ..dogs were fine....a bit stinky but in good health...Harley definitely had the case of the nerves for about two days but she is fine now!

So we got in last Friday night and have been on the go ever since. Since Sat we have seen over 30 houses...we are down to our final two...we each like the other one best...so it is a bit of a stalemate....I think I should win because I spend the most time in the kitchen! Mike doesn't agree -- tomorrow but we are looking at the final two houses tomorrow....ugh...dragging kids around hasn't been fun....

We meet with the developmentally specialist and pediatrician on Tuesday for Madison...it was an exhausting appt (reliving her short history and wondering about the could have's should haves)...about 1.5 hours but we came out with lots of referrals....liked the Drs...but they didn't say to much...wants to wait and get other infor first....understandable but at the same time was hoping he would say apraxia so I know what is in store....this is sooooo incredible hard....anyways....

We are staying on base in the temporary housing; lodging calls them cottages mike calls them shacks......(by the railroad tracks....no sleep)......Madison will start therapy next week for speech at least at Therapy connections (I think that is the name) but not the OT/PT...gotta go elsewhere for that...and as soon as we get a house then we can start the state program....

ps -- funny story...when we pulled up in front of the lodging....Zach had just woken up and was not a happy camper....got him calmed down and he said to me...mama...those trees are funny looking (pointing to a maple tree)...I said "honey, we no longer have palm trees...u will get to see lots of different looking trees now"...

April Posting

The month of April was extremely busy. Let me start with the big news we got the word that WEARE MOVING BACK TO THE US..... We are excited to get closer to top-notch medical facilities and closer to family. We should be back in the states in the next 45 days if not sooner. ....so now the packing begins and the decision of where to live ensues to.

The month of April started off with a bit of rest and relaxation for Natalee in Bali. I joined a couple of friends from here in Guam and we headed to another tropical island. When we arrived (after a difficult landing -- piolt missed the runway the 1st attempt)...we landed to a good rain storm. After finding out hotel and having a tropical drink we got some muched needed rest. We spent our trip relaxing at the spas, white water rafting, camel riding and sight seeing/buying gifts for the kiddos.

Madison had her 2 year pictures taken....so cute but lots of work...I left sweating...not sure how the photographer does that for a living. Thank goodness for technology, because I don't think she was able to capture too many "smiles."

Ashley had spring break...and enjoyed numerous sleep overs with her pal,Megan. We visited Underwater world and did some bowling. Unfortunately, there isn't a whole lot of new things to see and do on the island...once you have lived here for 2 years. Uncle Phillip came for a visit, all the way from Alabama. We took around the sights on the island and then he and Mike left for a guys getaway to Palau. Their trip to Palau was fantastic. They were able to spot sharks, sting rays and loads of fish. They did 3 dives a day andwere pretty tired by the end of the trip. The kids had a great timewith Uncle Phillip...he went to the pool with Zach and accompanied Maddie to tumbling time.

Zachary learned how to whistle this month. We were driving somewhere and kept hearing this noise and couldn't figure out where it was coming from. I said to Zach hey, Zach do you hear that squeal noise, I hope the car isn't breaking down. He said, this noise mommy? And there you have it...the boy can now whistle...lots of fun to see him master the skill. He is also a whiz on his tricycle when he wants to be....

We were also able to get a trip into Hong Kong this month as well. Seeing Uncle Tony and Aunt Nisha and baby Milan was great fun. We packed alot of sight seeing into the 4 day trip. We visited the "big budda", Disneyland (Maddie went crazy over the sight of Mickey Mouse andthroughly enjoyed the parade), local "wet" market (fish/fruit),shopping, eating Krispy Creme and relaxing with Milan. We had a wonderful time, unfortunately, Ash didn't come with...she decided she didn't want to miss a week of school and a band concert (our studious daughter)!

Lastly, Madison and I went back to Hawaii for her neurology follow-up.She had her 2nd MRI done. The results were that her brain mylin hasprogressed from 6 mns ago but isn't complete. The docs thing that it isin the final stages of completion and hope it will be done within another 6mns-1year....(normally by the age of 2 it is completed)....so that leaves the question of did the lack of mylin cause the seizures orvice versus...and unfortunately, that is a question that we will never have an answer for....the docs do believe that Maddie has a language disorder not a delay so that was a bit of a bummer...called Apraxia...basically, her brain is not wired correctly to tell her mouth,throat, lips etc. to move at the same time to form words...so this will take intensive therapy to hopefully, correct...and get Madison to be understood by the general population..thus, our return to the states. So that is our April in a nut shell.

March Posting

Hi family and friends -- wow, where did March go? We had a verybusy month.
I completed 2 -- 5K running races, hiked to Mt Lam Lam (tallest peak in Guam), rode a 20K bike race, hosted a bookclub meeting(we read The Other Bollyen Girl), learned how to make lumpia and playedBunko with the girls.
Mike -- worked, worked and worked. He was also able to get in some golf with his buddies. This month we finally decided it was time to try and leave the island early; due to Madison's medical history we are trying to be closer to doctors who can help her on a consistent basis. We are now just waiting to hear where we will go next and what Mike's next job will be!
Ash -- had a girl scout sleepover down at one of the local hotels. The girls worked on badges and had a great time. She came homewith a nasty sunburn!
Zachary -- was able to get up close and personally with thelocal snakes here "The Brown Tree Snake".....we took a tour of the USDA facility where we petted the snakes and watched the terrier dog hunt them out...pic attached
Madison -- turned two this month! We had a festive "flowerblooming" party for her at the pool! It was a great time had by all!She also had a swallow test completed; a complete trooper during that test...she even amazed the radiologist. The results indicated that she has an aversion to tough foods and possible dystharia...although the local neurologist doesn't concur at this time. So we will be off to Hawaii in 1 week (21st April) for her repeat MRI....hopefully, that willbe NORMAL and we can press with speech therapy and time! This month we also took away her beloved pacifier...ugh has that been hard...she has found her way back into our bed again...but we are slowly trying to work on that! We also attended the Kite festival here on Guam...it was greatto see all of the wonderful colors in the sky....http://www.travellady.com/Issues/March07/3974TheESTofGuam.htm.
Lastly, we celebrated St Pats (made cereal necklaces) and Easter with the kids. The kids decorated eggs, colored cookies with the neighbors, participated in two easter egg hunts. Madison actually understood the concept of picking them up and putting the eggs in her basket (Ashleywas a great help this year too!). Zachary was so fast we barely got any pictures of him. Next month we will write about Nat's travels to Bali, familytrip to Hong Kong, Ash's spring break and give you the lastest and greatest info on Madison. Thank you for keeping us in your prayers!

Taking a break from all the fun in the sun. We enjoyed our President's Day at Tarza water park. We were there when it opened and almost closed it down. Here is Madison taking her afternoon nap. She fell asleep on my lap while taking a ride on the lazy river; she transitioned well to the beach chair.