Eric's Senior Pictures

Eric graduates with honors from Mesa High School next week. Enjoy these pictures of Eric - the photographer caught both his serious and fun side. We are so proud of him!

Max Goes to Work

Max didn't have an especially good day yesterday. When I asked him about it, he told me it wasn't his fault, because he had a secret. A secret? Max assured me that the reason he didn't do well yesterday was because his brain had taken a job on Mondays and wasn't there in school with him. I am not kidding! I laughed so hard (to his surprise) and then explained how important it was for his brain to be with him at all times at school and it needed to quit its day job.

Ah the joys of parenting an autistic child. I just can't make this stuff up...

Senior Prom

 
Eric took Jillian Alger to the senior prom over the weekend. They had such a great time with the close friends in their group. It was really a wonderful way to celebrate the end of senior year at Mesa High. We sure appreciate Jillian and her gentle influence on Eric - they have been friends since they were 8! I am so happy he chose one of his best friends to go to prom with. We sure love Jillian - and they look so cute together, don't you think?

PICC Free

Darrell was given a clean bill of health as recovered from the parotitis. No more PICC line! No more IV antibiotics! Sometimes it's hard to be grateful for a body that seems to betray him at every turn. But as he faces each new physical challenge, I am constantly amazed at how he can stay positive and grateful. And it's not for show - quiet moments between us and the family, heartfelt prayers he voices, all remind me how strong and focused on the big picture he truly is.

Darrell has taught me so much - not only about him, but about my shortcomings. I know I would not face the challenge with the same faith that he has. I wish I could say that I would be as strong, but I fear I wouldn't be. I guess I need to pay better attention and learn. Because we all will face seemingly insurmountable trials in our lives. Every single one of us. It has made me ponder - how would I do? Not how do I HOPE I would do, but how would I do? It has made me make some mental adjustments.

A volunteer position came up in the community that required a 5-year committment and Darrell was considering throwing his name in the ring. I was so proud of his thought process - he is living like he will beat the odds. Who is to say he won't? Not me! I am gonna stick around and watch the miracle.

Easter 2009

 
Hope your Easter was a time filled with family and good food. Ours sure was! We were so happy that Darrell came home from the hospital to be with us. Happy Easter to all 2009.
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Double Happiness

This is the symbol for double happiness - which describes me & Darrell now that he has been released from the hospital. Although he is on a PIC line and gets IV's of antibiotics twice daily, he feels great, looks great and we are all happy! Amazing how humble you get when you really get down to the heart of things. As long as my honey is OK, I am doing great. Stuff like the house not perfect, my hair or weight not perfect, etc seems really silly. Good to always progress and strive for excellence, but not good to obssess and let it depress you. When you have your family, you have everything.

Parotitis

You may think parotitis has something to do with:


But you'd be wrong. It's an acute bacterial infection of the salivary glands (think mumps) and my poor honey got it over the weekend. We are at day 3 at "glorious" Club Bannner, but I think because he is responding so well to treatment he will get out today or tomorrow.

Keep him in your thoughts and prayers. Darrell is a trooper! Between hospital stays he appeared in court at a pretrial hearing, and was hospitalized again a few hours later. I am so impressed with my husband and his committment to providing for his family. We are grateful to all those who helped us.