I miss my blog

I miss my blog.  Last  year was such a crazy year that I dropped the ball.  I look back on my paltry few posts from 2009 and I see that I didn't even scratch the surface of the year.  I will say, I doubt there was ever a year in which an entire family was so excited to kiss good-bye.

January started off with a bang with Darren's brain tumor.  You can read the entire story here: 
http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/darrengallup.  We are still praising God for the fact that there is no sign of the tumor, and he is still recovering so well.  For all intents and purposes, he's the same guy he's always been.  I think he has a better appreciation for life, though, and he's a lot more demonstrative in his love and appreciation of people.  He doesn't take much for granted anymore.

In April, Mikey fell off the swing at school, breaking his nose and sinus bone.  This was just as baseball season was getting under way, so he had to start the season with the impediment of a face mask.  He ended the season well, and there are  no after effects of the breaks.  He does like to tell people he broke his face, though!  Goofy boy...He has started piano, and is really good at it.  He played "Let It Snow," along with 5 other pianists, at the school's winter concert.  He's a WEBELOS now, and working on his Arrows.

In July, Matt was officially diagnosed with Tourette's and OCD. He's adjusting very well, but it appears that the diagnosis freed him from keeping the tics hidden.  We see a new tic every couple of weeks.  He moved to middle school, and is really succeeding in the social and active aspect.  The organizational aspect is lagging, but his team of teachers is working really hard to help with that. He started percussion, and we have his marimba in the new music room in our house.  He's also discovered acting, and has had a part in, "Romeo and Juliet, a Comedy," and is now working on the musical, "OKLAHOMA!"  He started dancing ballet and is still taking tap and hip hop. The ballet is really helping him handle his tics. 

In December, Emily was diagnosed with Eosinophilic Gastroenteritis.  That's a big word for a digestive disorder where she produces too many white eosinophilic blood cells, causing severe pain and bloating along with a terrible rash.  She's working on controling the physical symptoms with medication and is working on pain management through biofeedback. Never think she lets that get her down, though!  She has started debate and has lettered! She is on the broadcasting team, too.  She's taking advanced comm arts and advanced biology. She has her schedule figured for the rest of high school, and intends to finish her senior year with a Certified Nursing Assistant certification.  Her Girl Scout troop just finished their Silver Award, and she's already brainstorming for her Gold. She is still in dance, taking ballet, pointe and jazz.

As for me, well, I'm still working on my certification.  I have passed the Professional Teaching Knowledge exam and hope to pass the English Language Arts by May.  I have done two long term sub assignments; one in French and one in the therapeutic learning center at the high school.  I hope to have another LTS by the end of the school year.

We have welcomed two new family members.  Toby the Cat joined us just a few days before Darren got sick.  He has become Emily's cat, preferring to snuggle her at night, and playing with her at all times. In September, we adopted Cruiser the Yorkie. He's MY dog, and makes sure everybody knows it.  Our family is DEFINITELY complete!

God bless.  Thank you for reading.

Posted by Valerie at 2/4/2010 11:17 AM
Categories: uncategorized

Previous Post
Next Post

 

What did you think of this article?




Trackbacks
Trackback specific URL for this post
  • No trackbacks exist for this post.
Comments
Display comments as (Linear | Threaded)
Page: 1 of 7
Page: 1 of 7
Leave a comment

 Enter the above security code (required)

 Name

 Email (will not be published)

 Website

Your comment is 0 characters limited to 3000 characters.