My adorable band geek!

She worried.

She doubted.

She practiced.

She persevered.

Her audition for high school band proved to be better than she ever imagined and we're ecstatic about the results!

What better way to celebrate than with frozen yogurt!

Madi's latest

What in the world do you do with every single Hannah Montana fabric available at WalMart?

Produce the most comfy rag quilt for everyone to fight over.

Bring Him Home Santa

Make an on-line slide show at www.OneTrueMedia.com

Presenting . . . .

Madison and the McCool Beginning Band . . . .

(now read that whole intro again using Grandpa Lang's "presenting" voice)

These 6th graders had their first concert just 3 1/2 months after first picking up their instuments. I'd say they sound dang good! Click below to have a listen.

I can't believe it!

My baby is 12. My baby!

She's grown from "my shadow" into a lovely young lady.

I've been banned!

Banned from coming outside during the prime times when kids (ANY kids) are walking to school.

Banned from making eye contact if I happen to be in the school.

Banned from taking "back to school photos".

Seriously - I had to hang out incognito with my camera this afternoon to capture this moment in our lives! (you know, the 3rd day of school is so important!)

Madi was too observant and wouldn't play along with my sleuthing. But she DID let me walk home with her (because I had the umbrella!)

My legacy

I may not be able to teach Madison how to sew without swearing.

I may not emit warm fuzzies when we're canning boonie pepper jelly - or canning anything for that matter!

But I sure get a little giddy when I see her version of the "Welcome" for the Back to School Breakfast.

That's my girl!

Great Grandma and apricot jam

After the excitement of the apricot jam arriving this morning we settled into the routine of household chores.

There's a feeling of back to school in the air - so I figured I should go through the old backpacks to see what can be salvaged.
(Don't you just hate buying new composition notebooks when only 2 pages were used from last year!)

Garrett's backpack is clean as a whistle and his is all ready to go (of course).

Madi's backpack is a different story however.
I came across last years daily journal she kept in the classroom and I started thumbing through it.

This particular entry caught my eye.
It was dated September 7, 2007 - only a month before Great Grandma Green passed away.

What struck me as especially endearing - we had missed our annual trip back to Utah last summer. Madi had been too sick to travel. And yet this was the memory she chose to record.
My Grandma Green passed away while Madison was being treated at Tripler Hospital in Hawaii last October.

I was touched remembering how excited Madison was when my dad asked her if she wanted to help him can green beans in Grandma's kitchen while we were just there. Now I understand.

And it makes me even more grateful I made the apricot jam this year.

Ahhhh - a month of frizz free!

Madi and mom got to spend our first quiet day in nearly a week courtesy of the Bouncharon Salon.

My sister in law Phay pampered us at her salon in Draper.

Madi had agreed to get a cut, but didn't want just anyone to touch her long "mermaid hair".

Just between you and me - she abhors the "big Utah hair" and was afraid she would become victim to the look getting it cut here.

I think Phayvanh succeeded in making Madi happy (and mom too!)

School's out for summer!

Tuesday 11:15 - school lets out for summer!

12:00 - celebratory lunch of burgers and root beer floats at Champs

1:00 - matinee of Kung Fu Panda

3:00 - plunge at the pool

6:00 - The first "I'm bored" of the season is uttered.

A 5th grade afternoon

I consider myself a seasoned field tripper.

Yearly field trips growing up alternated between Hogle Zoo and Hansen Planetarium. Bringing a sack lunch (actually contained in a brown paper sack) that included an indulgent Twinkie and a can of Shasta (this was long before the days of the juice box!)

Flash forward to Madison's 5th grade "study trip". I've even chaperoned a few of these study trips while living in DoDEA world: Horseback riding among palm trees, hiking, cultural museums, even a trip to McDonald's in Iceland.

Never has one of these past experiences included dancing the YMCA, Macarena and Cubic Shuffle at Planet Hollywood with Japanese tourists watching in shock and awe (and probably a bit of confusion!)

That field . . . .I mean study trip beats a Hostess packed brown bag any day!

I Must Mention . . .

Madison's Honorable Mention at the McCool Science Fair 2008.

Here she is with Logyn (1st in Kinder) and Ryan (3rd in 1st grade)

Who knew we had such smarty pants in the Talisay Branch!

Instead of calling my therapist - I'll share all the details with you . . . . get it off my chest:

Valentines Day: I woke up to find a bottle of Clinique Happy and chocolate covered strawberries sitting on the counter for me before my husband left to spend the day with his other "significant other".
Instead of being all giddy - I was instantly grumpy that I forgot Valentines.

But I sort of have an excuse. . . .last week I had spent time in the hospital. Not volunteering or holding a bake sale - I thought I had meningitis. Turns out the weight of life was just sitting literally on my shoulders - so I had been blissfully drugged 3 times a day for a few days.

I spent the day making red spaghetti sauce, Garrett's cheesecake, banana cream pie (for those picky family members who don't eat cheesecake), etc.

When I picked up the kiddos from school I was bombarded with heartbreaking stories from Garrett's day. Madi had a bundle of Valentines (but I thought we weren't doing that!) - you know, the usual.

David got REALLY delayed at work and then he called to tell me he still had to make church visits before coming home. Sweet me - I want him to take his church job duties seriously. But "NOT" if it's going to be on Valentine's at dinner time when he's already late. And besides, I really need a break from G's incessant talking!!!!!

So we shove our food down and everyone tries to go their separate ways.

"Oh no you don't!" (I've hit crazy mom status now)
"We're going outside to share some quality family time - NOW!"
Madi came whining to me that she gorked her arm doing back walkover thingys on the grass.
"BULL-ONY! GET BACK OUTSIDE - I'm gathering the bunnies and I'm coming right behind you."

Garrett's "participation" is getting bounced on the trampoline by David as he sits in his Yoga meditation hold. The whole time Madi's wanting her turn before dad gets bored with us and goes back inside (TRUE insight there)
Madi's turn - one bounce from Dad and she's screaming/crying.

"Everyone - Get in the car! Quality family time is not over just because we're going to the ER. Besides - I don't think we'll be too long. Who's going to be at the ER on Valentines . . . ."

We got home really late with a splint that ended above the elbow - in a sling.

We went back the next day to get it cast. Madi chose sky blue - but the color inside the silver package didn't match the little color square on the outside. So it's more of a royal blue. Ending just below her elbow. (Thank heavens for little miracles! It means a tiny bit more peace)

Whew - Thanks. I'm actually feeling a little better getting that off my chest.

We've asked to officially rename EXAM ROOM 5 toMADI'S ROOM. We always end up in that room!

Seriously - when will we ever get a break!?!

Just when we hit Thursday and I think the week couldn't get any worse - it did.

We spent Valentines Evening in the ER with a broken arm for guess who . . . . .Madi. Unfortunately we have to wait until tomorrow morning to get it cast. Nothing like dragging out the drama!

Poor Madi was shivering and her teeth were chattering - so I gave her the sweatshirt I was wearing. It wasn't until then that I realized I was in a tank top - and boy was I uncomfortable. Lucky me - I remembered I had left my Valentines sweater in the car! (I had tried to wear it for old times sake while shopping at the commissary. It only got up to 80 today - completely sweater weather!)
So I came back into the waiting room wearing my pink running shorts, my tank, and my festive sweater. David leaned over and told me I looked like trailer trash! O.k. now - who seriously gets dressed up to come to the ER . . . . .

Too bad he didn't really see the mom who had been on mind altering drugs since Saturday from my own visit to the ER. Who had dealt with a rapidly decompensating Asperger's boy while trying to fix a memorable Valentines dinner even though I had completely forgot it was Valentines until I woke up this morning (gotta love those sweet sweet pain killers)

Happy Valentines Day!!!!

Saturday is a speshal day

It's Saturday and Madi has found her new favorite weekend activity: pedicures. (That is if the *jet ski* is not operating)

So Madi and her friend got dropped off at the new nail place to get their toes done. I knew Madi had chosen a dark blue and her friend Samantha chose a dark red (which the girls described as a ketchup red).

I noticed when they were done that Sam's little piggies weren't painted her chosen red. I asked why she changed to girly pink and the silly asian man doing her toes answered "Dat color too old. Choose nother! Dis good. O.K."

Madi had the older asian lady do her nails. She tried to talk Madi into a sky blue but Madi was insistent on her first choice.
O.k. - thanks for watching out; Keeping those tweens from being too "hottie"!

*Jet ski - we tried to take it out this morning. Got it in the water and it wouldn't start - only a click click click. As we're fiddling with the start button Dave starts with his not so nice Navy slang! Spewing filthy words. Not only was the jet ski not starting - but it was sinking. He had forgot to put the plugs in after our last run. Oooops!
So I'm giggling, he's cussing, and the girls decide to abandon the chaos and swim off. After getting it loaded back on the trailer - David asked me to sit on the back platform to weigh it down and help it drain. I didn't giggle after that.

Grumpy as all get out. I SOOOO wish I had a swear jar today - Dave's mouth could have earned me a first class ticket to Utah.

We've had trouble off and on with our personal water craft - but today it was a complete dud!

The Yamaha dealership won't honor the warranty. If you read the fine print asterisk after all the other fine print - it says "good in the 48 contiguous states". Nope - not Guam. Never mind that we're closer to Japan over here than if we lived in Salt Lake. But Whatever.

And it gets better . . . . he thought of calling a different shop called JetWorks that specializes in dude-ing up jetskis. (He thought that may be cheaper than the Yamaha place.)

He tried to call 411 - but they aren't open on Saturday! (Go ahead and giggle. I did!)
So now my "head of the household" is still not happy as his jet ski sits in front of the Yamaha store waiting to be looked at.

It really shouldn't bother him all that much - it's all his fault anyway. We wouldn't have had this blog post if it weren't for the Navy in the first place!

Gotta run - time to get ready for SUNDAY!

How to spend a holiday in Guam

Tonsil Takedown

Madi's tonsils came out January 9th.
The ENT made it clear this would not directly affect her ASO levels (which are continuously high since last Feb. - but no one knows WHY?) But hopefully it will help with her many sore throats. (Silly me - I think the ASO issue should be figured out. But what do I know!)
Madi was in the OR by 9AM and we were back home tucked in bed by 12:30/lunch.

When we arrived that morning for surgery - the case before us was a "no show" (how can you be a no show for surgery?) Madison had the entire pre-op room and staff to herself. Statistically speaking, you can't beat the care with 12:1 ratio.
Even with all that attention - she was still wishing she had made the choice to go to "Misse's hospital" - where she knew Misse would have been with her the whole time.

The redeeming factor for the experience was Madi's recovery nurse. She too has had a rough year since arriving on the island - very similar to Madi's. Those two swapped stories and shared tips like how to deal with walking around the commissary when you really want to crawl.
She left with a tiny bit of a smile and somewhat of a wave as Dad carried her out on his back (a wheelchair for Madi? Are you KIDDING!?)

Frosted Window Panes

What do you do on a boring Sunday with no power, no AIRCON!, and terrible allergies . . . . .

You remember Grandpa's BOX CAME!!!!~

The mailman kindly puts our boxes in the garage for us if we're not home. That's very thoughtful of him, but sometimes it takes me a while to notice. (Especially if it's in a BIONAIRE box) I saw it on our way out to the Christmas party last night and put it inside the laundry room until today.

Our dinner consisted of taffy. (We're so pathetic. We all ravaged it like we hadn't eaten in . . . . .hours)
I'll have to wait until the house cools back down before we break out the hot chocolate. (It's now 9pm and the air has been working for about 20 minutes)

But we loved the snow in a can. . . . .You will never understand how much you got your money's worth on that purchase! We cut out stencils and made our own frosted window panes.
I will admit the images melted a bit with the humidity being so high without the aircon in the house - but we're the envy of the neighborhood.
Thanks for a fun afternoon!

We're finally home (deep breath) - but I'm no where near ready to start life back up on Guam.

Honestly, I can't quite put into words how the last month and a half has been. I'm just not too keen on David's employer or our "benefits of being a military family".

Someday I'll have to tell you about how one of the DR's asked Madison "How can you not be embarrassed with a brother like that . . . ."
I think that was the day after she asked how our visit to the "family compound in Utah" was.

Dr. Cramer is the best man around throughout all of this! He's been on board since mid June and has some colleagues at the U reviewing Madison's record - something not even ONE of the DR's at Tripler ever cared to do. (From the cardiologist, rheumatologist, neurologist, psychologist)
Silly old me wasn't even aware her record wasn't anywhere even close to Hawaii's eyes until halfway through this adventure and the psychiatrist asked if I happened to bring it. . . . . .

What was accomplished in Hawaii:
1 - Madison was incredibly successful with her hypnosis and pain management. We suffered through a couple of trials of different pain medications and varying side effects - but everyone finally came to agree on an anti seizure medication.

2 - No diagnosis. But at least seeing our "mystery case" in person helped dissolve the thought that Madison was faking this whole thing for attention and had "conversion disorder". So we're back home with ever present purpuric rash and butterfly cheeks. And now . . . . she's learned how to "float away on a cloud" when her legs just won't climb one more stair.

3 - I learned that Guam has the highest rate of pediatric patients that are medically evac'd to Hawaii for pain management through the military (which was how we were categorized on paper)
There have been casual studies about what factors are on Guam are contributing to military kids' health, etc. (hazardous chemicals in the soil, exposure to jet fuel, etc.) But nothing official according to the govt.

For all I know - Madi's case could be something as simple as an allergy to the mold that is ever present on Guam.

4 - During our time away. Madi was never completely better - but her pain was less. I was anxious to see what Utah's climate would be like on her body - but I don't know if we were there long enough to really tell. Her rash was quite obvious - but we were really stressed and tired that whole week. So who knows.

5 - We were basically told to "get on with life. Yes - she has symptoms. No - we can't pinpoint it. Give it time, maybe more clues could show up - or it will completely go away."

Real life is no where near an episode of HOUSE, M.D.

It's all just pretty raw right now. Please just try and fill in the glaring blanks.

I'll get out of my funk sooner or later . . . .I have to get on with life by getting Christmas mailed here pretty darn quick!!!!

Take one step forward, three steps back!

Madison has gone backwards probably a month today. Her rash is so bad that even Garrett noticed it while we were in the kitchen (I think he really made her feel bad with his reaction). She's had one of those "wall" type hits - she can't eat, very lightheaded, very pale, and terrible headache. And she was so looking forward to the Paula Deen cobbler I had made, but she just couldn't do it. I'm so down - I really thought she was headed in the right direction.

Garrett went to bed about 7:30 - after I spent what seems like forever telling him it's o.k. to go to bed early once in a great while. He agreed - but only to watch a show in bed. I think he was asleep before he hit the pillow.
The Bunns are good. A little stressed about the clean cage and laundry room - well Mama is anyway. I think Floppy relishes in an orderly bunny environment. Garrett kept asking why he was being punished and having to clean their cage . . .Do you think we've gone wrong in the whole parenting thing with him?

O.k. - I'm seething with negativity - I guess I'll just go sleep it off (even though Garrett tells me that all I do is take naps.)