Our Memphis trip (a week late)

Last weekend (after Billy had taken the kids camping for a night) we all traveled to Memphis for Billy's cousin's wedding. It was a rather interesting trip, not in that Ellen pretty much cried all the way there, or just going ANYWHERE with five small children, but that we missed the wedding right off the bat! We went cheap and decided to stay at the Marriott downtown (Priceline, baby!) instead of the Peabody, which is where the wedding reception was held. Anyway, since we didn't know exactly where the church was in relation to the hotel, we thought we would just ask our friendly concierge to help us. Well, we got directions to St. Mary's Catholic Cathedral instead of St. Mary's Episcopal Cathedral. Oh, well...we were told that it was a lovely wedding! Since we had some "extra" time before the reception, we took a tour of downtown in a horse-drawn carriage.


The reception was really beautiful and the kids had a great time, once the Blues band started playing. You should have seen William's moves! Ellen was exhausted after her day of crying, so one of us had to hold her the whole time. (She wouldn't go to anyone else.) So, sorry, no pictures from the reception. Before heading back to our hotel we took the kids to the roof of the Peabody to see the Duck Palace.
We managed quite nicely in one hotel room. The boys slept in sleeping bags on the floor, the girls slept in one bed, Billy and I were in the other bed, and Ellen slept in a portable crib. Full house! I'm glad it was only for one night!
Before going home, we took the kids to Graceland. (It was everyone's first trip!) They enjoyed it more than we thought they would! It was a fun day--not too much whining or fighting!

Down in the Jungle Room...

Dancing to the Wurlitzer..."Hound Dog," I think!

Henry loved the table we scored at lunch!

Ellen's first road trip



In front of the Lisa Marie

The rest of the story

Rebecca has epilepsy. The medical term now is seizure disorder, I'm guessing because the term epilepsy has so much of a stigma associated with it. We now understand that all of her prior "episodes" were associated with seizures...complex partial seizures that you may not necessarily be able to "see." A week ago while we were in the waiting room at her OT and ST appointments, she slumped down in her chair and had a generalized tonic/clonic seizure. It was so heartbreaking to watch her little body go through that. It seemed like an eternity before it was over. It lasted at least 30 seconds. When it was over, I had to pry her little hand from her hair. The staff at the therapy center called her neurologist for me, and she advised us to go to the ER and she would see us there. All Rebecca wanted to do was to lie down and sleep, so she didn't like me moving her to get to the ER, getting checked in, holding her until we were called back, etc. She was pretty combative. She just slept once they got her in a bed. I would wake her up to give her sips of Sprite. She vomited a couple of times after they gave her a popsicle. Her neurologist ordered an EEG there in the emergency room and then she came in to see her. I told the doctor what a bad morning we had had, the strange behavior that Rebecca was exhibiting and how she was not following through with anything I was telling her to do. She said that Rebecca was probably having seizures then, not able to process what was being said to her. There are occasions when she does this, so we are left to wonder if she has been having "mild" seizures more than we even realize. Rebecca is now on an anti-seizure medication. We are so hopeful and prayerful that it will stop the seizures and possible help her overcome some of her other issues--language difficulties, behavioral problems, etc.

Oh, how I did not want this diagnosis for her! I know there are many people with seizure disorder that live perfectly normal lives, but she has had so many obstacles placed before her already. I'm also thankful at the same time that this is something that we can manage, that there is medication for her condition. I have been thinking of all the children that suffer and die from horrible diseases like cancer, cystic fibrosis, muscular dystrophy...diseases that are far worse than what Rebecca has. And then I remember what Rebecca has gone through in her short life already. It is beyond my comprehension...not a life, but a mere existence without love. To me, that is the worst thing a child could suffer.

I have tried to do everything I possibly can to help Rebecca. I know I have obsessed about what new therapy to try, what to do next. I have been relying on myself and what I can do for her. Rebecca's new diagnosis has reminded me that I am not in control, that I need to turn that burden over to God. He will take care of her far beyond what I little I can do. And I am only able to do what little I am able to do through Him anyway! Help me by praying for her; pray for Rebecca to continue to grow into a loving, happy, confident, and independent young woman who is guided by a wonderful Savior!!

He does much better if left to his own devices...

This evening as we were getting ready to go to Bible study, Billy went upstairs to get Vivian dressed. Assuming that he knew to put the dress on her that she wore to services this morning, I just yelled for him to bring down a specific knit dress for Ellen to wear. Next thing I knew, Miss Vivian was downstairs dressed like this:

Ahhh...much better!

A retirement party

My aunt Sandy is retiring this year and her children gave her a lovely reception on Saturday afternoon. She has been an elementary school teacher for 30(?) years. When the kids are "cleaned up," I often try to get a few snapshots. Doesn't always quite work out! I really hate my camera because it is so slow!

I did get one of the girls in their coordinating navy dots!

See what I mean?

They posed like this on their own!

Rebecca--Field Day and Roller Skating

Rebecca's school held Field Day on Friday. I didn't get to be there for much of it since I had the other four children all day (preschool is finished). The morning was full of team events, while the afternoon was just one big carnival. Rebecca had a blast!

Inside one of the bouncies

Rebecca with her friend, Nancy Grace

Finishing off the day with a train ride.

Saturday I took Rebecca to her friend Lillian's birthday party at a skating rink. This was the first time that Rebecca has been on "real" roller skates. She went skating a couple of months after we got home from China, but she used the kiddie skates that go over your shoes at that time. She was pretty wobbly, and enjoyed skating on the carpet at first. She then got brave and got on the rink!

She fell quite a few times, but laughed every time!

Trying to get my balance!

She had so much fun that she did not want to leave. I had to promise her that we would come back again and skate!

Little graduates

I did good--I only cried during the slide show!

My boys...growing up!

Henry with some of his classmates. Henry is at the far right. The little girl next to him is his girlfriend (according to Henry), Sarabeth. Not sure if the feeling is mutual.

My "eldest" son. They announced what they wanted to be when they grow up. Henry wants to be a farmer.

William with his friend Van

My future astronaut

Waiting for the ceremony to begin


The fam

Rebecca--our kindergarten graduate!!

Last day of preschool

It was a day of three parties, the first one being across town at a city park. We made an appearance with Vivian's class for a little over an hour. That was probably long enough for her to play a little and cling to Mommy a little too.

Here she is with one of her teachers, Mrs. Melanie.

And with Mrs. Alecia.

Ellen likes the park too! I have got to remember a sun hat next time!!

This is fun, but the swings are my favorite.

Now at Henry's party back at the preschool. He is showing off the craft they made out of poster board, a styrofoam bowl, and some yarn.

Henry with a few of his buddies.

Henry's teacher, Mrs. Sue.

Both classes had a balloon release to celebrate the last day (not exactly the "green" thing to do). Here is William's class about to release their balloons.

There they go!

William's class (plus one sibling)

William and Mrs. Wanda

Posing in the preschool lobby on our way out.


If I wasn't being pulled in so many directions today, I might have been a little emotional. When I was putting the boys' lunchboxes away on Monday, I almost got a little teary-eyed thinking that was the last time I would pack their lunches for preschool! Tomorrow night is the big graduation. I hope my mascara is waterproof. I can't believe my babies will go to kindergarten in August!!