Another Hill boy's Update

We had Aaron's echo done earlier this month. The good news was that his murmur was totally innocent. Which was what we totally expected. However, we did find something. We found out that he has a right coronary artery (RCA) anomaly. His RCA branches out on the left side of his heart (by the left coronary artery) instead of the right side normally. The problem with this is that as it comes across the heart to the right side it goes in between the pulmonary artery (PA) and his aorta. What this causes is when he exerts himself with running and sports his RCA gets kinked by the PA and aorta with the increased heart rate causing lack of blood flow to the right side of his heart. Basically like little heart attacks. The cardiologist reassured us that this really isn't a huge problem until he active in competitive sports in high school. So, we are getting yearly echoes until then and when he's old enough we'll do a treadmill test to actually see how much damage happens on the right side of his heart with exertion. And when the time comes to fix it, it will be open heart surgery. Time will tell. The good thing about time is that by then I can only imagine the medical advances and maybe it'll be a simple procedure and not open heart surgery. Here's a picture of the heart so you can see what it should look like and imagine how Aaron's is.


Now for the best news yet. Wyatt had his hearing tested a week after Aaron's echo and his hearing is fine. Completely normal for a 2 year old. We already knew this because of the advances in his speech since his surgery but it was still awesome to get it in writing from the professionals!!

The next hurdle is Wyatt's appointment on Tuesday with the hematologist. I'll let everyone know how it goes. We have had a really busy and exhausting year but, it still was a good one. I can't believe that it's almost over. I hope next year will be just as good as this one if not better! I will post about Christmas in a few days. I don't have the pictures uploaded yet. Soon though, really soon!

Happy New Year!!

It Is the Season of Hope!

I keep hoping this blog will catch on, but the last post 11 days ago was mine. I know things are happening in your lives....please tell us about them.

Jim and I are finishing up the semester and plan to leave for Bryce Canyon for 3 days on Sunday after church. We are taking our snowshoes in hopes we can use them there. David reported that Bryce had a record-breaking -11 earlier this week, so we might just be sitting by the fire for e days. We are staying at the famous Ruby's Inn--great winter rates and a special deal of 3 nights for the price of 2. We are looking forward to a little break. Then we will return on Wednesday to get ready for Christmas. All the local family will be coming over for dinner--we are really looking forward to that.

Tis the Season

This is such a busy time of year for Jim and me. The end of semester is always a killer and we are right in the middle of final projects, grading, and preparing final exams. We will both finish teaching for this semester by Thursday of this week, then comes finals week, and then a 2 week break for me and a 3 week break for Jim. We are really looking forward to some time off.

Our Thanksgiving trip to Coral Pink Sand Dunes was utterly delightful and we hated to see our trailering season come to an end. Jim and our home teacher winterized the trailer yesterday and put the winter cover on it, so it is in mothballs until the weather warms up again. We can't wait to get on those 4-wheelers again. We have so much fun. We are thinking we might just take my truck on a Christmas trip for 4-5 days to Canyonlands, Capital Reef, and maybe the Grand Staircase and Escalante. We haven't decided for sure yet.

We are delighted with Scott and Caroline's announcement of a baby on the way. I have ordered a redheaded girl, but it really won't matter!!! That will make 10 grandchildren. How blessed I am!

And then there were three...

So, I guess the biggest news that I just need to get out of the way is that there will be a new addition to the family sometime around August 1st. We are very excited as a family, although the timing is a little off, we are excited none the less. The kids are very excited and Maddie and Scotty are all placing bets on the sex of the child. I am also a little sad since my father will not know this baby, he passed right around the time the baby will be due. Hopefully, he is the one sending me this little person to love.

This killer semester is coming to a close and I for one am glad glad!! three weeks left and on to the last semester. I can not even express how excited I am over blog to graduate finally.:0)

We had a great Thanksgiving, the week before Pam, Jim, Dave, Dez and John. Then on Thanksgiving with my family. It was a lot of fun, especially since my sister is such a huge Giants fan and of coarse we are Bronco fans. The rivalry was on and my sister was crushed!

Well, that is all I have for news right now. Next adventure soon to come..Christmas is right around the corner.

Hill boys update

A lot has been going on here that I really haven't been talking about... mainly because I haven't had much time. I have interesting updates on both boys. Let's start with the oldest.

Aaron. Many of you know how "spirited" Aaron has always been since birth and all my work with this issue. I was pretty much at my wits' end when the whole iron deficiency came up. That was fabulous for a while. Then his iron levels became normal and he was back to his usual self. I ended up switching pediatricians back in February. Within two visits she looked at me and asked, "So, what were Dr. Pattiillo's plans with all this energy?" I said we talked about going to child psychology to get tested for ADHD but that went out the window after the iron thing came up. She looked at me again and smiled and said, "yeah, it's time. Let's get it done." We took him and the tests were in September sometime. (our insurance works really slow) The results appointment was the Monday after Wyatt's surgery. What I thought was going to happen was the doc coming right out and saying, "Yup, ADHD alright and here's what ya need." I was wrong. When he said Aaron is dealing with child anxiety everything finally clicked. I really didn't know that children can suffer from anxiety, but I can look back at all the symptoms he was and is having and they just scream anxiety. He also said that anxiety and ADHD can go hand in hand sometimes. He doesn't want to label him ADHD until we get the anxiety under control. Now we are going to a Child Behavior Health Specialist weekly to help him understand his anxiety and how to work through it. You would not believe how many doctors and people have said to me now, "It's so good you stuck to your guns knowing that he had a problem and didn't give up. Now he can learn to deal with it before he starts school." I completely agree.

Also, Aaron has a heart murmur that was heard for the first time when he was 1 or 2 years old. Murmurs are fairly common in kids, but since it's a grade 2 (out of 5) the doc wants to just make sure everything is okay. Aaron has an appointment with cardiology to have an echo done. That happens in the first week of December.

Now, onto Wyatt. So, the iron saga continues. Anytime we try to wean Wyatt off the iron his levels just plummit. Kids usually respond with 3 months of iron treatment and then they can just take a multivitamin with iron and move on. Not so much with Wyatt. He has been battling this since birth. Now it is time to go to Hematology. Hematology deals with blood dycrasias. On December 29th we get to travel to Spokane to meet with the Hematologist to find out why he is iron anemic.

And last, (finally, right?) Wyatt has an appointment to get his hearing checked in the beginning of December. I know Wyatt can hear. He is saying or trying to say new words everyday. It's just another thing we have to rule out. December is going to be a very busy month for us, but I will let everyone know as we find things out.

I hope everyone has a very Happy Thanksgiving wherever you are!!

Gratitude

My heart is full this week--as the Primary song says, "I am glad for many things!" I am so grateful that Allen's situation has been resolved--that has weighed heavily on us for nearly a year. We had a great family dinner yesterday in lieu of Thanksgiving dinner, and it was so good to be with those that were able to make it. Dave and John brought in the Christmas tree and put it up and Madison put most of the ornaments on.

One year ago tonight Mother called us in a panic saying that Dad had collapsed on the floor. Jim and I rushed over. By the time we got there he was awake but was not aware of any of us. He lay on the floor looking off in the distance and reaching--reaching--as if he wanted to get up and go in that direction. We called the ambulance and stayed with him in the hospital for several hours. He never "came back." The doctor said that they could do several procedures to extend his life, but the quality of life would be marginal. We asked the doctor to keep him alive overnight until we could make a decision. That night in my prayers I came to know very strongly that Dad wanted to go. The next morning I called Mother and she had had the same impression. We gathered as many family members as we could at the hospital, said our good-byes, and shut off life support. So tomorrow is the first anniversary of Dad's passing. I think it is fitting that he passed away during Thanksgiving time. So added to my list of things to be grateful for is the life of the incredible man I am blessed to have as my father. I think of him often--so busy up there doing missionary work and teaching the gospel that he devoted his life to. I miss him terribly, but know that he is often near and will be there to greet each of us when it is our turn to "change addresses" as he used to say.

So Happy Thanksgiving to all of you. Jim and I will be celebrating in our trailer at Coral Pink Sand Dunes, riding our four-wheelers and eating leftovers. We love you all so very much!

Mother's 88th Birthday Party!

Saturday night we celebrated Mother's 88th birthday with a fun party at Bob's house. All siblings were there except Brent. Mother looked fantastic, as always. She reveled in all the attention. We made her a big poster-size card using candy bars to spell out the message. She got the biggest kick out of it. We had a great meal together and laughed and had fun. Bob had his new girlfriend there. I like her a lot and I think things might be getting a little bit serious. Allen and Lora were there. This is the first time in months that Lora has accompanied Allen to a family event. I had a good conversation with Allen. He is feeling very positive about the court case in Nebraska and really wants to go to trial. As they depose the witnesses for the prosecution they all turn out to be witnesses for Allen's side! He is very pleased about that. Allen says Lora has made some major changes in her life. She now has a temple recommend and goes to the temple often with her girlfriends. She also goes to church willingly every week--something new for her. Allen says they are getting along better now than ever before. I expect they will re-marry sometime soon.

Busy busy...

This week has been very busy, I have had tests and homework galore. I just can not wait till this school thing is over with..at least for now.

Scott is starting a new shift within the next week, no more graveyards..YAY. So hopefully he will enjoy the day crowd now.

Scotty was in a board breaking extravaganza at Taekwondo. I am very proud of him because he broke all his boards. (see pics on facebook, not uploading at the moment). He even did some very difficult maneuvers that I can not pronounce let alone spell. He is doing so well and his next testing for his belt is in December. I am sure he will pass with flying colors! He is doing great in school and continues to excel at math. This was definitely not from my side of the family, he must get that from Scott.

Maddie is starting dance soon since her swim lessons are obviously over with by now. So, I will have a little dancer in the mix. She is doing well in school and loves to read her books to the class. If you remember, maddie is a talker so this is a good thing for her ;0)

Ok, that is all for now, I have to get back to my clinical paperwork..(Katie I know your jealous). ;0)

Grandma's Note

All I can say is that I have the most beautiful, talented, and wonderful grandchildren in the world!

Halloween Fun

I know that this is kind of late, but it's been a brutal recovery for Wyatt and I didn't have time to load my pictures until today. Wyatt has finally turned the corner and is getting better and better everyday. We still have our minor set backs, but each day he's eating more...( actually stuffing his face...making up for lost time ;) ) and discovering more with voice and vocabulary.

Now, back to what this post is suppost to be about... Halloween. Aaron was Ben 10 and Wyatt was a fireman. They were both adorable and completely enjoyed trick or treating. We went over to a friend house for a party that night and then all the mom's took the kids around the neighborhood. It was fun and pretty desent weather too.



Aaron and his good friend Will, who's a spider.



Fireman Wyatt. We tried to get the cutest Ewok costume, but it was sold out. We had to settle for this one and it turned out pretty cute! Very fitting for him.

Jim and Pam

Saturday night I returned from 3 days in the field with 5 other BYU professors. We had a blast poking around the San Rafael Swell and the Waterpocket Fold. We learned lots of geology and looked for places to take our teacher participants for SciencePlus next summer. I'm posting a picture of a dinosaur track in sandstone near Green River. It is a therapod--a two-legged meat eater. Glad he wasn't around while we were there!

Ellen's final game sounds so exciting! Wish I could have been there. And congratulations on being selected as MVP!

Jim and I are really looking forward to our Thanksgiving getaway. And we are thinking of taking a little trip over Christmas down to the places I just visited last week--beautiful country.

Thank you for your recent posts--I know it is a bother--especially the first time, but I want so much for us to stay connected and I think electronically might be a very good way.

Browning Bits

Not much to report...
The Halloween decorations are down, and the fall decorations are up. Most people skip fall stuff, but I refuse to put Christmas decorations up until December. This week I'm looking forward to receiving/grading 50 literary analysis essays (The Crucible) and 75 Shakespeare projects. FUN! Gavin is doing well in school and scouts. He enjoyed tennis lessons and plans to continue them in the spring. He wants me to get a racket, so I can practice with him. Mark is hoping the holiday shopping season starts picking up. Crazy economy!
Congrats Ellen on making region choir! First sopranos wail!

Here are a few recent events in our family:

Last Thursday, October 29, the freshmen girls' volleyball team played their last game of the season, against their archrival McLean High School. After losing the first set 23-25, the Langley girls orchestrated a dramatic come-from-behind victory, taking the second set 25-17 and the third 15-9. Ellen was the MVP of the match and was a beast on the net and at service. She faced off against a 6-footer on the other team, but consistently blocked her shots and had several kills. Despite McLean's effort a couple of times to "ice" Ellen's serve by calling a timeout, Ellen had a couple of runs of 6-7 serves each. It was a great way to end the season. And the whole family contributed, too, with the younger kids wearing customized Langley volleyball t-shirts, Barb snapping pictures, and me almost getting kicked out of the gym by giving the ref a hard time for making some blatantly poor calls.

On Friday, I flew out to Boulder to attend my 10-year law school reunion. I was in Colorado less than 24 hours, as I needed to be home by dusk to supervise trick-or-treating. This was Ellen's first year of not doing a costume or going out for candy. Instead, she stayed at home and watched some "horror" movies such as "The Nightmare before Christmas." The other kids and I made a good haul this year, despite rainy conditions.

The kids were off school two days this week for end-of-quarter teacher work days and parent-teacher conferences. Apparently, Julia is an angel in her class and has her first grade teacher wrapped around her finger. She's playing that teacher like a fiddle. Jacob needs to pay attention in class and do what is actually assigned, not what he thinks would be a better use of his time. Adam's reading is improving tremendously.

And yesterday, Ellen tried out for District Choir (soprano I). Tonight, she received notice that she made it! This story seems oddly familiar.....

Have a nice week, everyone.

Thanksgiving Announcement

Jim and I are headed for Coral Pink Sand Dunes Tuesday-Saturday of Thanksgiving week. We will be having a family dinner the Sunday before Thanksgiving for all who can come. Sunday Nov 22 at 3:00. Please RSVP so we will know how many places to set at the table. Love you all!

Halloween '09!

Well, we don't really blog, but as a newsletter idea, I'll try to manage...
Our Halloween was fun. Mark and I went to a grown-up party while Gavin enjoyed his last year trick-or-treating with his long-time friend, Kali. Next year, they'll probably just "hang out." Gavin dressed as a gecko, I was a wood nymph, and Mark was a Roman (toga).

Halloween and stuff

We had a great Halloween with the kids, they took us on a 2 hour walk around the neighborhood. They did bring home a lot of loot, probably enough to have a cavity in every tooth. Caroline has been sick for almost a week now and I really hope it is not the swine flu, she finds out tomorrow. We are eagerly awaiting her graduation and really hope to buy a house at that time we shall see how things turn out. We may rent for another year to cushion our savings. Scott also will be starting school, he is very excited about that. Overall we are enjoying our family and the new and interesting turns around every corner.

Scott, Caroline and kids

Halloween!

We had a great time yesterday with Halloween. Scotty (Grim Reaper) and Madison (Dorothy from Wizard of Oz) looked so cute in their costumes. They had carved pumpkins a couple of days earlier--a couple of the pumpkins were from our garden this year. Once trick or treating was done, we brought the jack-o-lanterns in and I processed them. Today Madison and I made 2 pumpkin pies and a batch of pumpkin cookies with the pumpkin, and we still have tons of processed pumpkin left. I will either bottle it or freeze it to save for pies for the upcoming holidays.