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.