Checking it twice. . .

Savanah was so darling this year.
She wrote a "list".
A Santa list.
A "zip back bow."
A "ipod"

She was in serious mode.
No one was to read the list.
She could only read the list to Santa.

We ventured down to Santa one cold evening.
Admired the lights. . .
and waited in line to see Santa.
The magic was there with Savanah.

I am so glad.
Even at the age of 7 the magic is there.
I love it.
The glow.
The sparkle.

Santa's a comin'
Savanah's been on the nice list.

Praise

I get praise from my Savanah.
I love it.

Today I sent her a cute little note in her lunchbox.
I wrote how proud of her I was.
See she did her math all by herself last night.
HARD math.
ALL by herself.

Zilch help.
She rocked it!
I was floored!
So proud. I love when the concepts click for her.

So this little note in her lunchbox. . .
the one that wrote:
"Savanah,
I love you so much.
I am so very proud of you.
Thank you for all your hard work on your math!
Terrific! Love, Mom"
prompted my sweet little Savanah to write this:

D isn't for DOUBT, it's for DARING to do it!

To all the doubters. . .
to all the people who have heard. . . "You're child is deaf. . . so they will not be able to do this or that. . ."
"They will not read till later."
"They will do terrible in school."
"Strangers will never be able to understand them."

SAVANAH proved everyone wrong!

She is reading right along with her appropriate grade level.
She is reading chapter books.
She is doing math and understanding it. She even adds and subtracts in her head, no manipulatives needed!
She is learning about history and this week can tell you all about Thanksgiving.
About the Pilgrims and the Indians, who brought what to dinner and why we celebrate it every year.
A few weeks ago, after her science lessons, she could name all the different kinds of moons that we see in the month of October. She even explained why this happened.

She is one INCREDIBLE little girl.
She is truly a gift.
Desmond and I continue to be amazed everyday at her spunk, her intelligence and her non-stop "wanting to learn everything" attitude!

Our Halloween Pirate

Savanah is not a girly girl
Not by a LONG shot.
At least I have one and she was the bride this year.
We looked high and wide for a pirate costume.
Something that was perfect for an almost 8 year old
not a 21-year old. Halloween costumes sure are turning
into things that belong in adult shops, but that's another post
for another time.

We found this costume.
It just fit Savanah's personality perfect.
She loved it and the bonus was. . . she was the only one with the costume!
Score 1 point for Mom.

I got thinking while we were out trick-or-treating
the town. . .
the reason why Savanah can say trick-or-treat,
or listen for cars coming
or hear the creepy music,
or the screams coming from other kids. . .
is because of this wonderful, most amazing device!
This cochlear implant continues to show it was the best decision
we've (her daddy and I) have ever made, next to creating Savanah!

And the reason she could say "Argh Matey's!" Well you know why! :)

To have or not. . .

Just got done with more mapping.
The question came up again. . .
another implant or not. . .
please weigh in.

Mended Hearts

I realized I haven't posted in awhile.
A lot has been going on in life.
BUSY, I cannot believe the month of October
has just FLOWN by and tomorrow is actually Halloween.
But to make a short, sweet post. . .
This is Molly.
She is our new YorkiePoo.
She is NOW 10 weeks old.
And we ADORE her.
Especially Savanah.
Savanah had been saving every penny, nickle, dime for almost four years!
She was saving because she was going to buy her very own little puppy.
A little puppy who would live in our home,
sleep in her bed and wake her up in the morning with sweet little kisses since she can't hear the alarm clock. This was all her little plan.
We love Miss Molly and she is bringing a lot of joy where an empty place in our hearts were with Koby.
We cannot wait for our house to be built, so Molly can actually come live with us and not live with Grandma and Grandpa anymore!

Tender

Savanah is the most tender child I know.
She'll cry watching Fox and the Hound.
She would give you her last crumb.
She would do anything for anyone.



Unfortunately this week Savanah
had to deal with her very first loss.
Our yellow labrador of 8 years, Koby
was hit by a truck and had to be put down that night.

Now this is rough stuff for anyone.
Especially Savanah.
Who does have such a tender soul.
And ESPECIALLY for animals.

I was so impressed with her.
She handled it well.
Aside from her outbreaks of complete despair.
She cried for him. Wept for him. Prayed for him.
She grasped the concept immediately that he would never
be coming back. We would never see him again.
He was now in Doggy Heaven.
Free from pain and suffering.
This made her happy for him.
She was able to verbalize her emotions wonderfully.
Which I know helped her cope in an unbelievable way.

Once again I was so proud of her.
Without her cochlear implant,
sometimes I wonder if moments like those
would be as impactful.
If she would be able to fully express
EXACTLY what she is feeling.
I am so grateful for everything she is teaching me.
She helped us all this week.

"Let's GO Vikings!"

So Savanah just started cheerleading.
Through a rec Center. . .
a little headstart on the house we are building
and the location we are building it at.
But none the less. . . it's great.
Yesterday was her first day.
She was so excited.
She's been to enough BYU games to know
how awesome cheerleaders are!
The cheer clinic was held in the gymnasium
at the rec center.
There were about 30 girls total
with 4 cheerleaders from the highschool team
instructing all of these eager little kidlets.
I didn't mention to anyone that Savanah couldn't hear very well.
I wanted to see how she did.
I could tell the music was a little too loud for her
in such a large acoustic space.
I could tell she was struggling a bit to hear the leaders
but she was following along right on point.
I was thrilled to see after they broke up into
their official cheer squads that they placed
her on the front row right next to the leaders.
This made me smile inside.
God's little mercies I suppose.
Helping her out when nothing is said.
She did wonderfully for her first practice!
I was so impressed and my little cheerleader did a great job!
So. . . here's the start of the season!

Whirlwind

So Savanah is officially a BIG second grader now.
It was a rough start to the week.
All because she was not wearing her hearing aid.
Her audiogram was just awful with it in
so her audiologist felt like it was better without it.
I guess not.
Those first three days of school were dreadful.
She was barely hearing anything.
Not able to follow along to what was being taught.
Extremely frustrating,
not exactly the best first couple of days I suppose.

Things are better now.
She is loving her mainstream teacher.
She is enjoying school and her new classmates.
She is catching on to math a little better now.
She LOVES that she is taking home lunch EVERY DAY.
She loves recess and all she wants to do is wear her tennis shoes.
Definitely will be buying another pair of those in a few weeks.

She's reading really well still.
I am so impressed by this.
And so very proud of her.
I am so excited to watch what lies ahead for her.
And hope that her dad and I can do everything we possibly can to give her the best opportunities in life, school etc.

All Systems Go

Pediatrician. Check.
Dentist. Check (with ZILCH cavities!)
Back to School Night - FLOP!
Mom wrote the wrong time down!
Silly mommy. But oh well. . .

First day outfit laid out.
Lunch is packed.
Backpack is full.
Savanah's in bed EARLY!

And yes tomorrow. . .
I'm going to have a SECOND GRADER!
Where has the time gone?!?

Perks of the Internet

So several years ago I was contacted by the founder of STOP CMV
and we immediately became friends
and after several years we FINALLY met last week
she flew in from San Fran for another CMV mommy
who lives in WVC whose daughter was turning 16
and they had a big swim bash party for
so during this little shin dig I had the rare
and very SPECIAL opportunity to meet 4 women
whom I admire and look up to, whom I share a lot with,
inspirational. . . Janelle, Sharon and Shannon and Diana.
4 incredible mothers all on the same mission
+ me and my little Savanah on the mission to Stop CMV
but this night it was all about FROG's (Fully Rely on God) sweet 16!
And it was a blast.
Amazing women I have in my life
all because of the internet.

Testing 1. . . 2. . .3

Savanah had another great mapping appointment.
But something weird happened.
For the past 6 months she has been wearing a hearing aid on her right ear
and for some reason Desmond and I both "think" we can tell when she has it in and does not have it in. . .
We have thought it was benefiting her.

After Cache did all of her testing
we learned something interesting.
She did better on her audiogram without her hearing aid in her ear
So. . .
we were left to question the hearing aid.

She has lost some more hearing in her right ear.
A progressive loss, so who knows. . . it may be time for another cochlear implant in the next year or so.

All we can do is keep observing.
But yay for Savanah and keeping her cool for the 3 1/2 hours!

It's that time of the year again. . .

Mapping time.
So Logan here we come.
We're making it a girls trip with Grandma.
Swimming.
The Beehive Grill.
The scenery.
More swimming, I'm sure.
Free Waffles in the morn.
Maddox.

And last but certainly MOST important. . .
A PERFECT AUDIOGRAM!
(Here's to hoping!)

Babysitter Instructions per Savanah

Yesterday Savanah was playing pretend.
She was the daddy of a baby. And Gracen was kinda the mommy.
The mommy who was definitely not interested in being a mom.
Anyway, Savanah the dad was going to drop the baby off for 5 weeks with Grandma.
And Grandma was to take care of it and by Savanah's rules.

Here they go.
"Change her diaper ten times"
"Give her lots of milk"
"And fishgolds"
"She can't walk so she's has to crawl"
"Rock her"
"I will have you raise her"

Good thing it's going to be awhile before Savanah babysits
or has her own. And someone please tell me where I can buy some "fishgolds"!

This state.

Is a silly one.
Why you ask?

Well all these talks about "cutting USDB services"
"closing the school down."

What would these children do?
I know it's not the GREATEST program.
But it's a program.
Savanah has been involved with them since she was two and a half.
She has grown partial to it.

There are some amazing teachers.
Aides.
Resources.

Oh man. . . why can't America and this state of ours. . .
just get it straight!?!

BFF

Meet M
This is Savanah's bestie.
She is also deaf.
They use to party during pre-school.

They have remained VERY good friends
after attending different schools etc.

M is awesome.
She has a cochlear implant as well.
She talks wonderfully.
She is such a great friend.

And it makes me all fuzzy inside
that she has a forever friend,
a friend who knows exactly what it's like to be deaf.
Exactly what it's like to swim and not be able to hear,
to sleep and not be able to hear,
to wear a cochlear implant,
change batteries,
watch TV and listen to music etc.

These two are quite the characters.

Summer School

Each summer around this time
Savanah attends summer school
for a few weeks

She was thrilled the other day
after picking her up from her first day
"Mom. I did not have to do math today!"
"There is no math in summer school!"
"Isn't that so cool Mom?!"

:)

Toes Did

Savanah was a VERY big girl
the other day
she accompanied Grandma and myself
to the pedicure place

Savanah picked her colors
and waited patiently to sit down
and get pampered

She even told the gal
she wanted a PATTERN on her toes.
Check it out. . .
pretty nice pattern huh?

Assume

Desmond and I were mentioning yesterday
at the infamous waterpark
that we took Savanah too
that it's sort of comical how everyone
just assumes that everyone can hear.

Everyone yesterday meaning lifeguards and swimpark patrons.
Before we talked into the park,
we decided to leave Savanah's CI in the truck.
Less hastle, we knew it would be 100% safe in there.

I always feel bad when she has to be implantless for so long.
I think it bothers her sometimes too.
But I don't think it bothered her enough
because she immediately took off.

We had a few encounters with some lifeguards.
They always have to explain what the rules are
what to do before going down a slide etc.
One of them even had to measure her and was yelling
at her to get her attention
Desmond immediately stepped in
he just quietly mentioned to her
"She's deaf, just takes a little more patience."
The lifeguard got weird and apologized a million times after that
One of the many reasons we try not to let people know.

But I guess since it is dominantly a hearing world
of course people assume that others can hear
Savanah asked me today why I could hear the boys talking
about her when she couldn't.
So apparently if your deaf, you just assume,
that if you're deaf, others are.

My sweet Savanah I love you.

MONDAY.

Savanah is on a countdown to tomorrow.
No, not because of the 4th.
Or fireworks.
Because those are done and over with.
But because her dad and I are taking her to. . .
SEVEN PEAKS!

She is beyond stoked.
So excited.
Seriously, she has asked if it is Monday everyday since last Monday.

But I have to admit something.
Something that mothers who have children who hear do not think about.
I am terrified to take her here.
I get so nervous running around a waterpark
Having Savanah completely deaf the entire time.
Lifeguards, people, etc. they do not know this.

Even though she is seven and she swims like a pro.
I still feel like I have to keep a hawk eye on her.
Watch her every move because she cannot hear.

We have had encounters with lifeguards before.
It is hard trying to explain rules and regulations to her.
I wish I knew a better way sometimes.
Or a magic water implant too.

VROOM. . . or whatever a jet sounds like.

Last night while celebrating the 4th. . .
yes I know, we're a little early,
it's tomorrow,
but you see we live in Utah Valley.
And they do things a little weird here.
But no big deal.
Just means a LONGER weekend for us.

We were swimming and celebrating,
BBQ'ing and laughing,
fireworkin' and smiling.

The Stadium of Fire (Utah Valley's BIG patriotic celebration)
was going on just a few blocks away.
They always have big huge JETS fly over the stadium and around the valley.
And boy are they L O U D !

Savanah was swimming.
Just minding her own business in the pool.
Enjoying her deaf world.
Not being bothered by anything.
When all of a sudden, out of nowhere,
She exclaimed with pure delightment.
"I heard that!" "What was that?" "I heard that!" "Whoa!"

Have I mentioned to you lately, Savanah is pure awesomeness.

Amazing and Supportive People. . .

Surround us!
I am so thankful for all the wonderful people in our lives.

Work.

Friends.

Family.

Strangers.

This 'Handraising' campaign has been A M A Z I N G !

Thanks to everyone who has participated
and if you have not yet. . . PLEASE DO SO!

Blend in.

Lately I've been told a lot that
"Savanah just blends in".

Blends into what I think?
The walls. . .
the people. . .

I get what people mean.
She talks so well.
So she must just "blend in".
Just because of her cochlear implant I suppose.

But I don't really think she does any of this. . .
well yes, the talking well part.
But that has been countless hours of hard work,
lessons, appointments, mapping etc.
Just because of the implant, her speech did not just form that way.

So the 'blending in' of society I do not believe is correct.
Savanah is a uniquie individual.
She is so very special.
She is deaf. Not very many people are deaf.
So blending, no, but shining yes.

Aren't we all different? At least we are "suppose" to be.
Everyone has different personalities,
different looks,
different traits.

So why would we want to "blend in"?

Tude

Everyday Savanah asks to go swimming.
LITERALLY. . .
EVERYDAY!
It's sort of cute though.
Yesterday we ran a few errands,
swimming was on her mind.
We were in the car going to a destination when Savanah told my mom she was having a little bit of an attitude last weekend when we were at the lake.
"I won't have any attitudes today Mom, I really, really, really want to go swimming!"

Isn't it funny the things they pick up just from what you say to them?
"Savanah, please stop having an attitude."
Now she knows all about the "attitude(s)" and realizes in order to get what she "wants" she has to refrain from it.

Smart little kiddo.

Savanah's Perspective

So driving on the freeway this morning.
Two little girls in the back.
Chatting between them.
Her views on life begins. . .

Savanah tells her little sis she is deaf.
Gracen just looks intently at her and listens to her for a moment. . .
"When I was a baby, I couldn't hear mom and dad like you can hear mom and dad now. When I was three, these one people they cut my head off (meaning they cut into her head for her cochlear implant surgery) it didn't really hurt very badly. Then I got my implant and I could hear everything super really well." I smiled a little. "I'm the most special girl because of my implant and mom and dad love me and help me hear really well." "Most of my friends are deaf and you cannot be deaf because you can hear. It's okay though Gracen, my ears are just a little broken."

Then Savanah begins to tell her about growing old. "When your a grandma, you'll be really old and you'll go to Heaven. And when you're an adult, you can stay up as late as you want and watch TV after your childrens go to bed, just like our mom and dad. And no one tells you what to eat. The driving world if they say it's okay they will also let you drive a car. But if you have a job, only some of the times, you'll get lots of money, and money helps you be smarter."

Finally Savanah begins to talk about babies after Gracen commented on the adult part of the story about when she grows up she is going to have babies. Savanah replied. . ."When you're a mommy, you'll have milk in your boobies, but I know it's kind of gross, you can just put a cap on it, is that a great idea mom?!?"

I just love being Savanah's MOM!

?-Plant

Savanah's little sister, Gracen, who is 3 years old. . .
well she calls Savanah's implant -
her EAR-plant.

I just love it.
She pretty much has it right on the button, don't ya think?

It's kind of clicked now.
Although Savanah really does not like when you say it incorrectly.

Figures.

Candy Terms

The other day Savanah, my mom and I went to Yogurtland.

It's this really awesome place where you can get as much frozen yogurt as you want and then you can just PILE on all the toppings you can imagine!

Well of course Savanah thinks this is cool.
What 7 year old wouldn't?
I got her frozen yogurt for her, chocolate of course.
Then let her go to the topping bar.

She loaded up on M&M's and chocolate chips.

Grandma asked her what she put on it.
She replied. . . "M E M's and mountains"!!!

How cute. Chocolate chips are mountains and M&Ms, are pronounced with an "E" in the middle. Oh how I just love her.

These kind of things use to offend me.
I remember when Savanah was awfully young, Desmond and I were watching TV.
And these people were making fun of deaf people.
I cried out, "That's terrible!"
Desmond still thought the joke was funny.
I was completely appalled.

For some reason,
after seven years.
These sorts of things do not really bother me anymore.
People are always going to be people.
We make mistakes.
But hopefully we learn from them.

Something we have tried to instill in Savanah
NOT ONE SINGLE PERSON is like another person.
Everyone is different.
Everyone has faults.
Everyone has a character flaw.
Everyone is human which means no one is perfect.

So for everyone who makes a joke about being deaf, blind, fat, dumb, handicap etc.
The joke is really on you.

J U N E means CMV Awarenss

It's June, so we all should know what that means!
It's CMV Awareness month.

I'm working on a few special projects,
they are top secret, but we'll keep you posted.

But do me a favor would ya. . .
Go to this website
and start spreading the word!

The more spreading of this word,
the more lives will be saved!

OUR Tower of Terror. . .

made me think of posting this.
I really didn't post much about Disneyland.
WE just had WAY TOO MUCH FUN!
Yes, it was clear back in November,
But thought I would share this candid cutie.

This was Savanah's MOST favorite ride.
Literally, we rode it about 16 times.
But if you look very closely at Savanah.
She is hanging onto that implant.
Making sure that implant of hers stays on that sweet little head.

There are definitely challenges to the implant,
especially at amusement parks.
There were times I would have to just shove it in my pocket,
hold onto it myself,
or just trust in the magnet.
So far, so good.

We definitely tested it out at the happiest place on Earth!

M O V I N'

Well for the 100th post, we've got some NEWS!
We are moving.
This week.
Out of the only home Savanah has EVER known.

Although there were not many kids around,
we lived on the corner, near a busy street,
we were not entirely submersed in the church culture. . .
Savanah has made some wonderful friends.
Friends who have accepted her. Loved her. Played with her.
It will be a sad day for her I'm sure.

Although there is a pool at the apartment we will be living in temporarily till we build/find a house. A little bribe I know for the fish.

I plan on continuing her school year at her normal school next year.
Getting a little of the extra help. . .
And then hopefully in our new home, new location, new neighborhood school,
She can start 100% MAINSTREAMED! Let's all cross fingers.

Desmond and I decided awhile ago,
it was time to move.
This was a good age for Savanah.
Not quite established with friends.
We vowed to each other we would never move her at a critical age.
Junior High/Highschool.
Now that would have been sad. . .

Okay, enough of my rant.
Packing is waiting.

Pure Adventure

Life with this child is pure adventure.
She LOVES everything.
Except the things that her little sister likes!

The other day my mom and I took the kids to a local children's museum here in Utah.
Discovery Gateway.
It's a pretty cool little place.
They've moved locations since I was a kid.
But everything was still the same,
they've got the grocery store, a building site, a garden, creative corners, scientific exploration, a real house, a news station, a farm, the list could go on and on.

It was a blast to watch Savanah.
She has always been a VERY creative child.
Her imagination is WILD and very fitting.
She got right in there and started exploring everything!
And befriending everyone along the way.

I love her.
I feel so blessed to be her mother.
As I laid in bed with her tonight.
(Because she likes me too!)
I softly stroked her head.
I felt her implant.
I wondered if she would ever be mad at me for implanting her.
Without her approval.
Like piercing her ears when she was an infant?
It wasn't her decision, even though I guess it should have been.

I've been ridiculed.
Mocked.
TERRIBLE things have been said to me for implanting her.

But you know what?!?
I KNOW my Savanah.
And I KNOW to the very bottom of my core.
This is exactly what she would have wanted.

Functioning as normally as possible.
Functioning to her highest ability and beyond in this hearing world!
So as I ran my fingers softly over that lump in her head,
I realized that lump was one of the most amazing gifts I could have ever given Savanah.
And I know she'll thank me later!

Heartbreak

Savanah is the SWEETEST child you will ever meet.
She will befriend everyone.
She just wants to play.
Giggle.
Run. Jump.

Recently on our trip to Moab,
Savanah found several friends around our campsite.
She just walks right up and starts playing.
"Hi Friends!" She exclaims.

It doesn't matter to Savanah how someone dresses.
What color they are. How they talk.
SERIOUSLY. . . she is a friend to all.

On this camping trip. . .
a few of these "friends" were not being very nice.
Running from her, hiding from her
And than the kicker, throwing sand in her face.

I was devastated for her. She walked up to me.
Sand in every crevice.
Tears welling in her eyes.
She broke down.
BECAUSE of the sand. Not because she knew they were being mean to her.

Desmond and I sat down with her.
Cuddled her.
Explained to her how sweet Savanah is and what a wonderful friend she is.
And people who are good friends with her, they are the lucky ones to know and love Savanah. We explained kids are mean, for reasons we will never understand. But we told her to continue to stand up for herself, befriend people, love people no matter what and just be the Savanah she always is. She told us she would not play with those mean kids anymore. And she didn't that night. But than the next morning came, and Savanah quickly forgave and went on her way playing.

If we could all be a little nice, a little more understanding, a little more aware of people's feelings and be more of a friend to others, wouldn't this world be such a better place? We could all learn a little from Savanah.

Happy Hearing Day #4

WOW!
Really it's been four years?!?
What an amazing journey just this short time has been.

So in honor of another happy hearing day. . .
Savanah has chose to attend the Provo Beach Resort,
AND. . . it also falls on her SPRING BREAK from school.
Double bonus!

So next week, you can catch us @ the beach resort.
Boogie boarding, rope coursing, bowling etc!

S E V E N ! ! !

My baby girl turned 7 today.

WOW!

I cannot believe we have had the privledge of being her parents for 7 years!

That's 2,555 days!!!

Oh Happy Birthday my darling daughter, and PS. . . she shares a birthday with Grandpa. So we'll shout out to him as well!

LOVE TO YOU BOTH!

I just sent Savanah off to school.
Countdown to 7th birthday, 4 days I was reminded.
Desmond and I stayed up late watching old home movies.
We watched several of Savanah.
One in particular that struck us was only a few years ago.
4 almost to be exact.
RIGHT before her implant.
She wasn't able to communicate with us.
She had the best facial expressions though!
She was verbal in jibberish, she wasn't using ASL, either were we.
She was "sort of" lipreading.
She was just more watching our faces.
It was such a moment to watch again.
Since being implanted and her being able to communicate with us and everyone else.
I feel like we sort of forgot about that time in all of our lives.
It was such an impactful time but for some reason, we have blocked it out.


How far we've come in FOUR years! Savanah is talking, reading, spelling, going to school, expressing emotions appropriately, understanding different noises. . . GROWING up. We are so proud of her everyday, these old home videos are good to watch, such a blessing to see where we all were and where we all are NOW!

A favorite poem of mine. . .

WELCOME TO HOLLAND
by
Emily Perl Kingsley.

I am often asked to describe the experience of raising a child with a disability - to try to help people who have not shared that unique experience to understand it, to imagine how it would feel. It's like this......

When you're going to have a baby, it's like planning a fabulous vacation trip - to Italy. You buy a bunch of guide books and make your wonderful plans. The Coliseum. The Michelangelo David. The gondolas in Venice. You may learn some handy phrases in Italian. It's all very exciting.

After months of eager anticipation, the day finally arrives. You pack your bags and off you go. Several hours later, the plane lands. The stewardess comes in and says, "Welcome to Holland."

"Holland?!?" you say. "What do you mean Holland?? I signed up for Italy! I'm supposed to be in Italy. All my life I've dreamed of going to Italy."

But there's been a change in the flight plan. They've landed in Holland and there you must stay.

The important thing is that they haven't taken you to a horrible, disgusting, filthy place, full of pestilence, famine and disease. It's just a different place.

So you must go out and buy new guide books. And you must learn a whole new language. And you will meet a whole new group of people you would never have met.

It's just a different place. It's slower-paced than Italy, less flashy than Italy. But after you've been there for a while and you catch your breath, you look around.... and you begin to notice that Holland has windmills....and Holland has tulips. Holland even has Rembrandts.

But everyone you know is busy coming and going from Italy... and they're all bragging about what a wonderful time they had there. And for the rest of your life, you will say "Yes, that's where I was supposed to go. That's what I had planned."

And the pain of that will never, ever, ever, ever go away... because the loss of that dream is a very very significant loss.

But... if you spend your life mourning the fact that you didn't get to Italy, you may never be free to enjoy the very special, the very lovely things ... about Holland.

Remarkable.

(Savanah with little sister, pictured above).
Sorry it's been such a long time.
We've just been busy.
Living life.
Enjoying it.
Savanah is almost done with the first grade.
She is shining!
She is doing amazingly well with spelling and reading.
We were told she wouldn't be able to read till she was 10+, and yes she is 6!
Granted only for 5 more days. After 5 more days, she will be 7!!!
Where has the time gone?!?
Savanah is sure growing up.
She plays the Wii like an old pro.
She watches what she wants to watch on TV, so yes, she controls the remote.
She bathes herself, dresses herself and pretty much is 100% independent.
It's definitely been fun to watch Savanah develop into her own little personality!