Another surgery

Zoe needs to have another surgery.  Her MRI from Tuesday revealed that the surgery in January did not resolve all of the issues.  The swallowing delay and aspiration has been resolved, but the additional spinal fluid that was pooling in her spinal column has gotten significantly worse.  The Chiari decompression surgery had a less than 50% chance of correcting that problem, but we did not expect it to get worse.  Dr. Swift asked if her arm strength had weakened at all.  We haven't seen anything; however, as I mentioned in another blog post, she hasn't made any significant strides in physical therapy as of late.  He said that he didn't want to wait for her to begin showing big symptoms because that could set us back in her physical development.

She is going to have a laminectomy on September 11.  She will also have a shunt tap that day to make sure the shunt is functioning properly.  If she needs the shunt revision surgery, they will perform it at that time.  We aren't certain of the recovery time, but they said it wouldn't be as bad as the decompression surgery...I don't see how anything could be that bad!!!!  From what I understand, they will go through the back around C7 and insert a tube to drain the fluid.  This will become permanent and will function like her shunt.  We are looking at 3-4 days in the hospital again...guess we'll be getting her iPad before Christmas.  Hahaha.

Dr. Swift says kids are developing so rapidly at her age, and that Zoe's main symptom may be that she's just not developing at her full potential.  We are all about getting Zoe to her full potential, so please join us in prayer on this next adventure.

On a side note, she's been sentencing like crazy lately!  Tells people, "It's so good to see you!" and "Hi, how are you doing?!" and likes to tell people, "I'm two and she's thirty!" (pointing at me of course) She is also becoming quite my little buddy...cuddling, singing, reading, playing babies and dolls.  I swear she would sell her grandmother's soul to the devil for a stamp if she could.  (I've started giving her stamps every time she uses her "sweet voice" and does polite and helpful things.) She's also getting a walker next week.  We are hoping she starts to get interested in it in the next few months.

We will be celebrating Jay's birthday this weekend too!  It's very convenient that he gets a holiday weekend every year for his birthday.  Thanks for all your prayers and we will keep you posted.

the gralls

Water, Weirdness, and Waiting

What a fun week.......at times.  I'm officially a stay-at-home mommy now.  I felt incredibly weird and out of sorts when all of my (some of my!) friends returned to work last week.  I couldn't stop checking Facebook for all of the updates, and I also found myself checking my work e-mail...which I can still log into!!  Super weird.  I'm finally feeling like that chapter is closed though.  This is my new life, and I'm thrilled.

Zoe spent quite a bit of time in the water this week.  We went to Hawaiian Falls last night for "Special Friends Night" with Prestonwood.  She loved the water, her friends from church, and joyfully shivered her way through the lazy river and the "wavey" pool.  It's been weirdly cooler this week....quite tolerable, especially for August in Texas.  Her lips were blue and her lower lip quivered the entire time, but we loved it!  

I bought a slip n slide for five bucks yesterday....instant entertainment for about an hour.  Zoe didn't quite get the hang of it, but her awesome neighbors are trying to convince her.  

We are in a bit of a holding pattern for physical therapy.  Our assignment this week is to "back off."  She hasn't done anything new in the last two weeks so we are going to back off a week.  Turns out, our super independent, ridiculously strong willed, "spirited" and "tenacious" toddler could quite possibly show some regression if we push a little too hard.  She's not standing unless she has a couch or something to lean on, which is fine, except for she doesn't want to do it anymore.  She's OK on hands and knees or looking out the window for a couple of minutes on her knees, but that's it.  I'm getting a little frustrated, but I'm constantly reminded that it's up to her.  She has to want to do it.  

Zoe and I met a precious little girl with spina bifida this week at Scottish Rite.  She was nine.  She was in a wheelchair and she and Zoe hit it off right way.  She asked me very sweetly, "Can she walk?"  I told her she couldn't, but it was a little early to tell if she would or not.  She responded very sweetly and told me that she could a little bit, but she wasn't very good at it.  Her mom has to help her stand up in her stander.  She was so sweet and understanding and accepting about it.  Such a healthy, happy little nine-year-old.  That's all we want for Zoe.  I'll take her anyway I can get.  It doesn't mean I'll pray less or accept less...what is "less" anyway?  I'm in love with a tiny blonde with beautiful little curls, a squeaky little voice, tantrum-ing two-year-old who has her whole life ahead of her and deserves the best.  I want her to be just as accepting as this other little girl we met.  God is in control and holds her future.

So we are just waiting on Zoe to decide what she wants to do.  I have absolutely no idea where she gets  her stubborn, hard-headedness, and sensitivity (haha), but I certainly know how to handle it.  The apple does not fall far from the tree...

She discovered her love of peanut butter!  It's official -- she belongs to me now!

Eating a "big chicken" while DOG eye-balls it.

Buddies

Attempting to slip n slide, even though she didn't like it much....try again???

Her new braces (hot pink camo!!) and her first pair...she's grown so much in the last 18 months!

Sweet Megan stopping to play with Zoe between slip n slides!

Her new wheelchair gloves!

Long time no see!

We have had several big things happen back to back around here, but finally things are settling down a little bit....

There's been a big change as most of you know.  I will not be returning back to Lovejoy High School to teach this fall.  It has and will continue to be a very big adjustment for me, but it's been the best (and hardest!!) decision I've ever had to make.  When you come face to face with your reality, it always has the potential to be a little daunting.  I realized that although my heart, my talents, and my strengths are utilized best standing in front of a choir, my calling right now is to serve my family full-time.  I am very excited about this new revelation, but I've been very overwhelmed by the tug of emotions with leaving the job and people I love.  I had the perfect job, the best students, the most talented and dedicated colleagues, and a very fulfilling career ahead of me, and I chose to leave all of that behind in order to follow a different plan.  God is in control and knows exactly what He's doing.  I wouldn't have chosen everything to happen in this order, but that's not always up to us.  I will be thinking of all of my sweet friends and students as they go back to work and school in the next couple of weeks.  I love you all, and I will be here for you when you need me.  You are amazing and inspiring, and it's been an honor to work with each of you.

On the home front, we have just completed several big projects at the house!  Yard work, cleaning and organizing, then re-organizing because you're not real sure where things should go in a place you've just moved into.  We hosted our family from Florida for a few days, and Maddy was here for a visit.  Zoe now has new flooring in her room that matches most of the rest of the house!  She has the freedom to go anywhere her little heart desires in our new house and has the curiosity and mobility to get into all kinds of trouble now.

She is keeping me busy to say the least.  I look forward to Mondays and Fridays when our sweet Jenna comes to help out ( /entertain/clean/play!).  She has really blessed our family so much this year, and we are very sad to see her leave for college in a couple of weeks.  She has touched our lives in a very special way and has been with ME through thick and thin this year.  Zoe is a better person because of her giving spirit, selfless attitude, and diligence to serve those in need.  Jenna, we will miss you!!!!!!  We are also in desperate need to fill her shoes....if you know anyone 18 or older who can help us with our respite hours and doesn't mind playing with Zoe a few hours a week, let me know!!

It's August already, and things are finally slowing down just a bit.  We are learning to cook on our new Big Green Egg, going swimming......lots, adjusting to a more relaxed schedule, searching for the best Mother's-Day Out program, I'm finally running again, and we are of course praying for Zoe as always.

Here are some hi-lights from the last few weeks.

Maddy (AKA "Sissy") came for a fun visit!

We squeezed in a trip to Arkansas to stay at Reba and Johnny's lake house!  Cliff diving, swimming, and good food....Zoe especially loved cheering for everyone as we jumped off the cliff.  

Zoe had her first ice cream cone from CHICK FIL A (also known as "Chicken-Fil-Laaayyyy")
Also, Zoe's first tattoo.  Hello Kitty naturally.

Dallas Arboretum is always a hit, except for now in this heat...I think we'll wait another month of so before venturing out there again.

We loved out visit from Papa and Gramma.

Rachel came too!!!

Our first tea party with a couple of very sweet friends from down the street.

Our new floors and a big girl bed! 

Silly time right before bedtime.

A Joyful Heart

Proverbs 17:22

"A joyful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones."

Zoe has been nothing but a joy to be around these last couple of weeks.  We have had the best time...whether we've been at the zoo, the arboretum, Target, the pool, or chillin' out in Mama and Daddy's bed watching a movie.  She's just the best company!  Last night she wore herself out giggling. We were all out in the back, she was cruising around in her stander, and laughed at absolutely everything.

She has a happy little heart and she's great medicine for me and Jay. That's for sure.  We all get a little worn out sometimes, and she certainly knows how to cheer someone up and bring life to people.  I hope that it's not just a phase, like some of her other newly discovered character traits.....

New behaviors include saying the exact opposite of everything I say, wanting blueberries instead of strawberries, arguing whether outside really means outside or inside, telling me she wants "my ways" when I tell her not everyone gets their own way...it's all very complicated and she knows exactly what to say that's completely different than what I told her to do or say.  It's actually hard not to laugh at her sometimes.

We are still trying to settle in around here.  Nothing is hanging from the walls except for the computer monitors (they look great, honey!).  Boxes are still everywhere in the guest bedroom.....we have about 10 days to get that room in order with Maddy coming to visit.  And we still need a few more big items priced out like tree trimming, pest/bug control, miscellaneous stuff that houses that have been vacant for awhile need....But that will come in time.

Dallas Arboretum 

It was perfect weather for the Dallas Zoo!  Cool, cloudy, and breezy.  

She just loved the zoo!!  We are definitely taking Daddy next time.

Right now, Zoe and I are headed out back to swim and get some sun!  Hope y'all are having a good week.  Love to all.

Our life these days

We have wrapped up another school year and moved into our new house since I last posted.  As you can imagine, there has been very little time to post anything lately!  I am so happy the last chapter of our life is over!  That was a very hectic, sleepless, exciting, nerve-racking, and crazy few weeks.

Lovejoy Life...
We had an extremely successful pop show - celebrated several "Guilty Pleasures" in the history of pop music.  On top of all the pop show preparations and rehearsals, we have also had our very bittersweet and fun glow-in-the-dark choir banquet, traveled to Austin for the ridiculously successful Texas State Solo and Ensemble Contest (love our outstanding choir students!!), were honored at 2 very prestigious awards ceremonies for our famous Music Man production back in January, sadly said our good-byes at graduation ceremonies, and celebrated all weekend with our graduates.  We also received word that our Varsity Women will be performing at TMEA next February as an invited honor choir!!!  For you non-music teachers out there, it's a very big deal to be chosen, and we will be traveling to San Antonio to perform at the convention for parents, faculty, and every other choir director in the state.....like I said, it's been a very exciting AND nerve-racking month! It feels good to breathe again :)  Bethany and I have some very big decisions to make in the next few months so we are already getting the ball rolling.

Murphy Life...
We are living in Murphy now!  Our new house is a one-story home built in 2002 I think??!!  We have lots of hardwoods and tile inside for little Zoe to move around easily.  We have fabulous neighbors who are incredibly friendly and have already included us in some get-togethers.  We have a little work left to do in the house...yard work, pool lights, leaky faucet,  (comes with the territory I guess!?) and we will be settling in over the next couple of weeks.  Come by and visit us and swim too!!!

Zoe Life...
She is still amazing us every single day.  What a joyful little songbird we have on our hands.  In the last month her singing and talking has tripled.  She counts to 30 (22-29 gets a little confusing), scoots backwards on her bootie, likes to bulldoze in her wheelchair (not encouraged whatsoever), gives lots of hugs and kisses, "kicks" in the pool (looks like her hips are doing more of the work than her actual legs right now), and dances, giggles, and performs for anyone and everyone.  We are easily impressed I suppose, but she seems to be thriving.  I'm expecting big things this summer, lots of sweet memories, and big milestones.

Brooke and Jay Life...
We are ready for a little time off - time to cook dinner, time to hang a few pictures in our new house, time to buy some chairs for our backyard, time to sit together, time to just look at each other and remember why we are here on this earth, time to encourage each other.  Those are things that get put off when 2 people work 50-80 hours per week per person.  Life is very complicated.  I don't understand God's plan right now, but I do know that we're on the right track.  That's all we need to know right now!  I keep reminding myself daily of this verse:


"For just as the heavens are higher than the earth, so my ways are higher than your ways and my thoughts higher than your thoughts."  Isaiah 55:9


I hope all of you are having a great week!!  We have certainly gotten started on the right foot :)

Zoe P sings God Bless America

I just had to share this for all of my friends!  Enjoy!

Graduation

This time of the year is busy for lots of reasons...one of them being graduation.  As a teacher, it's special to see those you've invested in all year (or for the last 3 years in my case) grow, achieve success they only dreamed of at one point, and then witness a child changing into an adult right before your own eyes.  They begin to move on to bigger and better adventures, and you can only hope that they take a small piece of you with them into their next chapter and beyond.  As a music educator, it's even harder to see them go because you see the legacy those who are leaving have created.  A small part of them stays with you and the choirs in the years to come.  We have many more memories with our Lovejoy kids (all crammed into the next four and a half weeks of course!!), and then one year ends while another one begins.  It's extremely bittersweet and emotional.

I was also overcome with several emotions tonight at Zoe's feeding therapy appointment.  Good news, I promise!!  She has "graduated" from feeding therapy!!!  After 16 months of feeding therapy, 4 swallow studies (2 of which were traumatizing), and many trials, Zoe is cleared for normal "thin" liquids and no longer needs weekly sessions.  She has come a long way...November 2010, we couldn't go anywhere without her baptizing some poor stranger (or friend or family member) with vomit, and this summer I get to give her an ice cold juice box while we sit out at our new pool.......no more thickening, no more whisking, no more prepping everything.  She gets to eat and drink like every other 2-year-old, and for that we are thankful.  Also, her therapist Breanna, along with Dr. Swift (her neurosurgeon) helped us come to the decision to have that surgery back in January, so we know that helped as well.  

God is so good.  The bittersweet part about this whole evening is that we have come to just love Breanna, and now we don't get to see her anymore!!  It's a strange feeling.  Someone was here, made a huge impact on our family, changed our daughter for the better, and now she's gone.  It just seems so sudden.  I'm sure I'll be saying that a lot in the next 18 years though.  We will still keep in touch I'm certain, but feeding Zoe has been such an event and now she's all "normal."  I feel a little bit like I graduated too.  We are so grateful for all of the people who care for Zoe, and we pray for them daily.  We couldn't have walked these last 26 months without any of you!  

So it's been awhile since I posted, but just so you know we are in-between closing dates right now.  We sold our home 2 weeks ago (another surprisingly emotional day for me), and we are waiting on the official closing date of our new house!  Right now we are currently living at my parents, which has been AWESOME!  I'm sure they're ready for their space again, and the dog is fortunate he is still alive (he ate an entire UNCOOKED meatloaf off the counter yesterday), but we have loved being here with them.  They have sacrificed so much for me my whole life, and they just continue to do so....it takes a lot to let our crazy family and ridiculous schedules into your home, and they have been amazing about the whole thing.

Here are a couple recent pictures of our beauty.

Going "cruising" in her soon-to-be new house!  She just goes everywhere now!!