Vacation and Beyond
May 31, 2007 7:00 AM

We finally made it to the end of the school year! Wow, that went by fast. When I was in school the year just seemed to drag on—not for the parents, I guess.

The girls both had such an amazing year. They both really love learning and enjoy school. Kendra learned to read and write this year. Her journals are certainly keepers for the memory box. Juliana is right on track with Pre-K. Her teacher certainly worked hard to make sure that Juliana did not miss out on anything because of her communication challenge. All of her future teachers are going to have to live up to the high standards that were set this year.

We visited a different school last week just to look at their deaf education program and start to make a decision about Kindergarten. A lot of work and time and decisions have to be made for Juliana each year and throughout each year. At this point she will be staying at our local school and she will have an interpreter with her throughout the year. But that is all another year away. She still has one more year of Pre-K.

We certainly have a busy summer ahead of us. We are planning to leave on Sunday for our two week vacation. Then we will be home a week before we leave again for Miami.

Surgery is scheduled for June 28. She will be having the mid-face distraction that Dr. Wolfe spoke of in the first documentary. As he put it this will be “the Mt. Everest” of her surgeries. She will have a metal “halo” type device on for approx. 4 to 6 months. We will be turning screws again just as we have done in the past for her lower jaw. This will “in theory” put her nose and maxilla in place.

I just pray that everything goes smoothly and this is the right time to do this. I will be so glad when this whole process is over. It will be painful for her, but hopefully she only has to go through it one time. And she is young enough that she will not remember it. Because of the hardware she will be wearing, she will not be starting school at the beginning of the year. She will be having a teacher and possibly some therapists come to the house to work with her until she is ready to go to class. This will also give Juliana and Mommy some time to work together.

I try not to think about the whole procedure too much. When I was pregnant with Juliana I decided that I could not worry about everything. I am not in control. I do the best that I know how to do with her and God will take care of the rest.

I will try to post an update during vacation, but I am not making any promises!

—Tami