Graduation Day

Wow, it's been a day or so since posting. "I'm slipping" Anyway I have some pictures of Corey's Graduation for those of you who couldn't attend.

                                Before leaving we also took a picture with Uncle Chuck: who drove all the way down from Georgia, and Aunt Robin: who came in from Delaware.

W

We were so happy that they were able to come and share Corey's Day!

C

Corey friends have named this the Nerd Picture.... it's alright Corey....you just go save lives!

And last but not least we have Mikey who had to get-in on the fun..

Baby

My Baby Graduated this weekend with a degree in Neuroscience. Next up...Medical School.
I know time is getting close "again" for our move to Switzerland, I feel bad about it: I'm just not excited about it...in fact I'm having trouble even getting motivated about moving there. I don't know why the change...perhaps I'll be able to figure it out soon. Just ...... would like to know why I feel this way.

Here we go, Again

Have you ever had just "one of those days: Mikey got his stitches out, Corey is working hard and just took his last final today. Rich is studying German almost non stop and I've been getting ready for the packers....Again. We received an e-mail from the housing in Bern, they are looking for our perfect home. hope we sleep well on the plane, I have a feeling we're going to hit the ground running. It's been almost four years since I've seen any of our household items. It will be great to get back home to Europe!

Corey

Corey is still busy studying, his last final is tomorrow morning. Graduation for Neuro-Science is on Friday and for the University...on Saturday, so it will be a busy weekend!
I heard on the news tonight that Air-Travel is being canceled again for parts of Europe. "interesting".... Well, we do have some time before leaving- hopefully the world disasters will calm down a bit. Although I am worried about our oceans!!

Visitors

Hello everyone! First I want to thank you for all the Mothers Day wishes, Craig couldn't get reception {they were camping in Yosemite} but he and Trista texed a lovely message this morning. Chris phoned on his way to a Commander Training course this afternoon and Corey made it home from studying to wish me a happy Mothers Day. My husband sent beautiful flowers! 
My Brother and his girlfriend drove up from Tenn. for a weekend visit, we had a wonderful time. We took him to see The American Indian museum; he also wanted some good Korean food. So Rich did some checking on line and found just the one...it was amazing food-they really did an amazing job; in fact the whole atmosphere mad me a bit "homesick" for the area. Today I took Barbra shopping {we didn't purchase too much} but we had a nice time. It was really great of him to drive all their way here just to spend a weekend. It's nice to have him in my life again, we where having fun reflecting back on our childhood and just getting reacquainted again!

MPS Awareness Day

May 15th is MPS awareness day, for those of you who are "lucky enough" not to have heard of this terrible illness- here is a brief explanation:

What is MPS IIIA / Sanfilippo Syndrome

Sanfilippo Syndrome is a recessive autosomal genetic disease. Children with Sanfilippo Syndrome are missing an essential enzyme needed to breakdown and dispose of long sugar chains in the body called mucopolysaccharides. also known as GAGs. Because these sugar chains cannot be broken down and disposed of they accumulate in the cells causing progressive damage. Babies and young children with Sanfilippo Syndrome appear normal, but symptoms begin to appear with age as more and GAGs build up in the cells of the body. There are 3 stages to the disease. Stage 1 the child begins to lag behind peers and begins to display difficult behaviors. Stage 2 the child losing his/her language, becomes hyperactive, chews on everything, and has sleeping difficulties. Stage 3 the child slows down, becomes dependant for all mobility and loses the ability to chew/swallow. There is no treatment or cure for Sanfilippo. Life expectancy varies. 

Now, I know of another Foreign Service family who not only have one but two children who suffer from this illness. In fact we were in Israel when we got word that they needed help in getting back to the US. "at the time they were posted in England" and had just found out that their little boy Oliver tested positive. They already knew of their daughter Waverly. Two beautiful children who are regressing everyday. I can't even imagine what it must be like as parents watching your children decline everyday; they never know what tomorrow will or will not hold. If Waverly will be able to smile or if Oliver will be able to walk without help.

The color for MPS is Purple. Please try to raise awareness in your community.

Decision

I decided not to go to Uganda at this time. It was a very tough decision but in the end, there were just too many obstacles to complete along with our up-coming move to Bern. Although disappointed, I will be able to join the next group going. "I'll be looking forward to it" 
I think the only problem I'll have is leaving the children...
I'm going to want to bring them all home with me!