February Update

Well, the Super Bowl has come and gone (great game) and we are finally into the month of February...tax season and Cupid's day!! Both of which I am like "eh" about. All is well here in the Isla casa as we continue to figure out what the heck is going to transpire with our PCS move. George is still in the hopes of getting Korea, but it is unlikely. The other option is since he will inevitably be getting deployed no matter what...he may try to ask for Kuwait since it is a predominantly safer area to get sent to (I am just guessing, from what I've heard). But, I must say that I am leaning more and more towards Germany every day that goes by. I know my family and close friends don't understand why we would want to stay overseas...well there's a few reasons. Primarily, it's the education factor. I am not too keen on getting shipped somewhere in the states where my kids have the odds of being frisked upon entering the school grounds. Also, JD's services would be in tact and would not have to be reassessed/retested if we continue with DODDs schools. The other factor is opportunity. There are not many chances to "live" in another country and I have to say that it has been one of the best experiences our family has ever had. We have seen and learned so much just from traveling via the military. When it's over, it's over. We have to take what opportunities we can before we bid farewell to this lifestyle. Lastly, the money is fabulous. We have banked living here and when it's time to finally buy our first home, we will be more than ready. The pros just outweigh the cons!! So wish us luck as the months draw closer and that we end up in the best place for our family. Either way, we will make the best of it...we always do!!

On another note, I wanted to update on JD's medicine trial. He is doing GREAT!! Yes, I said it. I spent over a week trying to find something wrong with it and for it to give me a reason to say "STOP", but it has been quite the opposite. He leaves my car every morning when I drop him off just as he does when I pick him up...happy and engaged. His appetite has remained the same, his sleep patterns are consistent, and he is doing his homework without prompting. The school has noticed the major differences though...those like completing his work in 1/4 of the time it took him prior to the meds, actively participating in social activities on his own, raising his hand to answer questions in class discussions...etc. The differences are more than they could have ever hoped for and I am blown away. So, you don't fix what isn't broken as they say. He is making great strides and George and I will continue to support and encourage that. I am so excited to watch him the next few months left in school. I know he will do wonderful things for himself.

No pics this time, but we will be going to a BBQ today with all my girlfriends and all the peers George works with so I will post about it soon. All I know is I will be having more than one glass of wine!! It has been a long week....

Love to all and as always, thanks for reading....

Decisions, Comedy Night and Field Trips

I know it has been a while since I have been working the blog. My bad! To be honest, things have been kinda busy yet calm. However, the time has come to fill everyone in on the recent happenings at the Isla Casa. An update, if you will.

I always like to divulge the more stressful things first and get that out of the way.

JD started taking medicine this past week. If you know me well, then you know that I am strongly against drugging kids and I still feel that way essentially. We took him for an evaluation with the Developmental Pediatrician here last month. With his diagnosis of Autism since first grade, his inability to stay focused and on task in the classroom has not improved while everthing else has. I wanted to have him seen again since it had been so long and to approach this dilemma (since he will be starting middle school next year and I want to provide the best possible situation when that comes). So, we met and she (the doctor) spent some alone time with JD after her and I talked. She was actually very nice and explained to me that he may benefit from a little medication therapy. I knew it was coming...it had been put out there before. I was less than enthused and could not answer right away. She totally understood my concerns and my reservations about medicating him. So the hubby and I took the Winter Break to discuss, research, and decide what we should do. Our decision was to TRY it. My personal beliefs and my ideals had to be pushed to the side for a moment to make the right choice for my son. Does that mean I am ok with it?? NO! Does that mean I am sold on it completely?? NO!! Does it mean that I am willing to do whatever it takes to set my son up with the best possible life and education?? YES!! We have to try.

I explained to her that it had to start small, which she agreed. The medicine is called Concerta...go ahead look it up. It helps in an ADHD diagnosis. He is not "hyper", but obviously exhibits the syptoms of inattentiveness. So therefore, the same medicine applies. He is taking 18 mg a day (the smallest dose available) and I made it clear that I was only going to give it to him the days he is in school. She said that was fine and actually better. She only gave me a 30 day supply (remember this is a trial period). After two weeks, I will call her with any concerns or if I see any noticeable changes during that time. From there, we can decide whether or not this is something worth keeping him on. Sooooo......with a knot in my stomach, he took it on Tuesday for the first time. I had already emailed all the teachers he works with and explained the situation. They are watching him for me also and reporting back anything they see. Day one, nothing noticeable...Day two, a little more focused....Day three, signs of irritability at school...Day four, great day at school! That is it so far. But..he hasn't lost his appetite, not been able to go to sleep, or had any stomach pains (all key side effects). So that is the status so far. Hopefully next week will go ok. I will make sure to report back with that. Now, like I said, my views are still the same. I am sketchy and leary, and if this doesn't work out....I will never have to answer to this topic again!! But, I am hoping for the best....wish him luck! :o)

Now, on to something a little less serious...Another field trip with the middle schoolers to a park. I think it's weird that they think these kids are still into playgrounds. It was still fun of course because they had me as their kick a$$ chaperone LOL!! I think I had about 10 kids in my group, double the size of the others...geez. I couldn't get rid of them if I tried. Maybe it's because I don't mind getting in there and playing, too and I definitely don't have a problem making fun of myself. Check it out...

Good kids....

Next on the list of blog-worthy events...we went out to the Comedy Show last night to see Bill Bellamy. He made is way all the way over here to fricking Japan to do stand-up for the little old us. It was great. He is still so funny after all these years. I can stll picture him, Tiffany-Amber Thiessen and Peter Facinelli in Fastlane back in the day. So here are the best pics of the night. Comedic adventures...Good Times!!

This next one is my fave....

We had a blast and Bill's still got it!!

Ok now off to take the girls to see Twilight. They finally are playing the movie here in Oki for the first time. OK so maybe I've seen it streaming online already (shhhh) but I would like to see it in color and without a constant muffled tone. Ahhh, a cheesy dramantic!! What's better...??

Until next time....Love Ya!!!