5 months...already?

Yep, it's been over 5 months now since our departure from Philly.  A lot has gone on since then.  We haven't blogged since early March but thought it was about time to give an update.
We were able to brave the journey south, to our spring break home of New Smyrna Beach, Florida with a whole contingent of friends and family.  This was our 6th consecutive year going to NSB.  We always look forward to our time spent there (in fact I think Shawna booked our condo for two weeks next year....I've been trying to tell myself its that she loves it there SO much that she needs two weeks of sun and fun but have definitely considered the fact that she's seeing it as an opportunity to have a week free of putting up with her neediest child.....ME, as I'll have to stay back and teach the first week).
Traveling for extensive amounts of time and/or mileage no longer worries us as our trips to and from Philly have conditioned the kiddos to enjoy the journeys we take, although we still got the "this is taking for a long time" from the boys.  After the ride, though, there were a few things I realized I was overly thankful for:
1. The Frozen Soundtrack/Movie - One Direction: I'll admit, I like the music, it keeps our boys distracted and creates for some good discussion.
2. Spotify - To be able to choose the music we listen to instead of being at the mercy of the radio DJ's was huge....plus it allowed our family to practice for the selfie, homemade music videos we filmed while driving.  Now the boys know the lyrics to "Baby Got Back"....thanks, Shawna.  Jen, we're sorry for any explicit lyrics that may come out of their mouths at daycare....blame Shawna.
3. SemiTruck Mud Flaps - They did such a great job of keeping water from constantly spraying on to our windshield while trying to navigate the ups and downs of the Appalachians in the middle of the night....catching my sarcasm.  I think my next get rich quick scheme is (not going to be the cookie delivery service on college campuses, although I think I still might try) going to be designing some apparatus that keeps water from spraying from semi trucks.  I may as well have been blindfolded while driving for stretches as I couldn't see a darn thing.
4. Caffeine - Enough said, for those of you who have driven the graveyard shift through the night.
5. A wife that is more than willing and able to drive on road trips!  It is nice to be able to fall asleep expecting to wake up in Chattanooga, TN and then realize you're almost in Atlanta!!
6. Diapers - Even your kids are 3/5/32 - it's much more time efficient to quick strap one on or sit on one to take care of the emergency potty need instead of having to stop (yes, 32 year olds can use them....just get creative...I would youtube some guides on how to do this but then would probably lose my job).
7. Cruise Control - Because so many people are so great at using it (again, picking up on my sarcasm)....seriously, there were stretches where I thought our van was the only vehicle that had it.  Maybe it's just one of my pet peeves, but c'mon people....don't pass me, pull ahead of me, then slow down so then I have to do the same after breaking my cruise control, only for the process to repeat itself another half dozen times.
I'm thankful for many other things too, but these were a few I thought I'd highlight.  The trip was great, though.  We had our annual great weather and an awesome time spending time with about 40 of our good friends and family even including a visit from Ms. Jen and family that thrilled our kiddos.

Back at home the appointments for KJ have kept up but slowed down in frequency.  We've been blessed by having no setbacks or anything out of the ordinary (medically) occur.  Early On comes to our house to start to help with physical therapy-type work, getting her to stay active at the hips with Tummy Time, show us a few exercises and stretches to keep her joints and muscles moving in her lower body as that will be the area she'll need the most help with, as expected.  Early On is currently working to get her qualified for weekly service instead of monthly visits.  This means she has to be evaluated by Occupational/Speech/Physical Therapy.  She will qualify for more visits just because of her Spina Bifida diagnosis, we are all for taking advantage of therapy!
She still has to wear some special shoes/sandals to keep her feet adjusted correctly with a bar between them (the bar only when she sleeps) but will soon be able to get out of those shoes/sandals (unless she's sleeping)!!  Funny how very minute details get us excited!
Her neurology appointment last week went well and they are going to continue to monitor her head size (she jumped from the 72 percentile up to the 93 percentile)  Mostly likely this jump was due to a growth spurt and not hydrocephalus since she isn't showing any hydrocephalus symptoms.
We're looking forward to our trip back out to Philly in late June to see the doctors and experts out there for a 6 monthish check up.  We're also looking forward to getting back to Philly to site see and see some of the wonderful people we met and befriended while we were there.  It will bring back many memories....mostly good!!
We continue to feel blessed and supported by so many people.  We are still asked by friends, neighbors, family, etc., how we're holding up and how Kierstyn is doing.  Even this week I've had 3 extensive conversations with co-workers and neighbors about Kierstyn's progress.  We're glad that people feel comfortable asking us about her and how things are going....it's part of reality and life for us forever now and the fact that people ask shows they care.  Please know, we don't get sick of talking about it annoyed with people asking.  To us, like I said, it's people showing they care and gives us a chance to talk about our experience and how we've been blessed and continue to be, and gives us the chance to spread knowledge about spina bifida.
In regards to that, a big shout out to the Zeeland West Senate for have the can tab drive/contest to support the Ronald McDonald House and the students that went to Grand Rapids and prepared a meal there.  We know what a difference having those things done for a family can do to allow families to be with their loved ones through some challenging medical times.
Smiles abound at the Carlson home as spring approaches (well, except for ALMOST every night when it's bedtime for the boys....suggestions?).  We continue to count our blessings and realize how fortunate we've been the past 8 months.  Last week, we received word that Justin, the 13 year old cancer patient that was at the PRMH with his folks and us for sometime and who was a bright spot in everyones day that he crossed paths with, passed away at his home in Curacao...puts all of our worries and concerns in perspective as parents and anytime we feel our medical issues are burdening (fortunately not life threateing as his were).  Our journey continues, though, back in Zeeland as spring approaches and the tulips start to pop.
The school year is winding down as Peyton approaches his last few weeks at Jen's Gems Daycare and prepares for kindergarten...what?  Where is the pause button!!  We're looking forward to the summer months ahead....camping, cabin, swim lessons, beach, Philadelphia, house upkeep, and anything else that fills our calendar!

As always.....

Choosing Joy

-Jeff