Kaitlyn and Eddie

These two are worthy of a post by themselves. Both off to college (Kaitlyn at FSU and Eddie at NYPoly), they have endured a long distance relastionship that would test anyone. I do believe this is because of three things: Kaitlyn's experience with me leaving and being gone so much with the Navy, Skype and unlimited texts on their cell phones. We watched our phone records and noted they could send close to a thousand texts in a single day. The technology is... well lets say I wish I had it while I was in the Navy. It is nice to see them together as they make each other very happy. Both are doing extremely well at college. Kaitlyn just had her third straight term with a 4.0. She has been inducted into the National Engineering Honor Society and has received a scholarship from Women in Engineering. Eddie is also doing well, being asked to tutor fellow students and doing a successful internship at Lockheed on the east side of Orlando. They are now talking grad school and higher degrees. We are proud of them both.

2010 will be defined by ... medical, medical medical

I am still looking through 1000's of pictures to post, so I will give a quick recap on what defined our year for 2010. After years of monitoring, the mitrol valve in Cindy's heart finally needed to be repaired. She went through open heart surgery in May with an excellent surgeon who successfully repaired (vice replace) the valve even though it was difficult and complicated. She came through that very well however as can be typical with heart surgery, she now has a racing heart and rhythm problems. That will be addressed during another hospital procedure on the 12th of January, a story for another post when it is done.

While the heart was healing, she developed a pain in her left knee. Examinations revealed an aneurysm in her vein. She went in for surgery for that in October, only to have a serious complication with abdominal bleeding. Good news here is she recovered, and despite some lingering swelling, the knee is getting better. Bad news is she has another behind the other knee which may have to be repaired like the other. The scar is rather long and we all kid her that she needs to claim she got it fighting sharks or alligators, or something.

So... after 4 hospitals, three hospital stays, 8 doctors and counting, countless doctor appointments (over a hundred by now), we leave 2010 behind knowing that we did our part to fund the Orlando health community's 401k's for the next 10 years. Here's to hoping 2011 will be a better year.

OK... nothing like waiting a while to update?

Yes, it has been close to a year and a half since we last updated the blog. Seeing Kait's graduation brings back memories, but it reminded me she is now in her second year and we have not touched this. So much to post, so much to tell. ..

So the next few posts will try to recap the last year. 2010 has been a doozy for us and the second half of 2009 has paled in comparison.

Thanks for waiting.

Kaitlyn's Graduation

On 3 June, Kaitlyn graduated valedictorian of Dr. Phillip's High School in Orlando, Florida. We are very proud of her, not only for grades and effort in school, but also the speech she gave. The clip is below.

Kaitlyn in her gown

Kaitlyn and her boyfriend, Eddie.

Kaitlyn on the stage at graduation

Kaitlyn's speech

Senior Prom!

For those of you who want grey hairs like us, you can look at the these pictures. There are more but these are some of the best. We are not sure what happened to that little toe-headed girl with the cute smile.

Kait's friends Chris and Katey, Kaitlyn and Eddie.

Kait and Eddie at the park near our house.

Kait and Eddie before they left the house.

A close-up of Kaitlyn and Eddie. it was fun watching them try to pin on the flowers. At least no blood was shed.

OK - now for the grey hairs.

Our girl is growing up

We know it has been a while since our last post. Here are some of Kait's senior pictures copied from on line.

Snow, Snow and more Snow

We traveled back to the Northwest this year for the holidays. As luck would have it, we had to endure one of the heaviest snow falls for Portland and Seattle. While it was tough driving (I will recommend a Subaru with all wheel drive any day! A virtual "snow tank"!), the scenery was incredible, as these pictures show.