Bahouth Family 2008

Dear Family and Friends,

What started out as an update on Marissa has turned into our first family blog. Marissa is happy and doing well. Since she now weighs 76 pounds, in order to continue to care for her, our backs and the boys, we began to look into different options...a lift system, a remodel, a new house, home nursing etc. A long term care facility was at the bottom of our list. I went into it with the attitude of "okay, I'll go look at this place so I can see how horrible it is. Then, I can tell anyone that asks that I just couldn't do that to my little girl". I came out feeling the exact opposite. From that first visit, Mark and I knew it was an answer to our fasting and prayers.

So...Marissa's new digs, Main Ranch, is just 15 minutes away. It is only 1 year old. There are 6 bedrooms(which means only 6 children), 3 large bathrooms with lift systems, a large family room with a large flat screen TV, an activity room and a large back yard. Best of all the nurses and care providers are very loving, good people! She has been there over 4 weeks and things are going great. After her first week, one of the nurses said, "She is so cute; she giggles when I make animal noises." And I thought, “Oh, thank you, thank you for making animal noises to my little girl!!!” They lovingly take care of all her medical needs and I can show up to read her books or take her to lunch etc. Although I miss her at night, it feels good to be mom instead of physician.

Another bonus to her being at Main Ranch is that she is now in the Russell Ranch school district. Her 8-9 other classmates are all in wheel chairs and have similar "athletic" ability. So they all take turns going for a swim in the indoor 92 degree pool :) . At school she also receives lots of great help with physical therapy, occupational therapy, music therapy and assistive communication. The nurses and teachers there are also loving, kind, and amazing people!!

Although moving Marissa to a long term care facility is something I never thought we would do, we know that it is the right thing for her and a good thing for the whole family. Marissa is well cared for and happy. And, the boys are enjoying the additional mommy time they now get. (At first they barely recognized the crazy lady that was running up and down the soccer field kicking a ball to them.) Prayer has brought peace and we appreciate the support of friends we have told so far. Thanks to you all for the love and concern you show for Marissa. The most common question I get is, "How's Marissa?" Please don't stop asking about her. Although she has "moved away to school" she is still very much a part of our lives. We still see her every day and she comes home on weekends. Whether she is coming or going, she shows all signs of being content and happy.

As for the rest of our clan? … TJ (age 6) is managing the pros and cons of his special brain (aspergers). He reads at probably a 5th grade level and loves books, computers and playing in the pool. Although he stills struggles with connecting with and understanding others socially, he is making good progress with the help of his home based ABA (applied behavior analysis) program. Three hours a day 5 days a week he works on skills like how to prepare and eat a snack (instead of wearing it) and how to recognize and respond to other people emotions.

Truman (age 3) AKA Dash, continues to keep us on our toes. He has been too busy sliding across the floor in socks saying, “watch my skateboard,” kicking anything that resembles a ball, or leaping off anything he can climb to stop and use the restroom. A month ago I came up with a new goal of perhaps having him out of diapers before I am in them. Much to my relief however, he has finally decided to try not to get Spiderman and Thomas (underwear) wet. YA!

Mark is in Italy again with his new Intel spin off merger company Numonyx. Since there isn’t time for sight seeing, the only thing he has to say about Italy is that the food is good, but not worth the commute. His current work position has also motivated him to revisit a favorite place from the past, the racquetball court; a place where you can really take a whack at something and not get sent to anger management courses or CPS. He also enjoys wrestling with the boys, swimming with the kids or reading to Marissa.

As for me, other than a few motherly duties, I’m enjoying sitting around eating bon-bons and sending out Christmas letters 6 months early. Happy Holidays!!!

With love,
The Bahouths