Well, the flu and bug season is upon us once again and it feels particularly threatening this year with the outbreak of pertussis and enteroviruses here in Santa Barbara. I’m not one to get too caught up in fear over stuff like this but I’m definitely feeling the need to be aware and take extra precautions…i.e. time to break out the Costco size jug of hand sanitizer and wash, wash, wash those hands!!!! 🙂 Rudy came home from school sick two weeks ago. Nurse Sara was on top of things and recognized the symptoms early so I was able to get him home and on a regimen of Tylenol/Advil just as his fever started to spike. He battled a high fever and the accompanying symptoms for a couple of days but was able to fight it off quickly and was back in school on day 3. Unfortunately, I caught the same bug and was down for three days as well. I asked Rudy’s doctors if there’s anything more we can do this winter to keep him safe and their response was unanimous…keep him out of the ER. 🙂 So, as we take these extra precautions and pray for a bug-free winter, we trust Rudy will remain safe and healthy this crazy bug season!!
Rudy and I may have been down for a few days but the fun of the past couple of weeks didn’t stop…

It’s fun to watch Rudy’s world expand…he’s meeting new friends (at school for example) and enjoying experiences & making memories without the family by his side. It’s becoming more and more common to be out in public with Rudy and run into BFFs that we’ve never met! Ha Ha He’s definitely more popular than we are. 😉


Rudy had a very special opportunity to be honorary captain at the SB City College football game this past weekend. We met the team and shared Rudy’s story on Friday night and then attended the game on Saturday to promote awareness of Congenital Heart Defects (CHDs) and highlight the work of Camp del Corazon (www.campdelcorazon.org)!!! Rudy was a little overwhelmed at first (football players are ALOT bigger in person than on t.v.! ha ha) but warmed up to all the fanfare and found a comfortable spot to watch on the sideline. Yay Vaqueros!!








Then on Sunday, we took Rudy to the annual “Monster Ball” celebration with the UCSB Gaucho baseball team! It’s a sweet gathering of special needs kids in our community with games, snow cones, popcorn and, of course, candy! Rudy ran into a couple of buddies from his class last year and, once again, it was fun to experience a growing sense of community in Rudy’s expanding world.




Even with all the extra special activities in Rudy’s schedule this past week, his all time favorite moments remain those he spent at home with the big sibs…:)



what a busy little guy, sooo grown up .thanks for the pics.
Wonderful photos! Love your posts. Thanks for the reminder to pray for Rudy through this season of contagious diseases. Love you guys!
What a fun-filled, love-filled post…..what a blessing you are to the community…..
Is there a “love” button?
My fave picture is the quiet moment with Wil….awesome bond.
Hope those bugs stay away for a while and that the adventure continues more smootly for a bit!! Love ya!
Blessings to all of you Geylings. We so enjoy seeing your pictures and family news. What a wonderful time of year to focus on being thankful for the countless ways in which God shows us his love.
So very sorry about Moriah. Our sincere prayers and sympathy go out to her family and to all of you.