Happy Birthday…to me

As many of you noticed, Rudy’s Beat got hacked over the weekend so our apologies for any confusion. We won’t ever post a link unless there is a clear connection to Rudy so be aware of vague, unknown links if it happens again. 🙂

Rest assured, this post IS from me! Today is February 27th which means another month in 2017 has flown by as well as another YEAR in the life of me!! Hello 51!

I was blessed to kick off my birthday weekend with a trip to one of my favorite cities! We loaded up the van and headed down to San Diego on Friday for a special wedding celebration and for a quick visit to PLNU. I lived in San Diego for only a couple of years before I married Rolf but I sure have a trove of special memories from that time in my life and relish any opportunity we get to visit…

Max had a quick meeting with the co-chair of the music department at PLNU on Saturday so Rolf, Livy, Rudy and I enjoyed a little walk through campus while we waited…one of the prettiest campuses on our coast for sure!!

It isn’t a visit to San Diego without a stop at El Indio!!!

We were honored to celebrate with our friends Grace and Marlin (Rudy’s godparents) at the wedding of their son Luke and his lovely bride Hollie…precious!

Tearing up the dance floor with the big sibs…

Waiting to send off the bride and groom…

So long Van Clan! Thanks for all the fun!

Wilson would have joined us if he hadn’t had a special event of his own to attend…He and his friend Leah enjoyed the 2017 Military Ball on Friday night!

Aw man, I could have extended our stay a couple of days but we got home in time to watch the Oscars last night and it’s back to the regular work/school routine this week. Wilson comes home on Friday for his spring break so we have something special to look forward to.

Speaking of something special, Rolf was recognized at the SBRM Board of Directors meeting this month for his 10 years of service! It’s hard to believe that Rolf started directing the work of the rescue mission ten years ago in January…we knew this would be a significant experience for our family when we relocated to Santa Barbara after our 15 years in Los Angeles but, of course, we couldn’t have imagined how truly rich life would become…even amid the heartbreak and challenge. Our whole family has been shaped by our relationship with the dear people of the Santa Barbara Rescue Mission from the staff and residents and guests to the board members and volunteers! How very grateful we are for this community as a whole and for the opportunity to minister alongside such amazing individuals. Yay SBRM!!

Medical Update:

Rudy had his routine echo exam with Dr. Harake on Thursday and, thankfully, there is no notable change in his heart size or valve leakage. It remains at moderate – severe and his hemoglobin number is high but holding steady at 21. As was discussed with Rudy’s surgeon back in December, there is no plan to act but Dr. Harake does believe the next issue we’ll need to address is Rudy’s shunt as he continues to grow. It’s hard to visualize that all of Rudy’s oxygenated and non-oxygenated blood passes through a tube that, at it’s largest, is only 5mm wide:

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How long his original shunt can sustain his growing body’s blood flow remains a mystery but we applaud it’s stellar performance so far and pray that when he does outgrow it, doors for a next step will open. Let it flow, Rudy!

A beach outing in between our recent string of storms.

Happy Valentine’s Day 2017

The singing of the traditional Valentine’s Day song is getting harder and harder to produce with the kids scattered about but we managed to pull everyone together via iMovie to create this year’s “tech” version! Happy Valentine’s Day everyone…’wishing you a whole year full of love and kindness!!!

2017

CHECK THIS OUT! An unearthed treasure from 2003…never before posted on Rudy’s Beat!!!!!

2016

2015

2014

2012

2011

2009

2008

Rain Out

Rudy has been raising money this past week in a $1.00 donation campaign for his school’s Move-a-thon that was supposed to happen yesterday. Sadly, the Move-a-thon had to be postponed (for the second time!) due to rain. Spirits might have been dampened a bit but not our gratitude! A BIG thank you to the dear ones who sent Rudy a $1 (or two!). Hopefully we’ll get to share some pics of the fun when the school field dries out and the Move-a-thon is rescheduled!

Rudy’s name was entered in a school raffle for the donations he turned in and he was one of several winners! Rolf is happy he won the Surf Country Surf Shop gift certificate. Ha Ha

We actually welcome all this rain. After being in a drought for nearly 5 years, the many winter storm fronts that have passed through our area are desperately needed. The hills surrounding Santa Barbara are green again and our lakes are filling up! A good thing for sure. May our land get it’s fill. Happy Weekend Everybody!!

We. Like. Bananas. B-A-N-A-N-A-S!

It has been awhile since we updated on Rudy’s progress in oral feeds….in part because there hasn’t been much progress. Rudy’s interest in food ebbs and flows so when he’s interested, we jump on it and when he isn’t, we let it go. The tomato basil soup at Kyle’s Kitchen is still a big favorite and his go-to request at home is ranch dressing. The “eating” that he does is limited to smooth textures that he can lick off a spoon or carrot stick.

Well, Rudy’s interest in food is flowing this week and while he was licking his ranch dressing at dinner last night, he requested banana. Banana? Rolf popped up right away and grabbed a banana and spoon from the kitchen and I got a spoonful of banana up to Rudy’s mouth before he could change his mind. A couple of bites in and Olivia got some video footage!!!!…

This is significant because this is the first chunky texture he’s been able to swallow!!!! Yay! Baby steps may be small but they’re steps in the right direction…Go, Rudy, Go!

Up, Up and Away!

Rudy had another big “first” this past weekend. He (along with Rolf and Max) had his first private plane adventure thanks to a friend of ours here in town. I really can’t say much about it since I wasn’t there but Rolf was able to capture a bit of the take off on video. Clearly Rudy had something to say there at the end of the short clip but couldn’t quite find the words…priceless!

The Geyling men enjoyed their 30-minute aerial tour of Goleta’s beautiful coast and bird’s eye view of our cul-de-sac. SO FUN! A big thanks to Steve (and his dad) for contributing to those “quality of life” experiences that, quite literally, expand world views, lift spirits and fuel dreams! Awesome!!

While the boys were flying the friendly skies, Olivia and I had a fun girls weekend visiting friends in Temecula and Los Angeles AND we even snuck in a quick lunch with Wilson! Speaking of Wilson, he was featured on the APU Honors College Facebook page last week. His quote encouraged me…the occasional sound bite into his life at the ZOO is always a treat.

Speaking of college life, Max decided this week that he will be attending Point Loma Nazarene University in the fall!!!! We are thrilled for him. I lived in San Diego for a couple of years and LOVED it there…I’m certain Max will fall in love with it too. Yay PLNU Sea Lions!!!

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Rudy is definitely feeling more like his old self after battling a virus for a couple of weeks…just in time for his school’s annual Move-a-thon scheduled for this Friday, CHD Awareness Week, Valentines Day, the fun 4-day President’s weekend and a trip to San Diego at the end of the month!! Woo Hoo! Stay tuned for some fun pics…;) Happy February Everybody!!!