Jacob's Battle: One Year Ago

A year ago this month, Jake woke up on a Saturday morning with a huge knot the size of a golf ball on the left side of his jaw. He had been fussy and acting like something in his mouth was bothering him that week, but we thought he was just cutting a tooth. I got him into the pediatrician as soon as they opened and he was put on an antibiotic and referred to an ENT. We saw the ENT on Monday, who immediately hospitalized Jake so he could receive IV antibiotics for what was suspected to be an abscess. Memorial Hermann Memorial City Hospital's children's ward was practically empty and brand new. I was nervous not being at Texas Children's, but this was the only place our ENT had privileges. The nursing staff was amazing, and since we ended up there for a week, that was a Godsend. Being that Jake is our first and only child, and we were already going through some hell of our own, having our 18 month old baby put in the hospital was really scary. He also had a CT scan that he had to be strapped down for while screaming hysterically out of fear, which although he was not in danger, was so hard for us to watch. Writing about this makes my stomach go into knots, but I hope in doing so it helps someone else.

JK after checking in to hospital (he initially thought it was a fun adventure)

After a few days of strong meds, the knot hadn't gotten any smaller, and the ENT suggested surgery to drain it, which would supposedly allow the meds to work better. I truly cannot think of a worse feeling than when your child is taken from you to be put under anesthesia, especially for the very first time. I have NEVER in my life felt so helpless and out of control, over which I spent every second praying for God to take care of Jake and get him safely through the surgery since there was nothing we could do but sit and wait. He woke up groggy but was sweet and hungry, which was a good sign. Unfortunately a few days after surgery, the knot still showed no sign of dissipating, which was a big concern. Doctors from the infectious disease team were called in to examine Jake and try to figure out what else he could have. Things such as TB and even cancer were on the table, which was terrifying. The doctors decided to let Jake go home and give things one week, and if the knot was still present we would need to come back for further testing.

Hooked up to his IV pole (IVs are torture for toddlers!)

Once the week had passed and Jake still looked like he had a gigantic gumball in his cheek, we consulted with the doctors and they suggested an MRI, which was really difficult to get Jake squeezed in for as an outpatient. So at that point, a family friend of the Settles got Jake in to see the chief of staff of the ENT department at Texas Children's. When we saw her, she believed Jake had an abscess that was not relieved because the first surgeon had operated from the inside of Jake's jaw (which had been a huge concern for Michael and I regarding how effective it would be). This new doctor felt the proper method was to operate from the outside, which was more invasive but seemingly more effective. We were extremely leery of another surgery, and especially one from the outside of his jaw, which would leave a (little) scar on his face and require a drain to be sutured in the incision for a few days. This was a very busy woman who had a very big head, and her attitude was not the most comforting-- almost patronizing. But we trusted her credentials and scheduled surgery #2.

Resting post-surgery (clinging to a cookie!)

Jake went in for his second surgery two days before my 29th birthday. This surgery was longer and more extensive. When the doctor came to give us the report after surgery, she said she was surprised not to find what she expected (she told us pre-surgery to stop worrying because she was 99% sure and saw this all the time, so I was very irritated with this egotistical woman's misjudgement.) It was not a normal abscess full of liquid, but a collection of dead tissue and dying lymph nodes. She sent a tissue biopsy for testing to see if something would show up. And after that's when everything fell a part. Jake came out of surgery extremely agitated and disoriented, not like the first surgery. The nurses kept telling us that the doctor had really poked around in his jaw and that he would be very uncomfortable for quite some time. But I just felt like something was not right.

He loved the cookies from Aunt Caroline, Uncle Chris & cousin Lawrence

Instead of Jake getting more alert and coming out of the anesthesia, he was becoming more agitated and uncomfortable. He began having severe breathing attacks every few minutes where he could not catch his breath and would turn purple. We also strongly believe he was hallucinating. My mom's family has a history of intolerance for pain medication, and I started to suspect that the anesthesiologist either overdosed Jake or gave him something that did not agree with his body. We watched every single other patient that day come in to recovery and leave, but poor Jake was so unstable they would not move him. Each time he had an attack they gave him oxygen. We spent nearly 8 hours in post-op recovery, and it was truly the worst 8 hours of my life watching my child suffer like that.

Playing with his Elmo balloon

Our doctor never bothered to check on Jake in recovery, nor was she ever informed of his condition that day. I begged and pleaded with the nurses to take Jake off of the pain meds he was on and to give him something different, but they wrote me off as an overly anxious mom. The anesthesiologist came in and totally dismissed the idea that she could have overdosed him or given him something he was allergic to-- she was useless and I was livid she was ignoring all the blaring signs of a medication reaction. Our doctor's assistant finally came in and agreed with me that Jake was having a severe reaction and needed to be given something different. It took over an hour, but once he was off the morphine and hydrocodone, his eyes finally undialated and he recognized us. He was more alert by late evening when the breathing attacks finally stopped. Unbelievable that he was tortured for 8 hours because no one would listen to my suspicions. Because of his breathing difficulty, Jake was placed in the intermediate care unit and monitored around the clock, but we were just glad to finally be in a room and be able to rest after such a frightening day.

Precious boy sleeping off the anesthesia

Our doctor also never came to see Jake during his hospital stay, which infuriated us. She sent her fellows in training to examine him, who could not give us a straight or consistent answer about anything, particularly the testing that was being done on Jake's tissue. When we were released a few days later, they told us that we would be called with results the following week. We never got that call. At our follow up visit with the doctor, things were tense. She had called us after we got home to discuss the complaint I filed, and said she was completely unaware of everything that had occurred! Isn't that scary??? The ENT chief of staff doesn't know what is going on with her own patient-- especially a child who had a severe allergic reaction for 8 hours???

Even with a huge jaw he's still handsome :)

The first question I asked her at the appointment was if they had determined 100% what Jake had and that it was not cancerous. She kind of looked at me weird and said "no, we knew he didn't have cancer when he was in the hospital." And yet all that time her uninformed colleagues told us the exact opposite, that cancer had not been ruled out. I pretty much went through the roof!! She then had the nerve to say that it was our fault for not calling her for results and that she told us after surgery to call her on Tuesday. Well on Tuesday we were STILL in the hospital but she never told us to call anyway-- all 5 of us who were in the waiting room that day agree on that. This chief of staff obviously believes in quantity of patients verses quality care, because she actually told us she was too busy to take the time to follow up herself! She did not even apologize before I stood up and walked out the door in the middle of appointment. I have never been so angry and so appalled. I sat down outside the doctor's office and cried wails of relief that our son did not have cancer. Such an embarrassment for Texas Children's ENT department that the chief of staff mishandled things so poorly and then acted so unprofessionally about it. I was impressed however with the department at Texas Children's who took care of our complaint, and I do feel that they took the proper steps to investigate why things went so wrong. I have since talked to numerous parents who had similar experiences at Texas Children's-- having kids who were either overdosed or had allergic reactions that were ignored, and that is so sad and scary to hear, and all the more reason for us to share our story and raise awareness for other parents.

Resting with Daddy in the hospital

Needless to say, we found a new ENT (third time's a charm!), and he is the most amazingly compassionate man, Dr. Newton Duncan. Based on testing done from surgery #2, we knew that Jake had Mycobacterium avium-intracellulare (MAI), but we were never explained to what it is, and luckily Dr. Duncan is super specialized in this type of bacterial infection. The new infectious disease doctor who worked in tangent with him was Dr. Jeff Starke, another wonderful man who is nationally recognized for his work on MAI. In children, Mycobacterium avium-intracellulare forms a distinct mass that causes swelling of the lymph nodes of the neck. The node is firm at the beginning, but an abscess is formed eventually which is blue/purple in colour. The treatment of choice is surgical excision of the affected lymph nodes, with 3 subsequent antibiotics for 4-6 months. Additional surgeries are common to continue removing the dead tissue. Jake's overall demeanor while he had the infection was generally ok, except the tenderness and discomfort he felt from the knot. He had less energy and a hard time eating, and we had to be careful that he never hit his jaw while playing, especially after operations. The medications would end up upsetting his tummy, but it was only temporary and he was back to normal when he got off of them months later. The biggest relief and blessing was hearing this infection was NOT life threatening and that it was curable with proper treatment and medications over an extended period of time.

On the way home from getting his fishy a few days after surgery #3

So, we had to have a third and final surgery. Doctors reassured us there was nothing we could have done to prevent Jake from coming in contact with this common bacteria that is present everywhere outside. Jake was probably very unlucky and happened to be teething at this time, so they think the bacteria snuck in his body through his open gums where teeth were coming in. Surgery number three was smooth, much like the first one. Jake was not given morphine or hydrocodone and his condition post surgery was much calmer. We also requested not to have the same reckless anesthesiologist from the second surgery, which brought us comfort as well. Dr. Duncan was phenomenal and we were so thankful! He was extremely attentive and was with us every step of the way. He changed all of Jake's bandages and did everything himself while Jake was in the hospital! He is so communicative, kind and compassionate and I feel he was an answer to our prayers. He explained everything so thoroughly anytime we spoke, which was such a relief to finally have someone who cared enough to take the time to help us understand exactly what would happen and why. I truly love this man and will always sing his praises. If anyone is looking for an ENT, Dr. Duncan is THE best and his nurses and office staff are wonderful as well!

Happy to be home from the hospital!

Progress: No more bandage, just a band aid

Since we had filed a complaint about the second surgery, we were assigned a hospital liaison to accompanying us during surgery #3, who was familiar with the horrible scenario we previously faced and dedicated herself to making sure it did not happen again. Having the right doctor also changes everything, and I cannot stress enough that if you aren't satisfied, get another opinion! I wish to this day I had found another doctor before putting Jake through that first surgery since I didn't have a good feeling about that guy's method of going inside the mouth. And I wish I had raised hell that our doctor from the second surgery never bothered to show her face again after giving us the post surgery update. She should have been the one attending to Jake and her lack of involvement and lack of communication with her fellows was shameful. I also want to mention that Jake's chart was screwed up numerous times and was not labeled with his morphine and hydrocodone allergy, which is so freaking scary. Now I am a fiend about asking if his chart is correct!

He was released just in time for Halloween. Cutest elephant ever!

By late Fall he had no band aid and was less swollen

Jake stayed on his triple cocktail of medications from October to February, and was finally given a clean bill of health just in time for his second birthday. During that time, Jake's jaw very slowly began to gradually retain its normal shape. We had gotten so used to how swollen he was that he almost looked unnatural to us when it started to really shrink. The day in February when Dr. Duncan said Jake had "graduated" and would no longer have to come in for check-ups or continue the medicine was absolutely the most wonderful feeling!! I left the medical center crying tears of joy and could not wait to call Michael at work and tell him. We felt the biggest relief and were so thankful Jake was fully recovered. He has two small scars that will probably continue to fade as he grows, and they really aren't that visible unless you look underneath his chin and jaw. But they are little reminders that still send chills up and down my entire body if I allow myself to stop and think about it all. Mostly I have a feeling of overwhelming gratefulness to God for healing Jake, and to Dr. Duncan and Dr. Starke for being such stellar physicians.

Singing Happy 2nd Birthday (I was crying tears of joy!)

I just want to re-iterate how incredibly lucky we feel that Jake is fully recovered and healthy. I cannot imagine what families go through when their children require dozens of surgeries and long term stays in the hospital, and my heart aches for them. I also am so thankful we had access to the care Jake needed. Families all over the world face much worse scenarios than ours because they cannot find or afford proper medical attention, or there is no cure for their child's condition. I will never take our good health for granted after this. We are so fortunate to have brought our son home, when many parents leave the hospital empty handed and heartbroken, and I will never lose sight of that. I have learned a great deal from what Jake went through, and thanks to encouragement from my amazing friend Jordan, I will always be ready to put on my invisible "Mommy Bitch Hat" when dealing with physicians now! The gloves are off and I will never again worry about being polite or trust what is being done if my child is not reacting well and my gut is screaming at me to do something. I hope that any parent reading this will be confident in whatever situation they encounter to remember that YOU and only you are your child's advocate, and speaking up is your right! Never let doctors or nurses treat you disrespectfully and make sure that you report any bad instances to the right office so that hopefully it won't happen to someone else.

We had SO much to celebrate when Jakey turned 2!!

My birthday wish when blowing out my own candles was for God to heal Jake, and thankfully, He did. He also gave us the most amazing support system of people who we are immeasurably blessed to have in our life. I have to acknowledge our family and friends who were SO loving and supportive those couple of months of us being in and out of the hospital-- they brought gifts for Jake and sent cards, balloons and toys from out of town, and they came to visit and helped out in so many ways. I will never forget the outpouring of love we received, and every one of their efforts sustained us during that hellacous time. My best friends are so precious to me and I love them all so much. The staff and families at St Francis where Michael works were also wonderful, coming to visit and pray over Jake. When I look back on what was going on between Michael and me during that time, I am really proud of how we still stuck together as parents and were by Jake's side, united and dedicated to getting through it as a family. We didn't just support Jake but each other as well, which I think was so important and partly why things wound up the way they are today. The bond we share as parents is one of the most powerful things I've ever experienced, and sometimes I think the Lord knew that Jake getting sick would be partially responsible for eventually bringing Michael and I back to each other.

Having a blast almost one year later in Italy, with NO knot in sight!

Today, Jake looks normal and he is fully healed, as is our family. The Lord has worked many miracles in our lives the past year and we could not be more grateful. I'm glad Jake will not remember what he went through, but as for Michael and me, we will never forget. Every time we look at him, we know how incredibly blessed we are to have a healthy, thriving child who is living his life to the fullest...Amen to that and God bless you my sweet Jacob Knox, you are so tough!!

Psalm 126:3 "The LORD has done great things for us, and we are filled with joy."

Meeting Archie

Today is a day I will remember for the rest of my life. Today I hugged and played with a shining example of God's grace, and his name is Archie. One of my closest friends, Lisa, and her husband Joey, along with their daughter Audrey, just recently brought home their newly adopted son from Bulgaria, and Jake and I got to meet him this morning! If you don't have the privilege of knowing the Eichers, you will be touched by their adoption story on their blog, http://eicherumba.blogspot.com. Lisa has documented every step of their faithful journey and the photography by the talented Whitney Runyon and Chris Hsieh will make you cry tears of joy!! I still cry when I review the incredible pictures and I've already seen them numerous times! Here a few of the many amazing photos taken by Whitney and Chris on the day Archie came home...

Audrey waiting for her Daddy & brother to arrive

Oh Happy Day!

First hug for Mommy after arriving

LOVE that Archie waved at everyone as he arrived!!!

Audrey hugging her brother at the airport

Audrey, or "Ace" as many call her, is one of Jake's best friends, and they have playtime each week during our bible study on Thursday nights (during which Michael, Joey, Lisa and I have to apologize to the group for the preciously loud giggles occurring in the next room that occasionally interrupt our bible discussions!) Our kids love each other and Lisa and I always revel at how neat it is that they will grow up being best friends. Audrey is almost a year older than Jake and she was his first real friend, which is very special. She is one of the coolest kids I've ever met, and I knew she would be an awesome little sister to Archie. Audrey is so playful and good natured, with the same vivacious spirit that Jake has, and Archie fits right in! I often say Jake's only setting is "GO", which seems to be the case for Archie as well!! It's as if the Lord specifically created him for the Eicher family. Just looking at Archie, you can see his beautifully happy and energetic spirit. His smile is infectious and he is adorably affectionate and sweet! I fell in love with him months ago from the pictures and stories his caretakers at the orphanage would relay to Lisa and Joey. He has such a charming personality and can no doubt steal your heart in an instant! Today he gave me numerous hugs and kisses and I fell in love with him even more! It was so exciting getting to finally see Archie in person, so I can only imagine what homecoming day was like for Lisa, Joey and Ace after waiting so long to get him home!

We knew Archie would be coming home soon after we got back from Zurich, so we decided to bring him a Barracudas t-shirt like Jake has. And as you can see from the picture, Archie was SO appreciative that he just kept looking at Jake with a huge smile! Below are some precious pics of our first playdate today with the three kiddos! I am so honored to have been able to pray for the Eichers from the beginning of their journey. It's crazy to think that last spring we were all hoping and fervently praying for this adoption to go through, and now Archie is home at last with his family!! Joey and Lisa have such faithful hearts and a strong desire to follow the Lord's calling for their life. They truly are an inspiration and I'm fiercely proud of my friends. When you seem them together, you know it's a match made in Heaven and that God had his hand in this the entire time. Archie and the Eichers were absolutely made for each other and I know they have an amazingly special, happy life ahead in the years to come. I look forward to making many memories together with our children, and I can't wait to get to know Archie even more and see what incredible things he will do in this world. Today has fed my soul and brought me immense joy for my friends. I am a better person just witnessing the love between all of them. God bless Archie and the Eichers!! WELCOME HOME ARCHIE, YOU ARE SOOOO LOVED!!!!

Matthew 18:5  "And anyone who welcomes a little child like this on my behalf is welcoming me."

Psalm 126:3  "The LORD has done great things for us, and we are filled with joy." 

Hosea 14:3d “For in You the orphan finds mercy.”

Romans 8:14-16 “For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God. For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father."

First pic together!

So precious how Archie is looking at Jake while holding his new Barracudas t-shirt

A Bear hug for Archie!

Such a happy boy!

Best Friends

Me & Archie

Eating donut holes

Me & the boys

Coloring together

Ace and me in our "girls only" picture (she melts my heart calling me "Bree Bree")

Archie loving on Lisa

For Chris Hsieh's pics of the Eicher Homecoming, go to:

http://labrisaphoto.blogspot.com/2011/08/eicher-homecoming-joy-session-houston.html

For Whitney Runyon's pics of the Adoption Process & Homecoming:

http://whitneyrunyon.com/blog/protected-forever-by-your-love/   AND

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Whitney-Runyon-Photography/116828631668509

Thankful to be Home

Our first week back home has been a good one!! Lots of catching up on sleep and getting over jet lag. Our bed has seriously never been so amazingly comfortable! And having air conditioning again feels like absolute Heaven!! We've been settling back in-- doing laundry, unpacking, grocery shopping, swimming, playing with revered toys and eating tons of our favorite foods, including James Coney Island, Pappasitos and Carrabba's! Michael even found Italian soda for me at H-E-B, just like the one I drank every day in Switzerland! I have managed to sort most of the mail but still have not gone through all of it. Even though my parents were starting our cars every few weeks, my battery was dead so I had to take my car in for maintenance. Driving feels good too, which I didn't realize how much I missed. And I've caught up on half of the shows that I recorded while we were away-- man it feels good to watch TV in English, haha! 

Being home feels wonderful, and seeing our family and friends again has been heartwarming. Michael had the week off so its been nice having more family time before he goes back to St. Francis. Poor Jakey is going to miss his Daddy soooo much once he's back at work, but I know they will get right back into their routine of boy time when Michael gets home in the evenings! And we have a new sports season to attend-- Michael is coaching cross country and basketball, which I'm sure JK will enjoy seeing. Jake doesn't start school until after Labor Day, so he and I will spend time catching up with friends and swimming in the meantime. Even just this week, Jake's vocabulary is still expanding, which never ceases to amaze Michael and me. Everyone is commenting how tall and grown up he is (he grew over 1.25 inches this summer!), which is hard to hear as his mom who just wants to slow him down! I'm excited for a fun-filled Fall and everything that is to come for our family. Right now we are just savoring being back at home and together, which is an unbeatable feeling that makes me feel immeasurably blessed! Church tomorrow morning is going to be JOYFUL!! So much to be thankful for!!!

Colossians 3:15-17  And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms with thankfulness in your hearts to God. And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

Adieu Switzerland!

Well, the time has come for us to leave Zurich and head home; we fly out tomorrow morning! We had a bittersweet time today saying goodbye to our awesome friends here, and we are so thankful for all of them. It's been quite an adventure, one we surely won't forget!! I feel so blessed for getting to see so many beautiful places with Michael and Jake, and I'm glad we'll have the blog and our pictures to help us remember everything. I want to thank Michael for making this summer away possible for our family. And since I have loved blogging so much, I do plan to continue it once we get back, so stay tuned for more from the Settles!!

It seems like in the last few weeks Jake has grown tremendously, namely in his ability to communicate with more complete thoughts and sentences. Every day we are surprised with something that he reveals he is able to say or that he understands! His charming, energetic personality seems to blossom more each week. Most recently he is saying "Sorry, it's my fault", "Umm", and "Yesss" (instead of his precious "yeah-yeah"), and "Thank you sooo much" and "Have a good day, see you later!". And everyone here is already familiar with Jake's notorious "No way!" He loves to throw himself down and say he got hurt and needs to go to the doctor with a huge grin on his face. He also has become an avid story teller, and always leaves Michael and me cracking up! Tonight he told me a bedtime story about a family of T-rexes who got in a fight with a Long Neck (Brontosaurus), and they had to go to the doctor for their booboos! He now can sing his ABC's and Take Me Out to the Ballgame, which is pretty cute! He loves to wrap his arms around Michael and me and pull us all together for a group hug and kiss. I know he's taller and the Swiss haircut makes him look SO much older, which made me cry for a whole day when he got it. And with all the soccer and baseball he's played this summer, I must say his skills are impressive! Lately when he gets into mischief and I ask him what he's doing, he adamantly blames it on Michael, haha!! He did just that earlier this evening when we found him on top of the bookshelf in his room trying to get his Italy soccer shirt that I had laid out for the plane ride tomorrow! And when I go to brush his hair after his bath, he tries to weasel out of it and tell me that Daddy already did it, even though its all disheveled! The sweetest thing is he has learned his bedtime prayer and can say it now with his hands clasped: "Dear Jesus, I love you. Amen." It will be so much fun getting home and seeing Jake reunited with all our family, and I know they will be thinking just what Michael and I are; that he's growing up way too fast and is just too sweet and funny for words!

When leaving such a beautiful place, its natural to think about what you'll miss, and although I'm really looking forward to getting home to Texas, there are many things here which are hard to leave behind. Zurich will always be near and dear to our hearts and feel like a home away from home to us. There was a sadness in my heart today when looking at the lake and mountains and knowing it was the last time I'd see them. They are just so beautiful. Therefore, here is my "what I will miss list"...

1. The mountains
2. Lake Zurich
3. Our favorite park by the water, Arboretum
4. Fruit and citrus trees everywhere
5. Wild Hydrangeas all over the place
6. The low humidity
7. No mosquitoes!
8. Jake singing his tunnel song & "see you later train, have a good day"
9. Fresh bread of every sort
10. Delicious Swiss pastries
11. Swiss chocolate (it's the best!)
12. Gelato
13. Our favorite sparkling wine, Cafe de Paris
14. How green it is everywhere (one positive effect of all the rain!)
15. Traveling to new and beautiful places in Europe
16. Cheering for Michael at games with Jakey
17. Our good friends

As much as I will miss these things, our life at home is waiting for us, along with lots of wonderful family and friends, whom we've missed sooo much! While thinking about the new beginning that our family is about to start when we get back home, I found some awesome scripture that is so encouraging and will be words for us to live by:

Isaiah 43:18-19 Remember not the former things, nor consider the things of old. Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it?

1 John 4:18 There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear. For fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not been perfected in love.

2 Corinthians 5:17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.

Family pic overlooking city of Zurich, a few days before coming home

So, in saying goodbye to all of our Swiss friends, "Von der Unterseite unserer Herzen, danke für alles, wir lieben dich!"

But as Judy Garland so unequivocally put it in The Wizard of Oz (one of my favorite movies as a child), "There's no place like home." 

Thanks for the memories Switzerland!!

Texas, here we come, yeehaw!! God bless America & AMEN!!!

Looking back to 2006...then and now

In 2005, after dating 5 years, Michael and I got engaged in April and were married in December. Somewhere in that time, Michael presented me with the intriguing idea of going to Zurich for the 2006 baseball season, about which I was both excited and apprehensive. The excitement was because I had always regretted not studying abroad in college, so this would be the perfect chance to make up for that and see Europe with my new husband. The apprehension was from worrying about moving to a foreign country where we knew no one and didn't speak the language! But in the end we decided the risk was worth the adventure we'd have together, whether it be good, bad or somewhere in between. So off we went in March of 2006 to Zurich! (All of the pictures in this post are from 2006).

Downtown Zurich on Limmat River, Winter '06

Largest clock face in Europe is in Zurich!

We arrived in what looked like a snowy wonderland. Michael and I had never lived in snowy conditions, so this was all new to us! This was one of the snowiest winters Zurich had seen in a long time, and it stayed longer than normal, through April. I remember it snowing on Michael's birthday because he was a little intoxicated after our dinner out and he slipped on some ice and fell in a small fountain near our apartment! I laughed so hard I cried!! Nor will I ever forget all the video segments Michael took in which he sounded like a broken record while talking about the endless snow over and over again! The team practiced indoors until spring arrived. Zurich is just as beautiful in the winter as in the summer, especially on the water with the snow covered mountains all around.

Me & Bailey in downtown Zurich

Watching it snow from our balcony

First hike, Winter

Lake Zurich & the Alps, Winter '06

At the lake

Waterfall in Zurichberg Forest, Spring '06

Hike in Spring time

Our poor dog Bailey, who we brought with us, was sooo miserable in that snow! We pretty much carried him the first few weeks until he finally started adjusting to the cold ice on his paws. Doxies are very sensitive to cold and he burrowed under the covers or in our jackets any chance he had during that winter. But when it began warming up, Bailey had a new world to explore, and he eventually traveled all over Europe with us when my family came to visit. He fit right in here and was really relaxed about going everywhere. We have shown Jake all the pictures of Bailey in Switzerland, which he loves seeing!

Bailey walking in the Zurichberg Forest

Bailey at Lake Zurich, Spring '06

When we began going stir crazy waiting for the warm weather in Zurich, Michael planned a surprise get-away for us to go south to a beautiful lakeside town near the Swiss/Italian border, called Locarno. It was a three hour train ride amidst mountains and lakes, which was gorgeous. Noted for its Latin charm, the famous Piazza Grande, 2,300 hours of sunshine per year, and a hilltop church established after an appearance of the Virgin Mary, Locarno also boasts the warmest climate in Switzerland, so Michael picked just the right place! It is located on the northern shore of Lake Maggiore, and our hotel, the Esplanade, had the most relaxing indoor pool that was scented with peppermint! It was in Locarno that I set foot my first and last time in a smart car...and don't ask me what I was on when I allowed my crazy driver of a husband to get behind that wheel! I think we nearly drove off dozens of cliffs that day in our "Flintstone mobile", as I sarcastically refer to it, but we saw some beautiful sights, including the Sanctuary of Madonna del Sasso (Locarno’s Mountainside Pilgrimmage Church) and the Verzasca Dam, which was featured in the James Bond Golden Eye movie starring Pierce Brosnan.

Water font in Locarno

Lake Maggiore & mountains in Locarno

Mountainside church in Locarno

Verzasca Dam

 Our smart car... Never again!!!

Once the baseball season started, I remember Michael getting thrown out of his very first game in '06 because he challenged a call the umpire made...it was a bad call, and the umpire was not very good, but unlike in the US, in Switzerland you can't really question the umps, which Michael quickly learned! Michael's main goal in coming to Zurich was to help the team get into the playoffs and win the Swiss championship in the fall. This is the reason all European baseball clubs recruit Americans; to win and to promote the sport with the hope that it eventually becomes mainstreamed. Although the Barracudas didn't end up making it all the way, Michael still had a great season and loved being a part of that team. He was even awarded "Top International Pitcher" in the Foreigners vs. Swiss Nationals game! We made fast friends with everyone on the Barracudas, and really enjoyed all the team get-togethers each week. It felt like a big family, comprised of team mates, wives, girlfriends and kids. We quickly became very close to Ueli and Julia. This was when their relationship was just getting serious, and now they are happily married! We spent lots of time together, always laughing and having fun.

Me & Julia swimming in Lake Zurich

Ueli & Michael at the bar!

Me & Julia

Michael pitching, '06 

Michael at bat, '06

In April we went to Spring Training, which was in Rimini, Italy, a little beach town that reminded us of Myrtle Beach in the states. We took a bus overnight with the whole team to get down there, and it was refreshing to be in the sun and sand. Unfortunately, Michael had an accident in Rimini... During practice one day he got hit in the face with a ball, and it broke some cartilage in his nose! I recall the team getting back to the hotel and not seeing Michael with them, which evoked a feeling in me that something bad had happened. Someone told me he had gone to the emergency room to have his nose looked at because he'd gotten hit really hard. I will never forget seeing Michael when he got back from the hospital. He was still bloody-- it was on his hands, face, shirt, pants-- everywhere. I immediately started trying to clean him up while he told me the harrowing experience he'd had. And sorry to be crude, but he had what looked like a tampon up his left nostril! He was really swollen and bruised around his eyes and nose. Suffice it to say he looked pitiful! He had an appointment back in Zurich a few weeks later to have the packing removed. He was so scared his nostril would not go back to the same size as it was before, which was humorous! Today we laugh about how silly he looked, and thankfully he has no permanent damage.

The girls in Rimini at Spring Training; Me, Julia, Nicole 

Poor Michael in Rimini with his swollen nose!

Not long after summer arrived, my family came to visit. After showing them around Zurich for a few days, we set off on a three week Euro-trip, organized by my mom, the "All-Star trip planner". My entire life, I remember going on the most incredibly fun vacations because of what an outstanding job my mom always does on planning trips! This was our longest trip to date, and I know she spent months coordinating and organizing everything to make sure we saw as much as possible, which we absolutely did!

Ash, Mom and me on bridge over Limmat river in Zurich

Our first stop was Austria, which my mom, sister and I were soooo excited about because of going to Salzburg, where our favorite movie, The Sound of Music took place. It's still one of our favorite places. We all fell in love with this quaint and charming city, full of cobblestone roads and neat little shops, amidst mountains, lakes and fields of green. Salzburg was also the birthplace and residence of Mozart. We spent a day on The Sound of Music tour, which took us to all of the beautiful places filmed in the movie. On the bus they had the soundtrack playing and I think I even caught Michael singing a few times! Austria is Red Bull headquarters (the energy drink), and Michael, Ash and I enjoyed eating at the restaurant in Salzburg. This was a very friendly city, which was so refreshing. (Hotel in Salzburg: Goldener Hirsch). Our next next stop was Vienna, which is a much bigger and bustling city. Our hotel was surrounded by snipers because Condoleeza Rice was staying there for a political function, and my sister even found herself in a stairway with her! We went to the Museum of Art to see the thousands of crown jewels on display, and St Stephen's Cathedral was spectacular with its Romanesque Gothic style. Touring the Hofburg Imperial Palace, once home to the powerful Hapsburg dynasty, was also interesting. I also remember another hysterical and slightly inebriated moment when my mother read a drink menu and asked us what "wodka" is! We explained through our laughter that its vodka in German, ha!! (Hotel in Vienna: Hotel Bristol).

Street in Salzburg

Cloudy but still beautiful in Salzburg

City of Salzburg

Wedding chapel from "Sound of Music"

Ash & me in front of "Sound of Music" fountain

Gazebo from "Sound of Music"

"Sound of Music" estate

Imperial Palace, Vienna

Inside St Stephen's Cathedral, Vienna

Exterior of St Stephen's

From Vienna, we boarded a sleeper train that took us to Venice, Italy...and my what an experience! The five of us, and Bailey, in a teeny train car with four bunk beds (Ash and I shared). I don't think anyone really slept, haha! I was actually trying to keep myself from falling off the top bunk all night! Arriving in Venice was pretty cool. It looks exactly like it does in the movies. It's such a unique city, made up of over 400 bridges and more than 150 canals, so boats are the main mode of transportation. My parent's anniversary was during our time there and we had a great night celebrating at a yummy restaurant in Hotel Danielli overlooking the water. Most notable to see was Saint Mark's Square and Basilica (think LOTS of pigeons!), Doge's Palace, and Rialto Bridge. Sitting outside for a drink in Saint Mark's Square one evening was incredible-- the water, lights and music made it totally idyllic. Hugh Hefner was there with his three girlfriends, who we saw riding in one of the iconic gondola boats. One day Michael and my parents took a boat to the island of Murano, renowned for its hand blown glass creations, of which my mom and dad ended up purchasing a mirror, a lamp and a rooster for their house! Venice is really a city you could have fun getting lost in, just navigating your way through the mazes of streets and bridges and stopping in at various shops along the way. (Hotel in Venice: Gritti Palace).

Dinner at Hotel Danielli, Venice 

St Mark's Square, Venice

Venice Main Channel

Mom & Dad's Anniversary, Venice

Venician canal

After Venice, we went to Florence. Our hotel had a great view of the Arno river and Ponte Vecchio bridge. We had some of our best meals of the whole trip in Florence! Italy definitely has a different feel than Austria or Switzerland. Its more go with the flow, unorganized and lively. Our hotel had an awesome band that played American music in the evenings, which we really enjoyed. Highlights include seeing Michelangelo's Statue of David in the Galleria dell Academia, and the illustrious Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore. We also enjoyed touring Piazza della Signoria, Baptistry of John the Baptist, Boboli Gardens and Pitti Palace. Ash, Michael and I had fun bargaining at the street markets too. One day we took a day trip through the Italian countryside, all the way to Pisa, where we climbed to the top of the famed leaning tower! The drive was gorgeous and we even got to see the Adriatic Sea. (Hotel in Florence: St Regis).

Front view from our hotel room in Florence

Looking down river from our hotel

City of Florence, with view of Ponte Vecchio Bridge

Cathedral Santa Maria del Fiore, Florence

Palazzo Vecchio, overlooking Piazza della Signoria & copy of Michelangelo's David statue

Another scenic view of Florence

Leaning Tower of Pisa

Looking down at Pisa Baptistry from the tower

Dad's corny tourist pic "holding up" the Leaning Tower of Pisa!

Outdoor cafe in Pisa w/ view of Leaning Tower 

Family pic at Adriatic Sea (sea got cut off!)  

Adriatic Sea between Florence and Pisa

Our next stop was Paris, France, which we flew to. I definitely want to go back to Paris someday, I loved it! It's a breathtaking city and was probably the most Americanized as well, although the French may not like hearing me say that! Seeing majestic Notre Dame, the Arc de Triomphe, Moulin Rouge and the Eiffel Tower was spectacular, and shopping on the celebrated Champs-Elysees was paradise for Ash and me! We went through the Louvre Museum, which was amazing and overwhelming because there is SO much to see, most notably the famous Mona Lisa! Ash, Michael and I also toured the incredible Versailles Palace one day. John McEnroe was staying at our hotel with his family, and we also saw Tyra Banks and Jason Lee, who Michael yelled "EARL" at! According to Ashley, Jason Lee stopped in his tracks and shook his head but did not turn around, ha! Those two were also the only ones to make it to the top of the Eiffel Tower! On our last night in Paris, we took a boat cruise and ate dinner on the Seine River, and I did not want it to end. It was sad knowing my family was about to head home and our amazing trip was over. (Hotel in Paris: Hotel George V).

Eiffel Tower, Paris 

Drinks at a sidewalk cafe in Paris

Notre Dame, Paris

Beautiful window inside Notre Dame

Notre Dame at night

Arc de Triomphe from the Champs-Elysees

Basilica of the Sacred Heart in Paris

Ash & Michael at top of Eiffel Tower

Replica of Statue of Liberty on Seine River w/ Eiffel in background

Dinner & boat cruise with Eiffel Tower in background 

Last night of vacation, Eiffel Tower lit up behind us

I feel so fortunate to have gone to so many incredible places with Michael, my parents, and my sister. Kudos to Michael for surviving three weeks sharing hotel rooms with my sister and me! It was an unforgettable trip and I want to give all the credit to my mom for planning it so well. She always puts so much effort into making our vacations special and fun, right down to finding the most unique hotels, restaurants and activities. THANK YOU MAMA, I will always be SO grateful to you for the precious memories you have made possible for all of us over the years on our wonderful vacations, I love you very much!!!

Looking back, our first time in Zurich was very different than now. Having traveled so much throughout Europe the first time around, we mostly stayed within Switzerland this time, aside from our fabulous time in Italy. Jake's presence obviously changes things a lot as well, for the better. I hope he can read the blog someday and see the great pictures we have from our summer here and feel happiness over the memories. At two years old, he has already seen more of the world than most people, and I'm thankful he's had this experience with Michael and me. He has certainly fallen in love with the "Barratunas" and Swiss chocolate!

The first time around we weren't so lucky with our neighbors (notably one prostitute and a grouchy, meddling old lady). But, this time, we have the BEST neighbor, Uli, who has been so kind and fun! She lives across the hall from us and Jake absolutely adores her. She has played soccer and baseball with Jake and joined us at the park too. She has such a fun-loving, cheerful nature and we could not have asked for a better neighbor! Our apartment this time is also in the best location we've had. It's very central to everything and we have a school just a few blocks away where Jake can play every day on the playground, basketball court, or soccer field. The university is also nearby, which backs up to the forest with trails that are are great for exploring. We have spent much more time on our own this summer than in 2006, and we've done more family and kid friendly things this time around. Our friendship with the Comas has gotten even stronger now that we each have kids, who have really come to love each other. Samije is an excellent cook and on our last night together she spent over an hour making by hand a traditional Albanish meal called "pet" that was soooooo delicious!

Thinking collectively about everywhere we've been between 2006 and now, I feel incredibly blessed! We have been to Switzerland (Zurich, Locarno, Bern, Lucerne, Beinwil), Austria (Salzburg & Vienna), Italy (Rimini, Venice, Florence, Pisa, Peschiera del Garda, Verona), and France (Paris)...that's 14 cities in 4 different countries!!!!! What I love most about Europe is the beautifully old architecture and the relative ease of traveling between countries, which allows you to see so much! We have experienced different cultures and met many wonderful people along the way. Zurich has been a great central hub for us and we also recognize the convenience of it's international tone. I will never forget all of the breathtaking places we have been to and how lucky I feel to have seen them.

One thing remains though, and that is America will always be home, about which I'm so unbelievably thankful. Traveling has made me love and appreciate my own country even more, especially regarding our freedoms and opportunities. Comparatively I also think the USA is a friendly nation, which makes me proud. I'm sure someday we'll visit Europe again. I don't know when, but it will happen eventually, since there are still many other places that we want to see! I think top on my list are Rome and Greece, and I would love to see England too.

Thinking of how Zurich in 2006 was our beginning as a married couple is significant, in that this summer we are starting anew as well. Perhaps that is how the Lord meant for it to be, that we came back here to where we first began in order to make a fresh start moving forward. I am ready to get home and live our life as a family, the life that God had planned for Michael, Jake and me all along, in spite of the detours... I think this summer away has anchored our roots deeper in each other and in our future, and my prayer is that this feeling of inseparability serves as the bedrock of our foundation when we get home, along with our faith. I hope everyone has enjoyed looking back to 2006 with us, I know I had fun putting this post together and reflecting on the first time around!!