Big Girl Update 2026

A long-time reader asked for an update on each member of our family.  I'll try do to this while protecting the kids' privacy as much as possible since they're older now and have their own lives to an extent.  Let's begin with Big Girl.

Big Girl is now an adult, but she continues to live at home.  She has already completed all graduation requirements in our state but just started her senior year of high school in early September.  This somewhat unique circumstance allows Big Girl to continue focusing on taking classes at one of our local universities through a program called College Credit Plus.  With the funding awarded her via College Credit Plus, she is going to complete 39 university credits toward a degree in Law and Paralegal Studies before she graduates from high school next May.  She then plans to complete her AAB in Paralegal Studies at the same school and decide what's next thereafter in 2028.

As I recently posted, Big Girl was selected to serve on the Ohio Attorney General's Teen Ambassador Board 26/27 and continues to be a member of CCHMC's Patient Advisory Council.  In April, she collaborated with the League of Women Voters to hold a voter registration drive at her home school school which registered over 50% of her fellow students who are eligible to vote in the 2026 elections.  Her school has asked her to host the drive again in spring 2027.  

In her spare time, Big Girl loves to read, watch movies, and hang out with her BFF.  She listens to music a lot and likes to study at our local libraries and in coffee shops.  She drives herself everywhere she needs or wants to go.  Her favorite food is Thai.  She doesn't like peanut butter.  She's outspoken, opinionated and stubborn.  She warms up slowly to others and you have to make an effort to win her over. Big Girl enjoys giving and receiving gifts.  She hopes to travel the world and find a loyal partner that will share her life.

Attorney General Teen Ambassador Board

Congratulations to our Big Girl on being accepted to the Ohio Attorney General's Teen Ambassador Board where she will serve for one year with other high school students from across the state.

The mission of the Teen Ambassador Board is to provide Ohio’s future leaders with an inside look at Ohio law and government. Applicants selected will convene twice in Columbus during their tenure on the Board. Members will advise the AG's office on issues relating to teens and work with their peers to develop solutions to those issues. Students will be placed into small groups, advised by an Assistant Attorney General. Members will attend presentations on a wide variety of topics.

Students will also have the opportunity to meet with Ohio Attorney General Andy Wilson, attend events around the state throughout the year, visit our Columbus and regional offices, interact with Assistant Attorneys General, and hear from various elected officials.

More here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4_uQGTzkFRE

MOJ IAC Results 670-676

The following referrals were issued in IAC session 670 which was held on June 26, 2026:

1) US dossier from September 2023 referred an identified waiting child

2) US dossier from June 2026 referred an identified waiting child

The following referrals were issued in IAC session 671 which was held on June 30, 2026:

1) US dossier from February 2025 referred an identified waiting child

The following referrals were issued in IAC session 672 which was held on July 8, 2026:

*Not sure what the published information means.*

The following referrals were issued in IAC session 673 which was held on July 22, 2026:

1) Italian dossier from December 2021 referred a brother and sister aged 8 years and 8 months & 7 years and 6 months

2) Canadian dossier from February 2024 referred a female child aged 2 with features in health status and a family history

3) US dossier from July 2026 referred an identified waiting child

4) US dossier from July 2026 referred an identified waiting child

The following referrals were issued in IAC session 674 which was held on July 30, 2026:

1) US dossier from July 2026 referred an identified waiting child

2) US dossier from July 2026 referred an identified waiting child

The following referrals were issued in IAC session 675 which was held on August 6, 2026:

1) Italian dossier from April 2026 referred a male child aged 11 years and 7 months

2) Canadian dossier from April 2026 referred a sibling group, one boy and two girls, aged 11 years and 8 months, 7 years and 10 months, & 9 years and 8 months

3) US dossier from August 2026 referred an identified waiting child

The following referrals were issued in IAC session 676 which was held on August 13, 2026:

1) Italian dossier from November 2023 referred an identified waiting child

2) US dossier from December 2024 referred a male child aged 1 year and 10 months with features in health status and a family history

3) US dossier from February 2025 referred a male child aged 5 years and 5 months with features in health and development

4) US dossier from February 2025 referred a female child aged 4 years and 1 month with features in health and development

5) US dossier from August 2026 referred an identified waiting child

One Million Views

When I started this blog in late 2009, I couldn't have imagined that it would be viewed over one million times, especially since blogging has long been overshadowed by other forms of media.  If you still stop by here to catch up on our family, please leave a comment and let me know if there's anything you'd like to hear about.

2026 Family Trip

Our 2026 family trip was a success. We flew into Denver and from there drove to Colorado Springs (Garden of the Gods and adjust to altitude), Taos (Taos Pueblo World Heritage Site, San Fransisco de Asis Mission Church, Rio Grande Gorge Bridge), Santa Fe (Cathedral Basilica of St. Francis of Assisi, Georgia O'Keeffe Museum), Bandelier National Monument, Great Sand Dunes National Park, Rocky Mountain National Park and back to Denver for the flight home... over 1000 miles.

Craig and I checked off visiting our 40th state - New Mexico - and I have to say it's high up among my favorites.

We saw wildlife (elk, mule deer, rams, pronghorns, trout, and various birds), sunsets and sunrises, a complete rainbow across the sky and so many, many stars.

It's All In His Head

It’s official. Middle Kiddo has chronic migraines which means 15 or more headache days a month.

When you have a patient with communication challenges, it can be difficult to diagnose, so it took six months of close observation, data collection, and experimental treatment to reach this conclusion. AI was very helpful in interpreting information, predicting an onset range for the next migraine, and compiling a list of symptoms which for Middle Kiddo consistently includes the classic pain in the head, but also social withdrawal, SIB, agitation and irritability, resistance to typical/preferred activities, nausea, vomiting, changes in sleeping patterns, and decreased appetite.

Middle Kiddo’s quality of life has improved drastically since December when we began treating the suspected migraines and thus far, he has responded very well to OTC medication. However, now that the diagnosis is official, we are moving to trialing a preventative treatment to reduce the number of headache days per month. It may sound strange, but we’re full of hope about how figuring out this diagnosis and providing intervention will positively impact his future.

Going Out On A Limb

A year ago my mom told us to pick a gift for ourselves and we finally did so this spring. We bought a sour cherry tree and a European prune plum tree since these are two fruits that were staples in my childhood that I miss here. Both trees are self-pollinating and were finally delivered and planted today. Now I just need to channel my Opa to get these beauties to grow and produce for a long time.