Graduated

I can't believe it but he has done it. Douglas is now a high school graduate. This photo is of him and his interpreter. I am so proud of him. He has decided to go to UNL. He was all set up to go to RIT but found out two months ago that he has Type 1 diabetes. He was accepted into a study through Creighton Medical center in Omaha Ne. He will have to go once a week for two years to get injections. They are hoping that this medicine will make it so you don't have to inject yourself anymore. They are trying to restore his beta cells. I hope it works. We are getting everything ready now for UNL.

speaking with more words

Aw, My baby is growing up, both of them. I can only assume that Diezel talks as well as he does because he is mimicking all six of his brothers and sisters. I could not have imagined that we would hear such words come from him. Diezel will say, come here, where you go, I want eat, give me that, look over there, I poo change, grandpa, grandma, mom, dad, Jason, destiny, Douglas, Devin, Dawson, Decemberlyn is Decemb, Morgan, come here, playing with my tar (car), drink please, eat now please, bath please dirty, and much more. I can only hope he keeps expanding his vocabulary. We are blessed....

Letting go and College bound

Our oldest is in his senior year. I am having a hard time getting him to understand that there is a lot of things he needs to consider when picking a college. I am trying to let this be his decision with letting him see all sides to each college. How do you let go and hope he makes the right choices? How do you step back and know he may fail? How do I let him be a young adult? How do I just let go, period?  These are all questions running through my head. Way back when I could not have imagined that We would be here already and I would have to let go?

Lost Processor

Where did the summer go? This is a picture of Decemberlyn and Diezel at the kid's swim meet. While the kids were swimming, Diezel was playing at the park. Do you know how difficult it is looking for a beige processor in sand? Two hours in and we found it. The thousands of imaginary bricks on my shoulders dropped the minute I saw it under the merry go round...
Now we have lost it again. This time at the babysitters. We spent all day looking for it without any luck. We are hoping the company will replace it this once and then I can only pray that we never lose it again. Body Adhesive Tape works well for the most part and if Diezel isn't wrapped up (in whatever it maybe that he is doing) he is usually pretty good at bringing me his processor if it falls off.
We will just have to see what the future holds......

E.Y.F. IN ROCHESTER NEW YORK

DOUGLAS WENT TO ROCHESTER NEW YORK TO SEE IF HE WOULD LIKE TO GO TO COLLEGE HERE. HE WROTE AN ESSAY TO THE LIONS CLUB IN RETURN THEY HELPED A LITTLE WITH THE COST. I WANTED TO SHARE HIS ESSAY.

First, I want to thank you for the donation of 100 dollars to fly out to Explore Your Future at Rochester Institute of Technology. I appreciate your generosity. I had a great time and learned a lot at EYF. I met a lot of people and made new friends. It was a great learning experience and it was also a fun time to be with others who are deaf whom can relate to me or I them.




When I arrived at RIT I first went to the dorms. The room was fantastic. It had desks for homework to work on. It had a/c, heater, and drawers to put clothes in. After dinner every night we would do fun activities such as ice skating, swimming, dancing, going to the water park, and socializing. I was able to use my sign language at EYF. This is one of the reasons I want to go to this college because they cater to the deaf. The colleges in Nebraska are catered for the hearing world. I wouldn't get the experience of being around hearing and the deaf. I know that Nebraska has some really great schools and I plan on checking them out before I make up my mind but it was nice to go here to see what they have to offer.



In the morning we would have counseling and classes. The counseling was to see what job would be best for my life. We also took testing such as compass test, which tests reading and writing skills. When I took the compass test there were 3 different categories of scores and I was in 80%-100%. This means my English is good and ready for college. I was a little surprised with the score but I was proud because I spent my time working hard reading and finding the errors. Then we would have classes such as engineering, chemistry, biology, computer art, and engineering art. My favorite class in EYF was engineering because it was interesting and hands on activity. I have always liked to do things with my hands. I didn’t have any non-favorite classes, it was all interesting to learn and watch from. I have learned a lot from the classes and counseling.



On the last day they had a guy who works at IBM to come over and give a presentation for the kids who were interested in this career and I went to listen. The presentation was really cool. It gave me more information about engineering and I think it could be a field I would be interested in because I could think up new ideas and create them. I learned a lot from the guy who works at IBM



It was a great experience getting to go there and finding out what RIT looks like. Now I am more confident in choosing RIT for college. Or I should say I am really leaning towards this college but I plan on checking out colleges in Nebraska before I make my final decision. I have 2 different ideas for my future. One is FBI Tech analyst and the other is to work for IBM. Thank you once again for being interested in helping me chose my future.

Douglas Marion Sidak

I AM PROUD OF MY SON: but I wish he would chose a school a lot closer to home. Everyone keeps telling me I had to have done something right if he has confidence enough to go so far away...I will have faith that everything works out the way it is suppose to...

My Dad

My Dad, is an amazing man. I love this picture of Diezel and my Dad. He is letting Diezel help him fix the lawn mower. He has more patients than I or anyone I know has. He is mellow. The only time I have seen him angry is when you have pushed WAY to far and that takes a lot to push that far...
I just wanted to recognize my dad on Father's day. I love you, Verdel (DAD). You mean the world to me.

One more year

Douglas had his senior pictures done a week ago. It made me a little sad. I starting thinking about how short this year will be. Then my baby will be heading off to make his own destiny. He plans to go to R.I.T. in New York. That is a very long way from home. I won't be able to see his smile, tears or hear his laugh or snores.

When I was told Douglas was deaf it was like the world stopped. Every sound I heard I just couldn't help thinking that he would never hear them. How life can be so different than you imagined. Here we are seventeen years later and thanks to the miracle of cochlear implants my son has defied the odds. He hears most and speaks very well plus he is fluent in sign language. His deafness may have been a loss at the time I found out but who would have thought I would say now We are Blessed... I may worry about him being so far away but I know he is ready. He will do great. I must enjoy every second I have this year before he is gone far away.

having fun

Diezel got to enjoy feeding a chipmunk at Estes Park in Colorado. He had so much fun. But at the end of the day he started getting cranky and wanted to be held. Diezel is wants to do everything by himself so when he wants to be held and cradled, I knew he wasn't right. In wasn't much longer before he vomited on me...I just wonder if it wasn't the altitude? Besides that one mishap it was a very beautiful day. He can repeat many words you say, perfect but unless you pull it out of him he would rather babble. I hope this is normal and sometime down the road he will start speaking words on his on accord.

Jackie (our cousin) was told by Diezel to look up at the mountain goats. He wanted to make sure everyone saw what he was seeing. It was amazing.

Second Prom

Douglas and Nicole

Elwood Nebraska Prom 2010

You can tell Douglas likes Nicole. I really like her to. Her family was really nice. I am glad I have raised my son to know how to find a girl that has self respect and has goals in life. I know that they are just teenagers but it is the stepping stones that lead us up our set of stairs to life... Dating is how you get to know the qualities you want in a mate for later in life. Maybe she will be the one. I know that some people marry their high school sweethearts. I did, later in life. Or maybe this will be the beginning of his adventure into dating.....One never knows what the future will hold but it is defiantly a beginning of something new.....

O'neill Prom 2010

Douglas and Alecia right before they went to prom. They have known each other since they were two. They are like brother and sister. They goof off as you can see in one of these pictures. The other is of Douglas' interpreter, Laurie. It was amazing that she was willing to go to prom with them. She also went to post prom with them for awhile. Douglas is so lucky to have her. I can't believe my oldest boy is going to prom already. He is going to two more, one in Lexington Ne. with a girl he is interested in dating. Her name is Nicole. She is deaf as well. Her brother is hard of hearing. It is nice to have others that I can relate to as well as Douglas. I will post pictures of that prom when we get back from it this weekend. Then in May he is going to a deaf prom in Omaha Ne.. After going to the speech contest in Kearney a friend, Vickie asked him if he would like to go with her. It is a little much but at least he has friends to have fun with and make memories with. Vickie is deaf and her sister is hard of hearing as well. Nicole and Vickie and siblings that are hearing. Douglas relates to them because of his family dynamic and I can relate to their parents. Having children that can hear and two that can't, it is nice to know other people that are similar to me. Well, I will post when I have pictures...

Robotics

Douglas was in Robotics. His team took first in this event. They took second in overall year round competitions. I am so proud of him. They did a good job. He left Robotics competition in Norfolk got home and had to hurry and get ready for prom that night.

Mapping

This was Diezel's 2nd birthday. I can't believe he is 2. He went back to the Lied Technology and Learning Center in Omaha Nebraska. They remapped his implants. I can tell that he is hearing better. He is starting to copy sounds and words that we say. Today he said "Wow, look at that" I was floored. How amazing is that.. I hope he keeps learning and saying more...

Speech Contest for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing

Douglas did a good job on his speech. He didn't win but I think that everyone in this picture is winners. They stood up gave speeches, did amazing jobs, and they all represented themselves wonderfully. The speeches were on Cyber Communication, pro or con...Not only did they do a good job it was an opportunity for all these students to get together with old friends. Most of them live in small towns and don't have any other deaf students to relate to. I am glad they get these opportunities to be around one another.

Busy

Douglas made vegetable beef stew for his brothers, sisters, his grandparents, and great grandma. I thought this was so nice of him.

PROM, it is next month, I did not realize how expensive this can be. Especially, Since he is going to two of them. He has a busy month in April. Second weekend he has a speech contest for the DHH in Kearney Nebraska. The next weekend is his prom and the following weekend he goes to prom with Nicole in Lexington Nebraska..Busy Busy....

A wonderful son

This is Douglas when he was younger. Thank goodness for braces. He had a very bad overbite. I am so proud of Douglas. When I was a teenager my mom use to say you will get it twice as bad when you have your own. So far, I have been very lucky. The other day Douglas was Instant Messaging me on Yahoo. Here is a copy of our conversation. I feel blessed to have such a wonderful son.                                                                             douglas_sidak: i have none c's in my report card whoooo

douglas_sidak: I'm not kidding no c's


douglas_sidak: i have b - in English


douglas_sidak: but rest is b and a


douglas_sidak: 3 a


douglas_sidak: and 4 b


douglas_sidak: how awesome is that


douglas_sidak: i worked harder


douglas_sidak: I'm going to work harder for this semester


douglas_sidak: i love you mom


douglas_sidak: thank you for raising me at the start to be a smart boy


douglas_sidak: i will always continue my education


douglas_sidak: I'm not giving up


douglas_sidak: i love you


douglas_sidak: i love you soo much


douglas_sidak: your the best mom ever


romperroom30: U were born smart I Love u and I am proud of u


douglas_sidak: i am proud of you for being a mother


romperroom30: I am happy God choose u 2 be my son!


douglas_sidak: = D


douglas_sidak: i am happy god choose u to be my mother


douglas_sidak: i know that i am mouthy sometime but i will always love you


douglas_sidak: i might get to far but I'm sorry for every time i get to far


douglas_sidak: how did the funeral go



romperoom30: It was good. I am glad to have known a man who protected his country as a soldier, our state as a reserve and our city as a firefighter.... Rest in peace, Jimmie Dale Sawyer

Check out Douglas' website.
http://ops.esu8.org/~douglassidak/Douglas_Sidak_Sign_Language/Welcome.html

new words

This is Diezel with his cousin, Gracee and his Grandma Fern. We were at Morgan's skating party. They are a month apart.
Diezel is now saying stop it, one, two, three, two, two, and two, that is how he counts. He is also saying what, more please, uh oooo, want it, get it, Dawson, Douglas, and a few more I just can't think of them.
Gracee can say way more than this but I have to remember that Diezel is saying words with cochlear implants and she says words with the use of her ears. I am so grateful for what he is accomplishing and I am proud of Gracee and her speech. Anyways, they are both adorable and I think you can tell that they are related.....

I am often asked to describe the experience of raising a child with a disability - to try to help people who have not shared that unique experience to understand it, to imagine how it would feel. It's like this......




When you're going to have a baby, it's like planning a fabulous vacation trip - to Italy. You buy a bunch of guide books and make your wonderful plans. The Coliseum. The Michelangelo David. The gondolas in Venice. You may learn some handy phrases in Italian. It's all very exciting.



After months of eager anticipation, the day finally arrives. You pack your bags and off you go. Several hours later, the plane lands. The stewardess comes in and says, "Welcome to Holland."



"Holland?!?" you say. "What do you mean Holland?? I signed up for Italy! I'm supposed to be in Italy. All my life I've dreamed of going to Italy."



But there's been a change in the flight plan. They've landed in Holland and there you must stay.



The important thing is that they haven't taken you to a horrible, disgusting, filthy place, full of pestilence, famine and disease. It's just a different place.



So you must go out and buy new guide books. And you must learn a whole new language. And you will meet a whole new group of people you would never have met.



It's just a different place. It's slower-paced than Italy, less flashy than Italy. But after you've been there for a while and you catch your breath, you look around.... and you begin to notice that Holland has windmills....and Holland has tulips. Holland even has Rembrandts.



But everyone you know is busy coming and going from Italy... and they're all bragging about what a wonderful time they had there. And for the rest of your life, you will say "Yes, that's where I was supposed to go. That's what I had planned."



And the pain of that will never, ever, ever, ever go away... because the loss of that dream is a very very significant loss.



But... if you spend your life mourning the fact that you didn't get to Italy, you may never be free to enjoy the very special, the very lovely things ... about Holland.

My two boys are so special to me. I am blessed that God thought I deserved to have them. I am grateful.
Lisa

Merry Christmas

Here is our Family picture we have just gotten back. I think it turned out pretty well. Our photographer is such a wonderful person. I am glad that I have had the opportunity to know Brooke Kaczor.  We want to wish everyone a Merry Christmas and God bless each and everyone of you. Please remember why we celebrate Christmas. Jesus was born on this day and he gave himself so that we may live. Never forget the reason for the season of Christmas.... The ultimate gift that Jesus gave to each and everyone of us!!!!!!!We went to the Lied and Learning Technology Center in Omaha Nebraska. It was there annual Christmas Party for the deaf. The kids had their faces painted. They decorated sugar cookies and made snow flakes. They had their picture taken with Santa and Mrs. Clause. Diezel loved seeing Santa. It was awesome to see Santa sign to all the children. He gave them each a stuffed lion. We all enjoyed ourselves. I think this picture turned out pretty good.

On a lighter note

I thought just for fun I would share my family at Halloween. I love Halloween. I go all out. I did my husband and all my kids. We are Little Red Riding Hood and The Big Bad Werewolf. We won first at the Halloween Contest. It is the one time of the year you can be anybody.

This is Douglas. It is hard to see but he has a hand coming thru his forehead. As though someone put their hand thru his forehead then ripped his head clean off. HAPPY HALLOWEEN!!!!!!

Douglas is a hard worker. He puts his all into everything he does. He is a typical teen, mouthy. He is a good kid though. He gets good grades and doesn't get into trouble. I am very proud of him.

Devin is a Disco Dude. That is what he called himself. It worked for me. Devin is a mother hen. He tries to parent all the kids. He is a neat freak. Everything has to be in order or life may crumble. In some ways that isn't a bad trait. Devin is a klutz like his mom. If there is a hole in front of it, i am sure one of us will trip.

Dawson was Scooby Dooby Doooo. He is our shy and quiet child. He is so adorable. He would do anything for you. He is a lover. When he does get upset about something his cry will pull at your heart strings. It's so quiet and sad you have to hold strong..Because what you really want to do is wrap your arms around him and let him get away with everything.

Morgan Danielle is Dracula. She is our tomboy. She isn't into girly stuff. Locust shells is what she collects all summer. Frogs you'll find in every container. Morgan Danielle and Dawson are total opposites yet they are glued at the hips.

Decemberlyn is a Butterfly girl. If you can believe it that is all her hair. I used lots of hairspray,teased it, and sprayed it with color. She is my girly girl. She is a Drama Queen. I think she can shed a tear at the drop of a hat. It's hard to admit but she is me when I was little.

Destiny was our adorable clown. It took me FOREVER to tease up her hair and get it to look like a clown wig but I think I got close. She is half and half. She is girly and a tomboy. She loves Tinkerbell and any type of princess yet she loves frogs, any type of bug and would live outside if you let her. She is our Destiny because I was told I would have no more children. After I had surgery for my sinuses, I went home and got really sick. I went to the hospital and after taking blood they came back saying that I was pregnant. She was Destined to be here. God was taking care of her while I had all those drugs in my system. She is healthy.

Diezel is our spider. I wasn't going to put makeup on him or hair color but he insisted. If his brothers and sisters get it he wants it to. Diezel brings up the rear. He is the last. There will be no more babies for me. I think Seven is plenty. I am sure anyone would agree with me. Diezel is a go getter. If he wants something he will work at it till he figures it out. He is bull headed just like his father. He is a lover like his mother and he is smart like his oldest brother.

This is my whole crew. I am so lucky to have them. Each one of them has a different personality. I wouldn't want it any other way. I can't wait till next year. The possibilities are limitless............

                                                                                                                           

A good movie

This movie is an older one but it is so worth watching. I had some friends over and they had said before that they could not imagine what it was like to have found out your child was deaf. When Douglas was born and I found out that he was deaf, I had no idea that he would ever hear as well as he does.

Anyways, we watched this movie and my friends experienced what I felt. When the mother on here realizes that she is sure that her son can't hear it goes silent around her. They did a good job in this movie of showing or making you feel how it would feel to discover your child is deaf. It's a wonderful movie.

It also shows a father trying to fulfill his life long dreams and maintain his family. It shows his struggle to relate to his deaf son. I recommend anyone to watch this.