An Update

Thank you for all of your thoughts and prayers.

My dad had his surgery on Tuesday. It went well. He was back to work today. He is still a bit weak and uncomfortable due to the method they used to remove the tumors, but overall he is recovering well.

He is coming for a visit in February. The kids and I are very excited to see him again. I'd have to say that is the worst part about living in Oregon - not seeing "grampa" every day.

A true story

There is a man who has a daughter he loves very much. She is his youngest and his last. He hasn't seen her in several years. He doesn't talk about her much, it reminds him just how much he misses her. When he does talk of her, when he looks through pictures or has a memory come to mind, his eyes light up with love.

Although he can't claim any part of it, she has grown to be a very smart and accomplished young lady and he is very proud of her. Not only did she excel in her schooling but she graduated early. With that, one might think a girl would enjoy the time off, relax a bit, stay up late, sleep in on a weekday. But not her! She applied to and was accepted to begin college. So, just a few weeks after her 18th birthday and nearly 9 months before her peers, she went off to begin her university education.

Her dad is so proud of the young woman his little girl grew up to be.

When will it stop???

I have been debating and thinking and debating some more about making this post. I finally decided that it can't hurt anymore than it already does...so here it goes.

We found out recently that my dad has cancer. I spoke with the nurse who was present at the appointment and with the doctor when my dad was given the news. She said that it "really isn't that bad" and that "it was caught in plenty of time" and that "he will be fine". It doesn't make me feel any better.

I am asking for prayers for him - that the nurse is correct and that he will, indeed, be fine. He goes in at the end of the month for an out-patient surgery where they will remove the tumor. They will send it to be examined and then we will know more.

Aaron's 7th Birthday

It's hard to believe that he is 7 already - as they say --" It seems like just yesterday......" I can't believe how much our lives have changed since that day.

Here are some pictures of his birthday cake and celebration. It's not the prettiest cake I've ever made, but he liked it and it tasted "oh, so good!"




Playing on the roller coaster ride



Opening his gifts -- thank you to all the family who joined us - and thank you for the great gifts! Especially thank you for just coming and celebrating with us!!



Chuck E. Cheese's -- where a kid can be a kid!






Here are a couple of the cake -- he wanted an "Army Truck" -- kinda' looks like it has a flat from this angle :)




Putting together his race track with "Daddy Darren"

Christmas in our Paradise

Here are some pictures of Christmas day. I was too busy making dinner to get any pictures around the dinner table, for that I am sad. It was a beautiful meal with my wonderful family and friends.