End of a year...thank God!

I can only say it was a total bust...most of it at least.

From surgery in January to my complete failure at having Pop in our home in December, I think I have tanked on most of the things I wanted to do well. I can chalk up the H2C, kitchen and loving the boys desperately; however it has been an awful struggle to gain any ground on my health (both physical and mental) or much else really. It was a year full of one step forward, three steps back. Aggghhh.

Here is to rallying next year and getting it together. May you enjoy the last few days of the year, and know that I am going to spend them in a complete stupor w/ fermented beverages...all our love and hugs. Peace out!

My Glengarry

Here is the link to the wonderful book that mum (Nancy) made for Pop. My Glengarry is written by Dr. F. James Marshall. It is a chronicle of he and his cap through WWII. All our love this holiday season. May you enjoy a peaceful new year.

RJ Xmas Pagent

Here is RJ at his xmas pagent at school...he loved every minute. As you can see he is a drama king:)

Church Xmas

Here are the boys at the church xmas performance. It was great! RJ sang again this year but didn't have to be an angel so he was thrilled! Jack wore the lamb ears for the picture and took them off promptly. He didn't sing but checked out all the kids that did sing:) Ahhh my boys!

Growing Family

Hey everyone...I will hopefully be more diligent about posting as some of y'all will be using this as a life line for the family.

My grandfather, Pop, will be moving in w/ us this week. He has been struggling w/ a knee replacement and has been in the hospital for the second time w/ it. After very little consideration Phillip and I invited him into our home. Really we wouldn't have it any other way. It amazes me that it takes the two of us 6mo to a year to buy a car but the bigger things in life are a no brainer and really don't require much discussion.

The goal is to see how much improvement can be made in the next two months. We are however in the process of evaluating him for other causes for his complications. The joys of medicine are that it really is a game of elimination and as our buddy Dave says, "...it's called a practice for a reason, they are just practicing medicine on you..."; we'll see!

So for all our great support systems out there...thank you! Because of how much everyone has done for us this year we are now in a place where we can do something like this. I remind everyone that says this is "noble" work or that we are really going to be overwhelmed, we have it easy. My mother-in-law and sister-in-law are the ones who are the hero's out there for care. I am in a constant state of awe over what they accomplish w/ only each other to rely upon. We are getting up to 12 hours of home care a day to help me with what he needs...all the fun stuff like getting him showered and dressed and ready for the day. It will free me up to take care of the things that are more enjoyable like appointments, meals and just hanging out w/ him and the kiddos.

Boys are looking forward to it. RJ said this morning, "I like it when you take care of me when I'm not feeling well, he will like it too!" Jack is just going to love having an extra lap for reading books!

All our love and prayers. We will be forgetful in the upcoming months but please just poke me from time to time as I want to avoid becoming myopic...