Erin Update - 11:30 AM

If you didn't see my brother Ron's comment -- Erin was back in the ER last night. She was vomiting and not able to keep anything down. They feel it was caused by the third spinal tap she had over the weekend. She is back home now.

Erin Update

Deb called this afternoon. Erin had another bump in the road this weekend with adverse reactions to medications. The real message here is that her recovery is going to be a very slow process. She is doing good though. Everyone is grateful for the continued prayers.

Joy

Saturday John spent the day in Rocklin at a go-kart meeting. Justin continued to play with paper airplanes he and Uncle Shawn were making the night before after dinner. They made little small ones too out of the place cards.

Just watching cartoons while his Mom and I talk and enjoy a cup of decaf coffee. We were laughing, because it is tradition that Jen and I go shopping the day after Thanksgiving and take advantage of the fun sales. So we went to Costco with the boys and Grandad to get things we needed and we also ended up Christmas shopping too.

Scruffy is one of our cats that is afraid of having people in the house and usually hides. He decided last evening that he was coming downstairs and joining the fun. He decided that Jacob and Justin were pretty neat after all.

Justin playing "Dragons" on my laptop. It's the first time he and his Mom have played. The three of us played, taking turns and helping one another.

I love the star on Jacob's bum!

Jacob and his Grandad.

Jen and Justin playing "Dragons." I cracked up when Justin did this thing with his eyes. My brother Ron was never serious in a picture my parents took of us; he would always cross his eyes. Looks like Jus is a chip off the old block -- the old great-uncle Ron block that is.

How sweet is this face? He fills my heart with joy.

John got home late from the meeting yesterday so we had a simple dinner of spaghetti with meat sauce and grilled garlic and cheese bread.

Moments around the dinner table..................

There's that precious face again. I will admit I burst into tears as they drove out of the driveway late this morning. It's always so hard saying goodbye to Jacob and Justin until the next time. However the next time will be very soon. We are thinking of driving up to Truckee one day this week to see them. They are so special to Grandad and me.

Abundance and Blessings

We always look so forward to time with our special boys and our kids.

Jacob is cutting his first tooth and he was chewing on a prosecco cork. I let him know that when he is old enough to sip prosecco he will find that it tastes much better than the cork does.

He was fascinated with his Daddy's beer bottle.

Auntie Theresa and Uncle Shawn join us too.

Mickey Turkey ready to carve. Every year we name our Thanksgiving turkey. Justin has had the honors the last two Thanksgivings.

It was a gorgeous turkey.

Waiting for the turkey to be carved.

Piping hot stuffing out of the bird.

Around the dining table. We all said things that we are grateful for. Jen shared she is grateful to be able to be a stay-at-home Mom, the love of her family, and her parents. Shawn was grateful for the opportunities he and Theresa have had. Theresa is grateful to be able to buy a new house and move, even though they do not have to. John was grateful for Jen, his children, family and being able to build a home for his family. Justin was grateful for each and everyone at the table, I was grateful for my children, grandchildren, David, being all together, the strength and love of my parents and for loving and being loved. Jacob? Well I think he was grateful for tasting mashed potatoes and turkey gravy for the first time.

Justin eating a turkey leg.

Just being Jus.

Besides eating mashed potatoes and gravy, Jacob also ate turkey and sweet potatoes out of a baby food jar. He had it all going and enjoying every minute of it.

Good wine on the table too.

Shawn and Theresa talking phone company stuff with John.

I think Jacob had as much food on his face and bob as he did in his tummy! He is just too cute and fun.

Justin's empty plate.

You just gotta love that face!

Jacob, Justin and their Mommy between dinner and dessert.

Love

I realized Friday that we were going to need a high chair for Jacob now that he is 7 months old and eating foods, so David and I ran to Target to get one.

Once home I just had enough to,me to make the Italian Sausage, Apple and Cranberry stuffing to get the turkey in the oven time. Started by sauteing leeks, apples, celery and poultry seasoning.

Then I added dried sweetened cranberries and fresh minced rosemary.

Then I added to a pound of bulk Italian sausage I had cooked earlier.

Added to that the bread cubes and fresh minced parsley.

Eggs lightly beaten, then I added a can of low-salt chicken broth.

Rosemary butter goes under the breast skin of the turkey.

Filling the turkey cavities with stuffing.

The bird ready to hit the oven.

While I was preparing the stuffing and turkey, David was putting together the high chair we had bought.

We all love that Jacob has a place at the dining table now too.

The family room ready for the family to arrive.

Our four very favorite little ones; Mackenzie. Steven. Jacob and Justin.

Erin Update

Erin and I talked for a while yesterday on the phone. I felt quite honored since she doesn't have much voice, so she saves it to be heard in her needs and talk to her children. She is so happy to be home and with her children. The home nurse comes in the morning and sets up her IV antibiotics for the day. They despense themselves atuomatically. The only thing is Erin has to carry the bag aorund with her and she is too weak to do that, so someone once again has to walk with her and go into the bathroom with her. She was thinking of trying to rent an IV rolling stand if that is possible so she can have a little independeance back.

She said she is so grateful and appreciative of her nurses, doctors, nurses aides, friends and family caregivers. They are gettying settled in at home and she of course is very tried, though did exceptionally well on the long drive home. She gets stronger everyday.

Well, I am getting back to my family. Dabid and I have tiockets to see the musical "The Color Purple" today, but we opted to miss it to have more time with our grandsons. Time goes so fast when they are here.

Erin Update

Rob and Erin made it home safe and sound yesterday. She did well on the ride and they got home around 6:30 PM. More later from Erin or I. Just wanted to relieve everyone's minds. Have a great day!