Hello

I've been very busy the past few weeks.  Julie and I began clearing out dad's stuff and are trying to sell it.  We've had a little bit of luck so far.  You can't even imagine the amount of stuff he had, from fishing equipment to power tools, it's mind boggling!  

My two best friends had their babies last week.  Sarah has a new baby boy, Drake Dayton, born May 26, and Katie has a new baby girl, Harper Beth, born May 27th.  They are both adorable!  

I started work for Outdoor Ed. this week.  Wednesday was  a staff meeting, Thursday was environmental training at the zoo, and Friday was a canoe trip on the Delaware River.  That was exhausting!  Tomorrow is our first day with kids.  I have breakfast duty this week which should be fun.  Our first day is a tour of the Lake Perry Dam, lunch, then off to the camp for hiking and archery.  Then we will stop for slushes at Reese's Fruit Farm.  Should be a very busy day!

Elijah stayed all night with his grandma last night.  He fell this morning and got a nose bleed which started back up again this evening.  We had to have the nurse come out and give him his treatment at 10:00 pm.  We are tired!  

Hope everyone is well and enjoying the summer so far!

Summer's Here...almost

Today was the last official day on duty, but I've been so unmotivated that I still have to go back and finish stuff up!  I have so much junk in my room and it takes forever to go through it all.  I just have to throw a lot of stuff away.

I brought Dad's urn home today.  It's kind of weird, but I'm glad we finally got to bring it home.  I think I will take some of the ashes to Missouri/Table Rock Lake.  Julie and I still have A LOT of work ahead of us as well.  Plus my summer job starts in a week, so we really have to get busy and get stuff done.

Elijah's been really cute lately.  He's talking a lot and has a pretty good memory now.  He went to school with me yesterday and wore his backpack.  Once he warmed up to the kids he had a great time.  He got in line with them and played at recess.  They are all like little parents and want to carry him everywhere and help him do everything.  He ate it right up too!  He's going to go to preschool there in a year and a half.  When the preschoolers lined up on the playground he lined up with them too and started to follow them right in.  I guess he's ready to go already.  

Good Bye

Dad passed away today around 4:00.  He was ready and for the last hour he looked more comfortable and relaxed than I've seen him in a long time.  I'm sad he's gone, but I'm glad he is no longer in pain.  He's suffered for too many years and it was time for him to leave.  I got to hold his hand for about the last 20 minutes and I know that where he is now is a much better place for him.  Thank you for your thoughts and prayers.

Long Day

Dad is back in the hospital.  He's not looking too good.  His COPD is preventing his body from releasing carbon dioxide and he's having trouble breathing.  Julie and I worried all day about whether to place him on a ventilator if necessary, but then we asked him and he decided.  He said, "It's time for this to be over," and was very clear that he does not want a ventilator or other measures taken to prolong life.  

He's stable for now, but he will likely continue to get worse, so for now it's just a waiting game.  I was at the hospital from 8 am. to 11 pm. today and Julie is still there and staying the night with Aunt Yvonne.  

Please pray for him to be comfortable and to feel okay.  I will try to keep you updated.