a family crisis

Sorry it's been so long since I have updated the blog, but this week we have been faced with a family crisis. My sweet Aunt Jan collapsed on Monday morning (we think due to a lack of oxygen) and was rushed to the ER. We were not sure for a while if she was going to pull through or not. I am blessed to say that she is still with us today and although she remains in critical condition she has made some positive steps. Tomorrow she goes in for surgery so they can give her a tracheotomy and a feeding tube. The doctors have said that she will be in the hospital for aprox. 4-6 weeks if all goes well. Please pray for her during the surgery and time of recovery as there will be a number of challenges.

Joe, Toby and I left Tuesday afternoon to head to Kansas City (where Jan lives). Although we were only there for the day on Wednesday, were blessed to be with family and to see the small improvements Jan is making. Toby was a trooper! He was his usual happy self and brought some joy to a heavy situation.

I can't go on without telling you a little more about my aunt Jan. She has lived a life with many challenges and handicaps and therefore was unable to have children of her own. But if you ask her she will tell you that she has 6 kids (her nieces and nephews.) She is so much more than an aunt and is without a doubt one of the most amazing people that I know. She is always encouraging, sees the good in people, believes in us (kids) more than we believe in ourselves and loves us like we were her own children! She is our sounding board, the person we call when we need to vent about something, the one that tells us what we need to hear and the one we all hope to be a little more like. She is a tiny lady, but with her 4'11" frame she commands authority within our family. And she is the best back-scratcher in the mid-west! I love my aunt Jan so much and have a million wonderful memories of her. I count myself one of the luckiest to be related to such a woman!


I didn't want to post an entry without some pictures, so I took some of Toby tonight. Every day he is more fun to be with. He is laughing tons, sitting on his own, he is so aware of his surroundings and grabs everything within arms reach. It's time to child proof the house.


like I said, "he is so aware of his surroundings and grabs everything within arms reach!" as you can see, he is about to graduate to the BIG BATH! I am waiting until we get into our new house...ONE WEEK FROM TODAY!