Do over!

Yesterday was a do-over day. You know, the kind when really nothing seems to be going right. We were almost hit 3 times driving into my parent's house, I was stood up by my lunch date (she wrote the wrong day down and has since been forgiven, I was bit by a dog (ouch!), and we almost ran out of gas on our way back from a friend's house.

Good thing our whole trip hasn't been a do-over. We've been having a lot of fun. The kids have been fantastic and we've just had a great time.

On Location

This post comes while staying with some great friends in Fort Collins, CO. We have begun our summer journey and we have about two more weeks to go until we pull up into our little garage in northwest WI.

The beginning of our trip was fantastic with lots of cousins and lots of my dad. He's looking fantastic. He's up and about and I think he's being pretty reasonable about taking naps when he needs them (I'm sure this part is hard for my dad who probably hasn't had a good nap since he was...oh, 3!) I'm anxious to get back and see him more. Every day he has been improving. He might even get to expand his walk and try some "hills" soon. Poor guy.

The kids have had fun with my sister's kids and will be very sad to come back to my parents' house to find that their bosom buddies are gone. We could have done without the hardships this summer, but I'm so thankful that these kiddos are forming such sweet relationships.

Last night before bed not one, not two, but three of our children were crying and saying how they just wanted to go home. They've never been the homesick type before so this was a new one. I have to admit that a three week long trip is not exactly my idea of a great time anymore and this will probably be the last of them. It just gets too long for everyone.

Right now I'm sitting in a house with 4 napping children...three of which are mine, and hope to get some Newman Center work done. The fall will be here before we know it.

I'll leave you with a picture of Emma before her ballet recital. She's getting so big.

Progress

A lot has happened since I last posted. My dad finally woke up on Sunday evening and is now slowly, but surely healing. His speech still leaves a bit to be desired, but according to my mom everything that he has been saying has been spot on. In other words, everything he says is right for the situation, he just isn't saying as much as we would like him to. Of course, he is still on some heavy pain medication.
My mom told my sister that we might get a chance to talk to him tomorrow. I'm not sure how I'm going to handle that since my last conversation with him was a short one on Saturday before they came and got him for surgery...not easy. I can't wait to talk to him and I'm even more excited to see him. We were given strict instructions not to drop everything and go, so we'll be heading out soon at our regularly scheduled time.
In the meantime, dad could use some major prayers. He's an electrical engineer...if that's not enough to convince you...he really likes to be in control, and does not like being told what to do. So, this long road to recovery which is full of dos and don'ts is going to be tough for him both physically and emotionally.

Update

Thank you everyone for praying for my dad. He was in surgery from about 10am or so until about 4pm yesterday afternoon. He had open heart quintuple bypass (5!). Everything went well, but we are still waiting for him to wake up. My mom has an incredible support system there, but I think we are still going to leave in the morning to be with them. Please continue to pray for my dad. The surgery was obviously very invasive and he has a very long and painful recovery ahead.

When it rains...

Please pray for my dad who will be undergoing bypass surgery in the morning. This is a huge shock and surprise, and the doctors are still not sure why he's even here. He had some "chest pain" last weekend while hiking HARNEY PEAK!!!!!!!! According to the doctor's he should have died at the top, so we are feeling very blessed indeed that he's still around to have the surgery. He goes in at 9:00am tomorrow morning and it will take 4-5 hours. His name is Doug!

Email me

Hey all! Awhile back our computer bit the dust and we lost all of our stored email addresses. Can all of you please email me so I have your addresses again? Unless you've received an email from me withing the past week, I don't have your address! :-) Thanks a bunch.

Miscommunication

Gigi: I don't want to pick up nothing before naptime, Mama.

Me: I don't want to pick up anything before naptime.

Gigi: Yeah, me neither.