What a year so far...

Life sure has unexpected twists and turns. Just when you think all is going well... we got a call 9pm or so January 26th that my dad was on his way to Covenant Saginaw from the hospital in Cadillac... We arrived about the same time he did (11pm) and were told it wasn't very good at all by the doctor. He had a severe tear and brain bleed, causing a hematoma about the size of a tennis ball near the brain stem. We went in to see dad, he was on a ventilator and unresponsive. I won't go into many details, but he spent the next 12 days in the hospital, pretty much in the same condition, never really responding... So, on February 6th, we let Dad go to heaven. What a day. This has been just as hard as losing Danielle almost 8 years ago. Our hearts ache so much! I know we will adjust with time, but we miss Danielle just as much as we did the day she died and it will be the same with my Dad. He was a good dad, grandpa, husband and friend... We sit here and say, it's so hard to believe he isn't here on this earth anymore... We've looked through hundreds of pictures the last week and a half and it's amazing all the memories come flooding back! So, I will miss you Dad, but never good bye, only see you later!

New Year!!

I can't believe it's 2011 already! Time sure does fly by! We got laid off from Truck and Bus December 23rd and have been making leaps and bounds of progress on the farmhouse. We were honestly hoping to have moved in by now, but ended up tearing out the kit/dr floor and joists and the upper floor in that area (the boys' room upstairs) same thing! So, there are new floor joists and sub floor up and downstairs in half of the house as well. The insulation is almost done except for ceiling and 2 walls on the second floor and the electrical downstairs is done! Plumbing was one of the first things done as well! We have been heating the basement with a small propane heater to keep the pipes from freezing! When working over there, we installed a fireplace in the master bedroom temporarily to keep us warm! Works out great! So, progress is happening... the sooner we can move in the better. Drywall is next then paint and cupboards and flooring. We ended up making the study room downstairs into a bedroom for Amber. She stayed home from college this semester to work and save money for tuition. So, it will be her bedroom until we put a bathroom in. So, 5 bedrooms and one bathroom, which will be interesting! It's going to be wonderful having all of the room!

We are hoping to get called back to work at Orion in February or March according to the rumor mill! I feel busier when I'm off work! But, thankfully the laundry is done, we get more homecooked meals and the house is clean mostly:) Lyndsay likes it too:) The kids are doing great in school! Erin asks how many days til school and Isaac asks how many days til a day off! Too funny! Brooke now has a boyfriend who is a very nice young man! She has had a few rough days driving in the snowy weather... One accident (thankfully no one was hurt - she got a broken nose and black eyes, the dog is scared to death of going in the van now...), the van was taken out of commission, but the Lord provided us with a new one at a good price! So, hopefully by the time I go back to work, the bad weather will be over. I am SOOO ready for spring right now, but not the mud!

Quick update, I know, but I am off to prep for dinner! In the baking mode, too.... yummy! Take care and I'll try and post pictures soon!