March 2010

Brenlee continues to amaze me and I'll try to load a video that I took of her. OMG-it made me laugh outloud! That girl and I have soooo much fun!
Justin continues to amaze me, too! Fishing with family and friends brings him a lot of joy! He continues to have surgeries to update his situation and has one coming up Monday, March 29 to update his feeding tube. Prayers are with Justin as he faces another hurdle.
We are almost completely finished with our house. We had some painting done upstairs and are trying to get draperies and rugs ordered for the downstairs. God is great and He is good....we feel very blessed for the success of the past year and all of the good things in our lives. Bill & I had a wonderful evening with family and friends at Rick's 60th birthday party. We should have an amazing evening tomorrow at another party. We are thankful for all that life has to offer! God bless you and yours!

March 1

We were hoping for so much more from Justin's last surgery, but we have learned... to be thankful for small steps. The good news is that his voice is no longer nasal and we can understand everything he says on the telephone! We are very thankful for the steps forward that Justin has taken and thankful that Justin seems to have an inner strength and zest for life!

Justin took part in a skeet shoot last weekend. Although, he was not the best shooter on his team, he hit 10 skeet with 5 shots at the last station! I'm sure that he was beaming from ear to ear! They had a great time!

Donlee has just completed his 3 day Bar Exam. Thoughts and prayers are with him as he anxiously awaits the results of the test.

Bill and I went to the lakehouse. The view was magnificiant and the Biegel's took us out on a boat ride Saturday afternoon. We worked like crazy on yardwork as the weather was pretty spectacular!

February

Pics of Brenlee in the Valentine's jumper that Shasha made for her and her trip to Maryland with her mother. ENJOY!!
Justin celebrated his 28th birthday yesterday! And one year anniversary of the surgery to remove the benign tumor from his neck. He worked late and came by to see the family...spending time with the Smiths and us. He was delighted with his gifts and seems to be content with the surgery results. His voice is clearer, less nasal and he continues to keep on keeping on!

Amanda and Brenlee spent some time in the snow last weekend with her college friends. They had a great time! Donlee takes the Bar Exam this week and we all wish him the best of everything!

Bill and Sherrie are staying busy....we spent last weekend at the lakehouse. It was beautiful and we had a relaxing weekend!

Friday, Feb 12

Justin had surgery yesterday and he seemed very delighted with the results. We are cautiously optimistic! They did several things....cut a muscle, stitched in the throat, and adjusted the vocal cord.

Busy with Bren....gotta run!

February 2010

First picture....Houston Zoo with cousins, Kyle and Micah
Second picture...Playdate with cousin, Mackenzie
Third picture....Valentine's Dress made with love by Shasha

The cousins were so much fun in January!
The day at the zoo was fabulous (weather was amazingly beautiful) and Kyle wanted Brenlee to love his favorite place at the zoo...the snake house! And, Micah, is just a total sweetie to Brenlee, caring for her just like a big brother would...in fact, both of the boys were so sweet and could not wait to show her around the zoo!

Lunch and playing with Mackenzie was quite a delight! Mackenzie has so many way cool toys that Brenlee was very busy the entire visit. I think her favorite, besides dolls/pacifier, was playing outside with Mackenzie in the playhouse and on the slide!

We look forward to more "playdates" with our cousins as the spring and summer of 2010 arrive!

Justin began the month with another surgery. It was rather minor, comparably speaking. They cut a large sore from his feeding tube area and stitched the skin back together. He seems to be doing well! Bill took him for the outpatient surgery and he was back at work the next day. He is a tough and determined young man. He will have an assessment and possible surgery mid-Feb on the throat....to provide minor relief for swallow of saliva and volume of speaking.

Brenlee continues to be our comic relief! That girls makes us laugh! And, between Justin and Donlee, we have quite a bit of entertainment around here! Amanda, Bill and I watch the antics and laugh out loud!

And the Katy house is coming right along! The wood floors were just installed in the living room and dining room. They will do the hall and trim on Monday. WOOHOO! We should have an Open House BEFORE the one year anniversary of the storm! We might just do that....

Best of everything to friends and family in 2010!

New Year 2010

Bill and I celebrated the new year with a trip to Vegas! We had fun and the NORM...he won and I lost! Thankfully, I lose pennies and he wins dollars!

Justin has left for California on business and it is nice to see him back in the swing of things! He is planning some hunting trips for he and Bill coming up later this year. Keep your prayers coming, although, there is nothing new to report on his health at this time.

HAPPY NEW YEAR to all! We pray that your year is full of health & happiness!

Christmas Photos 2009

Thought I had posted this picture of Brenlee...taken by Amanda's friend, Deanna.
ENJOY!