Week Number Three

Well, today marks the third week since Bob's surgery - time is moving on! He also had a followup visit today with the surgeon, and they said that Bob is doing fantastic. I'm thrilled - they lifted the hot tub restriction, and I think that will help Bob get through this a bit easier as it's something enjoyable that he can do. They feel pretty god about Bob getting the collar off on the 21st of December. Let's all keep our fingers crossed for that.

Stay strong Bob - I love you.

Happy Anniversary to Bob and Donna

Today is our 8th wedding anniversary :) I think I can say for both of us, we really enjoy our marriage! It's the best decision I've ever made.

Cute or what??? This is our nephew Chris - he has an identical twin, Richard, so basically there are two of them! Richard didn't make it for the holiday, so I will post some pics of him next time I see him. GREAT guys - I got to grow up with them, so they will always be very special to me :) 

Meet Melissa, she is Chris and Larry's youngest daughter. She is a beauty - and a great softball player to boot! 

Meet another sister of mine Barb, my niece Sara and her husband
Tom (I guess that makes him my nephew - and what a good one to inherit). Sara and Tom drove out here from Bismarck, ND for Thanksgiving and we all enjoyed their visit. They are great fun, and both are doing well. Sara is back in school and I think she is literally working her butt off, as she is smaller every time I see her. She's healthy though, no worries. Note Tom in the picture - we were playing dominoes and Tom is looking a bit protective :)

Karen and Luke are expecting their first baby end of March - we're all excited, and just learned that our new family member will be a little boy. They are still deciding on a name - any name will be perfect. Doesn't Karen look great! 

Here is my favorite girl named Amy. Doesn't she just look like your typical college girl? I think she lives a pretty good life, I hope so anyway! Amy is amazing, she has accomplished so much already :)

Here are the twins again! Shown are front is Karyn (the amazing Mom), behind Karyn is Allen (my brother and Dad), my Sister Kate is holding Adam (he looks like a Rahrich), and I'm holding Jason (you can't deny who his Mom is!). 

Happy Thanksgiving

Happy Thanksgiving to all !

Bob and I are fortunate, we both have family here. We had a great Thanksgiving, and the entire weekend has been so much fun. Thanks Deb and Mark for our great Thanksgiving Day! Thanks to Sara and Tom for driving here from Bismarck. Thanks to Karyn for bringing her beautiful babies and thanks to Allen for traveling here from Portland. And, thanks to all of our wonderful family - pictures to come, I have lots to share - it will be a large photo parade, we have a huge family base! Here is a quick photo from Thanksgiving weekend of my brother Larry and one of his beautiful daughters, Mary (I must take some credit, she is my niece!). More photos to come.

Youngest Family Members

I've been talking a lot of my Dad, but let's not forget the newest members of the family! Look at these guys - can you get any more cute? :) Meet Jason and Adam, Karyn (Mom) is holding them. I'll try and get more pictures of them this weekend, they are visiting for Thanksgiving!

Dad loves fishing

Bob's sister, Deb, lives next door to an amazing artist that we hired to paint a portrait of my Dad.
http://www.juliemalfitano.com/
Here is the picture we've chosen. I'll post the painting when she is finished.

My Dad's passion was fishing. I think all of my siblings (3 brothers, 3 sisters!) will remember our Sunday afternoons growing up - fishing, pretty much each and every weekend. As we all grew up and moved away, Dad still went fishing - with or without Sybella (my Mom) More about Mom later, I don't have many pictures of her unfortunately, but I'll find some. I don't think it was really all that important to Dad whether or not he caught any fish - it was more the nature of it.

Week Number Two

Today marks the completion of week 2 since Bob's surgery. As fast as it seems these 2 weeks have passed, he has 4 more weeks to go. I hope it goes fast for him. This is a busy week as it's Thanksgiving, and lots going on. Bob's first followup appointment is November 28th - our 8 year wedding anniversary! I'm sure it will be a good day - happy anniversary and good news from his doctor on his recovery.

Stay strong Bob! I love you :)

Go Broncos!

Bob is going to the Bronco game tonight with his friend Sal. Sal is a good buddy for Bob -remember, Bob is still wearing a cervical collar from his surgery. His main risk of injury would be falling, and stairs make that risk high as he can't look down. It will be Sal's job today to get the beers :)

Go Broncos!

Greed

Here is a definition of Greed from wikipedia:
Greed is called a selfish desire to obtain money, wealth, material possessions or any other entity than one legitimately needs. Greed is listed as one of the Catholic seven deadly sins, usually by the synonym of avarice.

I've always been so offended of greedy people. Greed is like a poison and can ruin relationships and tear families apart. Bob experienced greed when he had a business partner, it ruined the business relationship and friendship between 2 people.

Why are some people willing to compromise friendship, family, relationships over money?

Dad

I'd like you to meet my Dad.

There are 2 men in my life that I truly love and trust - Bob and my Dad. This is a very tender and emotional time in my life right now with Dad, he is 89 and spiraling downward further into dementia. My family is being forced into some difficult decisions - it's becoming time that he will move into a care home pretty soon. But, 89! What an accomplishment! He is one of the strongest people I know. More about him later, but, isn't he cute!

Week Number One

Week #1 - that's important.

Bob had an anterior spinal fusion a week ago today - WOW. What an experience. I will tell more later, as I want to focus right now on the positive -- AND, how very positive! Bob will wear a cervical collar for 5 more weeks, thus the reason we're counting the weeks. Every day is an exciting recovery process. He is amazing! The challenge Bob faces the duration of the next 5 weeks is wearing his collar 24/7. He doesn't sleep much these days - but, he's a great patient!

We're counting down the weeks - in a positive manner! I hate to wish away time, but I'm not wishing it away - just counting down with Bob :)

You're Blogging Me

How funny! I just asked Bob if there is anything he wanted to post to the blog.... we have an on-going joke between us, real simple - we always say to each other "you're bugging me". So, Bob wants to blog "you're blogging me".

Fun, huh!

Initial Blog Post

This is the initial post to our Blog - how exciting! Hello World!