Stories & Pictures

2012 in Review

It was good, it was bad, it was crazy, and I can't say I'll miss it.

But here's a short list of what happened to our family in 2012:

The boys completed 7th grade and started 8th.

Kelly completed 8th grade and started high school.

Bill flew the 737-800 for Delta.

I started my own pattern business...  butterflythreadsquilting.com

We went to NC to see Mimi and she came to see us multiple times.

I broke my foot in two places.

Kelly got a tumor in her leg, had surgery and is recovering.

Bill continues to run and build computers in his spare time.

The boys shoot baskets, ride bikes, play on their computers and spend time with friends.

Kelly got her driver's permit, set a school track record in the 4x100 relay, and spent as much time as possible riding Sally (the sweetest horse on the planet!)

We got a rescue kitten and named her Luna.

Diane crocheted a some socks, hats and scarves to relieve stress.

We went to the Outer Banks of NC in the spring.

In July we went to Virginia to ride roller coasters at Busch Gardens and King's Dominion.

Diane became the shortest member of the family when all three teenagers had growth spurts.

We got the house painted, in the most long, drawn out, painful ordeal imaginable.

Diane got an epic case of poison ivy.

Betty came to see us twice on her travels and again at Christmas.

Bill and Diane celebrated 19 years of marriage.

We felt the love and encouragement of our amazing friends and family through it all.

We laughed and cried and hugged and snuggled...together.

Together is the only thing that really matters, because together, really is the best place to be!

Hoping that 2013 has more celebrations, fewer challenges, and just as much togetherness as 2012.

Our wish for you is the same!

 

 

 

Hop Along Girl

Kelly's recovery is nothing short of amazing! She has gotten very proficient at using crutches but can manage quite well without them too. She gets tired quickly, but she has already returned to school and is quickly catching up on all of her schoolwork and tests before the semester ends on friday. She truly has been an inspiration to all of us. She rarely complains and has shed very few tears. She's a tough cookie and she is determined to make the best of her situation. I think the new kitty helps too. She sure provides lots of smiles.

Thanks again to each and every one of you that delivered food, gifts, cards, and caring words. Kelly said she felt very loved with all the attention that she was given. We are so blessed to be surrounded by such good friends. Thanks from the all of us!!! 

14 x 2

On December 7th these boys turned 14 years old! It's hard to believe that they can be so grown up already. Where did the time go?

The gifts they wanted most this year...an iPad mini and a new iPhone. The cash they received as well was a bonus!! Mimi arrived in time for the party and brought TWO cakes! Oh my, it was fun. Friends, sleepovers, movies, big breakfast, what more could they ask for?

This year they started 8th grade, made lots of new friends, joined the weight training team at school, grew a LOT taller (passed me up!) and increased 4 shoe sizes each. They still have fun riding their bikes and jumping on the trampoline with friends, but they can most often be found shooting baskets in the driveway. They like video games that involve killing disgusting things, and they love the snuggle the new kitty and spoil the dogs.  They are still best friends but they know how to drive each other crazy! They are funny, wild, and too wonderful for words.

Hope this year is filled with many more amazing adventures for you two!

Crutches, a kitten, and lots of love...

Kelly's surgery went well yesterday. The doctor removed all of the tumor and said it looked benign. Lab results will take a week. The bone graft was put in place and she is home resting. She is a bit more sore today than yesterday, but she was pretty loopy yesterday. She is not having much swelling but the compression bandage does not come off for another two days. Kelly is getting really good with the crutches and Luna thinks they are her newest toy!

We are all extremely relieved that the surgery is behind us and that she is doing so well. She has some good pain medication and we are trying to stay ahead of it. Thanks so much for all of your good wishes, thoughts and prayers. Each and every email, text and phone message has been so very appreciated! My mom is here until tomorrow and she has been an amazing help!

Truly, the support we have been shown has been such a lift to all of us...THANK YOU SO MUCH!

 

Introducing Luna...

She joined our family last Sunday night. Her momma was killed on Thanksgiving and she and her brothers were in need of homes immediately. Kelly has been begging for a kitten and promises that a kitten is all she wants for Christmas. She was explaining this to her brothers last weekend when their friend said...We have a kitten that needs a home! 24 hours laters, we had Luna.

Since she was barely 4 weeks old, we started bottle feeding her kitten formula. She really likes it!

She's a good sleeper too, but mostly, she loves to play!

We are all completely in love, especially Buddy! Luna is a little unsure of the dogs, so we are making introductions slowly. She has the cutest little *hiss* ever!

Merry Christmas Kelly!!!