Kaylee LOVES to draw and color and write.

Here is a paper she did while she was home sick this week.

Front: Mom & Dad getting married

Back: "Dear Mom and Dad I LOVE you and Ashlyn and Brenna and God and JjCc (Jesus Christ) and I LOVE Me"

shingles update

For your viewing pleasure...
  this was how it looked last Wednesday.


and on Friday...


and today...


The cellphone photos don't make it look nearly as gross as it has been, but the blisters are healing over now. I've still got headaches, and blahs, but am able to keep normal food down, and am finally sleeping through most of the night. There's no way to know how this condition will proceed, since it seems to vary for everyone. I have to believe that since we caught it early, I will get ovet this sooner.

I appreciate the prayers you have offered in my behalf.
Love, Dad

all these things shall give thee experience...

I had a wonderful birthday celebration, and noticed a bit of a sore throat and aches in my neck and head towards the end of the day. We went to an all-day seminar on Monday, served in the temple Tuesday morning, and worked in the office that afternoon. All the while, I felt yucky, but I didn't know what else to do. So I plodded along, working in the office on Wednesday. My skin became tender, and my teeth became very sensitive on the right side, both signs of a sinus infection. I attended a board meeting Thursday night, but other than that, I was pretty worthless through Sunday. It was Ward Conference, and the choir was supposed to sing, so I endured through that, and went home right afterwards. Sunday afternoon, the blotches started forming. I did not want to endure another night without good rest, so we went into emergency. The doctor asked lots of questions, and then admitted she was concerned about the possibility of shingles.

Monday morning, I read up on shingles and found a definite match:

"The earliest symptoms of herpes zoster, which include headache, fever, and malaise, are nonspecific, and may result in an incorrect diagnosis. These symptoms are commonly followed by sensations of burning pain, itching, hyperesthesia (oversensitivity), or paresthesia ("pins and needles": tingling, pricking, or numbness). The pain may be mild to extreme in the affected dermatome, with sensations that are often described as stinging, tingling, aching, numbing or throbbing, and can be interspersed with quick stabs of agonizing pain."

"Eye involvement - trigeminal nerve involvement (as seen in herpes ophthalmicus) should be treated early and aggressively as it may lead to blindness. Involvement of the tip of the nose in the zoster rash is a strong predictor of herpes ophthalmicus"

Since by now, the rash had spread to from my right eye to the tip of my nose, I was convinced I needed to act quickly. (My nose, as you know, was already large enough without the added swelling  ;-)  We saw a doctor Monday afternoon, she prescribed acyclovir, and warned me to watch carefully for eye pain, light sensitivity, or blurred vision. If that develops, I will need an IV immediately.

Poor Susan -- about all she has done for a week is tend to my needs. What a blessing it is to have such a wonderful helpmeet for almost 34 years.

Sorry for the long diatribe, but I thought it would enhance your understanding of my situation. I humbly request your prayers in my behalf.

She Can Find a Way

Sometimes Brenna gets frustrated about her inability to do the things she wants to do, but she can usually find a way to make it happen.

She is slowly working her way toward crawling and walking, but in the meantime she has her own way to get where she wants to go.

Green gathering

We had an awesome time chillin (literally) together! We braved the drunk (or pretending to be) college kids and watched the St Patty's Day Parade in Chicago. Then we walked to the river and we couldn't tell exactly what but there was something very different about it!

It sure is awesome living close to the Jason, Nikki, Bekah and James!

Brenna Loves PAPA

Elise's Blessing Day

I have been so amazed at how alert little Elise has been since her first day on earth. It seems to be the first comment most people make when they first meet her. Here are some pictures from January 24th when she is 4 days old...

On the day of the blessing, Dad and I drove down to Corvallis to witness this special event. I had made a few changes to the little smocked dress I had made for Angela when she was blessed, but was worried it would be too small for Elise since she was older than her mom on her blessing day. No worries... it fit Elise even better! Will it someday be worn when Elise has a baby girl? That was a happy thought. It was a wonderful day and just made us wish we could experience these moments with each of our grandchildren. Remind me... why is living far away a good idea?!

Susan's Sunny Adventure

I had such a wonderful visit with my parents and my sister. We celebrated my dad's 8th birthday, swam, walked, shopped, ate great food, played Rummikub, and just had a great time being together.

The height of Saturday night entertainment at our house . . .

(at least for some people)

Mahler 3 on DVD

Look Who's Talking!

Brenna Can Say:

Mama

Daddy

Hi/Bye (accompanied by an adorable wave)

Milk

Nap

No