HAPPY SPRING!

I know, it's been ages since I've updated our family blog.  So much has happened in the past 6 months.  Glen and I had the chance to spend a lovely weekend with Mom and Dad in Tawas in October - Such a special memory for us - but then again, all the memories we have are special - right down to pickin' veggies from the garden to pullin fences and celebrating every day God gives us.  We celebrated quietly Thanksgiving and Christmas with our family - which was a wonderful blessing. 

The beginning of January we lost my dad after a courageous battle against esophageal cancer.

We were all just devestated - how do you go on after losing someone who is the glue that holds the family together?  We think about dad every day and talk about all the special times we shared together, or about 'how dad would have done it'.  It always brings us a smile!

We didn't have a funeral for my dad - it's not what he wanted.  All the while dad was sick he kept telling us, "Once I'm better I want to have a BBQ to THANK everyone for all they have done and the kindness they have shown".

So, that's what we're going to do for Dad!  We have planned a CELEBRATION of his LIFE for Sunday, July 10 at 2 pm at the farm. 

We are so looking forward to sharing with all our friends and family the amazing life he lead and all the lives he touched.

If you're in the area and care to join us, please do - We love hearing stories from people who knew my Dad!Only one little requset - NO BLACK - this is a CELEBRATION, so bring your celebration shoes and stories to share!!!  :o)

Also, we've learned that on Monday, May 30 at 1 pm, because my dad was an active member of the Vietnam Veterans Association chapter 310, he will be honored and his name added to a granite placque pillar near the VVA memorial.

Thank you all again for all your support this past 18 months - there aren't enough words that could possible thank everyone for your support and care.  You will never know how much it has all meant!

Hugs & Happy Days!

Min & Glen

Making Strides

Dad has been home now 2 weeks today and is making progress.  We had an appointment Wednesday with dad's thorasic surgery team and all things are go -  his surgery is scheduled for Wednesday, August 4.  We continue to pray that he stays healthy and continues to get stronger each day.

Tomorrow we're going out to the farm and going to take dad to Costco for a little while - we've been trying to get him doing lots of walking, however with this terribly humid weather and head is not real good for walking outside.  Tuesday we spent about an hour walking around Tractor Supply - Sheeze, who would have imagined all the STUFF they have there!  Dad and I had a nice time.

We thank you all for your prayers, thoughts and continued support. 

We appreciate it more than we can ever tell you!

I wanted to share some really cool photos that we took, maybe 10 minutes ago - the sky was just an amazing orange hue and I just looked out the back door and the sky is dark.

This was what it looked like off the deck -

This was out the front door.  Isn't it weird?

We hope you made it through this last storm unharmed and are looking forward to the weekend.

Hugs - Min & Glen

What an AMAZING Day!

It's always a good day when we get to spend time with our 'rents and today was one of those days - we got to enjoy the day out on the farm with my mom and dad and Glen's mom.  We got to celebrate a little late mom's day with Glen's mom and also celebrate her birthday a bit. 

Happy Belated Birthday Mom!

Today was deck day - we have some of the railings to finish on the deck project we've been working on.  So, today we got the railings built (and of course, a little grass mowin' too).  The AMAZING part of the day - just how good dad was feeling.  It's been months since we've seen dad out and about like he was today.  I have to think he'll be sleeping very well tonight!

It was such an AMAZING day that dad even tried to EAT today - he had a small piece of pizza (PIZZA of all things) and a bread stick.  This bit of news is FABULOUS - it's been since JANUARY that he's had solid food.  And it was a SUCCESS.  Just a little bit, but SUCCESS none the less!! 
Glen and I haven't seen dad grinning from ear to ear like this for quite some time when it came to FOOD.

Looks pretty happy with that Jet's Pizza box in his lap, doesn't he?!

And then of course, the pet photo of the day - one of my mom and dad's dogs - fat little Royy - his body's gettin' bigger and his legs are gettin' shorter - wonder if it's too many rides on the golf cart and not enough walking?!  Ha Ha!  If you get on the golf cart, he's goin' with you.  He kept Glen's mom SUPER good company this afternoon! 

We hope you all had a nice day today - thank you all so much for your continued support and prayers for Dad.  He has the last of his tests on Wednesday and then we'll just be waiting for the appointment with his Oncologist and the Thorasic surgery team to give us dates, times and a game plan moving forward.

We'll be sure to keep you updated as things start moving forward again.

Hugs - Min & Glen

WARNING! REMOTELY FUNNY FAMILY STORY

We spent the day today at mom and dad's. We were thankful that there wasn't any rain, but boy was the wind fierce! Glen's mom joined us too - both mom's worked on getting the flower beds ready for spring. The Grass needed to be mowed, brush needed to be cut and pasture fences needed to be fixed after a winter of deer running thru them - so Glen and I cranked at those projects.

Anyway, around 4 or so, we heard gobbling. Now, if you don't know the turkey gobbling story, I'll try & keep it short. A few years ago, my mom INSISTED that she saw TURKEYS in the trees on the front part of their property in the pine trees - there was no alcohol involved in the seeing of the turkeys in the trees (just had to include that disclaimer). First of all, I didn't think turkeys could fly and honestly, I've never really looked into whether or not they can, or weather or not they perch in trees. My mom didn't have her camera at the time, so presently we've written it off as urban legend that we haven't been able to confirm.

So today, we were taking a time out. Mower needed gas, brush cutter needed gas and we all needed a beverage. So, we hear the gobbling and realize that there were turkeys in the back field of the neighbors property. Luckily, I had my camera and snapped a few photos. My mom joked that she was so happy I had my camera because my dad never believed her about the turkeys. Now I believe in the Turkeys, just still unsure about Turkeys in Trees. We counted 7 of them - 4 male (we thing b/c they were all 'puffed' up) and 3 female.

Yep, WILD TURKEY (no, not the stuff in the bottle, lol), real feather bearing, gobblin' wild turkeys (on the ground, not in the trees).

Thanks so much for stickin' around for the whole blah blah blah Wild Turkey story. lol I'll be sure to let you know when I find out about Turkeys in Trees!

Ha Ha! Happy Weekend!

Min & Glen

TGIF!

So glad we've made it to the weekend!!  Is it just me or do things seem to get busy in the spring & summer?!

We've been busy busy around our house - no little squirrels trying to get in like at Easter, just those darn mosquitoes.  UGH!!

We have good news - after dad's oncology appointment, presently he is finished with both Radiation AND Chemo!  Yep, we're doing a crazy happy dance around our house!  Next up - tests to one confirm that the cancer cells are gone and two, more tests to determine his fitness for surgery.  So for a little while anyway he can continue to get stronger each day and recover from the radiation & chemo that were pretty tough on him.  His white blood cell count is pretty low right now, even after the injections he was doing to help boost reproduction of the cells and his platelettes are pretty low also, but I'm sure the R&R, no radiation and no chemo will do mind, body & soul good!

We're headed over to my folks tomorrow - now that everything is growing, the grass needs to be mowed, brush needs to be cut (we got my dad a new toy that we had to quality test to make sure it was a good gift), restring fences in the front pasture and clean out flower beds and the like.  Hmmm, with all this time we're spending at my folks, we might just plant a garden there one weekend!  Now that'd be a few things we could 'harvest'.  :)

Speaking of gardening and harvesting, we've picked up our hanging contraption for our tomatoes AND strawberries this year.  We're hoping that both produce like we want them to.  That way we can make strawberry jam with home grown berries and salsa and tomato sauce with the home grown tomatoes.  Glen and I area already making a list of what we plan to can this summer/fall.  Of course we've been talking about it with both moms too and pickles and beans have also made it onto our list.  :o)

Now that the nice weather has arrived (THANK GOODNESS), the grill is being used like crazy.  I have to share a YUMM-O DO-OVER recipe we made last night.  Probably not so light on calories, but it sure was good.  Instead of sauteing the chicken, we grilled it and then cubed it up. 

Chicken Fettuccine Alfredo

(insert mmmmmmmmm here)

1 package (12 ounces) fettuccine

8 bacon strips, cut into 1-inch pieces

1 pound boneless skinless chicken breasts, cubed

2 cups sliced fresh mushrooms

6 green onions, thinly sliced

1 garlic clove, minced

1-1/2 cups half-and-half cream

1/2 cup shredded Parmesan cheese

1 teaspoon paprika

1/2 teaspoon coarsely ground pepper

Additional shredded Parmesan cheese

Directions

Cook fettuccine according to package directions.

Meanwhile, in a large skillet, cook bacon until crisp. Remove to paper towels to drain, reserving 1-2 tablespoons drippings. Saute chicken in drippings until no longer pink. Add mushrooms and green onions until mushrooms are tender. Add garlic; cook 1 minute longer.

Stir in the cream, cheese, paprika and pepper. Reduce heat; simmer, uncovered, for 5-10 minutes. Stir in the reserved bacon. Drain fettuccine; place in a serving bowl. Add chicken mixture; toss to coat. Garnish with additional cheese. Yield: 6 servings.

It's a GREAT Friday!

The sun is shining and prayers are being answered!!  Dad is coming home later this evening.  They've finally gotten everything under control and they are comfortable sending him home.  We are all so happy he's going home, possibly almost as happy as he IS about coming home!!

Thank you all for your continued prayers!! 

Min & Glen