Happy Birthday Joe

Binoculars from Deb......sweet!
all my presents
whoops! I'm sideways
Gifts from Jaris & Nichole a broadhead / knife sharpener and indoor/outdoor slippers
under armour shirt from Deb


Thank you everyone for making my birthday special.

Joe's knee

We went to church today and let's just say Joe was limping really bad afterwards. he was needing to put it up and get it elevated but that was not an easy thing to do. Needless to say that the minute we got home I got out an ice pack, had a glass of water with ibuprofen and pills ready by the recliner as soon as he was able to get his clothes changed. He hasn't moved since. Poor guy! I wish I could make his pain all away. Keep him in your prayers. I sure do love him and don't like seeing him in pain.

Christmas 2008

First of all, Joe is doing better, had a rough day yesterday and I called his Dr. but seems to be moving around a bit more but still MUST take it easy...so Bill don't call and let him rest.

Second, thank you Amber, Jon and Addison for chancing the roads to come spend Christmas with us, we really enjoyed our time together with you...wish you could have stayed longer, but I understand. Trust me I would have left too if only I could (I'm sure you know what I mean by that). Kimi we miss having you family with us but are happy to know you have started some very meaningful traditions in you family. The kids sounded so great and were having a good time. Sorry to hear you are so sick.

We started off the day waiting for Jaris and Nichole to emerge from downstairs...sheesh, I think it was something like 8:30 before they finally made it upstairs. FINALLY we could start opening presents, something I look forward to every year. We receive beautiful pictures of our grand babies and kids , something we can really enjoy throughout our lives.I got a much needed massage gift certificate, candy to keep me "fluffy" a throw, earrings, just to name of few things. The kids were very generous to us as always.

Grandma & pa Neilson came up for breakfast which consists of homemade hash browns, scrambled eggs, cinnamon rolls, bacon, sausage, o.j., chocolate milk, egg nog. I think everyone was pretty stuffed by the time we were done eating.

I think Jon was missing his family as well as Nichole, I understand how they fill when you are not with "your family" at Christmas. We are happy that you were able to sacrifice and be with us. We do love you and always want to make you feel welcome and comfortable after all you are part of our family too.

For dinner we had turkey, stuffing, extra whipped mashed potatoes, gravy, beans, rolls, fruit salad, fruit punch. For dessert there was cake and marion berry cheesecake (which no one has eaten yet) I guess that wasn't a good choice on my part.

Amber and Jon left yesterday with little Addison, what a doll she is.I was so sad to see them go, I wish they could have stayed longer but the babies were really feeding off of each other. On Christmas night I think it was a competition to see who could cry the loudest and longest...at least Amber & Jon took Addison in the other room to try and calm her while Nichole didn't even attempt to give us a break by taking Austin downstairs. I think she likes to torture us all by letting the poor baby just cry. I think next time, I'm going to go downstairs. Geez! Ok, enough about that or I am going to start crying again.

Merry Christmas Everyone

We sure miss having Kimi and the kids here this year ...maybe in 2 years we can all be together again

Another wonderful Christmas

Joe is home from surgery

This is a copy of Joe's knee. We had to be at the Slocum building at 6:00 am this morning basically to fill out some paperwork and the get Joe prepped for surgery, He was in surgery approximately 20 minutes. Dr Shapiro came out to let me know all was fine and that he has to repair torn cartilage in his left knee. A few minute later I was brought back to see Joe by a CNA named Tanya (we used to work together at the DA's office)Man was Joe loopy! I don't know what was in the Anesthetics they gave him through his IV but he was one wired guy. He was talking abut doing some pretty crazy stuff that I can't repeat on the blog or people might get the wrong impression of my husband. He was given the instructions to limit his activity, especially weight-bearing over the next 48 hours. He must use crutches the day of surgery, with minimal weight bearing, no matter how comfortable his knee might feel. he is to to remove the TED stocking only when showering beginning 2 days after surgery provided the incisions are dry and not draining. His steri strips are to remain in place for 5-10 days and then may be removed at 10 days if still in place. He is to use an ice pack for 30 minutes at a time several times a day.
On our way home I needed to stop and get his prescription filled but the Pharmacy I went to (Hiron's) was not open until 9:30 and I didn't want to wait that long so we headed into Springfield to Safeway. Joe sat in the car while I waited to get his pain medication.
He is home and seems to be doing fine. I'm just glad the wacky drugs have worn off...wow, that was a real trip.
He will have a follow-up appointment on Jan. 7th. For now he is home and resting doing what he does best....watching hunting shows....yeah!
If things change I will do another update otherwise rest assured that he is healing fine.
We hope you all have a great time tonight anticipating the arrival of Santa Claus. I know I will do my best to try and get some sleep so he can come to my house.

Joe's surgery update...

Joe went to the Dr. for he's pre-op today and was told he will be off work until at least Jan. 7th. He will be on crutches for approx. 2 days. The surgery itself is quiet quick and depending on how well Joe stays off of it and doesn't overdue, he should heal up rather quickly. As far as the time of the surgery, we won't know until the 23rd, that really sucks not knowing what time on Christmas Eve it is going to take place. I just want everyone to encourage Joe to rest and stay off his leg as much as possible because they will not pay for him to have the surgery again and I don't want his knee messed up for life.
Needless to say we won't be going anywhere over the Christmas holiday but to the Dr. and back home. So no extra fluff for us this year. The most important thing is having Joe heal properly. I hope everyone understand.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY WISHES

Dad & I want to wish Kim & Amber a very Happy Birthday today. We want you to know that we love you so very much and are proud of who you are. You have brought a great deal of love and laughter into our lives. We hope you will have a wonderful birthday.
Since we can't be there with either of you to celebrate we wanted to at least sing Happy Birthday to you blog style.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU
HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU
HAPPY BIRTHDAY DEAR KIM & AMBER
HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU.

We love you.

Baby it's cold outside

Sheesh! It is freaking cold outside. Joe did manage to make it into work this morning but not without slipping a few times. He called to say don't even attempt coming to town until it's light and only if I absolutely have to. Now I have to worry all day about Joe making it home safely in the crappy truck he has to drive.
Jaris tried his hand at going to work around 7:15 but had to turn around in Pleasant Hill due to the icy conditions.
Amber text messaged me to say they are having treacherous conditions, yet she is still at work, and will need to get home this morning.
Kimi called to say their weather shifted form in the 80's yesterday to the 30's today and possibly snow by Wednesday.
All I can say is it's not worth driving if you absolutely don't have too. IN other words, STAY HOME if you can.

Yep, I think I am all but ready for Christmas to be here. I just have to shop for Joe, other than that all the presents are bought and wrapped. I will need to start doing some serious baking this next weekend............lots of Christmas goodies. I can't wait because I love Christmas.
Here are a few pictures of some of my decorations....enjoy! Sorry the outside lights look so dark, it's because well....it was dark when I took the pictures. HEHEHE

Some of our Christmas decorations

Yep, Amber you are right I do take come blurry pictures

Nichole & Austin having a good time playing cowboy
Ok, so in my picutres this picture is turned the right way, sorry you'll just have to look at the little cowboy sideways
yes, this is a weird angle of the babies but no matter what they are still really cute
Papa adoring baby Addison....too cute!