Taking a trip with Grandma & Papa

Last week Jordan & I took a trip with Grandma Ann & Papa Steve back to Audubon for a funeral.  Along the way we made a side stop in Story City and decided to ride the carousel.

Jordan...always the clown.

Papa

by Jeni

The Newest Member of the Family

It has been over six months since we lost our favorite friend Katie.

Everytime Jordan was asked if he wanted another dog the answer was always a VERY firm NO!  For some reason however a few weeks ago we showed him a picture of a dog and asked what he would think if this dog would come home with us and he was all for it.

So, on Saturday, April 17th we traveled to Waukon to meet Shelby.

Shelby is a Collie/Golden Retriever mix that is about a year old.  Her face and tail are definately Collie and the rest is the Golden Retriever.  She is very gentle and LOVES the attention that Jordan gives her.  She is completely house broken and a very calm dog.  We are still working on boundaries and the rules of the house but for the most part, she is fitting in very well.

On our way home.....

just before Shelby's nerves got the best of her and she puked all over the seat and blanket beside Jordan.

Showing her around the house.

I call this "tolerance"!

They sat here for about an hour while Jordan combed her.  She LOVES to be brushed and combed and Jordan loves that he can do it.

We are hoping that this is just the beginning to a close friendship like Jordan had with his Katie. It has only been a week since Shelby first came to our house but things are working well so stay tuned for lots more updates.

For those of you that are wondering, we found Shelby using http://www.petfinder.com/ .  This is also how we found Kesley and Katie several years ago.

by Jeni

Daddy & Son project

For Christmas Jason & Jordan received a building project from Grandma Ann & Papa Steve.  Jordan finally begged enough today that Jason decided the painting should at least be done.  Jordan is hoping that tomorrow they can actually put it together.

Getting the parts painted.

The concentration.

Reading directions

by Jeni

Update on My First Valentine

It has been a VERY long week.  Dad stayed in the hospital until Wednesday just shortly after 10AM when I took him back to the house.  Because of the pneumonia he is on oxygen at home however and not very happy about "the leash".  Jordan & I went down to see Grandma & Papa today and they both are doing better.  Grandma even got out of the house for a while, we went and got groceries while Jordan stayed at the house and took care of Papa.  Wednesday they go to the specialist in Waterloo to see how things are going.  I might tag along for support, or "taxi driver".  I am just hoping for a normal week soon.

by Jeni

Valentine's Day

Most of us like to spend Valentine's Day with the one that we love most.  This year I spent the day with my very first Valentine, my Dad.  I found out on Friday night that dad hadn't been feeling well all week, he started with a cold Monday night and after work on Tuesday he went home and went to bed and unfortunately there he stayed for the rest of the week.  He didn't feel like eating or drinking, all he did was sleep.  He also developed a really bad cough.  I questioned Mom as to when she was going to make him go to the doctors office but Dad was insistent that he didn't need to go.  Sunday morning I left my wonderful husband and son at home to go check on my Dad.  When I got to the house he was still sleeping and didn't look good at all.  I decided I didn't care how he felt about it, we were going to the walk in clinic to find out what was wrong.  He started referring to me as the "mean one", "trouble maker" and at one point just plain glaring at me.  I knew he wasn't happy to be going to see a doctor but I really thought it was time someone made him go.

The walk-in clinic sent him, almost immediately, to the Emergency Room.  His oxygen level was very low and he needed more help than the clinic could give.  So across the hospital we went to the ER.  Lots of tests later, and about five hours we were headed upstairs to a room.  Dad has pneumonia. 

So I got to spend Valentine's Day with a loved one, actually two Dad and Mom, but the ones I love most were at home happily watching the Daytona 500.  Sooner or later Dad will get over being upset with me dragging him out of the house and ultimately being admitted to the hospital.  I just hope he will also realize that I only did it BECAUSE I love him, he is after all ........

my First Valentine!

by Jeni