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

Merry Christmas 2009

Christmas 2009 is one that I truly believe we will all remember for years.  It will be that Christmas that we all talk about ... "remember the year we didn't get to go anywhere because of the ice, snow and just plain horrible weather".

We were supposed to make the annual trip to Audubon on Christmas Eve Day to stay at "the barn" but for several days we watched the weather forecast saying that a large storm was on its way to Iowa but nobody knew exactly where it was going to hit until it actually got here or what it was going to bring to the area.  We started getting ready for Christmas as usual, getting the presents wrapped, suitcases packed and finding our Christmas outfits just in case there was a break in the storm or it didn't hit where everyone thought it MIGHT.  When we went to bed the night before Christmas Eve it was not looking very promising for us to get out the next day, and waking up confirmed what nobody actually wanted to say the day before....NO TRAVEL for the Scanlan family this year.  My emotions were everywhere!  I really don't remember the last time I wasn't with my Audubon family for Christmas.  It just doesn't seem like Christmas without the trip to Audubon.  Parts of Audubon were without power and roads getting to Audubon were ice and snow covered.  We would just have to make the best of staying in Northeast Iowa instead.

With Grandma Ann & Grandpa Steve just 25 miles away we decided that we could probably make it to Waverly for a small Christmas.  So, we loaded up the truck with us, the meat/cheese tray that was to feed the whole Levis family and a few presents.  The roads were very wet going to Waverly and if the temperature would drop even just a degree or two there could be TROUBLE but we made it to Grandma's house for Christmas.  Even without the rest of the family we had a very good day.  We had food, fun and Santa found us while we were taking naps.

 

After supper we decided it was time to try to head home since it was now snowing and had gotten much colder and the radar was indicating more to come. So, once again we loaded up in the truck and hit the road.  It took us a while longer than normal to get home due to the slushy-icy-snowy roads but we made it safe.

Christmas Morning we woke in our own beds for the first time ever and had no where to go and looking outside, wouldn't get anywhere if we tried.  We have spent the day playing with our new toys and just relaxing at home.  It isn't the Christmas we are used to but we are safe, warm and with loved ones.

So, we hope that everyone had a safe, warm holiday with loved ones even if you didn't have the Christmas of your memories. 
Merry Christmas and lets hope we have a better New Year!

by Jeni