Molly & Betsy pretty and ready for Grandma's church 

Myron & Betsy ready for church 

Christmas

We had a great Christmas! Molly, Myron and Betsy stayed from Friday until Tuesday and Joel and Wendy were here from Sunday night until Tuesday so we had some time to visit and catch up on news. We had our gift exchange together Christmas morning. It was fun to see Betsy with new toys and just enjoy the time together. That afternoon we went to Deerfield for the Hoffman family Christmas. Each year we all assemble at Dad and Mom's until the house is bursting! This year, due to Mom's ill health, we met at their church. This is the church I grew up in, was married in and has been my folks church since they were teens. We were all thrilled that Mom felt strong enough to celebrate with us. Dad brought her over in a wheelchair and she stayed with us all evening. She got lots of loving from all the grandkids and great-grandkids. I know she was tired but really enjoyed seeing all the family. We all are so thankful to God that He gave Mom the strength to share this special holy day with her family.

Our little family 

My daughter, Molly, her husband, Myron and their daughter, Betsy 

My son Joel and his wife Wendy 

My baby brother, Jim and his family...Shana, Jacob, Elizabeth and Rachel 

My brother Gary, wife Jennifer and sons, Colin and Hunter 

My niece Miranda and her fiance Ben 

My Aunt Lois, Uncle Hillard and cousins, Gloria and Nancy 

Dad and Mom 

My brother Fred's family 

My brother Fred and his wife Linda 

My sister Ruth's family 

My sister, Ruth with her husband, Chip and her grandson, Johnathan 

My nephew Jeremy and his family 

My nephew Jacob and great nephew Johnathan 

My Dad playing Santa with my niece Stacey 

My brother Steve's family 

My sister Sherry with her friend Alice and Sherry's granddaughters 

Dad with Jacob wearing Mom's wig 

Mom and Gary with her new "hair" 

Update

Mom met with Dr. Lin, her radiation oncologist this week. Dr. Lin was pleased that Mom has no neurological deficits and thinks the tumor has possibly shrunk. It's very difficult to tell from the MRI. She's encouraging Mom to continue treatments and to try to move around more to build her strength. Mom got a wig this week and that makes her feel better too. I had another injection in my knee. It hasn't helped yet but I remain hopeful. I'm rushing around today trying to get the house clean before I go to work at 3:00. Molly and Myron are coming tomorrow and Joel and Wendy are coming Christmas eve. It will be so great to see all of them again! Everyone have a very blessed Christmas!

Betsy's first snow 

I love this sweet face! 

My week...

This has been a rough week...I stayed with Mom Friday night and actually had a pretty good night. She was only up 3 times to go to the potty and once I was able to handle it alone and get her back to bed without waking Dad. He's looking much better since he's getting more rest. Mom is having physical therapy now and nurse visits and I think seeing new faces has helped her outlook a bit too. Today was rough for them though. My cousin, Bob, died suddenly of a massive heart attack. I just talked to him a couple of weeks ago and he sounded so good. He was 2 years younger than me and a pastor. It really hit Dad and Mom very hard. Last week my dr. ordered blood tests and today I had to see her to learn the results. I've developed diabetes. So I'm starting on glucophage and must test my blood for sugar twice a day. They're arranging for me to see a dietician to help me work out my diet. I wasn't really surprised at the diagnosis because I've had a lot of the symptoms for awhile and have been ignoring them. Diabetes often occurs with the liver disorder I have too. But I know I'm still in the Lord's hands and He'll get us through this too.

Mom and Dad in July 2006 

Turban girls

Friday my sisters, Sherry and Ruth and our brother Jim were at the folks' house to meet with the home care nurse. We were having a really bad wind storm and the power was out at Mom and Dad's so the house was really cold. We kept Mom nice and warm with lots of blankets but we were all really cold. So we donned Mom's cancer turbans and gathered around her for a picture...we did get a little smile out of her. She seemed to enjoy talking to the nurse and telling her about her family. I'm so thankful for a big family right now...we're taking turns staying with Mom and Dad and it helps to have lots of people! John went out and stayed from 11:00 Saturday morning and then I came out with supper when I got off work at 5:00. We stayed the night and most of Sunday there. Mom is still getting up every hour at night to try to use the bedside commode. It's so exhausting for everyone. It's almost like a compulsion but we have to respect her wishes. Dad is so worn out...he's still sleeping in the chair beside her bed every night. John said that my Dad is his hero. He really admires the way Dad has lovingly cared for Mom and is so gentle with her. We've been getting her to eat a little now...she especially liked the bacon, eggs and toast I made for her on Sunday morning. She has really drastic mood swings too. Sometimes she'll be talking and smiling and the next minute she'll be grimacing and crying in despair for God to let her die. She doesn't have pain from the tumor yet but mostly from the bowel ulceration. I wish I knew how to make this time happier for her. I'd love to set up a Christmas tree there but Dad doesn't want one...I'm not sure why. I think it would be cheering for her. None of us have really been able to think much about Christmas. I would just like to be able to help her enjoy the thought of God coming to earth as a small child and growing up to be our Savior. I know she believes this but He seems so far away from her right now. Please pray with me for Christ to be really near and that His presence will be apparent to Mom during her suffering.