Another Update

Ugh! I can't believe it's been so long since my last update! Sorry about that. I've been working at school a lot and I just don't ever get on the computer anymore (love the job though - I'm working with special needs preschoolers and I love them all to death!) Here are the basic updates on everyone:

Sean - doing very well. Praise God that his last set of labs came back negative - he had tested trace positive for that EBV again and I didn't want to start getting the CAT scans all the time again. Despite lots and lots of viruses going around at school he's been very healthy and he's only had a handful of accidents the whole year so far! Yea!

Grace - turned one a few days ago! :) She's home sick today, which is why I finally have time to blog, but she's already feeling better. I think she must have been exposed to rotavirus, which can be kind of nasty, so I'm glad she's handling it well.

Jacob - also doing awesome. Loving school, his friends, going to the library, all that good stuff.

Shadow - misses Mark and doesn't like being by himself during the day but otherwise pretty happy. :)

Laurie - loves the new job but not the tornado-disaster of a house that comes with working full-time.

Mark - loves both his new jobs! He's starting to get worried that the AccountTemps job is going to end soon and they haven't started interviewing for the permanent position yet, but so far he's still there. Our biggest issue is still the lack of insurance - we really need some and soon! He definitely likes the UPS gig out at the airport too. It's getting kind of cold lately but he still really enjoys it.

Laurie's grandmas - both doing really well! It was nice getting to see them at Thanksgiving again.

Mark's mom - also doing very well! She has two chemo treatments left, once next week and then right after Christmas, and then she has to start radiation in January. She's been trying to convince us all that her hair is going to come back red but I don't think anyone is buying it.

Laurie's brother - unfortunately it doesn't look like Cory and his wife are going to be able to reconcile, or at least not anytime soon. Cory moved out several weeks ago and he and his wife are still communicating and trying to make sure all the bills, etc. are being taken care of, but there is a lot of pain and resentment in that relationship and they are considering divorce. Their kids are 4 and 5 and of course are hearts go out to them, having to be stuck in the middle of their parent's problems. Please continue to pray for their family.

Mark's dad - I sent an email to many of you a few days ago asking for prayers for Mark's dad when he began vomiting blood and was diagnosed with a bleeding ulcer. Since then Frank has been admitted to Mercy in Sioux City (actually he was flown there via helicopter) and he had emergency surgery to stop the bleeding. As of today he was still in the ICU but it sounds like he's feeling better and starting to ask about the Hawkeyes. :) Big shocker there! So far he has required 12 pints of blood, which is kind of scary since the whole body only holds about 8! That was a pretty serious condition and it will take a good long time to heal. Right now Mark's brother is staying with their mom until Frank is feeling better and then hopefully we'll all be able to come home for Christmas to help out too. Please also continue to pray for both Frank and Wilma and all their kids as they continue to deal with Wilma's diagnosis. It's obviously very stressful for everyone and we appreciate your prayers.

I think that's it for today! Very short and sweet but I guess that's okay for once. :) Have a fantastic holiday season!

Laurie