We are packing up to head to Florida this afternoon. I am VERY excited! It hasn't felt very real until today, but I got out some summer clothes yesterday and picked out which flip-flops to take with me, so I guess I'm feeling ready. This dark rainy weather we've been having is really making me hope for some warm sunny days at the beach.
We had a pretty quiet weekend here. Friday night was a "hair removal party" that I know a lot of people were curious about :). A few girls from church came over (the guys took Ryan off the premises) and we played Guitar Hero, got in the hot tub, ate lots of food, and removed some unwanted hair to get ready for summer. It was a blast! We'll definitely be doing it again, although hair removal is optional because we just had fun.
Ryan and Gabe didn't feel up to church Sunday, although we really wanted to go see everyone from Sunday School and let them know we're doing well. Ryan woke up with a headache and Gabe has had a cold for a few days, so we just laid low and enjoyed being lazy. (Actually, I wasn't lazy--I just started a crazy new workout program and did the first part of it yesterday. A little late for Florida, but Ryan and are going to SO buff this summer :)
Well, I guess I'd better get back to getting ready. If we have internet access anytime on our trip, I'll try to post some pictures!
Monday, April 21, 2008
Wednesday, April 16, 2008
Happy 50th to Grandma Tori!!!
So today was Tori's birthday, and what a beautiful day it was! I think it got up to the low 70's and everything is getting really green and fresh-looking.
With Noah up north and Jon stuck working at school, and George out of town for work, it feels like an anticlimactic (sp?) birthday, especially for a big one like FIFTY YEARS OLD, but we've got some big plans coming up. Since George was gone, Gabe and Ryan and I took Tori out to lunch, then she and I went shopping at Wally World. Then we came home to make my brother-in-law Marks famous buffalo wings. We had a few friends over to our house to eat them (and help grill them) and I hope a fun time was had by all. Tori and Noah are currently playing Guitar Hero on XBOX Live (Noah is in Northern VA and we are at my house, but we can play online together). She's not bad for an old lady!! (just had to throw in at least one comment on her age...)
Anyway, next week should be great--we've got a trip to Florida planned, as long as Ryan still feels up to it. We had planned on it before the surgery came up, then just put it on hold until we knew what was going on with Ryan. We'll be staying at Tori's brother's condo in West Palm Beach and I just can't wait to go on a real vacation. It will be fun to get Gabe in the ocean and hopefully we'll have lots of time to just lay around on the beach.
We got some really great news last night, too! My brother Mike is in Pensacola, FL right now for his job training with the Marines. We've been waiting to see where he would be stationed and just found out that he will be in North Carolina for the next couple of years! He'll be at Cherry Point for a couple of months to complete his Aviation Ordinance training, then he'll be at New River after that unless he gets deployed. He'll only be 5 or so hours away from us which is really exciting! I hope we get to see him a lot. I'll post a picture of him, Gabe and I from when he went to boot camp last September.
More later...
With Noah up north and Jon stuck working at school, and George out of town for work, it feels like an anticlimactic (sp?) birthday, especially for a big one like FIFTY YEARS OLD, but we've got some big plans coming up. Since George was gone, Gabe and Ryan and I took Tori out to lunch, then she and I went shopping at Wally World. Then we came home to make my brother-in-law Marks famous buffalo wings. We had a few friends over to our house to eat them (and help grill them) and I hope a fun time was had by all. Tori and Noah are currently playing Guitar Hero on XBOX Live (Noah is in Northern VA and we are at my house, but we can play online together). She's not bad for an old lady!! (just had to throw in at least one comment on her age...)
Anyway, next week should be great--we've got a trip to Florida planned, as long as Ryan still feels up to it. We had planned on it before the surgery came up, then just put it on hold until we knew what was going on with Ryan. We'll be staying at Tori's brother's condo in West Palm Beach and I just can't wait to go on a real vacation. It will be fun to get Gabe in the ocean and hopefully we'll have lots of time to just lay around on the beach.
We got some really great news last night, too! My brother Mike is in Pensacola, FL right now for his job training with the Marines. We've been waiting to see where he would be stationed and just found out that he will be in North Carolina for the next couple of years! He'll be at Cherry Point for a couple of months to complete his Aviation Ordinance training, then he'll be at New River after that unless he gets deployed. He'll only be 5 or so hours away from us which is really exciting! I hope we get to see him a lot. I'll post a picture of him, Gabe and I from when he went to boot camp last September.
More later...
Sunday, April 13, 2008
We are HOME!
Yes, we did make it home yesterday afternoon. We are happy to be in our own space and Ryan is sure feeling good! He's had lots of energy and not as many headaches. Gabe sure missed his toys and his crib. He almost jumped out my arms last night to get into his own bed.
Two fun things since we've been home...Ryan got a package in the mail from his cousin with a t-shirt that says: "I had brain surgery, what's your excuse?" He thought it was pretty funny and can't wait to wear it! Also, our friends Donovan and Michele came over for lunch today with their two kids and Donovan's dad (Pappy). They had made a video for us before Ryan's surgery and Donovan had actually brought it up to Maryland to show us, but we couldn't find any video hookups to play it. We were very blessed to see most of our Sunday school class wishing Ryan a good surgery and sending lots of smiles and prayers our way. Our pastor and lots of people we didn't even know sent their regards and love. It was a wonderful gift and a testimony of the great community we are a part of here in Rocky Mount. Donovan included some humor in the video (his 4 pigs wish Ryan a happy recovery and beg us not to let anyone eat them:) Alas, it was a good thing that Ryan didn't watch it until now, because he would have gotten a headache from laughing.
Well, I guess that's all for today. Now that we are home and getting back to normal here, I'll keep posting, but hopefully it will be more of the fun, day-to-day stuff. (or week-to-week, depending on how much time I have!) We do appreciate your continued thoughts and prayers. Ryan loves phone calls, too! Until next time...God bless!
Two fun things since we've been home...Ryan got a package in the mail from his cousin with a t-shirt that says: "I had brain surgery, what's your excuse?" He thought it was pretty funny and can't wait to wear it! Also, our friends Donovan and Michele came over for lunch today with their two kids and Donovan's dad (Pappy). They had made a video for us before Ryan's surgery and Donovan had actually brought it up to Maryland to show us, but we couldn't find any video hookups to play it. We were very blessed to see most of our Sunday school class wishing Ryan a good surgery and sending lots of smiles and prayers our way. Our pastor and lots of people we didn't even know sent their regards and love. It was a wonderful gift and a testimony of the great community we are a part of here in Rocky Mount. Donovan included some humor in the video (his 4 pigs wish Ryan a happy recovery and beg us not to let anyone eat them:) Alas, it was a good thing that Ryan didn't watch it until now, because he would have gotten a headache from laughing.
Well, I guess that's all for today. Now that we are home and getting back to normal here, I'll keep posting, but hopefully it will be more of the fun, day-to-day stuff. (or week-to-week, depending on how much time I have!) We do appreciate your continued thoughts and prayers. Ryan loves phone calls, too! Until next time...God bless!
Thursday, April 10, 2008
Wow, Time Flies!
I didn't even realize until just now that I didn't post anything yesterday or today! I guess that means things are going well...We have had a nice couple of days at Noah's. Yesterday, Gabe and I got in some shopping at Target to give Ryan some peace and quiet in the condo. Ryan's grandparents were there by the time we got back (I could easily spend a couple of hours in Target, and a whole bag of their popcorn keeps Gabe busy for about that long!). It was so nice to have lunch with them and Gabe sure loves his "Tractor Grandpa."
While Gabe slept, Ryan needed to get out, so back to Target we went! I pushed Ryan around in a wheelchair until he couldn't stand it anymore :) (Target, not the wheelchair).
After Gabe's nap, he and I went to my friend Ashleigh's house. She has three little girls and I could tell Gabe was in need of some time with kids his own age (in Target he pretty much drooled over every kid he saw and the babies on the diaper boxes ever caught his eye!). We got to play outside and take a nice long walk--Gabe found a ton of sticks, a few motorcycles, a couple of slugs, and there are sure a lot more airplanes to spot here! Rocky Mount must not be a big flying route...Gabe loved holding hands with the Phoebe and Juliet on the walk, I'll post a picture when I get them on the computer. He had a blast!
We got back in time to 'help' cook dinner. Noah's friends made dinner and my friend Rachel (from Rocky Mount but just moved to Alexandria) came down to give Ryan some cheer. It was great to see her! Ryan got enough rest during the day that he could kick some butt on Guitar Hero before the night ended. He even played Halo, so he must be on the mend!
On to today:
Tori and I got to pamper ourselves a bit this morning--we each got a manicure and pedicure to go with the flip-flop weather we are finally having. We got to see Ryan's cousin Ashley and her baby before they flew off to Florida, and we even got some chicken nuggets at "Donalds". Wow, life really is good! Our friend Michael Hillman came over to see Ryan tonight--I know he enjoyed playing some more Halo with him.
Tonight Tori and I took Gabe to see our friend MaryAnn, then we went to the Romano's house, where Gabe had a great time petting some bunny rabbits and swinging on a tire swing. He's not going to want to go home!
We're possibly going to make the trek home tomorrow, but Noah is trying to convince us to stay until Saturday. He is using Wegman's as bait. Hmmm, he knows my weak spots! (There aren't too many of them, but gourmet grocery stores are high up there...)
Weelll, this has been a long one, and it has taken forever because Noah and Tori have been talking this whole time and it has been very been distracting. Now Ryan is in on it, so I'd better be done until later! Hope no one has fallen asleep reading this, but there are so many people we have seen and things that we have done and I don't want to leave anything out. Let me know if I did leave you out, and I'll post another crazy long blog for you next time!
While Gabe slept, Ryan needed to get out, so back to Target we went! I pushed Ryan around in a wheelchair until he couldn't stand it anymore :) (Target, not the wheelchair).
After Gabe's nap, he and I went to my friend Ashleigh's house. She has three little girls and I could tell Gabe was in need of some time with kids his own age (in Target he pretty much drooled over every kid he saw and the babies on the diaper boxes ever caught his eye!). We got to play outside and take a nice long walk--Gabe found a ton of sticks, a few motorcycles, a couple of slugs, and there are sure a lot more airplanes to spot here! Rocky Mount must not be a big flying route...Gabe loved holding hands with the Phoebe and Juliet on the walk, I'll post a picture when I get them on the computer. He had a blast!
We got back in time to 'help' cook dinner. Noah's friends made dinner and my friend Rachel (from Rocky Mount but just moved to Alexandria) came down to give Ryan some cheer. It was great to see her! Ryan got enough rest during the day that he could kick some butt on Guitar Hero before the night ended. He even played Halo, so he must be on the mend!
On to today:
Tori and I got to pamper ourselves a bit this morning--we each got a manicure and pedicure to go with the flip-flop weather we are finally having. We got to see Ryan's cousin Ashley and her baby before they flew off to Florida, and we even got some chicken nuggets at "Donalds". Wow, life really is good! Our friend Michael Hillman came over to see Ryan tonight--I know he enjoyed playing some more Halo with him.
Tonight Tori and I took Gabe to see our friend MaryAnn, then we went to the Romano's house, where Gabe had a great time petting some bunny rabbits and swinging on a tire swing. He's not going to want to go home!
We're possibly going to make the trek home tomorrow, but Noah is trying to convince us to stay until Saturday. He is using Wegman's as bait. Hmmm, he knows my weak spots! (There aren't too many of them, but gourmet grocery stores are high up there...)
Weelll, this has been a long one, and it has taken forever because Noah and Tori have been talking this whole time and it has been very been distracting. Now Ryan is in on it, so I'd better be done until later! Hope no one has fallen asleep reading this, but there are so many people we have seen and things that we have done and I don't want to leave anything out. Let me know if I did leave you out, and I'll post another crazy long blog for you next time!
Tuesday, April 8, 2008
We're Here!
So we're at Noah's house and enjoying the change of scenery. Ryan has been laying low all afternoon and is in bed now. He is feeling well and rejuvenated by being out of the hospital. He thinks he'll be ready to head home in the next couple of days, as long as Noah doesn't get tired of us before that. I think I might be in for some 'retail therapy', with the excuse of Gabe needing to get out of Noah's small condo! There is an IKEA close by and Potamac Mills has all the outlets I could ask for. Noah's friends Rachel and Ashley are cooking dinner for us tomorrow night, so I guess we're set for awhile!
Ryan is ready for an extra blanket in his room, so I'm going to try to post another picture of Gabe and then head to bed...
Ryan is ready for an extra blanket in his room, so I'm going to try to post another picture of Gabe and then head to bed...
Busting out of NIH!
So we got the all clear to leave today. We're packing up now and Ryan is resting up for the ride to his brother's condo. Hopefully it is not too bumpy!
His kidney scans looked good. They don't need to see us for a year because things are growing very slowly. I'm going to finish packing his stuff up, but we'll write more later!
His kidney scans looked good. They don't need to see us for a year because things are growing very slowly. I'm going to finish packing his stuff up, but we'll write more later!
Monday, April 7, 2008
A Quick One
As you pray for Ryan, please be praying for a woman who also has VHL and just had surgery today (I'll pass on her name when I remember it). She is from CA and her mom and aunt are here with her. I haven't heard how the surgery went, but I know it took about 12 hours, which is why the doctor never came by today to tell us when Ryan would be going home. He feels like he is ready to leave tomorrow and that would be just fine by me!
The rest of our day was pretty uneventful. My mom left for the airport this afternoon and we will miss her lots. She just called to say she got home safely. Gabe is going to be asking for Grandma Jane in the morning, but he'll be really excited that Grandpa George is sleeping in his room tonight!
Ryan had lots of visitors today--his Aunt Theresa and cousin Adam stopped by and brought ice cream, then a few more friends came by tonight. George's cousin brought us some great chocolate chip cookies, too, so I don't think I've stopped eating since I woke up this morning!
Steve and Leila--Amanda is Ryan's nurse for tonight, so "aloha" from her!
He's got a CT scan in the morning for his kidneys--just his routine check-up so that we don't have to come back for awhile. We'd appreciate prayers that everything is fine there!
Have a good night...
The rest of our day was pretty uneventful. My mom left for the airport this afternoon and we will miss her lots. She just called to say she got home safely. Gabe is going to be asking for Grandma Jane in the morning, but he'll be really excited that Grandpa George is sleeping in his room tonight!
Ryan had lots of visitors today--his Aunt Theresa and cousin Adam stopped by and brought ice cream, then a few more friends came by tonight. George's cousin brought us some great chocolate chip cookies, too, so I don't think I've stopped eating since I woke up this morning!
Steve and Leila--Amanda is Ryan's nurse for tonight, so "aloha" from her!
He's got a CT scan in the morning for his kidneys--just his routine check-up so that we don't have to come back for awhile. We'd appreciate prayers that everything is fine there!
Have a good night...
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