Happy Birthday !!!

Well, what a difference from last year at this time! In case you have forgotten this was Dad a year ago.

 He was in the hospital on his 70th birthday having just received his new liver and valve less than 4 weeks before. He was dehydrated and very weak.

This picture was taken in late September 2010 at a birthday party for my cousin's son, Jonathan.

He is looking great and feeling pretty well most of the time. He and Mom are headed out next week to visit Sarah and Jared at Harding University in Arkansas. They will drive to Tennessee to spend some time with Bill, Amanda and the girls and then it's off to Disney World!

One Year Transplantiversary!!

Yesterday was Dad's one year anniversary of his transplant. He went to Cleveland on Wednesday for his one year check-up. The doctors were very happy with how he is doing. He can now go for blood work once every three weeks and they said come back in 9 months. On the way to Cleveland Mom and Dad stopped to visit with a longtime friend- Clarice. It is the most recent picture of Dad. He is at a healthy weight now and goes to the gym every day to walk on the treadmill and lift weights.

 As we celebrate we realize that someone is remembering the family member that they lost a year ago. We are very thankful for the donor and his/her family that gave Dad this chance to live another year.

Washing the Car

I thought I'd add this photo Mom just sent me via cellphone. It is Dad helping Jared wash and clean out his car in preparation for leaving for college next week. Dad had already washed their car when he called Jared and said bring your car over and I'll help you clean it up. A year ago he could not have done one car let alone two. He would have been exhausted and out of breath. God certainly has blessed us this year !

And for those of you who haven't heard our latest news yet. Nathan and Becca are engaged !

A Sunday in June

All of us were in Findlay the last week of June. Bill And Amanda brought the girls up to spend a week with Poppy and Grandma, and Nathan and his girlfriend, Becca, came up for a friend's wedding. So Mom took advantage of the opportunity and had a friend at church take a picture of all of us.

Back row: Bill, Isaac, Jared, Mike, Nathan.
Middle row: Amanda, Emery Cate, Sarah, Me.
Front: Mom, Ellery Grace, and Dad


Dad continues to do well, he is still working at the pool. He and Mom will be driving the girls back to Tennessee this weekend and staying for a week or so. Ellery Grace will be celebrating her 6th birthday next week.

Happy Father's Day!

This photo was taken yesterday at church. Dad continues to do well. He seems to be enjoying his job at the city pool. He has had a few doctor's appointments but everything has came back good. Bill, Amanda and the girls are coming to Ohio for a few days.  Nathan and Becca will also be up for the weekend to attend a friend's wedding. It will be busy but Dad (and Mom) love having the family around.

A-OK

Well, the results from the biopsy showed no signs of rejection. The doctor is tweaking Dad's meds a little and then we wait to see what the next blood work shows. He seems to be feeling really well and he is looking great. He will have a few doctor appointments in Findlay in the next week or so. Just routine things that were already set-up before they left for AZ.

In other news, Dad got a job!! He will be working the admissions at the City pool this year - five days a week and every other weekend. It is a short shift just 3 1/2 hours but will keep him busy and give him lots of people to joke around with. The local YMCA is running the pool for the city this year. The kids are joking that our family is taking over the Y. Both Sarah and Jared guard for them, Mom teaches water aerobics and now Dad is employed there as well. They are still planning a couple of trips to Nashville over the summer but don't know when yet.

That's all for now!

Indian's Game

They made it to the Indian's game - unfortunately the Tribe let them down - they got beat by the White Sox. Today's plans are to make an informal visit to Dad's liver doctor at Cleveland and then head home -unless they get news that tells them otherwise.