Update...

As a follow up to last nights post, I just want to thank everyone for their continued love and prayers through my grandpa's illness. Grandpa passed away this afternoon. I believe he was peaceful and painless. When we are left as survivors of loved ones, we have to be strong, it is hard to let someone go, even though we know they are in a much better place. I believe my grandpa has gone to a place where he is happy, and can be free to do the things he loves to do.

This is not a long post, as I mentioned everything in last nights post about my grandpa's struggle over the last few weeks. I will just leave you today by asking for continued prayers for my family to help us be strong through our grieving days. I am sad to loose my grandpa, but I am also happy to know that he is no longer in any pain. Thank you all again for all of your concern throughout this difficult time.

As most of you already know, my grandpa (mom's dad) has been very ill lately. He went into the emergency room 3 and 1/2 weeks ago with a UTI. Since then, the infection has spread througout his body. He started to get a little better and was moved from ICU into a regular room. That only lasted a couple of days, then the infection was back, and worse than before. He was immediately transferred back up to ICU where he remained for the last 2 weeks. His kidneys started failing, so the doctor ordered dialasys to be done every other day. Eventually his breathing became very hard and was put on a full life support machine. After a full week of the total life support, the decision had to be made of whether to put a trach tube into his throat to keep him alive, or just simply allow him to be comfortable to live out the remainder of his days. After careful research, and many chats with Dr. Sam, the decision was made that with the trach tube, the quality of life would be very poor, and my grandpa would not want to live his life that way. Dr. Sam finally ordered my grandpa to be on a "comfort path." Which is where the nurses do everything they can to make the patient comfortable until it is their time to rest with Jesus. I saw my grandpa tonight, he looked peaceful and painless. He also looked as though he would not make it through the night. My mom and I snuck into the hospital chapel and said a silent prayer for him. We went back to his room and told him not to be afraid. He was unresponsive to us being there, but I think he heard us. I think he is ready to be at peace.

I write all this in my blog not to make anyone feel sorry for me, but to make sure that everyone knows that my family and I are at peace with this. We are aware that he is comfortable, and I think in many ways it is harder to be the family that is left behind. We told my grandpa this evening that we will be alright, and that we love him. I think in some way, he needed us to tell him that it is alright to let go now. I know that when my grandpa does pass he will look down on us from Heaven and smile because he will finally be able to walk again like he did 19 years ago before his stroke. I know in my heart that my grandpa will be just fine!

Sorry to bring such a sad blog this time, but there was just so much on my mind that I just needed to get it out. Writing my feelings always helps me through difficult times. I just ask that everyone reading prays not for my family and I, but for the peaceful passing of my grandpa.

Alas....Phoenix awaits us!

Well since my last post everyone, including Jeremy and I thought we were going to move back to Chicago/Milwaukee since he is domociled out of O'Hare. The latest news is that Mesa has increased the number of lines out of Phoenix!!! Jeremy put his bid in last week, and now we are just waiting for hime to be "awarded" Phoenix! Yay! We are looking in areas closer to the airport though, which is really alright, Chandler, Mesa, Gilbert, those areas. We will still be some distance from the family, but it is not at all unbearable, at least we can still drive to see each other more often than we would if we were in Chicago! So, needless to say, I am pretty excited about the move back to sunny, warm, never snowy Phoenix! Jeremy on the other hand, would rather live in temperatures below freezing than Phoenix where in his opinion is "five thousand degrees on the surface of the sun!!!" But he will by in the air most of the time so I will be the one enjoying the beautiful sunshine!

As promised....pictures of my haircut

Short hair on me????

Well, I have been trying to grow out my hair for the past year in hopes of cutting it all off and donating it. I thought you only had to have 7 inches to donate, so I was ready, and made my appointment to go in and cut it off and donate it. I went on a referral from some of the girls that I work with, and he seems to do a pretty good job on them so I thought I'd give it a try. It turns out that you actually have to have 12 inches to donate!! So Craig (the stylist) said I had enough, but it would just be a little short. I said well, ok I'm ready for a change go for it! He proceeds to put my hair into a low pony tail, then cuts off the pony tail! YIKES! I just cut off a whole foot of hair!!! He styled it into a really cute bob type look where it is slightly longer in the front, just under my chin, and a little shorter in the back, it really makes me look my age instead of 16! I am really excited about it, as soon as I figure out how to upload pictures onto a post I will put one up, it's WAY CUTE though!!!!