Merry Christmas (kind of)

It's been a while since we last posted an update, and there is a lot to talk about.

In early December, Rick's parents arrived. Grandma and Papa moved into the casita, but Papa had been diagnosed with dementia with Lewey Bodies and he really has been declining quickly. We enjoyed spending time with them but Papa continued to have more and more troubles.

In mid-December, our Church had a Christmas celebration including trucking in some snow, donkey's to ride on, lots of food and games. Grandma, Papa, Rick, Kathryn, and the boys had a grand old time...

Hudson sledding down the snow slide

Landon "sledding" down the snow slide


Rick and Keaton sledding down the snow slide

In November and December, Hudson developed a new hobby: writing books. He takes sheets of paper, staples them together and then writes and illustrates books fashioned after some of his favorites. He has now written around 40 books (no kidding). Here's a photo of on of his book covers:

When we set up the Christmas tree, Hudson and Landon cared more about playing in the box than decorating:

Later in December, Papa had to be hospitalized at a facility specializing in dementia. It made for a tough time leading up to Christmas, but Christmas day itself was still a lot of fun. We had Grandma Gray, DD and Ducky Grimes (Kathryn's parents) and Aunt Kerry (Kathryn's sister) with us on Christmas morning. Christmas night, Aunt Karen and Uncle Lee (Kathryn's sister and brother-in-law) and cousins Elizabeth and Jonathon joined us.

The boys enjoyed opening and playing with their presents. Here are some photos:






The boys enjoyed the family around...

Jonathan, Landon, Keaton, Elizabeth, Hudson


Hudson ice-sking with DD

Landon ice-skating with Mommy

Landon and Elizabeth

So we had a joyous time remembering Christ's birth and celebrating with family, but still had heavy hearts due to Papa's declining health. He's due to be released from the inpatient facility soon but will likely require a group home with hospice care as his disease is so rapidly progressing that he is unlikely to live much longer. We know he is saved by the grace of God sending Christ, so we celebrate that he'll soon be home in heaven but it won't make it easy for us who will be here missing him. We already miss him as what made him who he is really isn't there even now.

Adding to the stressors around the holidays, Rick has an acute herniation of a lumbar disc which produced severe leg pain and eventually weakness of his left calf. he spent his whole vacation week between Christmas and New Year's lying on the floor (even to sleep). Despite steroids by mouth and epidural steroid injections, he didn't improve and on Monday (January 5th) he underwent an urgent microdiscectomy operation. The surgery went very well and he awoke pain-free. He still has calf weakness but that is expected to improve.

Well, that seems like enough action for one month, huh??