February Update

Sorry it's been so long since our last update. A lot has gone on and we've had computer problems at home.

Rick's dad continued to deteriorate from his dementia with Lewy Bodies and was admitted to hospice care in early January. He died peacefully with Rick's mom and pastor at his side on January 30th. Rick arrived shortly after his death. We held a memorial service in Arizona and there will be a Michigan memorial when Rick's mom returns in April or May. He was a great man, husband, father, and grandfather. We will greatly miss him but he's left a terrific legacy and he's much better off home with God now.

Hudson reading one of his homemade books to his kindergarten class.


On January 5th Rick had urgent surgery for a herniated disk. He had terrible leg pain - he couldn't walk or sit at all. Epidural steroid injections and the like didn't help at all. But thankfully he awoke from the operation pain-free and had remained so. He had to take two weeks off from work but is back at it full force. He had developed calf weakness from the herniation for which he's doing rehab. It's expected to come back in a few months with rehab.

Last week all three boys had a 24-hour flu, but each of them has recovered. Rick and Kathryn each had a day of feeling badly, but no throwing up for them. Rick's mom had a similar day like that. It happened while Rick's sister, Bonnie, was visiting from Michigan and she got hit with it too.

It was great to have Bonnie here. She was a real support to Rick's mom and the kids loved having her here too.

Landon turned four on February 14th. We had a great party at Chuck E. Cheese's with grandma, D.D., Ducky, Aunt Kerry, and a couple of grandma's friends from Michigan. Here are some recent pictures of Landon:



Our computer problems are preventing us from downloading more pictures, but we'll do so soon! Take care all.