Go Daddy!

Spoke to dad last night - (in his most southern Oklahoma accent) he told me "The visit went real well, the doctor ran the tests and said I didn't have to come back until next year" Still praying for good results on the PSA test (which he should have in a couple days) but for now everything looks great!
.
Since his episode a few weeks ago, he's stopped smoking. This is HUGE for a man that was smoking 2 - 3 packs a day!!! While Sister and I were visiting we helped convince him that he'd probably need the patch, or pill to help stop.
.
3 weeks today was the last time he had a cigarette. So proud of that man!!!

I'd hug my dad everyday if I could!

It's Almost 5 O'Clock

It's almost time for me to have my "date" with my dad.

I've been thinking about him all day!

My dad is a prostate cancer survivor and is suppose to have his PSA levels checked every 6 months. I recently found out that it's been a year and a half since he's been to the doctor to have this test. He put off the testing after he found out his doctor had retired and never found a replacement doctor.

While my sister and I were out visiting we found him a doctor and set up his appointment. Today he went to have his PSA levels checked.

I'm praying his appointment went well.

A big fat THANK YOU

Thank you for the well wishes, good thoughts and prayers regarding my dad. He's doing much better now.

I'll post a complete update later but wanted to let you know I appreicate your thoughts.

So Relieved

+

=

I'm so happy!!!! We leave tomorrow morning for a week. It's an impromptu trip, but Buddy is on Spring Break, my sister has the time off so it all worked out perfect.

I'm sad to leave Daughter but she'd rather enjoy her Spring Break her than Oklahoma.

My Dad

I'm a daddy's girl through and through. I've mentioned it quite a few times that my dad (who lives in Oklahoma) and I have a standing date everyday to talk on my drive home. Usually, if one of us can't make our "date" we'll call and let the other know.

~

Yesterday my sister called to let me know that my dad was at the doctor for "tests" and that he wouldn't be home in time for our talk. And that there was the possibility that he might have to stay over because the tests were running late and instead of sending him home and bringing him back they decided to keep him. This didn't sound right. My dad is notorious for not wanting to worry us so he doesn't tell us the whole truth. My sister and I both didn't think it was on the up and up so we started calling around to different hospitals with no luck of finding him.

~

He called last night around 5:35 but I missed his call. I was beside myself because I didn't hear my phone ring. He didn't leave a message and when I tried to call back it went right to voice mail.

~

This morning my sister found the hospital he was at and asked to be transferred to his room only to learn that he couldn't take calls because he is in the ICU! I understand his desire not to upset or scare his girls but if you are in the hospital you really need to let us know why you are there. I'm telling myself that was the reason he was calling me last night was to let me know that he was ok and not to worry. I would worry but I'd much rather him tell me than not tell. I'm a big girl. Tell me!

~

My uncle talked to my sister and said that he checked himself in because he could tell his heart rate was accelerated. He had a massive heart attack 11 years ago, has diabetes and is also a Cancer survivor so he's on a lot of medication. They are keeping him to run tests and monitor his heart rate.

~

I'm in tears thinking of him in the hospital by himself.

MapQuest says it's 22 hours to drive. I'm going.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!!! part 1

We had a wonderful Christmas and a very quiet New Year's Eve. Dad arrived the Saturday before Christmas so we had a couple days to visit before the mad rush of Christmas hit. It was great! Have I mentioned that I love my dad?

I was proud that I finished all my shopping and wrapping on the 23rd! Yes, I'm one of THOSE. I don't care - I love the hustle and bustle. I seem to do better under pressure. My mom and I hit the mall and finished our shopping just in the Nick (get it? St. Nick?) of time....

We had a house full Christmas Eve. Great food, great company, a great time. Until I burned my thumb on a stupid votive. I didn't realize that the wick was right next to the glass and I picked it up burning the crap out of my thumb. I can usually tolerate pain pretty good - until I get burned or am nauseous. THEN, I'm a huge and I mean HUGE baby. I spent the rest of the night soaking my finger in water and holding a cold pack to it. I even cried. I told you I was a big fat baby! A blister soon appeared. So gross.

I tried not to let that damper my spirits but sadly it did. It's hard to be a great hostess while soaking your thumb. I think the pain finally stopped well after midnight while we were *ahem* Santa was wrapping stocking stuffers. This has always been our traditions (one of a thousand) to stay up and wrap stocking stuffers. This year I posed the idea to Sister to maybe wrap them the night before Christmas Eve. "But that's our tradition" she whined... so we planned to stay up and do them again as we have every year. But this year we had 5 extra stockings to stuff and I had a flippin' burned thumb (try wrapping one handed) and my poor sister got a bad migraine. She has to take medication every day to keep them under control but every once in a while one will sneak up on her and take her out. My poor sister was wrapping presents in between running to the bathroom and laying down. Needless to say - we have both decided that we will now change our tradition to wrapping on Christmas Eve Eve.

We finally finished around .....3:00AM!!!!!!! And was back up at 6:30 to see what Santa had brought. We always make quite a production out of this. While grandparents, aunts, and uncles wait at the end of the hall the kids (daughter is not really into this at 16 - but she is a trooper for her brother's sake) come in to see what Santa has brought.

We all had a wonderful time opening presents. J was thrilled with his electric drill and other tools. And me... well, it was love at first sight! (please excuse the scary, no makeup, only had 3 hours of sleep picture) I got my wonderful Kitchen Aid mixer. I love her - she's so pretty and helpful. I adore her.

I was blessed to get another wonderful gift.... I have decided that will get a post of it's own.

Partial Christmas Post

I have so much catching up to do - but most of my pictures are at home so I'll have to wait and post those later.


Christmas was awesome - I was so happy to have my dad in town. I'm like a little girl when it comes to my dad. He's so great.


Every year we try to come up with fun and exciting and different Christmas presents for him. He's got every gadget known to man but doesn't want to use them for fear they will be stolen or get broke. We buy him clothes but I know he's got a closet full with tags because he doesn't want to ruin them.... So this year we decided to go down to the beach and take pictures of us. He loved them.
My sister, brother and I
Sister
Me
Buddy
And a beautiful sunset to end the day.

Merry Christmas!!!

I probably won't have a lot of time to write this week. We will be very busy finishing shopping, wrapping, eating, eating and visiting... My dad arrives today!!!! So Happy!!!

Merry Christmas!!!!!!

Tomorrow is Thanksgiving...

And I have so much to be thankful for.

My dad is such a wonderful dad. I am so thankful that I still have him. He has had many brushes with death including a heart attack 11 years ago ~ he amazed everyone when he made a full recovery. He's survived prostate cancer. I'm very thankful for every day I have with my dad. We have a standing "date" every day at 5:00. I call him on my way home from work (he's in Oklahoma) and we chit chat about everything - news, weather, how Uncle Earl is, the kids, etc.

My mom is a wonderful wonderful lady. She has dedicated her whole life to me and my sister. She has such a warm and loving heart. She's a preschool teacher and is loved by all her students and their parents. I am so incredibly blessed to have her as my mom and my friend. She's a wonderful Grandma to Buddy and Daughter. She dotes on them and would do anything for them.

My loving husband, my wonderful sister, my two beautiful children(Daughter & Buddy), my dear dear friends (many I have had since grade school), my Duncan dog.

I don't take anything for granted. I know I'm blessed and am so thankful for everything I have and the people in my life.

Happy Thanksgiving to all!!!!!

Daddy's Girl

Regardless of my age - I am a "Daddy's Girl".

I am so very blessed to have a wonderful family. I'm very close to both of my parents who divorced when I was 8. Over the years we struggled as most families do but my dad and I have remained close. He now lives in Oklahoma. But we still talk almost every day at 5:00 (on my way home from work) we have a date - I call him or he calls me.

He is such a huge part of my life - I am very very blessed to have such a wonderful Dad!!!

I love you Dad!!!