Last couple of weeks have gone fast.

Which is so true. Can you believe Halloween is next Saturday? Time is moving by really fast!

Things are going well here. I still have the stupid cold which comes and goes. I feel good for a few days and then bam, its back. And the cough won't leave. I have missed choir all month because everytime I take a deep breath I start to cough. I miss you guys! Hopefully I will be back in November.

On other family news, Casey is now on bed rest. She is 27 weeks into her pregnancy. Her cervix is thinning, the baby is big, and she is producing a lot of amniotic fluid. So the doctor is hoping bed rest will mean she won't deliver until at least 32 weeks (or later). Please say a lot of prayers for Casey, Scott and Spencer. This is a very difficult time. Especially for Spencer who has no idea what is going on. He just knows his mommy can't pick him up anymore.

Otherwise, work is wonderful. I am really enjoying it. Mom and Dad had a great trip to St. Louis to see Joe and Julie.

Other than that, not much new.

See you soon.

Tired of being sick

The title says it all. Just when I think I am feeling better, wham, the cough and congestion come back. I haven't been sleeping well, so I missed church and Sunday School this morning:( I was looking forward to the class today, but I will be there next week for sure.

Not much happening here. I have been busy with work and helping mom with the kids. Dad is starting to search for work, but has not had much luck yet.

Please pray for my friend who is finally getting his divorce after many, many problems with his wife. I hope that this gives him the peace he needs to get on with his life and hopefully turn to Christ to help him as well.

Mom and Dad leave Tuesday to go to St. Louis to see Joe and Julie. I will be home alone with the dogs. I do work all day Tuesday and Thursday and Friday night. And I am watching some of the day care children on Wednesday and Thursday. Other than that, not much planned for the next week.

Hope everyone had a good and relaxing weekend!

See you all soon!

Other fun shots

The memory table had wedding pictures and pictures of those in our hearts and minds.

How could I not have a picture of Spencer! He is adorable!

The cake!

Joe and Julie and Patrick.

My dad's siblings and spouses.

I also have a link to the photographer's website. There are a lot of pictures, but some very nice ones of the family and the bride and groom! Let me know if you want to see them!

Its been too long...

I know it has been too long since I have blogged, but things have been busy - work, wedding, trips.
Work has been going well. I really enjoy meeting new people every day. Otherwise not much else going on there.
The wedding was a blast. I Can't believe that it went by so fast!

This is the best picture of Joe and Julie I can find right now!
The Hanson side made it to St. Louis and we had a great time! It was the first time we were all together since Grandpa died (We missed you Brad!)

Here we all are! I know it is dark, but I am getting better pictures once I order from the photographer. Besides welcoming Julie to the family - we found out that by February there will be 4 more great grandchildren! Congratulations Scott and Casey, Rachel and Brad, Ruth and RJ, and Michelle and Dave! Can't wait for the new little ones!

We had a great time exploring St. Louis. Steak and Shake has become our new favorite restaurant. If only one would open in Appleton! Just another reason to visit Joe and Julie!

Then we had the reception here in WI. It was a beautiful day. I just wish I was able to talk to and see more people. It went way to fast!

Other than that, not too much going on. Dad lost his job. So life will be interesting for a while!

A While

Ok it has been more than a while since I posted, but things just haven't been happening much. I do have a job. Training at Wal-Mart has been great. I now have more Khaki pants and blue shirts than I know what to do with! Other than that we are just preparing for Joe's wedding to Julie in St. Louis. 3 weeks from tomorrow! I can't believe how fast that has come up!

Nothing else exciting here. It is hot! Even the store is hot. Oh well!

Talk to you all later.

Cabin Fever

Another year over. Except making sure the deposit gets to church, the things we bought get put away (Becky - enjoy your custard each month), and everything at church gets cleaned up, but not so bad if I say so myself. Things went really smooth this year. We raised about $12,000! Yes, $12, 000! Even with the economy the way it is! How the Lord has blessed our church.

I also got to attend some of Sunday School yesterday. From what I heard, it looks to be an interesting class. I can't wait to attend next week.

Mom and I are having a low key day. Just reading and watching movies. No kids here today.

That's all for now. My "YadaYada Prayer Group" books are calling me

Thank God for the Weather!

I just got back from taking the dogs for a long walk and enjoy the wonderful weather outside. What a great day, Lord! Thanks for your blessings!

I am writing this instead of doing the Cabin Fever lists that I said I would do, so this will be short!

Thanks Jodie for the Veggie Tale song in your blog. I found their Worship CD online and am listening to that now. It has the song choir sang on Sunday! It is great!

Things have been good. It is really hard to think about what was happening last year at this time. But how things can change. Things are going much better for Cabin Fever this year too. I feel we are much more prepared, but then again it is only Monday! Well I better get going before Mom gets home with lunch from McDonalds. Yum - shamrock shakes!

How fast a year goes...

It was a year ago today, at this moment that I am typing that Dad was in surgery on his back. What an experience. But what joy has come in the past year as well. Joe and Julie got engaged. Spencer was born. And I learned what great friends I truly have. I am extremely blessed with the friends I have. You do not realize your blessings until you have experienced something like this. I thank God everyday for all of you!

That's all for now. We are trying to spend some time as a family today. Tomorrow is basket making for Cabin Fever in the morning, and then I am going to lunch and a movie with a friend. Then on Sunday, I am taking the day off of almost everything. I need to get over this head cold. It is almost gone, but I want it gone before things start taking off for Cabin Fever.

See you soon!

Hey Girlfriend!

I came back from the Women's Retreat so refreshed and tired - but in a good way! We were on the Friend"ship" and talked about the reason that women need friends in their lives. What a powerful message. For those who have not gone on one of these retreats, you need to go. It changes everything.

During breakfast this morning we were talking about what people give up for lent. One woman stated that her pastor had told them this - don't give up anything you like for Lent - that is not what the season is for - Give up sometheing that God hates! What an impact that made as I had made the pledge to give up soda. I don't think that is what I want to do anymore! I think it is something I have to consider a little longer. Yes I know lent has started, but I don't think that God will care. But I will say that over the entire weekend I only had 1/4 bottle of soda. For me that is phenominal. I usually have 1 a day!

It is nice to be back home, but I miss the quiet peacefulness of Elkhart Lake and the Ostoff Resort. And of course the chatter of Women as we were able to get together and talk. And I am not sure how I will be able to go to bed before 12:30 tonight. My roomies and I had way to much fun talking!

That's all for now! Hope to see you all soon.

The chains of habit are generally too small to be felt until they are too strong to be broken.

Samuel Johnson

How true is that! You don't realize what your habits are until you try to change them.

There has been a lot of talk about giving things up for lent. I don't think I am going to give anything up for lent. But I am going to change my habits. I am not sure which habit right now, but probably the habit of 2 sodas a day. I am not going to give up soda - that make a very cranky Melissa - but I am going to change the habit to 1 soda a day. Yes it does sound like I am giving something up, but maybe if I try to change the habit, instead of thinking that I am denying myself, I can actually make the change. Giving things up does not seem to work for me.

Not much new otherwise. I am alone again. Mom and Dad went to Milwaukee to meet Joe's future inlaws. And since I never have any plans anymore, I am staying home with the dogs.

Next weekend is the Women's Retreat and I am really, really looking forward to getting out of the house. It seems like all I leave home for lately is to go to church or choir.

Talk to you all soon.

What a day!

The weather is wonderful! I have just finished shoveling off most of the deck. We now only have one little patch of snow/ice that is stuck to the deck. Otherwise, NO SNOW on the deck. The yard and driveway are another thing all together. It is a muddy, muddy place to be. My cousin Chris and his wife Krissy were here. They brought up their son, Patrick Harold. Harold was my grandfather's name. He is such a sweet baby. And so tiny. Not quite as small as Mallory, but tiny all the same. He is 2 weeks old.

Today was Shelby's birthday. She turned 3. Unfortunately, Shelby and her sister Maribel were the only ones here today. Ava and Thomas have been sick with flu since last Friday. But we did celebrate. We had hamburgers and french fries for lunch and chocolate cupcakes with cherries for snack. I think this is my new favorite meal. We were able to help the girls make their valentine's mailbox and the love bugs for their parents.

Otherwise, not much new here. We finally got all of the christmas/winter stuff put away this past weekend and got out the valentine's decorations. These will stay up until March 1st, when we will start with St. Patrick's day.

Talk to you all soon.

Home alone

I am home alone. Mom and Dad and Grandma are all gone to Milwaukee until tomorrow. Yeah!!! What a nice change. I don't think I have been home alone since before Dad got sick last year. I am not sure what I am going to do with all the time, but I did decide to blog.

Just to let everyone know - my cousin Zach is now at the subacute (sp?) unit at Mercy Medical Center. This is down the hall from the rehab unit where Dad was for the last month of his stay. Zach will move into the rehab unit as soon as his bones heal and he is able to do therapy which should be in about 2-3 weeks. Then he will be in rehab for at least 2 - 3 weeks.

Otherwise, not much else is new. Just waiting for the weather to warm up. My car finally went into the shop this past week, so I hope I get it back soon.

I just connected with an old friend who I hadn't talked to in 4 years. He found me on Facebook of all things. He is getting divorced and found out his mom has ovarian cancer. He is not having an easy time right now. My dad thought it was nice he was able to talk to me, but didn't think I should see him until he is divorced. This guy was my best friend for 5 years until he got married. Why shouldn't I see him when he is having problems? It is not like we are going to date or anything. WE ARE BEST FRIENDS!!! Is my dad just being overprotective? I don't know, but it is sure bugging me that he would even make the suggestion that I would even do anything like that.

That's all for now. Even though it is nice outside, I need to let the puppies in. They have had enough! See you all soon!

Inaugration day

Inaugration day. I am so glad that the coverage is over. I can't believe the channels that were covering it. Even QVC was having coverage. Of course with the kids here, we didn't watch as much as we normally would have, but we did see Obama speak. He sure has big plans that sound good, until it comes to implimentation.

It has been different this week. Mom is the back up sitter for a family. They have a little girl that is 4 months old. She has been so good. It is amazing.

Today I started the Special K diet. You have cereal or a protien meal replacement bar for 2 meals and then a normal meal for the third meal. Then you have a snack in the morning and one in the afternoon. It hasn't been so bad, but today is just the first day. I will definitely have to see. I did get hungry, but only when it was time to have another meal or snack. The worst part will be tonight. And I know I am not drinking enough water - but I hate the taste of our well water and bottled water has no taste at all.

A quick update on my cousin Zach. He had another surgery last Thursday to move his bottom 2 vertabrae back into place and then a pin put in to hold it in place. He is recovering well and has been moved to the surgical floor. So things seem to be going well.

Talk to you all soon

Feeling better

I am feeling much better today! I no longer feel like there is someone scraping their fingernails down my throat. I am still very tired though.

Here is a quick update on my cousin. My uncle has been sending out updates when possible.
On Sat. am, Zach had surgery on his pelvis and wrist, 4 to 5 days ahead of what was his expected time to be strong enough! It went very well and he was off paralytics by Sunday. He has been closer to waking up, and we were able to talk to him a few times and he would hand sign to us, then go back to sleep.
On monday morning (today) he had his breathing tube removed! and was gabbing up a storm to his Mom. The first words he said of course, were, Where's DAD?, much to Lauries happiness! not!
So he is doing good, just has to stay in CCU a while.
A clearer picture of what happened and his injuries, I will tell you now. Zach was heading south on 41 in Neenah at 65mphs in right lane, in the center lane and behind him was a dumptruck. Zach started fishtailing and lost control, either ice or went on icy shoulder a bit, then went into center lane and was hit in drivers side by dumptruck, and smashed into ditch just before 114 Winneconne exit. The snow there helped keep them level, so as not to go too deep into ditch. He had to be cut out of his side of car, and then was brought to Theda Clark.
He has a cut on his head left side above his ear, 20 stitches? a broken left collar bone, 5 or 6 broken left ribs, left wrist was broke in 5 places, and his pelvis was broke in 5 places causing a tear in a branch of his femeral artery. He was given 5 or 6 units of blood thru the procedure to plug the artery, and was critical from then on, which you know he improved from steadily.
Long road ahead for Zach, Jazz, Laurie and I, but you have all shown we are not alone, Thank You All for everything you've done already, and keep in touch with us but Jazz the most this is really hard on a 16 yr. old.

Thank you for all of your prayers and thoughts. We all know how much this helps!

Another Sunday missed!

Another Sunday is coming and I am going to miss church again. I have lost my voice and feel like I have a very sore throat. I hope it is just that I am overtired from a long, long week. Talk to most of you on Wednesday if not before.

Undecorating

Does anything make a house seem emptier than taking down the Christmas decorations? Mom and I are trying to repack all of the Christmas deocrations into the boxes they came out of. Except it never seems to fit the same.

We just received an update on my cousin Zach. He had surgery today on his pelvis and broken wrist. Everything went well. He will have to wear a brace on his pelvis for the next 6-8 weeks until it heals. They put 3 pins into his wrist to hold it together, but the doctors were very happy on the way it went. Please keep him in your prayers as it is still a long way to recovery.

Thoughts and prayers

As you can tell from my last blog entry, it has not been a very nice year. And it is not getting better. My 19 year old cousin was in a car accident yesterday afternoon. Here are some details from my Uncle Kris


Zach was in a bad car crash today,Wed. afternoon. He and a friend were getting on 41 from 114 in Neenah, and lost control on the on ramp and hit the side of a dumptruck. He took the brunt of it and has a broken pelvis which caused internal bleeding. That was stopped in surgery about 4pm. He also has three broken ribs,a fractured left forearm, and a sizable cut on the left side of his head. He came thru so far and was responding to us and the nurse with head shakes (no to me when I told him he needed to relax and get better, and squeezing the nurses hand when asked questions) 9pm. Then they put him back under to keep him quiet. He is still critical but improving, and the next couple days will be the toughest. He had no head injury except the cut, which is why he could respond so soon, but he will be kept under for a long time, then they will go in and fix his pelvis. He is critical and under constant watch but his blood pressure and other tests are improving. Keep Praying, I know it works!!!!!!

Please keep him in your thoughts and prayers. I will keep you updated as I know more.

On a much happier note - Congratulations Becky on your new baby girl! What a precious gift.

Thats all for now. Thoughts and prayers to all for a safe and peaceful day.

New Year

Out with the old and in with the new, right? It is hard to feel that way when you have lost loved ones and friends. This week I have/had 3 funerals of loved ones and friends. My great Aunt Ruth died on December 31st. Her funeral was last Saturday. An old co-workers husband died on December 31st as well. The wake is tonight. My very good friend Jodie's mom died on Friday. My thoughts, prayers, and love goes out to anyone who has lost a loved one.

On a happier note, on Saturday, we finally had our family christmas. It was nice having everyone together. I got a lot of neat stuff including a lot of gift certificates! I love being able to shop and not spend my own money.

Other than that, here's hoping that the ice goes away and the snow does not add up to much at all.

Peace and love to all.