Ketchup

Since I've been away for so long, I thought I should catch everyone up on how we are doing.  

Scott is busy being Scott.  He finally christened the pizza oven his mom gave him for Christmas.  He had been wanting one for so long and it did not disappoint.  

Currently, he is busy chopping down trees in our back yard.  It started with one tree and has turned out to be around 30 (mostly Cedar trees) so far.  I told him that we were going to need to hire someone to dig up the stumps.  Instead, he built this old-timey stump puller.  

Dad.  Dad has been getting stronger which is good however; he thinks he should be allowed to drive.  He insisted that I make an appointment with his PCP to discuss this further.   He is enjoying spending lots of time with Daniel. 

Daniel is busy being Daniel.  He is still obsessed with light bulbs, capacitors, and all things electricity. 

Kevin and Rana are doing well.  Rana is traveling to Syria to visit family in a few weeks.  Kevin is busy with work, helping to take care of his family, and helping out with Dad.  

Laura is as happy as always.  She still loves to listen to every version of "Wheels on the Bus" that Youtube has to offer.  She still loves Ranch dressing, ice cream, and all things "Baby Shark".  

Blossom is still with us!  She is completely down in the back but she can scoot around the house like nobody's business.  She can also still fly like a rocket across the yard if she sees deer behind the house.  Check out the shoes that Scott bought for her.  

Balto is as sweet (and lazy) as ever.

Not My Parents Cat is still around 85% of the time.  I still don't know its name or if it is a girl or boy.  The real owners told Dad but he forgot.  UGH.  I would like to know!  

Julie.  Julie is doing surprisingly well.  I give all of the credit to God; He is carrying me through all of this.  I have a wonderful support system of family and friends.  My church has been amazing and I have a therapist that I love.  I also have started writing letters to Mom.  No, I don't believe that she can read them; it just helps to put my thoughts into words.  

I keep going through her closet and finding clothes to wear.  I carry her purses and I wear her wedding ring.  I just want to feel close to her.  I want to feel like part of her is with me at all times.  I found a card that she sent me for Christmas.  She signed it:

I had it put on a leather wrap.  I even put it on her wrist in Hospice so that she could wear it too.  

I will carry her with me always.