Happy Birthay, Gail

Gail turned 60. We couldn't let this birthday pass without a big celebration! I often look back and thank God for gail- for so many reasons, but the one that often comes to my mind is that God knew i would still need a mother in my life after he took my own. I need one during pregnancies, births, child rearing, and amazing sales and clearances! He put her in my life for that very reason and although i deeply miss my mom, i couldn't imagine my life without gail. The hole would be much larger and harder to deal with if it wasn't for gail. You don't get to pick your mother-in-law. She just kind of comes with the husband, but i am so blessed that TJ's mom is awesome. It could have been so bad, but instead it was such a good thing!
I LOVE you, gail! And although i don't call you "mom" you are one to me and for that i am so very thankful. After six years of calling you "gail" i just couldn't switch what i called you that easily.
We love you for you and that is why you are so worth celebrating!

Jaelynne was so excited to celebrate Nammy's birthday.







TJ started cooking in the kitchen at 11:30 and didn't stop cooking until 6:30. Then it was clean-up!


The girls had so much fun on lori and trevor's bed.




Such giggling and smiles!


A dress is for twirling!




Jaelynne playing with her uncle Matt.


Camryn loves shoes. She wanted to try them all on.

The food was amazing! Good job, TJ!


Camy was hungry so i got her started right away.







Time to play Bunco. .. gail's request!

Jaelynne getting very sleep, so she went to snuggle on the couch with her uncle trevor





Jaely was really excited to give Nammy her bracelet.

Trevor & Lori

I was reminded how fragile life is, how health and routine can be so easily taken for granted. Friday, I was talking to Lori on the phone on her ride from work until she got home. They were going to go grab a bite to eat and she needed to let me go.

The next thing I know, gail is calling me Saturday morning to tell me that Trevor was in the hospital. He was violently vomiting and complained of immense stomach pain. It turns out he had an obstructed bowel. They had to put an NG tube to pump out every thing in his stomach in hopes of relieving pressure off of his bowel. They hooked him up to IVs and got some morphine into him to help with the pain. They did scans and x-rays, but were not confident what was causing the pain. His intestine could be twisted or there was a mass.

He was absolutely miserable for three days while they tried to figure it out, always hoping to get a better x-ray.

Today in the late afternoon, they finally did surgery to remove some of his small intestines. There was scare tissue there, a condition he was born with, but didn't know it. I am sure recovery will be long and difficult.

I guess i didn't need to go into so much detail, but i just felt so bad for Trevor and for Lori. The sound of the discomfort of the NG tube, the constant nausea or the pain of the anti nausea shot, the pain and the not knowing. I felt bad for Lori, as i so easily put myself in her place. All the mixed feelings and trying to hold it together.

And to think, they were just carrying about like normal a week ago and now, unable to go to work, to go home, and to eat. Life can just get flipped upside down so quickly.

I am thankful he will be okay. I am thankful that gail was there for Lori, who had to be there for Trevor. I am thankful to the doctors. I hope recovery goes quickly and smoothly.