Sad, Sad Day

Thursday, February 19th JoAnn Ruth Reimer Butler was called to her heavenly home. She was my boss at Denver Middle School. What a caring lady, principal, boss, and friend! I remember a time or two that she tried to match me up with some guy before I started dating Terry. Oh and the fun we had in the middle school with and for her. Sometimes Terry thought we were a little crazy and maybe we were and still are.

In the fall of 2006, Jo was diagnosed with breast cancer. She had the spot removed and started chemotherapy. In February of 2007, she was in the hospital for a lengthy stay and they found cancer in her digestive tract. She started a pill form of chemo for the cancer in her small intestines and after finishing that she had radiation for her initial breast cancer. Then she retired from her principal job at the end of last school year. They found that the cancer had come back in the abdominal wall and she went back on chemo. She did take a trip to visit two of her three kids in August of 2008. Chemo was continued until November at which point she stopped the IV treatments and started the pill form again. At the beginning of February, she was put in the hospital for build up of fluid in her abdomin at which point they found that the chemo wasn't doing what they had hoped. She stopped chemo and they called in hospice. She spent her last days at home with her husband and three children.

I know that it will be hard for her children and husband, but I also know that she is now free of pain. May God help them through the days, weeks, months, and years ahead. Jo will be greatly missed!

Some Sort of Random

Hello all! We are still here and I know I haven't posted pictures in awhile. Here are a few random pictures and things that are going on! Olivia Rae - almost 5 months old already! She is starting to roll over from back to tummy. She has been rolling from tummy to back for quite awhile. Watch out because she isn't staying put much longer.

Laci arrived home from daycare one day looking like this. She said Jenna did her hair. Jenna is another girl at daycare who is about a year older than Laci.

Here is the back view - what a beauty!

Today we got this couch for our basement for FREE!!! It is a LazyBoy - looks in great shape - almost like brand new. The two sides each recline and it would fit in nicely with the furniture we have in our living room, but we don't have room for it in there!

Finally, I have been dealing with a lot of emotions lately. My former boss and middle school principal has been dealing with cancer for almost two and a half years now! She retired at the end of last school year, but she is not doing well and they are only giving her a couple of weeks. Her kids have all arrived home to be with her and I am deeply saddened that this terrible sickness seems to have won again. She was in the hospital, but now is home and home hospice is involved. Please take a moment to remember cancer survivors, cancer victims, and others fighting illness in your prayers. I know God is looking out for her and her family.

Nicknames

Have you ever wondered where in the world people get nicknames?? I just love them and I have a couple of my own and many for my daughters.

Mine: Chicken (which my sister calls me), so when I was pregnant with Madison, she called my belly "Nugget"; Hairball (from Jeremy)

Madison's: Madi Moo Moo; Babycakes; Madi

Laci's: Punky; Punky Dunky Doo (there is a kid's show called "Pinky Dinky Doo", so I expanded Punky a little - she loves this nickname the best), Babydoll

Olivia's: Bubba-do (I don't know where I got this, but she smiles so big whenever I say it, so it has become her nickname); Oliver

I am sure there are others, but these are the ones that are used the most!