Christmas 2011 - All the Jones clan and their families are together for Christmas...i.e. my parents and sisters plus all our husbands and kids! FUN! Glenn and Val decided to come just before Christmas. Due to the timing and Glenn's work he ended up driving Val and the kids out, then flying back to Virginia, working, flying out for Christmas and back again and then flying out to help Val drive back in January! What a guy! I - and all the rest - were so very glad he was able and willing to do all that and that we got to have him here for the holidays as well. I sure do love having brothers!
December 28, 2011 - Daniel is admitted to Cook Children's Hospital for his Fontan - the 3rd stage of his open heart surgeries/repairs. This was supposed to be the last big step. We've been gearing up for it for over a year...helping Daniel gain weight (he has eating issues) and get as strong as possible for this last surgery. As many of you know, the surgery went well but Daniel had a lot of major "side issues" afterwards. We were so not ready for all of that but are thankful that God knows all things and had prepared us in ways we didn't recognize before as well as having so many family and friends available to help us through it all. Valerie and crew were able to stay into January to help with my kids and hospital duty. My dad and mom stayed and then when dad had to go back to work they decided mom would stay and help. We never knew it would be 3 months! But so thankful for mom being here and my dad coming and going - he's been back and forth at least 3 times in the mean time!
So, Becky has been basically living at the hospital since just after Christmas. We are grateful that she is able to live in the suite they have up there. What a huge blessing!
Mom and I try to help her out up there - Mom has done the bulk of it this time as my kids, and even myself, have struggled with health stuff this year.
This was in between hard stuff and the first smile in a long time - LOVE IT!
January 2012 - I think I missed the New Year! Daniel has at least 3 more major procedures, including open heart surgeries, over the next 3 months. Several times it doesn't look like he will make it - humanly speaking. But God is gracious and Daniel pulls through. So many hard decisions to make - I ache for my sister and wish I could help her more. But God is her help and strength and I am thankful for that.
My kids are troupers and hold down the fort at home with dad the weeks and days I am up at the hospital. They miss Danny A LOT!
Glenn and Val celebrate their anniversary...sort of!....in the midst of the chaos. We are so thankful for you both and love your family more than we can say! Miss you, too! Glad to have had a good chunk of time with you.
Jeff was able to take several days off during Christmas break and we enjoyed getting to just hang out with him. After several all nighters pulled in order to get the fist two chapters of his thesis in on time he really needed the break...and so did the rest of us. :)
February 2012 - My grandfather starts to have some problems with his leukemia acting up and lots of pain. Mom is in a hard spot as Daniel is also going through major things at the same time. I suggest it would be easier if we bring Grandpa down and get a bed next to Daniel! :) Wish we could have helped my Grandma out more...but once again, am reminding myself that God's plan is perfect and He is in all places all the time. He is Grandpa and Grandma's strength and help, too.
Mom has her birthday...sort of! Cards come from friends in Colorado and various other places, emails that I relay to her and our gifts spread out over days that are less busy than others. I think she got her cheesecakes I made in March! HA! We decide the hospital staff are now as good as family and we've spent as much time with them and had some family celebrations, too!
In the midst of all this we see amazing things God is doing at the hospital and ways He is using my sister and Daniel to proclaim His glory, goodness, faithfulness and mercy. We continue to pray for seeds planted to take root. I am thankful for all the new friends I've made - doctors, nurses and others at the hospital. Several know the Lord and are such an encouragement to me!
Jeff hits the books again working hard to get his first draft of the thesis in so that there is time for it to be graded, tweaked (if necessary) and graded again in time to get a grade so he can hopefully graduate in May. I don't know how he does it - so many hours, so little sleep and still he keeps going!
March 2012 - Daniel turns 3!!! Wish he and Becky could be home to celebrate but mostly just glad he is with us still.
Michael's first official job as b-day party clown:
Danny didn't quite know what to think! But Michael did a valiant job of trying to cheer him up all the same!
Becky also had her birthday in the hospital - was decided that is not our favorite place for birthdays!
Our washing machine floods our house somewhere in here - maybe late February - can't remember! The water comes out of the laundry room, through the kitchen/dining area and 1/2 way into the living room. Jeff tries to get things going with the insurance while continuing to work on his thesis.
Joshua has been studying for his drivers permit. After one attempt at the test he thinks he may be ready to go at it again. There were some odd questions that he wasn't quite prepared for the first time. Can hardly believe he'll be 16 in April!
Abby tries to get better most of this month. David helps his dad and enjoys riding his bike. Anna keeps up on collecting all the eggs the chickens are laying - YUM! :)
The kids get the pool pumped up and enjoy being outside as often as possible while it is so nice out.
April 2012 - Jeff waits to hear back on his thesis. Hoping he has time enough to do any more tweaking needed and still get a grade. He will graduate - Lord willing - May 12! The day that seemed so far away is now just around the corner!
Work on the new floor and paint is progressing. I am so spoiled to have such a handy husband and boys to help! Loving the wood looking floors as I have missed mine we had in Colorado!
and I am praying that all these good things come to fruition, and that the valleys you have walked are opening out onto mountaintops as I write! God is good, and what a testimony to His faithfulness we have all seen unfold through all of these stories you have willingly shared over the last few months! Much love to you from Minnesota, Jeff and Angie. (hug)
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