Update

Wanted to update you all while I had the chance, and have the house to myself. A very rare occasion. Lil is at school, and Jer took Isaiah to the dr. No, he's not sick. Just a general 3 year check up.

Family is all doing well. I must admit, the last week has been an emotional roller coaster in our family, as we have all spent time by Grandma's side. I smile though, knowing that she is in NO MORE pain, and is dancing and having a grand time in Heaven. She has finally received the ultimate healing. She will be missed here by many. I will never forget her big smile she gives you, and the way she asks how you are doing, and really means it, not just 'making conversation', and that special little *wink* she gives you, that only Grandma can do. She is a precious, sweet lady, and has blessed many lives, mine included.

Her visitation is Friday night, at Langsford in LS from 6-8pm, and the funeral is Sat at 10am.

We are still having our company coming in tonight. Some friends of ours from St Louis is coming in tonight and staying until Tuesday. We had this planned with them long before we even thought we'd be planning Grandma's funeral at the same time. We have told them what's been going on, and they have been very understanding with us doing what we need to do. We are looking forward to spending time with them this weekend, and catching up and just relaxing. :)

In the meantime, I've got to finish getting my house in order. So I'm signing off. Thanks for all your prayers!

Grandma Haines....

.....just passed away about 10-15 minutes ago. (About 10:10 this morning, 3/11). Please keep our family in your prayers. Updates soon on visitation/funeral arrangements.

Updates and Photos

Grandma is still hanging in there. We spent some more time with her this afternoon and this evening. Actually Jer is still over there. Nothing much new to report. She is very jaundice (yellow) still, and breathing is very shallow. She has not been awake since they gave her a sponge bath yesterday (Sat) afternoon. She was awake then, and then fell asleep and has been sleeping ever since. They gave her another sponge bath this evening, and turned her on her other side (she was getting red "hot spots" from laying the same position for so long), and she opened her eyes briefly and muttered something, and then was back asleep. We are taking it moment by moment right now. Someone is now in there with her, sitting next to her at all times. 24/7. They don't want her left by herself. Please continue to pray. She has slipped in to what Dan called a coma or a "semi coma". Which is good I guess. It means she is sleeping peacefully, and that is preferred over her being awake and uncomfortable and in pain. I will keep you all posted.

We went ahead with Isaiah's birthday celebrations Sat night. Here are some photo highlights of the evening....

A great time was had by all. :)

Happy Birthday, Isaiah!

Yesterday, (3/6) was my son's 3rd birthday! It was a crazy day, and I was not able to get on the computer much, so I am just now posting it. We didn't do anything special yesterday, we are celebrating his birthday with family tonight. I can't believe my little boy is 3 all ready. wow! This is a pic of him in Oct 06, when he was 7 months old.

Unfortunately, Isaiah's birthday is being over-shadowed this year by other family issues going on. Jer's Grandma. She is not doing well at all, and is not expected to make it through the weekend. (I am very thankful she did not pass away on Isaiah's birthday). Jer and I were able to spend some time with her Thurs morning and night and again last night. (thanks to my sister in law, my parents and my sister for watching the kids for us so we could. It's not really an atmosphere we can take our kids to). Thursday morning we were fortunate to come just when she woke up and Dan (her youngest son) was bringing her in the kitchen in her wheelchair. So she sat with us for 30 min or so, until she was too tired and had to go back to bed. She was holding my hand and gave me her smile and special *wink* that she does.

She is very yellow in her skin, which is a result of her liver shutting down. She can't talk a whole lot. She tries so hard to talk and tell us things, but it's very hard to understand her. And I know she just has so much she still wants to tell us! It's very frustrating - for her and us! Jer was fortunate to be there at the right time Thurs morning, and spoon fed her about half a cup of jello. Other than that, she has not eaten anything. Her body cannot process food anymore.

It is terribly sad and depressing to watch her go through this. Watching someone slowly fade and die is not something I would wish on anyone. Thankfully, she doesn't seem to be in a whole lot of pain. Which we are grateful. I don't know if I could handle that. She is being given Morphine, when she shows signs of being uncomfortable or in pain. The boys (her 3 sons) and their wives and everybody seems to be taking it fairly well. We all know it's coming. I am concerned about Grandpa though. Please pray for him. He is trying to be strong and be there for her, but it is soooo hard for him. He is having a very hard time watching her slowly fade, and not being able to do anything about it. On the upside though, Grandma is ready to meet Jesus! She is ready.

Just keep Grandpa and the Haines family in your prayers if you will. I will keep you posted.

Until we hear otherwise though, we are continuing on with Isaiah's birthday party tonight. We are making plans and playing it minute by minute. My kids don't know what's going on. So I will try to make Isaiah's party as fun for him as possible. Even though we aren't really in the partying mood. BUT, Isaiah turned three yesterday so for tonight, we will CELEBRATE his life!