Kia

Well, we had to put Kia to sleep yesterday morning. We did it in the back of the Expedition because she loved to go for rides. Mike held her head while I scratched her back. It was one of the hardest decisions we've ever had to make. She went downhill suddenly on Tuesday and we knew it was time. Mike made a box for her and we buried her next to one of her favorite apple trees beside the pond where she grew up. (She used to pick apples off of those trees and then eat the whole apple, core and all.) It's really hard for us to be at home right now because we remember things she's done in each room. Given time, it will get better, but we're missing her an awful lot right now. Thank you all for your prayers. They have been felt.

Now, enough with the depressing posts. I'll try to post something happier next time....

Kia

We found out on Thursday that Kia has cancer in her lymphnodes....well at least one back near her bowels. The lymphnode is supposed to be the size of a lima bean, but Kia's is the size of a smoked sausage. It's inoperable. Kia hasn't been eating real dog food...at least not since she left the vet's on Monday and came home. We took her back on Wednesday and the vet did a laparotomy on Thursday morning. That's when he found the cancer. We take Kia to the vet every day to get fluids and some medication and then bring her home every night because we don't want her last few days to be at the vet's. We've been giving her some liquid food through a syringe and she does seem to perk up after that. She seems happy and still loves to go for rides. We're just waiting to see what will happen. The vet did say that when we decided it was time, he would come out to the house...he doesn't do that for just anybody, but since Kia is such a sweet dog and is always wagging her tail and is such a good patient, he would come here. Mike and I are both pretty upset. We weren't expecting this so soon. Please keep us in your prayers...

Update on my student...

I finally got to talk to my student's mom today and she said to tell you all, "Thank you, thank you, thank you for your prayers!" They have definitely felt them and even though mom and dad were nervous and worried, they knew that God was in control and that everything would be fine. He came through the 4 1/2 - 5 hour surgery great! He's been in a lot of pain, but now that the morphine pump is working he's feeling much better and has been sleeping all morning. They started him on clear liquids yesterday and will be having them today and then they might start him on a soft diet tomorrow. He must be eating an almost normal diet before he leaves the hospital so they're anticipating him being there a week before he can go home. As far as I know he does not have Crohn's and will not have to have a bag. I didn't ask any details, but since the surgery went smoothly he didn't have to have a bag. His mom is just amazed at how well he is doing and knows that it's because of all of the prayers....even from people they don't know. God is so amazing!!

Please pray for....

...my "babies" Kia (dog) and Zach (cat). They are both in the vet hospital because they won't eat. Zach was at the vet's for 2 days earlier in the week because he couldn't go to the bathroom, and now he's not eating. We took them both to the vet's today and the docs still don't know what's wrong with them. I hope they can get them to eat and figure out what's wrong so they can come home soon. I hope you don't think I'm silly requesting prayer for our pets, but they're my babies....

Also, one of my students, a 17-year-old guy, is having his colon removed on Monday. He's nervous and his family is worried, too, so please pray that the surgery will go smoothly and he will recover quickly. And, that his mom and family will not worry but trust Jesus to be the ultimate healer.

Thank you!

Finally....

...I'm free!!! I'm free!!! I'm free!!! I can't say it enough....I'm free! Well, at least for the next 2 months! :)

Chesapeake VA - again!!

We made it back to Chesapeake again! This time we came on Friday, and we're on our way home now....about 2 1/2 hours left to go! I have some pictures of me to post, but they're on my laptop and I'm using Mike's now since he has the aircard to get on the internet. Kari mentioned the fact that Kia rides the jet ski, so here are some pictures of her on the jet ski. If I could ever figure out how to put a video on here, I would show you the one were Mike was on the jet ski and Kia went crazy because she wanted a ride! She's hilarious!

Chesapeake VA

My parents-in-law own a house at Chesapeake Bay, and we've finally made it up here again. We try to come up at least once or twice during the summer, but we didn't make it at all last summer. We came up on Friday and we'll have to go home on Sunday, but Mike's parents are also here, so we're getting to spend time with his mom for Mother's Day. We usually go out on the boat or jet ski, but it was supposed to be cold and rainy all day, so we didn't even bring the jet ski. I brought a bunch of cold-weather clothes and only one pair of old stay-at-home shorts. Well, guess what? It didn't rain at all today! It was bright and sunny and hot outside! Mike and Kia were out on a kayak this afternoon, and I got sunburned while watching and taking pictures of them! Then, as we were fixing dinner, it got cloudy and the temperature dropped at least 15 degrees. It's freezing now!

We have had a great relaxing day....I got to sleep in and read outside on the deck. What a nice pre-vacation before school is out! :) Here are some pictures of Mike and Kia on the kayak. Kia acts like she's supposed to be in the kayak. "Don't all dogs do this?" :)