Bobby 7-19-44 1-28-08

Group picture Christmas

Moving earth

Karen and Bobby Cretificate of appreciation for work at the Murrah Building site

Karen and Bobby

Bobby

Silly face
Wedding

On Monday morning we were all starting to feel a little better so we went ahead and gave Kay her birthday cake and let her open a gift. Later that day I went back to work after being out for several days. Three hours after I got there I got the call. Bobby had passed away at home where he wanted to be. Where he had lived since he was a little boy. He wasn't suffering any more.

I was in with a patient when I got the call. So I took a moment to get it together and then got back to work. I didn't tell anyone because we are so short staffed I didn't think I would be able to go home. A bit later my Mom called and I tried to tell her but I started to cry. My co-workers saw that I was upset and asked me what was going on. Then they covered my patient for me and sent me home. I work with some really great people.

Jeff was really glad to see me. My Mom came over and watched the kids so we could go over to the house. The funeral will be February 2nd.

For the 2nd time in two weeks I got some time off. It is sad that you have to be sick and infectious or have a death in the family to get a few days away from work.

The kids and I last saw Bobby at Christmas. We are so glad we had that time and that he was able to come for Thanksgiving. On Friday the 25th he lost consciousnes and did not wake up again. We are getting ready for the funeral. I helped Jeff make a slide show of pictures and citations from the city honoring the work Bobby did. One of his accomplishments was helping at the site of the Murrah building bombing by clearing debris and prepairing the site for the memorial.

His best accomplishment was being a great guy who loved his kids, grandkids, and his wife of 22 years. They met on Friday the 13th but they didn't let that deter them. They were neighbors and Karen decided to bring over a german chocolate cake she made. He said he was on a diet but she could go ahead a leave the cake anyway. I guess the rest is history.

We will miss him but we are glad he isn't suffering anymore.

Sorry I have been M.I.A. and Kaylynne's TWO!

Kay made a cake ring.

What a fun mess.

Cam eats cake and plays the candy land game we gave Kay for her gift.

This is her actual birthday. You can see her runny nose and feverish little face.

She is looking a little better here with the gang.

Butterfly cake.

OK, I have been sick and, well, everyone's been sick actually, and super busy as usual. So I kept wanting to write a new blog but never quite finding the time to sit at the computer, or form a coherent thought for that matter. Then I kept thinking of new topics to write about and scribbling my ideas on scraps of paper to add later. Well, then I had so many I felt a little overwhelmed so it has sorta been snowballing. Well, we have had a lot going on. So enough is enough I have to get started.

Soooo here is my very belated blog about sister's 2nd birthday. I am gonna cheat and back date it so it looks like I am really on top of things when in actuality I am transcribing this from my notes on 2-9-08. Shhh, that parts a secret. I wouldn't want to look like a slacker.

January 25th 2008

Kaylynne is two years old today!! How did that happen? She has grown so much and the time has flown by. What a beautiful, delightful, perfect, little girl she is. She is walking and talking which is amazing to me. Think about where we were a year ago, well, even 6 months ago. Wondering when she would walk, when she would talk. I know what a fighter she is, what a strong little person she is. So I knew she would do it in her own time. It brings a tear to my eye to see her dancing, running, signing, singing, and talking. I wonder if she can ever comprehend how loved she is.

Her therapists cut down the number of visits because she is doing so well. She is still considered slightly speech delayed but she is pretty much caught up on her gross motor skills. I just knew once she turned two the light bulb would go on and she would start talking all the time. Both the boys really took off on their vocabulary at age two. I already know she understands because she signs to us.

So I came in to get her ready for bed and I said and signed where is your blanket? She signed “Where” for the first time then pointed and said “Right there”. I love it!

She went in Cams room and did a puzzle. I signed each item to her -- truck, boat, train, “You are doing a puzzle!” I showed her the sign for puzzle. When she put in the last piece I said “Yeah! You did it”. She said “Yeah, I did it” and started to clap for herself. WOW! She isn't just repeating, she said an entire sentence and reacted appropriately to it. She is so smart! I knew it all along but how fun it is to see her blossoming like the beautiful little butterfly she is.

Well, we didn't do much for a party. Everyone has been sick. Cam, Kay, and I have the respiratory thing. I have a sinus infection, ear infection, strep and bronchitis. The little ones have a cough and runny nose. I was on so much medication I slept for two days. Taylor and Jeff have the stomach flu. I am sure once we start to get better we will all trade. So poor Kay didn't have a real exciting birthday. I did drag myself out of bed and make her a butterfly cake. She got to open a few gifts and finger-paint with cake so she was happy.

Also Bobby has been very sick so it just felt strange to have a big party. We haven't been able to go over and see him because we are sick and don't want to give him any of our gunk. Jeff has been going over every day and bringing food. Mostly pasta salad, that’s everyone’s favorite, but I made a big lasagna too.

Kay doesn’t care about a big party she is just happy to be with the people who love her. She is such a sweet little bit of yummyness. How the past two years have flown.