BIRTHDAY!!!!

For those that don't know, today is my Dad's birthday. As a gift, we have decided to take him to Reno. There is a hotel there that he loves, so we are renting a pair of cars and hitting the open road. Fred is going to stay behind and watch after the house, Jack gets to go see his cousins and run and play to his little heart's content.

I can't tell you how excited my Dad is. Last night I saw an energy in him that I haven't seen in a while. Very cool. I asked him what he wants for his birthday, and he says he has it. His life, and this trip with his family. "Very noble", I said..."but how bout something to go along with your life and your trip." haha.

He took his swallow test for the third time, and I guess third time is the charm. The doctors were quite impressed with how significant a change he has made. They approved him for more foods, and a larger variety. He even gained weight since they last saw him! Very cool!!!

I am seeing now that the pictures I uploaded didn't show up in the slideshow. I will try to work with this issue and get it resolved ASAP, as well as upload pics of our journey.

Send him a birthday wish if you get this in time!!!! cjpetro1@gmail.com

Take care, and god bless!

Hello again!

Ok, so I took August off from writing. I have my reasons. There was much to write about, and over this holiday weekend, I found the words. I got away for a few days to one of my favorite parts of the summer. It was a relaxing weekend, and I had a lot of time to think about everything.

For those that don't know, pops had a seizure a few weeks back. Just out of the blue, and bam....back in the hospital. A week before our big family picnic that he has been fighting so hard to make an appearance at. This set him back for a few days with the new medication to prevent future seizures. He fought through it like the soldier that he is, and overcame the obstacle. A week later, we were in Portland smiling and laughing with all the family. He got to dine on a hot dog, one of his all time favorite treats, and was treated to something that I find incredibly romantic. A king sized bed next to his wife. Try to imagine sleeping in hospital beds for over a year, away from that person that has held you tight for so many years prior, and then for one night only...you get to sleep next to him/her. Perhaps I am just a hopeless romantic, but that was something that couldn't go by unnoticed.

The seizure symptoms came and went, and he is right back on track, maybe a little sluggish at times, but his strength continues to astound me. His singing improves the more he practices, as does the swallowing. He has been even having harder foods such as chicken and beef lately....in very small doses.

I got some pictures from the family picnic to share, which I will do now...as it is getting late and I will have to continue my thoughts another night.

**Bud, I'm sorry I didn't get pics of you and my Dad on this trip...by the time I remembered the camera, you and Olga had already left the building. I will be sure to get some of you two soon!