BIG NEWS!

Good morning everyone,

I have lots of news today. Dad said this morning "take my staples out" and mom said, "I don't think they are going to do that yet." He said "they already did." Sure enough, Dad got the staples removed from his head and his stomach where they took the fat to put in his head. He's a fat head. Kidding. He also got his NG tube out. YEAH!!!! He is tolerating the food. He seems to be digesting all of the food and taking in nutrition. They are taking the cathater out today as well (sorry dad but the people want to know). They put in the order for him to go to the floor today, which means he may get out of ICU today! He is still a little nauseated, but we are hoping that passes. As I said earlier, he didn't have a great night. He had some anxiety. I have some anxiety in this hospital too, so I can certainly understand how you would if you were the one that had to be here ALL the time. He looks really good today. He's talking good. He seems less confused. Yesterday he only had Tylenol for pain, nothing else until the afternoon when he started to get a headache.

He is a very strong person. He gets excited when the doctor's come in and brag on him. I'm not sure if he realizes how well he is doing, but he is doing so great. He is a trooper!

My mom told me a funny story this morning that happened after the last time dad had his surgery (17 years ago). She said he fell asleep with me after tucking me in. He woke up in a panic and ran into their bedroom and said "Who's Mario." My mom said "I don't know a Mario" and he said "You've been having an affair with him for 11 years." My mom said "If thats the case then who does Cejae belong to?" And dad said, "YOU TELL ME." That must have been some dream he had! I reminded him of the story today and he smiled. Hopefully he doesn't experience those kind of dreams this time around.

Also, Aysia, Jayda, and Adyson wanted me to relay the message "Butt, butt coconut" to dad because they said Uncle John would laugh at that. He did! He thought it was funny.

My mom wanted me to make sure and mention a couple more thank-you's. Thanks to Uncle Mike, Aunt Robin and Hannah for the care package and TV and for everything they do for us. After all, they keep our pool up and running all summer;) - its thier pool, we just take over. One of my best friends ever, Brandi and her mama Denise sent us up care packages. Brandi even included a salt shaker - she knows me too well. Dianne Friederich sent us up a care package too which was awesome as did the Rawls family. That was so nice and considerate of you all.

My parents neighbor and friend, Jerry Hart, has taken over the lawn duties at the Cross estate (ha) for some time now. We appreciate that so much and it was and is very considerate of him to take that upon himself. Terri Newbury gets the mail at my parents house everyday which they greatly appreciate. Adam has taken care of keeping everything happening at home, both my home and my parents. Thanks! Thanks to all of the individual people and the groups of people who donated money, it has come in very handy. To the many people from FGB Church, RLC, and PNB who gave us money - thank you. Money doesn't buy happiness but it will take care of the $4.00 parking fee each day, among other things.

Personally I'd like to thank Terri and Kelly for being there for me always and helping me through this very rough time (mushy I know). Also, thanks to Julie and Melissa for being there for me, crying with me and letting me ramble on and on about my fears for months now (Aunt Paula and Carissa too). I am very blessed to have such wonderful friends. Adam has witnessed my sloppiest meltdowns and still loves me anyway (I think). He's been dealing with some family stuff too but is always right there when I need him despite all that he's going through. My "sissies" (they love that), Audrey, Sarah, Emily, and Anna are awesome too as is Adam's entire family. I'm one of those people who actually loves my in-laws. The folks at my work (Marilyn, Ellen, Carrie, Kathy, Keri, & Teresa) are taking care of my work stuff for me while I am gone and that means so much! They have just been incredibly great. Bammer - thanks for always checking on us. Some other pretty awesome people to thank: Buster, Jason, Chris, Jeannie, Barbara, Lee-Lee, all of dad's family, Uncle Mike, Michele, the girls, Suzanne, the Moids, Delores, the Pritchetts, Tim, Charlie & Janice, Phil, and a whole bunch of other people that I'm probably leaving out! Sorry.

We have a lot of thank-you's!

I'd like to thank the academy for... Kidding! The biggest thanks goes to all of you people who have been there thinking and praying for my dad and us. There are so many of you that I can't name names, but we are SO THANKFUL for you people! We are so blessed. You all will never ever know how much you mean to us and we are so grateful for you.

It is very sunny here today! We hope that it is sunny where you are too and that you all have a wonderful weekend. Thanks again for the cards, emails, texts, and calls too.

We love you dearly!

The Fam