Thank you for all the cards. We love finding inventive ways
to display them.
It is such a sign of support to look around the room, see all
the cards, and
think of all of you who love us.
Thank you to the Breums. A few days before John was admitted
to the hospital
the Breums came over with a Curious George lunchbox filled with
goodies for
our hospital stay. Not only were we thrilled with the lunchbox
itself, the
contents were unbelievable. They thought of absolutely everything:
a phone
card, Kleenex, candy, gum, hand lotion, chapstick, note pad and
pen, quarters
for the machines, and cash. Wow. I didn't realize they knew that
I liked
Curious George let alone cash. I had looked at a Curious George
lunchbox and
commented on how I liked it five months before. Lisa spent months
looking for
one. Did I already say, "Wow!"
A big hairy thank you to Ruth, Jay, and Steve Kennon. These
wonderful
neighbors have opened their hearts and homes (garage) to us, including
Rawley. Ruth, Jay, and Steve have been on full time Rawley duty
since John
entered the hospital. They have gone above and beyond anything
we could have
imagined. Rawley is having a great time playing with the Kennon's
dog, Star.
John had borrowed a kennel for Rawley to sleep in while we were
not at home.
That wasn't quite comfortable enough for Rawley, so Ruth and Jay
lugged
Rawley's special chair over to their garage so he could sleep
in comfort.
Rumor has it, Jay was caught sitting in Rawley's stinky chair
to complete an
important photo shoot.
Anne Marie and Brian Petersen also brought us a tremendous care
package
before we left for our trip to Seattle. I make it sound like a
vacation,
don't I? Among the many favorite treats for me was Starbucks gift
certificates. John only lets me buy Starbucks coffee now that
we own
Starbucks stock. Thank you.
We are constantly amazed at the thoughtfulness, kindness, and
generousity of
our friends. At one point I told a dear friend that John and I
were
overwhelmed by how wonderful so many people were to us. She then
said, it
was because they loved us. Both John and I said, "We can't
figure that out
either!"
Thank you to the Haisch Family. I think some of you are competing
for the
most thoughtful friends. Denise and Tim brought us an incredible
crate of
goodies, a gift of 12 CDs, Lance Armstrong Wheaties, many videos
to pass the
time, lotion, coffee, tea, and mug (for me). I am sure I am forgetting
something...
The Hunt teachers, staff, and PTA have been fabulous in their
support for our
family.
The school is providing meals for us. No, not school cafeteria
food. I
think these people are competing for culinary awards. I have already
informed John that he shouldn't expect me to cook like that when
he returns
home. The meals have been delicious and very helpful. Thank you.
Thank you to the following people for the beautiful flowers,
books,
magazines, posters, cookies, cookie boquets, taxi service to the
hospital,
child care and child entertainment, head gear, cycling socks,
lotions, phone
cards, candy, videos, photo drop off, pick up and developing:
Mary and Don Abinante, Troy and Kim Apple, Gordy, Gail, and
Kellen Asai,
Jeff and Debbie Bachmeier, Loren and Sally Bartels, Beautiful
Savior Lutheran
Church Women's Group, Ben and Lisa Breum, The Burger Family, Dr.
Corley, Dan
and Christina Couto, Kenny and Charlie Dammand, Pete and Karen
Davis, Kirk
and Beth Dodge, Chris and Kathy Finnegan, The Gosteli Family,The
Gulbranson
Family, Tim and Denise Haisch, Ed, Vivian, and Marie Hohnstein,
Doug and
Jayme Hostetter, Kevin and Marci Johnson, The Morrison Family,
Jeff and Nancy
Nelson, Pastor and Julie Onken, Steve and Jennifer Pelissier,
Anne Marie and
Brian Petersen, Brad and Karen Robinson, Surprise Lake Middle
School Staff,
Brian and Kelly Swalander, Pastor and Natalie Walta, Ladd and
Beth Wolfe, and
of course, our parents.
Of course I haven't forgotten you. John needs his computer.
More later from
Michelle.
As I am typing this I am thinking, "Wow the Christmas
letter will be easy
this year!