Thanksgiving/early December

So... here is the runner up to the family picture we ended up using on our Christmas card.

We had a lovely (albeit busy) day. It started bright & early with Andrew playing a mass at St. Rosalie Church, appetizers with the Jarosz family, a visit with Sandy & Mike at the hospital, and dinner with the Hides family..

The food was amazing. The company was fun.

Sam was as adorable as ever. Adam is pretty officially one of the big kids now & gets himself right in there to play with them.
It was an all around beautiful day. It was a nice start to the Holiday Season.

Now- if only it weren't for that pesky Sandy in the hospital thing...

For those of you not "in the know" my baby sister, Sandy (she'll turn 30 on 12/20/09) was diagnosed with Lupus last March. That's not a huge deal as my mom, older sister, and I all have it too. But in October, when she started having tingling in her hands & feet, early November when she started losing feeling in them, and mid-November when she lost the use of her legs altogether, she was diagnosed (after a few other diagnoses) with CIDP. She's been in the hospital since November 18- first in the Neurology department, then rehab, then back to Neurology, and now in the ICU because the disease is not responding to treatment (plasma washes, steroids, IVIg, and chemo) and is seeming to be getting worse. Now she's completely immobile (except for the ability to wiggle her fingers on her left hand) and she's on a feeding tube & respirator. The MRI & blood tests indicate that there doesn't seem to be any permanent damage-so the doctors are still talking about her making a full recovery. But because if her low immune system right now- so much as a cold could drastically change that prognosis.

She is an amazingly strong woman. She's had THE BEST attitude through all this - and continues to be crazy good-humored & optimistic. She's got a LARGE and STRONG support system of friends & family caring for her and praying for her.

Her husband, Mike, has barely left her side. The love & support he's showering on her is the very thing one promises when they say "in sickness & in health." ...but the health is so much easier & more fun. They could sure use a break now. We're hoping for a turn around any day now to put her back on the road to recovery. We're so proud of Mike's dedication & Sandy's strength & optimism and are praying for them just about constantly- but can always use some more. If you've read all this... I think it counts. Just say "Amen."

Here's a picture of Sandy & Mike (Samantha's Godparents) at her Christening in April.

Hope all is well with you and yours. We hope you're gearing up for a blessed holiday season.
We'll be enjoying eachother... and continuing to pray.