Update from the Daleens

Well, where do I start? So much has happened since I last wrote to everyone. Emma's stitches were removed and she is doing just fine. All that is left is a small pink line above her eye brow. So we have our fingers crossed that nothing else happens...but hey, it's January and we still have another 11 months to go!!

We had Jami, Logan and Cindy here from California. They came to attend the Missouri memorial for Bill and go through his personal things in our basement. Jami managed to get through all the things in our basement...what a job! And it was so great to spend time with Logan. He is a special little guy...I love how he walks around saying "Whatcha doin?"

He and Emma had a great time....They just bee-bopped around all week. Oh sure there were a few moments of drama..but would you expect anything else from Emma? And so much for the diet...we had an on-going affair with chocolate last week (chocolate kisses, carmel kisses, etc)...and our nightly chips/dip "sessions" in the kitchen...and Cindy made this to-die-for lasagna for us! For as much as it was an emotional trip for everyone, I'm so glad we had some time to get to know all of them better.

And so...the saga continues...as soon as they left...I started to get a fever blister...Jackson started running a fever...and now..Rick is in bed as we speak..Emma just broke her 103 fever...and I just got back from the store after buying Lysol and Clorox® Disinfecting Wipes. I'm hoping to santize myself in hopes that I don't catch the bug that everyone else has! I'm considering sleeping in the guest room until this whole thing blows over!

Other than that, things are settling down and my hopes are that February is quiet!!!

9 Stitches for Emma!

To date, Jackson has had one black eye and three stitches in his chin...and he's 9. Emma has had one broken foot...one black eye and now 9 stitches on her left eye..all in her short 3 years of life...So, I'd have to say, she's on a role with at least one injury per year!

Emma took a tumble on our fireplace and had to get 9 stitches above her left eyebrow. We were in California at the time and got the "calm" phone call from Mom around 9 (that's 11 CST)...Emma's trip to the Emergency Room was eventful. She left an impression with the doctor's and nurses! She came home not only with stitches, but also stickers, a teddy bear and a popsickle! We heard that Jackson, on the other hand, was pretty scared, upset and "hysterical" (That's the word Mom used to describe him). Just like his mother! It's a good thing I was out of town--My knees just go weak at the sign of blood!

All in all, Emma's fine and healing nicely. Dr. Sato will be taking the stitches out on Friday! Hopefully Mom has been able to get some sleep since leaving our house! DRAMA!!

To Emma...our little brave bruisor!

Make a slideshow - it's easy!

Our Trip to California

Rick and I ventured to San Jose, California this past weekend to attend a celebration for Bill Harris. It was a great experience. We were blessed to meet so many people who knew and loved Bill. There were probably 150+ people there...people who had traveled thousands of miles to share their stories and pay tribute to Bill and his family! We opened it up for people to share memories and we had a steady stream of storytellers for 2 1/2 hours!!! It was incredible--lots of tears and laughter. It was truly an amazing experience and we'll cherish it forever!

The day after the memorial, we had a little downtime and were able to sight-see with a trip to the mountains...it was just a hop, skip and a jump from our hotel! We imagined that Bill most likely traveled on the mountain trail we took since it was so close to his home. See the slideshow for pictures of our adventure! We also had a great visit with Jami, Logan, Cindy and Rob (Jami's parents)on Sunday night--it was really great to spend some time alone with them and catch up!

Make a postcard - it's easy!

Jackson's 9th Birthday!

So we started off by baking a cake...Jackson picked chocolate cake with chocolate icing. Whew! Then we went to Chevy's--I don't think Jackson really cared about what food he ate...it was all about getting the ice cream, the sombrero and the waiters singing "Happy Birthday". Then we picked up Jackson's cousins, Riley and Brandon so they could spend the night. We made a pitstop by Blockbuster so that everyone could get a Playstation Game and some movies. We came home and Riley helped decorate the cake--race car style! We ordered pizza, played games and watched movies. Then we finished off the night by sleeping in a KING SIZE tent up in the loft. All kids were asleep by midnight--Still can't believe that one! All in all, everyone had a super time!

Make a slideshow - it's easy!

Make a scrapbook - it's easy!

Happy New Year!

Happy New Year Everyone!

We celebrated at home...which is just what we needed. We ate ...drank and played games...Anita was the Guitar Hero Goddess! Emma and Sierra had a great time with the horn blowers...and Jackson ate about 25 cookies! We all made it to midnight and then crashed!

TODAY--WE START OUR NEW LIVES!!!

Here's to Bill...

On December 30th, we lost Rick's brother, Bill. Even though we've had five years to "get used to the idea" that Bill had cancer, there isn't anything like the actual loss of a friend and brother. The anticipation of this very moment has been something I would never wish upon anyone. He was an exceptional person with so many talents...and quite honestly, one of the most positive people I have ever met in my life. Electic and unique...incredibly intelligent and confident, Bill really lived and enjoyed his life!

This experience has been quite difficult for our family, especially in this past year...on so many levels. We were blessed to actually visit with Bill twice in person this past year. As we come to the close of 2007 and walk into 2008, we find peace in knowing that his suffering is over and he is with his family in Heaven.

I will tell you all what I told Bill the last time I hugged him goodbye in mid December...

Enjoy every moment that you have...
Focus on every single second..
Know that I love you with all my heart.