Connecting

What a self-indulgent day I had today. First a lovely breakfast and visit with dear friend Karla. Sassy Onion is great anytime but it was absolutely wonderful to have a lazy breakfast and conversation. We don't get together often but when we do, it's so comfortable and we just pick up where we left off. Thanks to blogs, we do keep up some in between visits too! Then I spent some time visiting with my mother-in-law, a gutsy 80 year old who had just come back from a long walk in the rain. After seeing the newest grandson, (he is home now), I took Dustin back to our house to get his car (Dan finished working on it). It was nice to visit with him all the way home too. We don't often get that much uninterrupted time together. He stayed to help Dan work outside on the down branches, etc. while I went to visit another friend, Caroll. It was fun seeing her grandchildren and all the differences and similarities of mine! She's another friend I don't see often, but always wonder why I wait so long. I felt a little guilty not helping Dan, but there's always tomorrow!

Firewood anyone?

There was a symphony of chainsaws in our neighborhood today! The long task of clean-up has begun despite the drippy weather. I helped just a little-Dan can take credit for what's been accomplished so far. (I did help Dusty & Crystal get things ready at their house for the baby's homecoming. It'll probably be tomorrow.)

We tried!

We tried and tried to get a good picture. Now I know why the professionals charge so much! Oh well, they're still memories.

Christmas news!

The feeding tube is gone! Michael may be coming home this weekend if all goes well and his parents (and grandparents) couldn't have asked for a better Christmas gift.

Speaking of gifts--look at the one Randy gave Gina!

Silent Night

We spent some time with baby Michael today and told him the story of the first Christmas night and another baby boy. That child, although he never held an office or led an army, made more impact on this world than any one man ever has before or since. Michael heard the lullaby of "Away in a Manager" for the first time but not the last. Nana and Pa will contine to remind him of the gentle Jesus that came to bring peace. We feel that peace tonight as we are reminded that it is not the glitz of the season, the shopping (or lack of it), that is important. "The hopes and fears of all the years are met in Him tonight!" "Oh come, let us adore Him!"

More snow

More snow-compare this to yesterday's photo. I love the icicles too but Dan said he should know them down today so they don't harm the gutters. We lost power for a bit yesterday but we have a fireplace so no harm done. We were struck with how quiet it was (no furnace cranking, etc.). It's snowing again now at 8:00 am.

Destruction/Beauty

We had no internet service yesterday but today it's back so we'll share what it looks like at our house. We aren't unique-everyone has something going on from the weather! Suffice it to say, we won't have as much shade next summer! Except for branches that crinkled the gutter on the shop, some branches on the garage and house (but as far as we know, didn't go through the roof), we did fairly well although it looks like someone was clear-cutting the yard! We have several "widow-makers" still hanging up in the trees too.

Randy & Gina

Randy & Gina came over after going to a swing dance at the Mission Mill in Salem last night. It was well past midnight when they decided a hot tub dip sounded good. Ah, to be young again!

Santa & Elf sighting

A couple of the Salem Doctors dressed up to visit the little ones and siblings in the NICU center. Crystal can tell you their names, but we loved seeing big brother Jacob with little Michael. Quite a first picture with Santa. (Ignore the date stamp...camera was wrong!)

Feeding Time

I finally got to hold this little angel in my arms tonight and, as a added bonus, feed him!

Thank you mommy & daddy for giving Grandma that honor. :>) He felt so tiny but has a strong little head and made sure he showed me his strength when I had him up on my shoulder for a burp!

Be Prepared!

We crawled into Salem to the hospital tonight. When we left, we had no idea how bad Salem roads would still be but we made it there (going about 25 mph on highway 22). Michael has been taken off the oxygen and lights and is now able to be cuddled by Dad or mom while feeding. (It's mom's milk but through a feeding tube). I know it's a grandma thing, but I just have to post another picture!

Notice Dusty's book and the "tool belt" on the cover.

And what did I do during the day? Speak about being prepared... although districts all around us were closed, my district chose to stay open and didn't even have a delay. In the town, there were dry roads but so, so many staff live where the snow and ice was present. Kids went outside for recess since the gym was being prepared for the Christmas program on Thursday (what's the chance of that even happening?) and some didn't have coats!!! Many teachers just kept their kids in the classrooms. I'm sure we'll be back tomorrow as well. If it has to snow, please let it dump some on my school and that town as well!

More

Here's more snow and more Michael!

The snow melted away during the day and now it's starting to fall again. We took the brief reprieve in the weather to head to the hospital (and the auto parts store). This picture shows Michael in his "tanning bed", but Cristal called me after we left and said that they were taking the lights away bilirubin lights and removing the oxygen. In fact, she said they were putting him in a sleeper even!

Dan is still working on the transmission--but the end is in sight. CARS!! Oh, and speaking of cars, I backed into a parked car last night at the Aumsville Community Christmas event! I had to go back inside and use my "teacher voice" to get attention to find out who I'd hit. It almost was the straw that broke the camel's back....but it's all being taken care of by our insurance and I decided it's better to count blessings than dwell on the stupid things I do!

Grandpa & Michael

Michael is under "the lights" but they hope to take out his IV today. Grandparents may soon be able to hold him as well. It's just one step at a time. As I look at this little guy, I realize again how wonderfully made we are. Psalms 139 says "You made all the delicate, inner parts of my body and knit me together in my mother's womb." We have made incredible medical advances to help children who are born early, but how amazing God has designed us and the process of development as we are knit together in the womb. Worship is a natural overflow of that awe! What a special time to be reminded of another birth 2000 years ago that was amazing and changed the world!

A little snow

We woke up to a little snow, just like most of you probably did. It was quite wonderful to sit in the hot tub with our coffee and enjoy the crisp cold before starting our busy day.
Dan found a transmission in Corvallis so he's got his day planned. I'm baking cookies for the school cookie exchange and then for a Christmas tea at a friends house.

I hope to get down to see baby before those activities however. The nurses said there was a slim chance he might get to come home bfore Christmas, but not to count on it. We are so grateful for all their care. Daddy stays down at the hospital all night and then heads to work at 5:30 am and mom takes over.

New Grandson

We met little Michael this morning! He's adorable of course. His head is bruised up because of the quick delivery. The nurse said he looks more like a C-section baby with perfect little head because he wasn't in the birth canal long. He is definately early--all the body functions show him to be at 32 1/2 weeks old. He is working hard to breath, but everything seems to be what they expect at this age of development. Michael will be in the Neo-natal ICU (NICU) but it remains to be seen how long that will be. Crystal is very tired but doing fine. Here's his stats:Michael Steele Kluver: Dec. 9th, 2 :21 AM, 5 lbs 15 oz, 18 1/2 inches long.

3 Subs-3 Days

I hate being sick! It's especially hard when you're between the stage of feeling much better than you were, but not quite back to feeling normal. My poor kids at school had three subs for the three different days. I didn't have a choice the first couple of days--no voice at all. I was planning on heading back today but really was still very wiped out and got talked into resting one more day. Trouble is, I don't feel bad enough to just sleep all day, but whatever I do try to do tuckers me out! Whine, whine, whine..... I'll stop that now and count my blessings.

Crystal is in the hospital with close contractions-not admitted yet so we don't know if this is still another false alarm or the real deal. I HAVE to get over this cold thingie so I can meet my grandson when he comes!