Friday, April 24, 2026

Nailed It

Burke and I went yesterday to see the girls... and Michael.
We both got pedicures.
Burke got a manicure and I got my nails redone.
They are all prepped and ready to shine like a bunch of diamonds for our trip to St. Louis next weekend!
My Tina NAILED it!

Also, I just looked at the weather forecast for next weekend.
 I should not have done that.
I am crossing my finger, toes, and eyes that the weather forecast will change!


 

Thursday, April 23, 2026

Obituary

I am grateful that Burke, and his brothers, were able to meet with other family members yesterday to prepare the obituary for his dad.


We will lay his body to rest on Saturday.


Obituary


Wednesday, April 22, 2026

See You Later

This picture was sent to us of Burke's dad yesterday morning.
I was so happy to see this picture.
He looked so coherent, even happy!
The hospice nurses had just bathed him and he looked comfortable.

Dad passed away this morning at 12:45.
We pray he was at peace and comfortable.


I'm grateful that Burke was able to see him and talk to him a few times over the last month.
As were his brothers.

Death is a strange thing.
We all know it's coming.
It happens to every single one of us.
Yet, it still stops us in our tracks.
It's a bit startling, even when we know it's coming.

We'll see you later, Dad.

 

Tuesday, April 21, 2026

Sunset Babies

Rian sent these picture to Papa and I last night.
Aria Jane is getting way too big.
She looks so grown up!
Little Hendrix continues to be the funnest little ham ball!!!

I am grateful for sunsets.
I am SO grateful for these two babes.
Gigi loves these little nuggets so big!



 

Monday, April 20, 2026

PRT

Burke and I were at Dr. Kris's office Thursday.
Burke needed to grab his new GLP med and Dr. Kris did a little PRT on him.
PRT, or platelet recovery transfer, or something like that...

He drew blood from Burke.
He put it in a very fancy maching.
The platelets separated from the rest of the blood.
With ultrasound, Dr. Kris guided a VERY large needle into both shoulders and injected the platelets into his joints.
This is a very safe method for pain relief.
So far, he is feeling relief!!!!

PS
I sat in a very fancy massage chair while watching Burke have this done.
So, I basically had PRT, too: primo relief therapy!


 

Friday, April 17, 2026

Dad Stephen

Burke's dad is on hospice.
Burke's parents divorced when he was young.
When they divorced, two of the boys moved in with his dad and two of the boys moved in with his mom.
Burke split his time between both.

Burke's sweet mom passed away a few years ago.
We remain close with his stepdad, Dave.

I first met his dad, Stephen, last year when he was in the hospital with an infection.
His health has continued to decline and he is now home, on hospice.
We've spent time at his bedside the last two Thursdays.

Yesterday, he was much more restful and peaceful.
The agony of his pain seems to be much more under control than it has been.
We were both grateful for that.

We were able to hold his hand and tell him to rest.
Although he wasn't fully coherent, we know that he knew we were there.
That's what matters.



 

Wednesday, April 15, 2026

Party

This is the official invitation for our April "Family Dinner."

I wanted to make it LOOK so fun.
Like, who wouldn't want to come when you see this invitation?!?!

It's actually not a "party."
It's a "fix all issues with the pool from last year, reset concrete pads, make sure the frame is in place correctly, fill the pool up party."

But, we sure will feed the helpers party-goers pizza with endless soda!!