December 20th

It's Nan's birthday (That's Dale's sister for anyone reading this who doesn't know). She's here at our home and has been here for a few days (cooking dinners, taking Dale to Physical Therapy and enjoying some down time from her work at Utah State University. We've reaped the benefits of her fine meals, helping with dishes, some laundry and some grocery shopping. Well, we'll venture down to Red Lobster in Sugar House tomorrow to have the full blown celebration. I think Dale will be up for it. He's had more good days than bad days lately. Last week, Thursday was the only bad day since Monday a week ago. We'll take it. Now this means that he still has extensive upper back pain, some tingling, pins and needles in his feet and legs and weakness and wobbliness as he walks, but the intense nerve leg pain has subsided somewhat. He is able to sleep a little more at night and we are feeling like the three days a week at Physical Therapy has to be helping mentally and physically. We continue to have positive attitudes and pray for continued healing, recovery and restoration to complete functionality. We appreciate the visits by family and friends. These days are still very long for Dale and he tries to maintain sanity by reading a little, watching television a little, listening to some cassette tapes and walking on the treadmill when he's home. He even ventured out to one hour of church on Sunday. It was the first since the end of September when he was released from the bishopric duties. He will be released from his volunteer position on the Planning Commission for a time, but hopes to return to all of that some day. For now, we just will take these OKAY days and be grateful it is not as trying as October and November has been.

Happy Holidays and Merry Christmas to all. I can't believe how fast the days go as it gets closer to Christmas. I can't wait to see my children and Luke. The light of our lives right now. JD is taking a test today and then flies to Salt Lake on Friday and Jen/Clive/Luke come in on Christmas Eve Morning. I'm so excited to just hang out with them.