Update on Rocktop

Well, Rocktop was sent home from the hospital AGAIN today. Still without confirmation of anything. After another MRI, the neurologist doesn't believe it is the mad cow thing. They are once again leaning toward some type of auto immune deficiency. They are going to begin treating him with steroids (sometime) to see if it helps. It can't hurt to try. I just wanted to update you all. Thank you for all your love and prayers.

Christmas Caroling

Today we took the boys Christmas Caroling at a nursing home with a group of our friends' children. What a teachable moment!! It is so wonderful for them to be able to experience the giving of Christmas. They sang about four songs and behaved like such gentlemen. I was a bit nervous before we went in because Mason didn't have the happiest of hearts. But when the music came on he was ready. Afterward I asked the boys if they wanted to go wish the people a Merry Christmas and Nathan was in. He shook everyone's hand and said Merry Christmas. The first lady couldn't hear him so I said, "say it so she can hear". So he proceeded to yell "MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!" Oops. I was so proud!! We get so caught up in the busy-ness of the holidays and I have enjoyed taking the time to slow down and teach my kids about the real reasons for celebrating.

On another note...we have a special prayer request to ask of you. I mentioned David's Grandfather (Rocktop) recently about how he was sick and they couldn't figure out what was wrong. Well last week they released him from UAB without finding out an illness. At that time they tested him for "mad cow" disease which was to take a week to get the results back and they would not continue testing or treatment until those results were in. We all felt like that was the biggest waste of time. There have only been like 5 reported cases in the US. The test came back today and they are positive. The test has an 80% accuracy level and a brain biopsy will be done to confirm. They admitted him back to UAB tonight to get that done. We are praying for that 20% chance that it isn't mad cow because that is fatal. From what we have read the time between onset of symptoms until death can range from a few weeks to a couple of years, but the median is 4 months. We have already been dealing with it for a month. We have been praying for the doctors to figure out what was wrong so they could begin treatment, and would never have thought it was this. The picture I've posted is of Rocktop and Mama Gina after one of the Bama games this year. David have enjoyed going to the ballgames with them for about 12 years now. It is so hard to watch a man who was completely fine 2 months ago become a different man. He was at our house yesterday and I asked if they got their Christmas tree up yet and his response was "hmm, I don't know ask Regina". Please keep him and the family in your prayers during this time. And I'll continue to post on his condition.

December 1st -- and we're off!!

We officially kicked off the Christmas season by attending our annual local Christmas parade. David's Grandfather is in the hospital so our numbers were down this year. His Uncle Bobby and I took five of the kids by ourselves. Luckily, the kids are getting old enough to know not to run in front of the vehicles to get candy. As always we had a great time. The weather couldn't be more perfect.

Please keep "Rocktop" David's grandfather in your prayers he as been in the hospital for over a week. Something is affecting his brain functioning and the Doctors can't figure out what it is. The unknown is wearing on everyone, especially Mama Gina. Thanks for your prayers!!

Thanksgiving Weekend

This was our year to spend Thanksgiving in Tennessee. David refers to it as the year we wear our away jerseys. We had a wonderful visit with my family. My mom recently had a major surgery to remove part of her colon so we all tried to step in and help in the kitchen. David teased that the green beans would be his job, but he didn't even do that. He did, however, carve the turkeys and chicken. As always we had way too much food, but enjoyed the time together.

A highlight of the weekend was playing wii. If you haven't played before, it's great!!! The youngest to the oldest members of the family all play and have a blast.

Friday morning was shopping day. Darby, Penny, and I headed out at 5am and since the others were meeting us later we decided to stop at some stores outside the mall first. After six stores without any entries we headed to the mall (we knew it was open). It was worth getting up early for me. I purchases several "door busters". No big screen TVs or anything, but things I needed none-the-less.

One of my mom's Aunts died before Thanksgiving so most of the family left Friday night to go to the funeral on Saturday. It was good that there were early departures, because out of 12 adults, 8 ended up with a stomach bug by Monday. It was a great weekend with a not so great finale!!