Well, I finally did it - after 16 years driving the Suburban, I agreed to buy a new car. Once I said I would do it, Don would not let me go back on my word...I tried and tried, but he held fast and said we were doing it, so we did. I would not, however, agree to sell the Suburban...yet! Now, if only he would agree to build a house on the lot were this new car is parked!!!! 
It was at this time last year that Don began feeling sick and our lives began the topsie turvey, day-to-day living that goes hand-in-hand with cancer. Who would ever believe that one year later he would be doing the things he's doing. We feel so fortunate that the nutritional shakes came into our lives and he is afforded the health and energy that allows him to keep busy doing his odd jobs around the house. Every time I checked on him this weekend he was doing something else. Ashley's car was leaking some kind of fluid and he got right to taking care of the problem.
During the week he supervised Adam, Drew, and Douglas as they put down the new sod in my mother's yard.
Today is Mom's 89th birthday. We all went over to spend the afternoon with her. Everyone was exhausted after a late night at the wedding, but we had a little celebration and then went on a ride around the lake. Happy Birthday, Mom...and many moooooore!
While looking through some pictures taken when Don was first diagnosed with cancer, I came across one that made me realize how far he has come in just 9 1/2 months. First, take a look at these pictures and see how good he looks and how much he is enjoying each moment then scroll down and see where he came from. I think he qualifies for the nutritional shake poster child!
We are very blessed to have had our prayers answered over and over again throughout Don's illness. Thank you to all who have been keeping Don in your prayers. We are wishing you a wonderful Easter.
Don said he was barbequeing with his two favorite girls...I don't think either one of them could get closer if they wanted to.
How appropriate, rabbit ears. I wonder if she'll still be one of his favorites when he sees this!!
Ashley and Adam came over with Goby for dinner. They were supposed to bring my Mom but she said she was enjoying her new home so much she just wanted to stay home!!! We made sure Ashley took a nice dinner home to Mom along with an Easter basket full of yummy treats! I think I'm moving to Lakeview, a nice quiet house with food delivery!
Do you remember this post from early February when Don took forever to pick out two scrawny bell pepper plants. I remember saying a silent prayer that he would stay healthy during the time it took for the plants to mature and produce. I can't tell you how happy it made me to see this...
Not only are they no longer scrawny...but look what's peeping out from inside the leaves!!
Don is so proud of his crop. Now, I must tell you, this bell pepper is in a very perilous situation...one of Hooch's favorite snacks is bell pepper. I am sure he's waiting for this one to get a little bigger!!
It's only Saturday afternoon and we have already had a busy weekend. We moved Mom into her house Friday and then went back there this morning to visit. Once we finished up in Lakeview, we ran out to do some errands then came home and had a nice visit with my niece Nicole and her husband Joe in town from Nashville, Kathy, Leah, Sam, and Jack. Tonight Ashley and Adam are coming over for dinner and bringing Maw Maw Nina for a visit!!
We went over to Mom's this morning to see how things turned out the first night she spent in her "new" home. She said she slept great, got up at 3:00 AM and had a nice snack and went back to sleep! Here she is looking out of the back door this morning exclaiming how much the neighborhood has changed since the storm. Where once there were many homes and families, there are only empty lots now. 
Goby is standing where the sofa should be, but we haven't purchased one yet. I guess she's saving a spot to stretch out on once the sofa is in place.
This evening, Drew's friends from high school, Keith Pumila and Marie Louviere, were married at Holy Name Church on St. Charles Avenue. It was a beautiful wedding with a fabulous reception that followed at the W Hotel in downtown New Orleans. Today they are off to cruise the blue green waters of Mexico. We wish Keith and Marie a long, happy life together! As an aside, the photographer you see on left side this picture played a double role...he is also the father of the bride! He played both roles effortlessly, slipping steathly from one to the other. 
Handsome groomsmen.
Mr. & Mrs. Keith Pumila - Keith and Marie are such a lovely couple and we were honored to share this day with them.
Stealing the bows. Whenever Adrian's does the flowers for family or friends, we all pitch in to get the church decorations picked up after the ceremony. This was the case this evening and was a relatively easy pick up - all we had to take were the large pew bows. We always get questionable looks when, as guests, we begin to snatch up the decorations. As Don walked out with this box he turned to me and said, "You don't think anyone will care that we're taking these bows, huh," and then he made a point to act like he was being sneaky. Sometimes that boy can be so embarrassing!
All smiles...he's probably reflecting back to when we got married almost 27 years ago. He always smiles like that when he thinks about that day. Or maybe I'm just making that up...
Beautiful flowers.
Drew was having such a good time, it was hard to steal him away for a picture!
Our evening ended around 10:30 but Drew was only getting started!
