The Phantom Blogger has returned!

This was my lame attempt at taking my own picture in a mirror with my cell phone. Well, after many attempts, this was the most acceptable pix. Kinda lets you know what the other failures were like, huh? Just thought I'd put a pix of me on here since there are none. So, hello to you all in cyberspace!!!

Update on the fam: Jerod is continuing his decompression treatments for his back. His back has been in such horrible shape for so many years, that the therapist told him that he's gonna be worse b/4 he gets any relief. And boy, have we seen that! I've had to help him out of bed, get dressed, dry off after showering, picking stuff off the floor. Those of you who haven't seen him in a while, would be shocked at his condition. Just watching him walk is painful to see as much as it pains him to walk. I can't even begin to describe how he looks, just imagine a crooked twig with two legs hobbling along, slowly. His right leg locks up on him and he just about falls to the floor. I guess we are to the point, that even if Shaw calls him back to work, I can't see how he would be able to do his job, he can't even put on his socks, for crying out loud! In addition to the decompression treatments, he is also trying massage therapy and acupunture to help with the pain.

So I met with a Social worker a couple weeks ago and got us some help through the state for medical bills. It is something, seeing how Cayden manages to get sick every 4-5 weeks and needs some sort of medication. She also suggested that Jerod look into vocational rehabilitation through SWTC in Fennimore-you know-training him in something less physical but productive.
We'll see what that entails.

Sorry, I know that is really depressing to read. We are actually hanging in there, staying busy helps me from worrying too much. I'm helping to organize a scrap night once a month here in Dodgeville, so I'm looking forward to that. I'm so behind on my scrapping, that I need to get motivated. Melyssa's wedding is a little more than a week away, and we're excited to go. I have to admit that I think I'm more excited to go to her personal shower this Sunday. An all girls' day. I really need that right now. Hope this stupid cold I have goes away by then.

I do have to conceed that this has been probably the longest winter sofar for us. I am hoping for an early spring-longer days-being outdoors. Hopefully Jerod will be up to snuff so we can go camping a couple of times. The boys have already been asking about that. If nothing else, a few afternoons spent at the Lake will be nice to do.

Hope this blog finds all of you in good health and with happy hearts! We think of you often!
-Shannon