Trip to Utah

We started Spring Break a day early--Collin skipped school (well, it was planned, which is actually more work for him to get sub plans ready than to just go teach himself) Friday and we headed down to Utah for a day to visit some family. Sam..... with a baby? We met up with Sam and Megan at ARRby's so they could meet Ashlyn! We think they look pretty cute with a little baby! It was fun to see them for a little while, sure we'll see them again soon!

Then we headed down to SLC to St. Mark's where Collin's dad has been since he had his major brain hemorrhaging during a cancer biopsy procedure, followed by a stroke. I guess the diagnosis is that he has some inoperable brain tumors that are cancerous, and that he could get a lot better... or things could go downhill really fast. They are just hoping for the best at this point.

He had been pretty unresponsive up to a few days before we got there, but things were starting to look up by the time we were there to visit. He wasn't on a ventilator anymore, and was starting to be awake more and communicate. It was really hard for me to see him lying there in a hospital bed seeming so helpless. I had to hold back tears many times during that afternoon. He is always around to visit with us when we go down to Utah, usually with some funny stories and lots to talk about.

I know the whole family is keeping a lot of faith that things will work out for the best. I am constantly in awe of Darlyne and how strong she seems to be through all this, I can't imagine going through it with your spouse being the one in the hospital.

Ashlyn getting introduced to Papa for the first time! He was communicating with either thumbs up or down, and we asked if he thought Ashlyn was cute and he gave a thumbs up!

Papa holding Ashlyn for the first time... I was having a hard time getting a good picture where they both were awake at the same time.

They took a nice nap together for a couple of hours... doesn't Ashlyn look so cozy! I am praying every day that she will get to grow up knowing her Papa and his wonderful sense of humor and jokes.

This picture just breaks my heart... and gives me hope at the same time. I'm sure if Papa could talk he'd be telling these 2 how much he loves them. Please keep him in your prayers.

After spending our afternoon and evening at the hospital, we stopped at Cafe Rio (my choice of course) with Darlyne for dinner, then headed to Saratoga Springs for the night--Beau is living there right now so he got to meet Ashlyn too..although I forgot to take a picture! We had a VERY LONG night, Ashlyn had slept so much in the car and at the hospital that she was wide awake most of the night! And she was sleeping right next to the bed too, so that didn't help because I could hear her every little noise! So much for her being a great traveler. But oh well, it wasn't our first almost sleepless night. And it could have been a lot worse! I'm glad we were able to go down there for a little less than 24 hours to visit. We'll be back soon!