You just never know how things will work out....

I don't usually take a nap on Sunday afternoons, but felt the need for one yesterday and slept for almost two whole hours. Turns out it was a very good thing because about 1:30 a.m. this morning I got a phone call that my niece's water had broken, so I boogied on over there as planned, so they didn't have to wake up my great nephew. I catnapped all night while he got his nap out and then brought him home with me to stay until mom and little sister are ready for a visit. At supper last night his grandmother informed me when they show him my picture and ask "Who is that?" He says, "Mine." With a tag like that I don't care if he ever learns to say Aunt Susan....

BTW, my great niece was born at 4:31a.m. and weighed 6 lbs 15 oz and is 19.5 inches long. I hear she's beautiful!

Today is the day my oldest brother has the last of the tests. If I understand it right, he has to drink a bunch of dye so they can pinpoint where to shoot the radiation when he starts treatments... something called a radioactive body scan. He doesn't get the bone marrow biopsy results until Friday afternoon. My middle brother and his wife are supposed to be there now. Hopefully they'll soon get good news to celebrate together. The difference in how they treat stages 1-3 are so different from the gloom and doom of a stage 4 prognosis.

Today is my weigh and measure day and I 'm happy to say there is less of me to love than there has been in quite awhile. I'm hoping the next 20 pounds comes off a bit quicker and easier than the first 19 has.... So far I'm down 2 sizes since mid-February with 2 more to go. I have visions of a picture of me in my fat pants once I reach my goal... only reason I'm saving a pair. I feel this is quite an accomplishment seeing as how we had 6 family celebrations and 2 church activities that center around food in the last 30 days.

Hubby has begun working on the garage conversion again. Maybe we'll get finished and get the house painted before school starts!

I'm on standby to keep my great-nephew when his mom goes into labor with his baby sister. That way both grandmothers can be present for the arrival of our newest member of the family. You should hear him try to say my name! Aunt Susan is not the easiest thing for a little mouth to say. Last night at my SiL's birthday he was trying to get my attention hollering something in toddler-ese with "oo" in it while he patted my leg.

I finally got around to uploading some pictures from my niece's wedding. Click here to see them.

My oldest brother, Ken saw the oncologist Monday and the doctor confirmed that he is in either stage 3 or 4 of Hodgkin's Lymphoma, depending on if it is in the bone yet.  Right now it is in a majority of his lymph nodes and his spleen. He has a bone marrow biopsy today and is scheduled for several other big tests this week.... just waiting for the insurance to approve them first.  On top of everything else he needs a couple of stints. Hopefully he'll wind up testing this week so he can start chemo next week; they are talking three rounds. I am told Ken is in good spirits and does not look sick. Mostly right now he is just very tired and having trouble sleeping. I'd appreciate it if you'd add him and his family to your prayer list. Visit my SiL's blog to leave him words of encouragement.

Had a much too short, but wonderful weekend with my daughter and her boyfriend. They arrived Friday night and had to leave Monday morning, but we managed to squeeze in 3 family suppers, celebrated the 4th and my inlaw's 54th wedding anniversary, got pedicures, and went to see The Proposal. (I haven't laughed so much since My Big Fat Greek Wedding.) Sunday morning she insisted on making hubby and me breakfast. It was fun to watch her and her sweetie together. He seems perfect for her.... has that same servant's heart we all admire in my hubby.  Funny how most all of us chatty women choose strong quiet men.... My granddog took up with me.... on the last day of course! Hopefully her next visit will be longer; goodbyes are never easy when 700 miles separate you. I don't know if she cried, but I did.

Today is Aunt Betty's last day here. We're winding down her visit with a girlie lunch at my house then a family birthday party for hubby's middle brother tonight. It's been a festive family-filled five days. Tomorrow we'll all be going through withdrawal.... or maybe napping!

My oldest brother got his biopsy results back and it confirmed that he has Hodgkin's Lymphoma. I think we are all in shock. At least his oldest is home from overseas; it would be even harder to deal with that kind of news so far from home. I'm told the next step is a visit to the oncologist and probably radiation.

Please put him on your prayer list and visit my SiL's blog for more detailed updates.