This has been a crazy, happy, and sad week. I have been in and out of touch with my dad Ron for the past 32 years. About 3 years ago we got back in touch after not seeing him for about 6 years. We didn't talk much over the past 3 years but I did speak with my brother Nick and sister Raynell over the past few years. I would get updates about my dad through them and we also became closer. A couple weeks ago Raynell gave me Sandy's email which is my dad's wife to get an update on my dad. I emailed her to see how things were going but did not get good news. He was going in for pancreatic surgery due to all the medications he has had to take over the years. The doctors were going to remove a cyst from his pancreas or the whole thing if needed.

Last Wednesday night Justin, Max and myself drove to Portland to meet them at their hotel (which we stayed at too). We talked for a couple of hours and my dad and Sandy had a ball with Max. Nick eventually showed up and we all went out for Chinese food. We all had a good time catching up and laughing at silly stuff. Especially how me, nick and my dad have big bottom lips and it looks like we are pouting. We all definitely have similarities. Sandy and I talked for a bit and I learned more about my dad. Sandy has been so great to us. Very blessed to have her in our lives.

Thursday morning my dad went to the VA Hospital to check in and the rest of us came a little later. He was supposed to get surgery in the AM but didn't end up going in until the afternoon. We had to head home so Sandy was going to call us with an update. We all didn't expect the outcome we got so we were all pretty calm about the whole thing. I didn't hear anything from Sandy so I called her on Sunday. I had a feeling something was wrong since I didn't hear from her. When the docs opened up my dad's stomach, they saw cancer. They couldn't operate due to this so they sewed him back up and had to wait for biopsies to see what was going on. Tonight I called my sis Jen to let her know what was going on so she called my dad. Sandy let her know he has pancreatic cancer and he will start chemo this week. I guess their prognosis is 2 years. Personally I don't let doctor's determine the length of someones life. God determines that. Tomorrow I will call Sandy to see how long he will be in the hospital so we can go visit.

During our stay last week, I learned a lot about my dad from Sandy. My dad served in the Army at the age of 18 and was sent to Vietnam to fight. He was in special operations which I guess is a green beret. I'm not familiar with Army terminology so I have a lot to research. While in Vietnam (Okinawa) he was a POW (not sure for how long), shot 6 times and transferred to a hospital in whichever city that was. I'm not too sure. He was in a coma for 6 months and his mother was told he was dead. This is because his tags were found by another soldier so they assumed he was dead. However 6 months later he called his mom to say he was alright. What a shock that would be to his mother. Forgive me on the details. I'm recalling what I can.

My dad is very strong and brave and gave me a lot of hugs and kiss while I saw him last week. That made me very happy! No matter how much time has passed, it does not change the way I feel about him. He is still my dad, I still feel a bond and love him as if I have been around him my whole life. Life is short and you never know what will be dealt your way. I'm just glad I didn't wait to get back in contact with him when it was too late.

He loves his goldfish. Especially all over the floor.






Being silly. He likes it when we put his blanket over him.







Last week we went and saw my dad in Portland. He was to go in for pancreatic surgery at the VA Hospital. However the outcome isn't what we wanted. I will share more about that later.








My step mom Sandy. She has been with my dad for 26 years! and my brother Nick. What a cutie!








My dad who loves Max. Max liked sitting with him. They had a good time. We all did.

Night time ritual

Whenever Max is tired he spins around on the floor. I love it when he does this. It's pretty entertaining. Ignore the monstrous feet in the beginning!

slobbery kisses

Max loves to give kisses but for some reason he wanted to slobber all over Dave's face. It was the funniest thing because Max usually doesn't give kisses like this. He also had to sit on Dave's lap all night. He didn't want me or Justin. Max was in rare form Saturday night.

Justin's Birthday

Justin and his mom









Max feeding Chelsea

Dessert

Max loved the ice cream. That is all he would he at dinner.

Birthday boy

Monday was Justin's birthday so we went with his family to Old Spaghetti Factory. His mom brought a cake and the server brought it out with candles on it. For some reason Justin is having a hard time blowing out the candles. Hmmm I wonder why! Justin hates to celebrate his birthday so it was pretty funny that we all made a big deal of his birthday this year. You will see pics of where I decorated the house too.

Lifestyle Photograhy

So Max's pictures are done that were taken by my friend Becca at Lifestyle Photography. She did and awesome job. Here is the link if you want to see some of his and other babies. I will post more of Max soon.

http://lifestylephoto.blogspot.com/

Walking tall

Each day he is walking further and further. He hates to crawl so any chance he gets, he walks. He is getting so good at it. Any day, that's all he will be doing. It will really help me out! The start of the 3rd trimester has not been easy.