Catching Up on News...

The beautiful trim work and details on this farmhouse have always made it one of my very favorite.

I haven't visited in a while so I thought it might be time to catch up with you.  I can hardly believe we are looking at the end of March!  Where did time go?  

I am so happy to see spring arrive, but couldn't resist sharing a couple photos from winter when I was traveling back roads one afternoon during a snowstorm.  This beautiful white farmhouse is one of the most lovely in the area.  You like it?

Since I've been home from visiting Jamie and her family in Alabama earlier this month, things have pretty much been a whirlwind. Spring arrived when I arrived home and the grass greened up and is beautiful emerald and thick and lush, leaves are bursting forth and spring blooms are everywhere.  It's been a most unusual March.  

This has meant that spring yard work had to be done and the lawnmower has been busy, too!

The old windmill still stands in the farm yard.

While I was away visiting Jamie and the kids, my husband had a routine vision appointment.  While there, he did poorly on the peripheral vision test.  

This result caused his optometrist to send him to an specialist.  This man took tests, had him come back the next day and took some more.  He immediately sent him to get an MRI of the head and neck.  This MRI showed a tumor on the pituitary -- located behind the eyes and nose.  It's about 3 cm or about the size of a walnut.  What happens is this presses on the optic nerves and affects the field of vision.

This is most times benign but must be removed to prevent further vision problems.

We were told to go to the University of Michigan Hospital and we had an appointment there yesterday with a neurologist and an endocrinologist.  A blood test was done and it was determined that the tumor could not be removed with drug treatment, as these sorts sometimes can.  

So surgery is scheduled two weeks from today.  It's been a busy time with many appointments and tests and life and driver's education thrown in between.  :-)

The barns are covered in white as well...so calming.

We are praying for a safe surgery and a full recovery.  If left intact or else undetected, this tumor could cause blindness and other health issues related to the thyroid.  Lem was prescribed thyroid medication, also right away and has never needed a daily medication in his life.  All of this will be a new road for us.

So if I don't show up as often here in the coming weeks, I know you'll forgive me!  I'll be back as often as I am able--sharing photos and life with you when I can.  


The surgery will be followed by a two-week recovery time at home.  My schedule won't be normal until the end of April, and I'm sure we'll have follow-up appointments to see to--the hospital is about an hour and a half from home.

But, among the thorns there are roses...the good news?  We have a cheerful trip planned for seeing those sweet grand babies for spring break, right before his surgery is scheduled.  This will make the time pass so pleasantly while we wait for him to be admitted to the hospital.  

It's time for me now to wish you a blessed Easter Season, my friends, in case we don't get to visit again before that beautiful holiday.