The Last Time?

A few years ago, when we were still living in Florida and we made our usual summer trek up north for the summer, we went to the U.P. to visit with my grandma and grandpa for a few days.


On the day we left, we met them at a McDonalds for breakfast.  As we were driving away after saying  our goodbyes in the parking lot, I looked in my rear view mirror and caught a glimpse of grandma and grandpa, arm in arm, waving goodbye, and I immediately choked up.  


Then I turned to look at C.J. who had also looked back for that last glance, and was crying.


No words needed to be spoken for we both understood the reason for this overwhelming emotion.  Would we ever see them again?  


Many things have transpired since that July morning in 2004, including moving back up north and being within 3 hours of them which increased our visits to 4-5 times a year instead of just one.


Fast forward to June of 2008.  I took a picture of the boys kneeling around grandpa on one of our visits.  What we didn't realize at the time was that it would be the last picture they would take with grandpa... the last time they would see him.  He died in July.


On Wednesday, as I was taking these pictures, we were all keenly aware that they most likely will be the last.  As we tried to keep the mood light and cheery there was an underlying sadness that loomed. Not for grandma, but for us.  For all we will miss.  A thankfulness for all she has meant to us.  For the blessing she has been to our family.

Of course, we all know that God's timing is a mysterious thing... and grandma may still be around at Christmas time (which is our next usual visit) but the decline has been fast and very apparent over the summer so the chances are not good.


For now, we are grateful for our visit and pray for peace and happiness for her.

A Sure Sign...

that fall..

is right...

around the corner.

Pumpkins from our garden.

Lambeau Field Fun

Still way too tired to organize a productive post.

Ski Jump/War Memorial

I had planned to write a post dedicated to my grandmother and our visit yesterday.... but because I spent nine hours at school today and because I am under the influence of heavy cough medicine,  I am far too tired to string my thoughts together.  


So I will instead just post some pictures of our visit to the ski jump:

Jon preferred to read

They have erected there a nice memorial to all wars fought by America.

My father (Paul Olson) and my uncle (Dale Olson - who died in 1987) served in Korea in the 60's so they each have a stone with their name on it.

Making A Memory

The other day my oldest brought up the idea of going to a Milwaukee Brewers game... and then sweetened the offer by finding tickets for $5.00 each.


Of course there was still the gas/food money to consider but, in the end, I decided that this would make a great memory for my boys someday.


So, we headed to Milwaukee last night...

And the Brewers delivered a dramatic win with a walk off run in the bottom of the ninth inning!

Round Two

After a terrible night of breathing/coughing issues I called the doc this morning and now I'll be doing this.
 The Prednisone is a lesser mg. but I'll be taking it for a longer period of time (and this time I WILL be taking it as prescribed).  
The Tussionex I've had in the medicine cabinet for about a year now....it's ultra strong.... but it works! 


Tomorrow we will go up north to see my grandma.  This will be a difficult visit since I believe it will be the last time any of us will get to see her.  

The Latest

Another visit to the doc on Monday for my "I can't breathe/it hurts to breathe" symptoms and now I am taking this combination of medications to try to remedy this.
In the 25 years I have been dealing with this I have never tried steriods (Prednisone).  Even though several doctors have suggested it... I was never thrilled about the dramatic side effects.
Results are still up in the air.... but I must confess that I am really only taking more like a 1/2 pill twice a day instead of a whole...still scared of those horrible side effects.