Our family is sad.  Ann and Josh lost the baby (a little girl) they were expecting.  I don’t really know what else to say, and I feel completely inadequate to help them.  I really think you have to experience something like this yourself to be a true source of support.  I know that is true as a cancer survivor.  You can put a group of cancer survivors in a room, and we instantly bond.  I hope there are support groups for families who lose much-wanted babies.

Long time, no blog!  Wow!  First of all, I have to complain about the hot weather.  I have a hard time with the heat when it just lasts for the summer months, but it’s over 80 degrees, AND our air conditioner is about to give up the ghost.  Chae is getting quotes on a new system, and all I can say is that I am horrified at the cost!  But I will do anything to stay cool.

We are all staying busy and happy.  Our big family news is that Lillie is going to be a big sister.  Baby Reardon is due in September.  We babysat Lillie last night in Tuscaloosa while Ann and Josh came to Birmingham for a concert, and I think we will be doubling our fun when the new baby comes.  This is how Ann notified her friends (and family) - via email from Lillie:

We celebrated Chae’s birthday at the Creek House yesterday, and the kids and I gave him a iPad.  He said that this is the first computing device he has even had this was “just his.”  When we started thinking about it, every other computer he has had was assigned by his employer!  He is most excited about setting up an email account that does NOT get work email!  Ha ha.  He is having a great time setting it up tonight and is commenting on how user-friendly it is.  And I imagine he will be using it mainly to look up tractor information.  And speaking of Big Ugly, she is running, though not yet actually moving anywhere.  The engine runs, she has a new tire (only needed one – the other one was nearly new), has a rebuilt carburetor, etc.  One day soon, she may actually move off the spot where she has been parked for months. Then the big test will be taking her up the steep hill to the meadow on top. 

Marty’s move to the nursing home facility in Paris, Tennessee, has gone well.  She seems MUCH happier there, and is considerably more interactive with people.  She still complains that she wants to “get out of this place,” but I think that will resolve as she gets more comfortable.  Grant and Debbie visit a lot.  Loic checks on her everyday.  Ann lives less than an hour away, and now that she has happily retired from teaching, she visits at least once a week.  Price and Emily were in Paris this past week to see her, and Margaret has already made a visit.  Chae and I are the laggards – we may drive up the week before Easter.  I have lots of friends still in Paris, so it will be nice to be able to visit them more often.

The UAB Cancer Center had their fund-raising ArtBlink last month and raised over $1.5 million.   It was really neat, because David Boyd, Jr. (married to Julie Knott) was one of the artists.  Julie’s mom Cindy (sister to one of the Grove Girls – Susan), Julie, and David stayed with us, and it was just like having family stay here.  We had SUCH a good time.  David is extremely talented, and his piece sold at the silent auction for $1,000.  Woo hoo.  AND he has already said that he wants to come back and participate next year.

The UA Gymnastics team just finished a great regular season.  The SEC Championships are next weekend in Duluth, Georgia, and Chae and I are planning to go.  The Pink Meet was fun this year – my young survivor girls, Kate and Rebecca, were among the honorees.  I think it was great that they were able to come – and show everyone that breast cancer can happen even when you are in your 20’s!

And, one of my favorite photos of all time.  Chae and I took Lillie (and Mom) to a meet a couple of weeks ago, while Ann and Josh went to dinner.  Before the meet, Chae and Lillie were in the hall of Coleman Coliseum, and Chae put Lillie down and squatted down to be near her while they looked at the gymnastics mural.  Lillie squatted down, too, and I snapped this shot. 

Last, but not least - a photo from today that Ann sent via text message with the note, "Sunglasses and painted toenails.  And attitude."