Living With Scleroderma With a Smile

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Saturday, April 17, 2010

The Past Two Weeks....Emily's b-day and our trip to Kenosha

The past two weeks have FLOWN by!!! We have celebrated our daughter-in-law Emily's 29th birthday,taken a trip to Kenosha, Wisconsin to see Kurt, Heidi, and kids....taken care of grandchildren on Thursdays ,visited with my sister Linda, neice Andrea, and great nephew Eliott, and chauffered Joel here and there every day. I am truly enjoying the warmer weather and look forward to summer:)

I just finished  hand therapy a week ago at Mercy Rehab.  It went very well, and I have seen alot of progress in mobility.  My skin continues to soften, even though my hands are contratced.  Insurance will only cover the therapy if my hands and fingers show a marked improvement. I am grateful  for the improvements I have made and count every day a blessing!   I am still receiving physical therapy on my legs and knees...and walking with greater ease.  One of my goals is to be able to climb steps....but that may take awhile:)  In my spare time (lol) I have been working on a dvd entitled "Living with scleroderma with a smile".  The 14 minute dvd was filmed and edited by the  Cadillac High School tv production class.  We finished  the project March 22 and very soon it will be posted on the website of the Michigan Chapter of the Scleroderma Foundation.  The purpose of the dvd is to provide encouragement to those who suffer with scleroderma and other illnesses.  It is also being shown at patient education days throughout the state at foundation events. It was exciting filming the dvd and I am so thankful for those who helped produce it!!

We had a wonderful time on our recent visit to Kenosha to see Kurt, Heidi, and our precious grandkids.
While we were there we took a tour of the "Jelly Belly" warehouse, visited the GFS distrubution center where Kurt works, and went to church with them at the Racine Bible Church.  It was so good to spend time with them and see their towne house, visit, and play with the children.  The trip over took us around 5 1/2 hours.  We got there Friday evening....and got home around 6:30 Sunday evening.  Joel stayed home this time but we hope he will make a visit with us in the future. Thanks again to Jonathan Cooper and Jason and Emily for taking care of him in our absence.  We look forward to our next visit, and in the meantime we will visit on the phone, skype, and email!!!  Enjoy the pictures below:)  Until my next blog!!!

P.S. I didn't get pictures of Emily on her birthday....but we did have a fun time taking her out to dinner!
P.S.S.  I forgot to tell you that I am teaching music at Heritage Christian School once a week to kindergarten and young fives.  I LOVE IT!!! and praise God for opening the door for this opportunity. One of the benefits to the class is that I get to teach our grandson Isaac!! Next year I'll teach Seth:)

Inside the Jelly Belly store:)  We came home with over 20 lbs of jb's!!!
At the entrance of the tour

On the train inside the warehouse

(above)  The outside of the new GFS distribution center in Kenosha Wisconsin
Below is the front of the building
Kurt and I in front of the company sign

The facility is huge and state of the art!!!  We are so thankful to God for the job he has
provided Kurt and the responsibilities He has given him.
Sunday after church with Andrew, Jon, Kirsten and Rachelle

Linda, Andrea, and Elliott visited us over spring break.  We went out to Jason and Emily's for lunch and really enjoyed our time together!  Elliott had a wonderful time playing with his second cousins:) 
Elliot and Madeline (six months apart) had fun playing outside!

My sister Linda with her grandson Elliott Hoagland

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