A GOOD update about Dad Stauffer, an anniversary, library fun

I realize I have been terribly neglectful in my updating about Dick's dad.  Why is it easier to remember when things are going bad than when they're going well?  Anyway, THINGS ARE GOING WELL!!  So well, in fact, that on Saturday the nursing home gave him a pass to go home for a couple of  hours!!  They had worked hard at helping him to learn how to get in and out of the car with the help of his walker, and they disconnected the feeding tube as they usually do for three hours each morning.  When he was home he was able to go up the one step from the garage into the mudroom without any help from Arlene!  And he practiced getting in and out of their bed!  I just cannot tell you how happy the very thought of it makes me feel!  He has been motivated and working very hard in his therapy sessions.  Gradually he is being able to swallow more and more things.  The goal is that he would go home in about four weeks or so without a feeding tube!  Hallelujah!!!!!

Today was Anthony and Lori's eighth wedding anniversary.  We have such fond memories of that day right here in State College.  Here's a picture of our family on that day, minus Miki's family, of course.

Back row:  Sam, Frank, Jeremy, Ray.  Front row:  Dick and I, Lori and Anthony, Lisa and George.  Destiny is floating there in the front!  Actually, she was sitting on a clear pedestal, haha!

I have some cute pictures below from my trip to the library with Austin yesterday.  His most favorite place is the cushiony reading area.  Of course, he's not a bit interested in sitting there and reading, but in jumping from cushion to cushion.  At first there was a girl sitting there deeply engrossed in her book.  She was in his way, so he planted himself right in front of her and kept saying,  "All done?  All done?"  Eventually she was all done, and then he had the cushions to himself.

After all that fun, a young library aide came and said,  "Oh, these pillows are not for jumping!  There is concrete under the carpet and he could hurt himself."  

Well, it certainly wouldn't be the first time!  But we packed up and left soon after that.  She just doesn't know that this is a two-year-old that is so coordinated that he can go right up a flight of stairs without holding onto the railing, one foot per step.  

When he saw my camera he said, "Cheese", but his eyes happened to be closed.  Doesn't it look like he's saying, "Dear Jesus"?  You should hear him repeat prayers.  There is just nothing sweeter than hearing a little one saying,  "Dear Jesus, I love you, Jesus."   Except maybe,  "I love you, Grandma", hahahaha!