Celebrations and a major tragedy

Ok so I admit....it's been WAY TO LONG!! Our computer bit the BIG one and wasn't working. I am on it now, but am not able to get my pics on it. So, unfortunately I am not able to share any of Ryan's birthday photos, or pics from Christmas. I hope everyone had a VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS and a WONDERFUL NEW YEAR!!!

Ryan's birthday parties went great! Her favorite gift BY FAR is the Dora the Explorer backpack she received from my aunt, as well as the tea set she got from my dad (her pee-paw as she calls him.) She says that the tea cups are for FOFFEE (coffee) She is too funny. She also got a lot of clothes which were very much needed. A week before Ryan's party I had taken her to the doctor and she was diagnosed with a left ear infection and that's when she was put on Augmentin for 10 days. On the 14th, I took her back for her 2 year check up. A resident came in to do the exam and said her ear looked better. Once her meds were done, she got worse. She had a nasty cough and her nose wouldn't stop running. I took her back again and the doctor looked in her left ear and told me the resident was wrong. It was worse. Ryan was then put on Omnicef for 10 days. The ped was SURE it would take care of it this time. This past Wednesday, we were back AGAIN!!! They had told me to bring her back on January 21st to see if the infection was gone from the second meds. I'm glad I followed my intuition and didn't wait. When a different ped looked in her ears on Wed. she noticed that now BOTH ears were filled with a bunch of yucky fluid. I knew something was up because her cough and runny nose just wouldn't get better. So, after 20 days of 2 different medications, her ears were worse. This same thing happened to her back in May, where she was on 3 different meds and it finally went away. Therefore, the peds sent a referral up to the hospital. Ryan now has an appointment there on January 19th to see Dr. Myer who is an ear, nose, and throat specialist. I was really looking forward to not being back at the hospital until June, but that's just not going to happen.

Before I get to the tragedy that took place here, I will just quickly say that Christmas and New Year were great for us. We loved spending time with our family and feel so blessed to have them in our lives. Especially after what occurred just before Christmas.

When Josh played baseball last year, he played for a team called "Hustle." His assistant coach's name was Tony Campbell. He had been Josh's assistant coach for 3 years and his step son Devin played for the same team. Tony's wife, Emily, and myself were pregnant at the same time. She gave birth to their son, Ryker, on December 1, 2007. On Sunday, the 13th (Ryan's birthday) Ryker had a party for his birthday as well. The only thing missing, was his dad, Tony. Tony was deployed to Afghanistan in September while serving in the Armed Forces. On Monday, the 14th, Tony called home to speak to his family, and Ryker surprised him by counting to 10 on the phone, and he then said "I love you Daddy." Emily, Devin, Ryker and Jordan (Tony's 7 year old daughter by a previous marriage) had no idea that would be the last time they would talk to him. Sadly, early Tuesday morning, December 15th, Tony was killed while serving our country. His job overseas was to disarm roadside bombs. There was one that detonated and he was nearby. He was only 35 years old. On Tuesday, December 22nd, Tony was laid to rest in Williamstown, Ky at the veterans cemetary. He was also a Cincinnati Police Officer which was his dream job that he had fulfilled just last year. Even though you may not know them, please just say a prayer for his entire family. They are all wonderful people. Emily will now be raising the 3 kids without her best friend and Husband. Although she has many close friends and family and we are doing everything we can to help, it is nothing like having your life partner there with you. Tony will surely be missed and he was a very brave man. Once again, I remind you....never take anything for granted. Life is too short to sweat the small stuff. Live your life to it's fullest. It was amazing to see the amount of people that showed up to the funeral to show their support. Service men and woman lined the church to pay their respects, along with police officer's from all over. It was amazing to see and nobody deserved it more. He fought hard for this country and after his death, Emily received Tony's awards of The purple heart, a combat star and a medal of honor.

Please take a moment to remember all of our fallen soldiers, and those who are still fighting for us all.

One of the newest soldiers to join the U.S. Army is my brother. He is beginning his basic training on February 2nd at Ft. Benning in GA. He is flying home to see us (from Arizona) this Friday. I cannot wait to see him!! He has not seen Ryan in person Since August of 2008. I will try to post again soon and have pictures of everything going on lately. ENJOY YOUR WEEK!!