Made it back to Oregon!

Hi Everybody, We made it back to Oregon at about 2 am this morning. We sat for awhile and enjoyed our last few moments in Michigan in the airplane waiting for the HUGE thunderstorm to pass so we could take off. I was a little alarmed at the fact that the entire sky was lighting up all around us and the thunder was so loud we could hear it throughout the plane, but once the airport started letting things move again, we flew around it and had quite a show from the air. Thank you Jesus for Xanax, let me tell ya. For me. Jeff did fine. We barely made our connecting flight in Las Vegas., though. We had quite a few looks as we stumbled through the LV airport at top speed. Jeff, slightly hunched to protect himself, gently(?) shoving thousand year old people out of the way. Me, carrying WAY too much crapola, trying to keep up with someone who just had surgery. We made it to our connecting flight with about two minutes to spare before they shut the doors. We had to wait on one other woman who was just a little later than we were. (SHE wasn't out of breath, though) After everyone was in and buckled up, this woman decides she's going to get up and change seats or something. While we are taxiing down the runway for takeoff. The flight attendant, who was male-the first time we've had a male flight attendant, and he thought he was hilarious, too - just about ripped her up and shredded her right there for being up while even he was buckled in his jumpseat. All in all, it was pretty funny, since it wasn't us getting yelled at. The flight attendant was really funny and extremely flamboyant, also. Fabulous shoes, though. Jeff is doing great! Today he is one week out from his surgery date. He weighed in the night before surgery at 370.5 and tonight he weighed himself at 353. -17.5 lbs. So, he's really pleased. Once a week on Thursdays we've decided is going to be Weigh Day. I'm going to start a chart for him, so he can see his progress. Today kind of sucked because we were both so tired. We got in at 2, got home and in bed at 3am, then picked our children up at 8am for an 8:15 appointment. Our daughter broke her arm while we were gone, and today was cast day. She now has a bright pink cast on, and it's still clean and pretty. She agonized over the color, because it really should match her clothes. She wanted the lime green, but it would only match a few of her things. She did tell me that we could get her more lime colored things, though. When we got done with that, Jeff came home and rested (he says) and the kids and I went to the store and got groceries and videos. They have it all planned out what they are going to do with Daddy while he's home. We have more movies to watch this week than anyone should have. The heat broke here while we were gone, and now it's low 90's , high 80's. We have a middle school right down the block from us, so I think we'll all drive down in the AM while it's cool and walk a few times around, then drive home. The school is less than a mile from us, but we live up a really steep hill, and walking home after walking the track might be too much this soon. We both want to say a big thank you to everyone who posted well wishes and suggestions for us this last week. A great big thank you to Kevin and his wonderful family for their hospitality and caring. He filled a huge need that we didn't realize we would have. We have such a close family here in Oregon that even with all of our various warts and bumps, we have tremendous support. Being alone in a strange city can be alienating and lonley, but we didn't feel like that at all, thanks to Kevin, AND we got to fly a blimp! Does life get any better? So, many thanks from both of us. I going to make Jeff up a profile soon so he can put his own stuff on there. I will probably post a link there with some pictures, too. And I'm going to claim the MI board as our home board. That's my executive decision. That's why I get paid the big bucks. Obviously I need to go to bed now, but I will be lurking and reading.....and sometimes posting! Love to all, Kim and Jeff

Glad you guys got home safe and sound. And glad to hear Jeff is doing well. Here's hoping that continues, and I'm sure it will. A pink cast.......cool!!! In my days all they had was white. I would have loved a pink one....pink is my favorite color and that would be fun! Well, not fun enough to break an arm for!!!! I'm glad you had Kevin while you were here....that was pretty wonderful of him. I don't know him well at all, but I think that was great for him to take you under his wings. I'm glad it helped to make you feel welcome and get a good impression of our beautiful state, filled with all the beautiful lakes and all kinds of fabulous people! I'm also glad you decided to claim MI as your board! It will be nice to get updates from you two!!!! It must be great to be back home and I wish you the best.

Sounds like you both have had quite a journey. Glad to hear you made it home safe and sound. Sorry to hear about your daughter breaking her arm, that has to really suck this time of year. Tell Jeff, congrats on the weight loss so far and good luck for continued sucess. Shawn M.

Good that you are back in the home spot. I hope all is well. PLease keep me and the old braod posted as to Jeff's progress and your SX date. We'll do it all over again. kp