Isn't She Beautiful!!

What a wonderful opportunity it was today to hold our newest grandchild. I was able to hold and visit with little Clare while her Mom and Dad visited with the medical personnel about her current situation and the prognosis. I am very impressed with the openness of the experts and the time they gave to answer each and every question as best as they were able. These people care about Clare and are doing their level best for each of their charges. We owe them a debt of gratitude. Honestly there are still many unknowns but each day we see progress.

While I held our 10th grand child, I overheard the discussion about strokes and the potential recovery. As we all know, some people recover completely from strokes and some have little improvement. Each situation is different. It will be months and maybe years until we know what potential for recovery Clare has but we are, today, optimistic.

Perhaps it was the aura of a new born but while I held our princess this day, I had the overwhelming feeling that all is well. We are people of faith and we believe that Clare is here with an earthly mission. We are all praying that it will be one of a normal life full of foibles and opportunities but we will take it each day at a time. I already love this little muffin and look forward to my time with her.

As a note, this time will be a period of learning. There will be many lessons taught and some will be re-learned. I am overwhelmingly reminded of the kindness of people. Many of you are calling to check on progress and to lend your support. We are touched by the people that thank both us and Jadi and Spencer for the opportunity to support our family. The empathy shown by other mothers to Jadi is amazing.

Again, for the most up to date information, click here.

She is truly beautiful!!

Clare

Thank you to each of you who check out our journals. It is truly a spiritual time in our lives as Gerry and I pour out our hearts to our Father in Heaven. We recognize that Clare is here on Earth to fulfill His plan for her and we pray that the plan gives us the opportunity to know this little princess as we hoped to.

Each day is a pendulum of highs and lows. We are trying our level best to keep the faith for our dear little granddaughter. Clare's situation continues to be termed "critical". She is still in the neo-natal intensive care unit with greater than one on one care. The primary care nurse told Gerry and Jadi yesterday that Clare's first three days of life were the most difficult she has ever experienced as a nurse, due to the ever changing gravity of her situation. At the same time, her parents are able to hold her, sing to her and cuddle her each day. It is obvious that she has been in pain as she is sensitive to noise and movement.

I think that Spencer's posts are from his heart, that they represent his and Jadi's worries for their little Clare. Thanks for your thoughts.

Clare - Saturday January 26

Once again, I would refer to Spencer and Jadi's Blog, which you can access by just clicking on the colored names.

I expect that we will have many ups and downs over the coming days and weeks. It is our intent to hang onto every bit of positive information that comes our way. Each day that this little princess fights through is a positive sign. The road is, however, significantly uphill. Having said that, Clare is blessed with the best parents possible. Spencer is an eternal optimist, he has buckets of patience and everyone in his presence is made happy. Jadi is not only a teacher by training but one by vocation as well. She is a brilliant individual and we know that Jadi will ensure that Clare will have every possible opportunity to develop.

We don't have any idea why Clare has sufffered so much. The medical personnel are clearly perplexed, they are all striving to find answers to provide treatment options and I admire their efforts.

We are overwhelmed with the kindness of people. Thank you.

On a personal note, I love my family, am grateful for each one of them, admire their genuine love for each other and am honored to see their desires to support Jadi, Spencer, Anna, Cooper and Clare. My heart has been broken, yet I have every belief that we will all be made better by knowing little Clare Jackson.

Clare's News

Tonight is another challenge as another hurdle is presented. Jadi and Spencer have had a consult with a Neurololgist today to review the MRI and it seems our little angel has suffered a major stroke. Please have a look at Spencer and Jadi's Blog for their update.

Thank you for your love and support.

Clare - Our Angel

3 days of emotional highs and lows as we linger on any good news. Our little Clare is absolutely a fighter, we know she has a desire to stay with us and we all look forward to much better days.

Today her blood pressure is closer to normal than it has been. She will be slowly returned to normal body temperatures over the next 24 to 48 hours. Her heart is strong and there is optimism that her little brain is not as badly injured as at first thought. At the same time, we are told that it is likely that Clare has suffered some strokes and we are unsure of the effects therefrom. Good news mixed with bad. Tears and joy!

This morning Clare's big sister Anna announced to us at the breakfast table that Clare is her "best friend".

Thank you for your kind thoughts. Please continue to exercise faith; we are.

Clare Jackson

Our beautiful, tiny and, oh so anticipated Clare Denise Jackson has come into this world but with many challenges. Jadi was rushed into an emergency caesarian section on Sunday morning. For the past two days, this sweet little soul has been fighting a brave fight; her little body had wrapped the umbilical cord into a knot and there was resulting trauma. We don't know the extent of her challenges, however, she is currently in the ICU at the Foothills Hospital in Calgary, kept in a quiet state, with her body's core temperature kept at a lower temperature to stave off swelling. Her little heart is beating far too slow and she has bad sores that are proving almost impossible to control.

She is gorgeous!! Andrew posted pictures on his Facebook.

We are so grateful for Jadi's perception and know that her actions have given her daughter a fighting chance. Thank you Sweetheart for your most competent Motherhood.

Thank you for your kind thoughts. We are people of deep beliefs and would ask your that you exercise your faith and prayers for Clare and for her family. We already love her so much.

THE HOUSE Project.

View from 250 South. Coming along!

January 9, walls up, inside walls framed.

Garage is huge!!

January 15, Trusses almost all up. Windows

to be delivered (by me) in 2 weeks.

As mentioned in prior posts, we have a winter work's project underway. Our Raymond project is 2 months along and progressing very well. In fact, it might be going too fast as we realize that a decision about; if we move, when we move, etc., is in the imminent future.

Anyway, we thought we should make a progress report. SWFM and I returned from a quick trip to the south a couple of hours ago and the pictures (with the roof on) are new today.

We are comparing prices to Calgary, Southern Alberta, Great Falls and China. So far, we have found that Great Falls (and Kalispell) are the clear winners. We haven't seen prices from China yet but anticipate their significant impact on the finishing; kitchen counters, appliances et al.

We're Back!!

Happy New Year to All!!

It was a curious time for our little Carly as we had one last lunch at Cafe Rio in Provo before turning the Avalanche north. On the one hand, we had done as we promised and had spent some time with the Smiths but time passes quickly and it was now time to head home. Carly was smiling and intent on savoring not only the food but also the company but the glazed look in her eyes told another story.

As a sensitive male, I asked her if she felt like crying. Guess what, she did and everyone in the restaurant were witnesses to the feelings she was having as our time together was about to take a sabbatical.

We have had a marvelous, although incredibly differrent Christmas season. Early Christmas Morning saw Andrew, Gerry and Stan pile into a completely full Avalanche, ladened with Christmas gifts, groceries, Carly's personal effects, wedding gifts, golf clubs and some personal effects. First stop was in Lethbridge to track down the Brewertons to exchange a few gifts, have a few hugs and then off to Raymond. (Samuel decided that he would be best served staying with Mom and Dad.) Our stop in Raymond to do the same with the Ehlerts and we were off on our great Christmas Adventure of 2007.

Christmas Dinner was had in a Flying J in Great Falls with the main entree being something called Country Fried Steak. I thought there might be some beef involved but the concensus was that there was some chicken under the heavy batter. Arrival at Carly and Jesse's was about 5 minutes before Christmas Day 2007 was to expire. (5 to midnight) Modern technologies dictated movies by Ipod and by laptop as well as a variety of satellite radio stations made for a quick trip.

As promised it was Kneaders for breakfast on Boxing Day, then off to St. George. Priceline came through with a great Marriott Courtyard, roomy and modern. The Cahoons have purchased a winter home in southern Utah and after a quick trip around the city, we visited with them and Jesse fell in love with the Massage Chair. Of course dinner was at Cafe Rio (a little disappointing, thus the repeat on the return trip to a more favorite location).

It was COLD but that wasn't going to stop the intrepid warriors from venturing out with their sporting weapons to the Ledges Golf Course. I think that I found my limits as the temperature never exceeded 3 degrees C.

Andrew and Jesse perched up on the Ledges.

The gorgeous red rock of Snow Canyon frame

this first Christmas for the Smith Family.

We spent a great week in Palm Desert, see my previous posts to understand my feelings for the desert of California. Weather was decent, shorts were appropriate daytime attire with a couple of forays into the heated outdoor pools and spas. Gerry made sure that she visited the outdoor market a couple of times, introducing Tia to the temptations provided there.

We raced a massive storm home almost beating it through the Monida Pass and arrived on our doorstep at 5:00 a.m. on Saturday morning. Although the house was quiet when we entered, we knew that there were 7 little grandchildren closeted throughout and it was very apparent, very early that we weren't going to get any extra sleep in consideration from any of the them.

Carly takes her rightful place as one of the Babes.

Next post will update building project. It's looking good.

Feliz Ano Nuevo (I'm missing the squiggly part over the n.)