Our Beloved McGee

  

McGee left our family in the same manner he lived for 11 years: thinking about what would be best for us.  He went quickly, when we were all home, and left no decisions for us to make.

After a few days of acting strange including weight loss, excessive drinking, and audible breathing, I took him to the vet Friday morning to have his glucose tested (we suspected Diabetes).  An X-Ray taken because of the breathing showed a mass in his lung and we learned it was quite probably cancer.  He pulled so hard on the leash to get out of there, I almost couldn't hold him back.  We went home and I fed him a 4 oz chicken fried steak from our dinner the night before!  That was one of the best decisions I've ever made!

An hour later he had lost control of his bladder but wore a Pull-Up without complaint.  He was visibly excited to see Frank that evening but had no energy for the nightly face-licking routine.

Friday night was the first night he chose to sleep under our bed instead of in bed with us.  By the next morning, he'd lost control of his bowels, couldn't walk or eat, and vomited several times.  At 4:15pm, in his bed in the bathroom, surrounded by Frank, Lexi, and I, McGee took his last breath.

He is immensely loved and missed and will live in our hearts forever!

Busy Week Around Here!

Whew!  It's been a busy week around here!  

Friday night we celebrated Frankie's 6th birthday at the Chinese buffet.  The waitress recognized us and knew it must be someone's birthday!  Lexi gave Frankie a Rainbow Loom bracelet he LOVES and a certificate that she'd make him another in his choice of colors!  Definitely a highlight of the evening!  Of course, the singing firework candle was a hit too!

Daylight Savings messed with Sweet Henry a bit and he fell asleep two nights in a row in a recliner at 7PM!  He's so lucky to have such a cuddly big sister!

Fastforward to Thursday (today):  Dad had surgery to remove a cyst from his arm.  He's had the cyst longer than he's had me but he wasn't sad to see it go!  His pain seems to be manageable so far.

And . . . Mom walked!  I got clearance from the surgeon yesterday morning but was in intense pain from the stitches removal so walking was out of the question.  I'll admit, I overdid it today (don't say, "I told you so, Frank!) so will take it a bit more slowly tomorrow!

Trick or Treat

Grandma and Grandpa came over again this year to pass out our candy while Frank and I took the kids around the neighborhood.  My scooter did surprisingly well keeping up with the crowd, although we did get a few strange looks!

As always, we let the kids eat as much as they want post-trick or treating, then today they'll save the 30ish pieces they really want and the rest will be donated (Mom will eat it if we keep it here!).  Henry was ready to head for home long before the others and Mom was happy to accompany him!

Frankie was more interested in sorting, counting, and tallying his candy than in eating it.  He was a little surprised to be the only Kindergartener to "turn in" a candy tally sheet today!

Ready to go!

Aunt Shanna was Henry's personal wrapper-opener

With his tally sheet (Starbursts won with 11!)

Halloween party marathon

What a week!  Mom was ready to be done with Halloween by Sunday evening but we'd only just begun!

Tuesday was Henry's preschool program and party.  Not one to draw attention to himself, he was glad when the singing portion was over!

Henry's the Iron Man in the back row

Shooing the balloon into the haunted house

After trick or treating for canned goods Wednesday evening with church (our family's 4th Halloween activity for those who are counting!), we started Thursday with Frankie's Kindergarten party.  They paraded through every single classroom in the elementary school then tackled some spooky games!

Notice any excitement from the back of the line?

Being mummified

 

Two cute mummies

After lunch we headed back to school the all-school (except morning kindergarten) parade.  

Lexi and her BFF had matching costumes!