Update on my Mom

First off, a HUGE thank you to everyone for the wonderful comments, thoughts and prayers. I have told my Mom about all of the notes from here, e-mails and texts to her, and she is very thankful and overwhelmed. I'm telling you, even when she went through the car accident three years ago and now this, she is still shocked that so many people care THIS much about her. My Mom has always been extremely humble. So, I promised her I would say THANK YOU to you all. :)

I didn't really give much detail in my first note, because I was on the Hospital PC and there was a huge line. My laptop only had so much juice left. :) The surgery was a success because they were able to remove the largest of the two tumors. The surgeon actually didn't think we was going to be able to do even that, because when he made the incision, her brain herniated. (no details needed there I'm assuming) So when this happened, they actually worked for hours trying to decrease the swelling of her brain and get it back in without damage. Once he was successful with that ( and apparently there were some thoughts they he wasn't going to be able-Insert GODs hands) he was able to lift the lower left lobe and remove the large tumor. I firmly believe that it was God that allowed the surgeon to make that last gutsy call and have to courage to do it. He actually made the comment that he was going to just get the swelling under control and close her up without removing it, because of the danger. Someone helped him, I'm certain of it. :) The second smaller tumor is not removable due to it's location on the brain stem. The surgeon made a comment to us about possibly using radiation at some point to stunt the growth. That is WAY down the road and is kind of an after thought right now. That tumor is much smaller that the one that was removed. The removed tumor was the size of an egg. Yikes. She had 5 hours of recovery and was moved to the ICU where she spent the last couple of days.

Yesterday my Mom was moved from the ICU to the Nero Science Unit, still at the downtown campus. Lets just say, it was like going from a 5 start hotel to a 1 star motel. ;) She just kinda giggled at how pampered she was in the ICU. Not that she isn't getting amazing care, as of course she is, but the room is tiny and she shares it. Hopefully it won't be her home for long. The surgeon told her and my Dad that she should be able to come home by Monday or Tuesday. YEH!! She is feeling much better. The extremely bad headache is subsiding due to the pressure of the swelling going down. Her eyesight is still being a little funny. She has extreme blind spots. If you stand in front of her and she moves her head to the left a little you are cut right down the middle. She has been told that is should improve or go back somewhat. We are hoping for a fully recovery of course.

Thanks again to everyone and keep those prayers come'n!!! Love to you all.

My Mom's Surgery

I wanted to post something about my Mom's surgery, as so many of you have been praying and calling me. :) I haven't been able to get to my voice mails, so I'm sorry about not returning your many calls. My Mom's surgery was 4ish hours and a few twists and turns. With out all of the details right now, the end results is that they removed the largest tumor. They are not going to be able to remove the smaller of the two due to it's location. She is doing pretty well. She has lost some vision, that they Nero surgeon says should come back. She is it the Surgical Critical Care Unit at the Butterworth campus, downtown. We are not sure how long she will be in here, hopefully she can get a room in the cranial wing very soon. My Mom wants me to thank you all so very much for the thoughts and prayers. She would really like to wait until at least Friday to have visitors. Perhaps she won't have to be on so meds by then. She is a LITTLE spacey and feels funny talking to people. AKA, Good drugs. :)
I'll post more when there isn't a line for the hospital PC. Thanks everyone, we love you dearly.

The sweetest niece EVER!!

Gracie was serisouly SO cute on Sunday, that she gets her own post from the day. :) Not only is SHE cute, but her Papa and G-ma Hosford bought her this outfit the night before and she wore is SOOO well. :) She was the cutest!!

In honor of 60 years....

On Sunday the Hosford/Snellink family had a picnic gathering in honor of Grandpa Snellink's Birthday and Grandpa and Grandma's 60th wedding anniversary. Jamie and Gloria hosted the picnic, having burgers and LOTS of other goodies. As the ladies watched, the men of the family played a friendly game of Crockett (Grandpas favorite game). Here are some fun shots from the day. We love you Grandma and know that Grandpa is watching with a smile on his face. :)

Finally!! Baby Thys Micheal Vander Wall is HERE!

Little Man Hands...




We are so excited to welcome another baby to the world! After a grueling 40+ hours ( I am not kidding!) and a C- Section later, Thys Micheal Vander Wall is here. Born 7:03 PM on June 7th. ( Sharing his birthday with Maddie, which we think is pretty cool) I could have sworn they were going to have a girl, but nope!! Weighing in at 8# 6oz and 19 1/2 inches long, he is just perfect. Seriously one of the most beautiful babies I have seen. Such a doll...

Johanna is a very strong women and she had to be to deal with all that went into this labor and delivery. Johanna, you are AMAZING!! I know that Jason is very proud of you as we are. Jay is a already very proud Papa, changing his first diaper ( VERY dirty I might add) today. Congrats to the new parents!! We can't wait to watch him grow!
Love you guys!

Happy Birthday Madilyn!!

Today is Maddie's second birthday. :) She knew it too. I said "good morning Maddie" and she replied "Maddie's birthday, McDonald's pancakes??" :) I told her last week that I would get her McDonald's Pancakes on her birthday, and of course yesterday we were telling her that "tomorrow is your birthday" so she remembered. :) It was pretty cute. Here are a few shots of Maddie from three weeks until now. Man time is FLY'N!!!

Welcome Charlie Michael Hall!!

Congratulations Shane and Amanda Hall on their second child!! Charlie was born this past Tuesday and is SO sweet! Both Amanda and Charlie are doing great. He was 8# 9 oz. and 20-1/2" long. What a little cutie.
Congrats to the Hall Family!!

Maddie's Second (Minnie Mouse) Birthday Party!!

Maddie was our sweet little Minne Mouse for her second Birthday Party. She was all smiles and loved seeing all her family and friends. Her actual Birthday is on June 7th ( and she'll tell ya so too!). We celebrated with a grill out and some cake. :) Tom was the grill master in the poring rain and did a great job. Thanks Tom for the yummy grub. Maddie received so many wonderful gifts but just could understand why she couldn't play with one when she opened it. We did a re-opening in the house after everyone left and it was like she got them all over again!! Thank you so much everyone, you are all WAY too generous.

Awww!! She just walked to the door and asked to see her party and GG, Papa and Grandma. She thinks everyone is out in the garage. How sweet.













Look at that cake face!! YUMMY! Thanks Melissa for the great shot!!


YEH!! presents for ME!!!!!!! Thanks Melissa for the great shot!!















Spin, Spin, Spin!!!!!!!!!! Thanks Melissa for the great shot!!














Yummy cake. She just had to try it first! :) Thanks Melissa for the great shot!!

The Hosford clan :) Obviously our dear friend Melissa helped me by taking a lot of great shots!! So, last time... Thanks Melissa for these great shots!!













What would a Birthday Party be without the Grandparents!!




Two pictures here. One is of Maddie, Grandma Hosford and G.G. Snellink. The other is of my lovely sisters. :) Vicky, Chris and Elizabeth. Thank you all for coming!!!



Lastly, but not the least what so ever ( in fact I saved my favorite until that last) :) is a picture that TOM took. Yes, TOM took this! I love it so much!! He said and I quote " I tried to capture the essence of innocence." I am not kidding, that is what he said. :) God I love my husband!!! :)

Swing Set "Fun"

Tom's parents got a swing set for the grandkids to play on for years and years and years....well they better for all the work that went into it! :)

Tonight Tom, Dan, Tony and Adam Burkholder put it together. Ok, let me clarify that...Adam told Tom and Dan what to do then Tony showed up and helped too. :) JUUUUUUUUUUST joking!!!
Tom is actually really good at putting these sorts of things together. Dan...Let's just say... is a much better supervisor. :) You know we love you Dan...and I'm kidding.

The girls played with the kids, chatted and just had a great time watching our men work their butts off. In fact as I type this, they are still over there working, probably with the car lights lighting the area. :) Here are few shots from the night. I particularly love the one of the kids getting into the chips on the table.

My Mom

My Mom....Honestly is one of the most fantastic people I know. With out a doubt, the most kind and caring. With having Madilyn, I am more and more thankful for the time she spent with me growing up and how she helped raise me.

The saying "bad things happen to good people" is very appropriate here. I really just shake my head sometimes thinking of all of this. I would obviously never wish hardship onto anyone, it's still frustrating when it's happening to someone so wonderful and worse when it's your Mom.

Most of you know that my Mom was in a terrible car accident two and a half years ago. When she was having all sorts of tests the first day she was in the hospital, a CAT Scan showed that she has a rather large tumor in the back of her head. Later tests showed another smaller tumor towards the base of the brain, near the brainstem. They were both determined to be benign in nature and at that time nothing really to be concerned with, as they may have been there for many years. In the recent months tests have show that there has been growth to the point that the larger of the two must totally be removed and part of the smaller. My Mom is scheduled for brain surgery on June 13th, downtown at Spectrum.

We know that the factuality at Spectrum is fantastic and have a great deal faith, but I have a huge belief in the power of prayer. When we almost lost Madilyn in those first couple of weeks of her life, the power of prayer played a huge part in her healing as well as our comfort. So, that is what I ask of you now.

Please keep my Mom and Dad in your thoughts and prayers as they enter this frightening time. As strong as they are, it's going to get scary so the more pray'n the better!! :)

Maddie and her G. G. Courtright

My Mom, Aunt Marilyn (my Mom sister), Maddie and myself spent the weekend at my Grandma's house in Mt. Pleasant. We had a wonderful as always. :) My Grandma can still out shop me and she'll be 89 in October!! That's say'n something! Tom was in Traverse City golfing and had a blast. Great Memorial Day weekend had by all.