Weekend at Lonnie's

I'm finally getting around to posting these pictures. It's been a rough week. I still haven't recovered from last weekend. I worked Monday and Tuesday nights and they were wild and crazy nights too. Then Wednesday morning I went back to the Dentist for my crowns. Ugh! Today is Friday and I am just now feeling a little normal. Just in time to start the crazy weekend ahead.

It was fun hanging out at Lonnie's house.  Travis & Kellie came over. They always make me laugh! It is always a party when they are around.  Wyatt picked up Famous Dave's BBQ and we just spent the day with Lonnie.

Lonnie's best friend Bob stopped by to see Lonnie. We made him stay all day and play with us. He has been a wonderful friend to Lonnie all these years. When things get tough, you find out who is a true friend until the bitter end. Bob fits the true friend mold. I never remember Bob not being around since High School. He is a great guy!

Out to lunch...

Later that afternoon we met up with Jana, Cody, my little sister Chantiel & my brother Travis to go to lunch. We stayed for several hours because no one wanted the day to end. There were plenty of smiles to go around as I coupled everyone up for pictures.

More Lonnie Time

The MDA sent Lonnie a cool computer program that can help him communicate. Jordan helped Lonnie set it up so that he will be able to click on a word (using a dot on his hat) and open up a picture.  Then if he is hungry, thirsty or whatever his needs may be, the computer will generate a voice to the picture and speak for him.  We all found it fascinating and we laughed as Cody put in funny sayings...which I won't repeat. My kids have always been very close to Lonnie. He use to travel with his previous job down to Las Vegas quite a bit. He would always spoil my kids by taking them out to Leatherby's for ice cream or playing computer/video games for hours. Memories that will keep us going for many years to come.

Visiting with Lonnie in West Jordan

My brother Lonnie was diagnosed with ALS a little over a year ago. This disease is horrible in every sense of the word! ALS has made my big, strong, oldest brother lose strength in most of the muscles in his body. Saturday afternoon we went to visit him and his wife Cari and spend some quality time with him. Words cannot express how happy and yet how overwhelmingly sad I was to be see him like this. I haven't seen him since last August and at that time, he could still talk and had some use of his hands. Now he struggles to get even a couple of words out. He is the same caring, loving brother inside. However, his body won't do what his mind wants him to. Lonnie is so humble, he is enduring well to the end. Something that I don't think I would be able to do in the same circumstance.

My nephew Eric's little girl Baylee just loved TorriLyn. She was so cute playing with her that night.