Miracles DO happen!

First, thank you so much to everyone who sent the wonderful messages of support for my cousin, Jonathan. I've really appreciated hearing from all of you! Here's the latest update from my uncle as of this morning:

>Jon is totally off life support. He has one IV for morphine and >antibiotics but that should come off tomorrow. We have all been >secretly worried sick that Jon would be blind from the loss of >blood to his brain. We talked to the neurologist today and he >said the he could see in one eye. He can't describe what he sees >yet because his speech center needs to recover from his time >under medications. His brain damage is general and not area >specific (except for the vision). He can not walk today or >control the movement of his arms. With extensive therapy these >functions can be restored. His memory is beginning to come >back. Tonight he could remember the names of his mom dad and >half of his siblings. He could also remember his phone number. >His speech is garbled at times but getting better. He will be out >of ICU soon if all goes well. Also, next Monday there will be a >blood drive for Jon. He required more than 30 pints of blood. >The bloodmobile will be in the Von's parking lot in Solana >Beach.

If anyone is in the San Diego or Solana Beach area and wants to go give blood, I'll post the blood drive information when I have it. If you're not in that area, please take this as a reminder of how important it is to give blood so that our supply is maintained. You never know when you or someone you love might need it!

In other news, Ryan is doing MUCH better! Although I kind of panicked after seeing how rotten he looked last Thursday when I picked him up from daycare, I'm happy to report that his doctor said his lungs were clear when he had his checkup on Friday. He's been sleeping a lot better (hooray!) and his cough isn't nearly as nasty sounding or frequent as it was. Last night we sat and watched an old, animated Disney version of "Johnny Appleseed" that I hadn't seen since I was a little child. He loved it and I was reminded of a childhood favorite! Oh, he also wiped tapioca pudding in my hair that I didn't find til it was nearly bedtime and I tried to brush my hair and couldn't figure out why the brush got stuck. Ah, the joys of mommydom ;-)

Oh, yes, how about some jewelry news? I've been invited to do my first ever arts and crafts show with my jewelry! It's thrilling and horrifying all at the same time LOL! With a full-time job, a husband, a household and a 2 year old child...well, let's just say that my free time is pretty limited so getting ready for a show in April will be a major undertaking. I haven't 100% decided to do it yet as I'm really not sure I've got the time, but I have to make a decision by the application deadline next week so I'll keep you posted. A lot depends on whether I can cajole/bribe/drag my friend Laura into being my helper. Not only does she have a lot of craft show experience from her days on the rubberstamping show circuit, but she brings the added benefit of being able to do math in her head (unlike some of us..okay, me...who are totally PATHETIC at anything to do with numbers). Plus we just generally make each other laugh and we don't get to see each other very often since she moved to that godforsaken wilderness (aka Riverside) with all those wild animals (aka 11-something Huskies...and no, I'm not kidding).

Today's teaser: I got one new bracelet/earrings set done over the weekend but haven't had a chance to get it up on the website or post a preview here, but I'll try to get that done later today. Just to whet your appetite...it's got gorgeous lampwork beads in juicy shades of teal and lime mixed w/ Czech crystal and some BIG Bali silver beads. VERY beach-y and ready for summer.

Take care all!

KJ