Tuesday, December 18, 2007


Our Christmas Letter

"The Miracle on N. Ranney Street"

Our miracle began over 2000 years ago when our Savior was born. Flash forward to the year 2007 and the miracles continue with our miracle on Ranney Street. The Texas Christmas tree is up and the “Leg Lamp” adorns the front picture window here on N. Ranney and the magic of Christmas is bringing joy and excitement to our home.

We are thankful for many blessings this year but none stand out as much as Mark’s recovery from his tragic accident. It was one of those experiences you hope you will never have to endure again. We sometimes can’t imagine how we survived, but we know it has brought us so much closer to our friends, family and our lives have been blessed by the trial.

We are amazed at the blessings we have received from our family and enduring friendships. Each of you are a wonderful example of what is good. We will forever be grateful to all of you. We watched in amazement at how our support group somehow wove themselves together and created the most comforting blanket to shelter and support us throughout our greatest trial. You were there to help bear our burdens, mourn with us and comfort us when we were in need.

The boys are at the center of our life we enjoy each minute we have with them. All three are highly motivated by food and they amaze us by how much they can put away.

Justin is enjoying freedom and has become a wonderful young man. Working at
Best Buy; up by the crack of noon just in time for college classes. Late night studies and to bed by dawn. Talking to girls and hanging with friends consume a great amount of his time.

From video games to academic team, Steven is busy being a teenager. Just when we thought his personality and sense of humor had peaked he continues to make us laugh even more. He is working hard to complete his Eagle Scout in order for him to earn his drivers license.

Clayson is in Kindergarten and has discovered a great love of reading and Webkins.
He has a great appreciation for all God’s creatures and keeps us on our toes with all of them he manages to sneak into the house. He claims he will one day be the next “Steve Irwin.”

Mark has made a miraculous recovery. He is back to work and his employees have welcomed him and been amazed at his strength and will power to carry on. Just goes to show he has been thoroughly blessed with outward and inward strength from above. Activities with our family, friends and church seem to fill my days and be of most importance in my life. I seldom find time for much else. I love having my sister Christi and her family here to help us. It really livens things up around here and lightens our burden. We plan to join Mark’s family in Texas the day after Christmas and then return to Canada to reunite with the Canadian doctors and friends that assisted in our miracle.

I have no idea how we would have survived Christmas without the prayers, fasting and sacrifices made by so many of you. You have all helped to bring a magnificent miracle into ours life we will never forget.

Know that we are thinking of you and wishing you all the best for experiencing Gods miracles that are sure to be great in 2008.

Love,
The Andersons

Friday, December 7, 2007

Because I know how much you all care.

So sorry I have not been updating the blog as much as many of you would like. I can't really tell if Mark likes it when I update or not. I know he wants to keep everyone informed but he doesn't want me to be going on and on about stuff you all really don't give a darn about. So I will do my best to update but please understand why it's not always consistent.

Things seem to be clicking along here at home. We got a good report from Dr. Uthoff yesterday. He listened, poked and questioned to try and uncover how the recovery is progressing. He reduced the amount of blood pressure medication Mark is currently taking, and seems to think all is well. Mark assumed he wouldn't have to have another appointment but the doctor wants to continue seeing him on a regular basis. I was happy about that one.

Mark made it to the office everyday this week and is continuing to show signs of improvement. I do hope he doesn't overdo it, but I am trying to keep my mouth shut and allow him to do what he feels like he can. We have a doctor's appointment in Cape with Dr. New next week. Andrea from Arris is helping us with airline tickets to Canada. We greatly appreciate her generosity and are anxious to get back up there mid January.

We hosted a Duck's Unlimited commottee meeting in the "Man House" last night. We sauteed and boiled around 18 pounds of shrimp (left over from the banquet) and the guys enjoyed getting to pig out and visit for a few hours.

The boys are on there way over and we are looking forward to seeing them. Of course Justin has a double blind date tonight therefore he will probably drop Steven, say hello and go fill up his tank (because he can charge it to Mark's account) and race back to Paducah.

We hope you all have a great weekend. Thank you all for everything.

Love,
Stephanie

Tuesday, December 4, 2007

Making Huges Stride

Mark is doing very well. He has been working a few hours each day and he didn't make it home until after 5:00pm today. There have been several Mark sitings around town. He went to Buffalo Wild Wings with Brian Ottis, one of his Aggie buddies last week. To watch part of an Aggie basketball game. Then today he enjoyed having lunch with the "Testosterone Tuesday lunch club" and he took Clayson, Anya and Philip to school this morning.

He has a doctors' appointment with Dr. Fred Uthoff on Thursday morning and we are anticipating a good report. We have scheduled a follow up appointment with Dr. McCarval in Canada on January 22nd. We think it is necessary to follow up with the Canadian surgeon who performed Mark's surgery since no one in the states has performed this type of an aortic endograft stent. Mark also feels a great need to personally thank so many people who helped us so very much. He continues to amaze me with his ability to fight through the pain without complaining. He is working very hard to get his body regulated and be back in the thick of things quickly.

As we have transitioned back into the real world we have both been touched by many people we meet each day who have been praying for us. In a world filled with so much evil it is so wonderful to know there are soooo many wonderful people who have gone to God in prayer on our behalf and helped us through this tragedy. Many people who have been praying had never even met us but they have prayed and fasted for us and become another blessing in our lives.

We love you all and hope you are getting into the Christmas spirit as our family is now more than ever.

Oh yeah, he is back in his boots and out of the slippers when out of the house.

Love, Stephanie