It’s been a long time since I’ve written. A lot has happened. More than I feel like is normal- to be honest….

Yesterday was a year since mom was diagnosed- and the amount that has changed in the last year is astounding. Mom is gone. Carter, Dad and I all have different living spaces, Carter is single, our cousin TJ was so sick he nearly died and had to earn to walk again… it’s been an upheaval.

Our lives are so unrecognizable- and yet when we are together, we are all- just the same.

Remarkable.

I will do a little explaining.

First of all, being that the last time I wrote was in November- let me back track. First off we had a thanksgiving in Basalt with the Fosters. (Click for pictures!) Then we went to Mexico for Christmas, which was awesome. Again more photos… Spent time in colorado for new years, did some sledding, had a great visit.

The day we left for Mexico, our cousin TJ- (aka Mom’s nephew/ Lois’s son) was admitted to the hospital for back pain, and within 24 hours he was going into system failure, his organs were shutting down and he was dying. We got this news as we were landing in Mexico. Perfect.

Over the next few days he was put on life support, and even thought they told us he might not make it thru the day- he just kept on surviving….

4 months later as they released him from the hospital to go to Rehab, the doctor would call him “nothing short of a miracle.” He had what is called MRSA- which is a vicious strand of the Staph infection. That led to Septicemia (blood poisening) which led to Bacterial Spinal Meningitis. Which rendered the lower half of his body useless.

And so- I could tell you horror stories, of painkillers and antibiotics, of stool softeners and immodium, of their Christmas, new years, superbowl, valentines day, hell even their Easter in the hospital. Imagine that… 5 months in the fucking hospital.

But he home and he’s walking and he’s living and he truly is NOTHING SHORT OF A MIRICLE. He still has a few more months of rehab, but fuck mate, at least he’s alive to do it….

So while all that was happening, Dad was renovating his apartment to move in, and that was accomplished and he moved into the apaprtment building that I have lived in for the last 7 years (and the last 2 with Tate). Then, shortly after that was finished Tate and I moved out into a rental house and we began construction on OUR apartment. (Finally getting my dream kitchen- it’s AMAZING)

Then, in the middle of all that Carter and Nikky broke up. Nikky initiated it, and Carter was left pretty broken hearted, but you know- he will be fine…. They both will. So in the last month Carter has had to move and buy new furniture (and a 52”inch flat screen TV… classic)…

And so.

It’s only been a year, but fucking hell what a year it’s been. Tate and I finally did make it to Ireland… Which was pretty magical….

It’s just been a doosey.

But we still remain a team- even if our female numbers are dropping- (apparently I’m just gonna have to be enough woman for us all…) we stay close, and it’s the thing that has always gotten us thru, and it always will. Always.

Till next time,
You know we will remain

Team Carter