Super Sunday

Today was a good day. We met up with Becky and family and Jason Allen and friend, Cassie with Thomas at church then on to Becky's house for lunch. Thomas was so good at a new church and went right in with Austin and Matthew.

Lunch was whole wheat spaghetti with yummy meatballs. She served hoagies with meatballs and melted cheese. Salad, garlic bread and a homemade chocolate cake. The boys played so nicely with all the toys and Clyde and I played air hockey!

Harley & Erin dropped by just to say "hi" and we talked them into staying for dessert. We enjoyed their conversation. Erin has applied and officially will be attending UK in the fall. She has grown into a beautiful, sweet young lady and I am very proud of her.

Here are a few photos of the boys and MJ.

Daddy

I spent the afternoon on Tuesday at mom & dad's and we played one game of Rook. This is a miracle as it wasn't too many weeks ago that we thought we had surely played our last as a foursome! Dad has bounced back so nicely. Now, saying that, this cirosis of the liver will eventually take him home, but he has had much better days since Hospice (as I've said repeatedly!) Yesterday, mom said he had a very tough day. Walking a very short distance from his chair to the kitchen he got dizzy and started to fall. My brother was near and told him to put on his brake (the Hospice one has wheels!) and dad said he couldn't...so he was going down. My brother was right there and caught him. Dad ask Kent to get him back to the living room and from there he didn't move again. He also lost his (little) appetite and ate nothing. So, not a good day.

Today has been better. I called and went over and we didn't play just one game, they wanted to play two! So, two games to 1000 pts and dad did great. Mom and I won the first one, and it was down to the wire but the guys beat us in the second!

As we were talking a little (we don't talk much!) dad told me about his night last night.

He said he sleeps on his right shoulder in a "fetal" like position. He woke up and straightened his left leg but when he tried to bend it again, he had the worse pain ever. So he straightened it again. Then, he tried to bend it again, and same thing occured. He said it was like none he ever experienced. So, laying there with a very straight leg, he prayed. With tears in his eyes and choking up some, he said "I was able to bend my leg after I prayed". So great that dad knew God heard and was very near him (although he knows that of course...)

Busy, busy Saturday!

I didn't get a picture but Tricia gave Megan (at this shower) a big platter that had these little "theme or seasonal" add ons that made it fit the occasion. So neat! Megan was delighted.
I didn't get a photo of the hostess' but Kathy C. and Kathy B. gave this shower with me. I could not ask for better ladies to work with. Thanks girls! We are a good team.

One of the neatest, nicest gifts ever was given from her future MIL. It was a honeymoon Sandals trip. The gift for the shower, was a huge beach bag stuffed with "beach" theme items. Also included was a binder with all the activities at the resort they can enjoy. Just so creative and nice! Great job, Kim!

They love Uncle Jason

Future chefs

Washing up to make pizzas

New haircuts

From the time my feet hit the floor yesterday, to the time I laid down last night, I was busy. For several weeks I have been making bows, making favors, adding "touches" here and there for my very good friends, Tricia & David's, daughter's bridal wedding shower tea. Due to earlier snow days, I took advantage of being indoors and decorated the dining room. So, most of the work was done early. Her colors for the wedding are watermelon pink and green, so I tried to copy as best I could without seeing the colors. I printed these little balloons with their engagement pictures on them and used them to decorate the table. I used pink and green votives and flowers for the centerpiece. All in all we had a fun time and Megan was showered with lots of gifts. I will add a few pictures.

Then Jason, Clyde and I sat down to watch UK crush Arkansas for a couple of hours then I was up getting ready to watch the grandkids last night while Becky and Jason had a night of fun with their ABF group from church. A needed night away. The kids were great....we made pizzas, watched movies, and Maggie went to potty for me twice...dry undies! Yeah, MJ. Nana is proud of your progress. She is precious and copies everything the boys do. It is unreal how much Matthew loves her. He is very good to her and for that I am very thankful. The boys both had haircuts yesterday with the front "spiked" from the gel they put on....I'll add a few pic from last night as well. A great church day today looking back at the decade of the 90's, when both my kids were teens and graduated high school. Jason Allen went to the 10:00 so we met up and ate at Red Lobster after church. Great day!

I love the picture of Maggie skipping down the walkway at church that is posted below, and hate to cover it up with these words! However, I am thankful to be off work today and celebrating a great person in history (not too long ago history!) Martin Luther King, Jr. A man of courage and conviction for sure.
I wanted to say how thankful our family is to Hospice. What a wonderful job they are doing with my dad. At this time, Debbie (his caregiver) is at the house cleaning dad up and getting him up and dressed. She has been wonderful with he and mom. She even made mom's bed one day when mom was in a hurry to leave for a hair appt. Debbie is warm, friendly, and a positive person all around. His nurse, social worker and chaplin have been just as great. The whole experience has been so helpful to mom and taken much of the work off of her. No words can say how much we appreciate them for the respectful care they are giving our dear dad.
When they first came, they had a very hard time getting a pulse. With permission of dad's doctor, they removed several of the meds he was taking on a daily basis. These helped his heart rate and gave him so much more energy. He is able to eat again and is stronger (somewhat!) every day. Thank you all for your tireless work ethic and knowledge of your patients needs.

Happy Sunday!

Nothing better than seeing Matthew, Austin & Mags happily coming to church! One thing they may remember when they are older, is that (when very few are in the runway) they are allowed to "run" from the top of the inside hallway (what do you call that?) to the water fountain. They are so cute and MJ just skips and jumps and runs all the way behind them. Little things in life!

I just remembered that this PC doesn't read my scandisk card...so, I will use the laptop to download a few photos. I do this mainly for Kimmie and Laurie but for anyone else who reads as well. I usually "tear up" when I see they have checked in for "news". However, they are GREAT at getting together with the kids when they all can manage it! Kim, if you see this, the gifts you all got them for Christmas were so "right". The hats and mittens are just right. The boots, guitars and all were great. They love the Lincoln Logs as well (not sure who all got what). Anyway, everything was perfect...the first day I went by to watch the boys while they took naps they both had on the blankets you gave them...on and on.

One last thought, last night we kept them while Becky & Jason went to the movies (it was their turn as I kept MJ on Sat. while the boys got to go to the movies and to Chucky Cheese')...anyway, when Becky came back she reminded Matthew what day it was and to tell Nana. He said "nana, it was one year today that I came to mommy's house from Tina's". He went on to say how happy he was that he did. Then, when I said to Becky "Matthew was a very good boy tonight" he looked at her and smiled the sweetest smile. I need to tell him that more, he responds so much better than to anything negative! Don't we all????

Snow Day...Yeah!

Today Becky and Jason took the boys to see the new "Alvin & the Chipmunks" then out to Chucky Cheese' while Maggie and I stayed warm at Nanas. She is such a good girl. I love her so very much. She came with a little pony tail with a black hairbow and a black hoodie and leggins. She played with an old Cabbage Patch baby that belonged to Becky when she was little. MJ puts it in the stroller and loves on her a lot. MJ napped easily and ate her lunch good. All in all she was such a joy. I loved holding her and just snuggling under the couch blanket. The pic of Austin was after the boys both had left the house and he remembered he had a tatoo and hadn't shown Nana, so he ran back in to show me.

Tonight Clyde and I loved eating at a fireside table at Petra Mediteranian Rest. and enjoyed it a lot. Good chicken shishkabobs with grilled vegies and Clyde loved the rice...it was very good. Good two days off, relaxing and getting ready for a wedding shower I'm hosting (with help) in a few weeks. Now the weekend!

New Year...What will it bring?

We ended 2009 with a party at the Beall's playing Rook until past midnight. We use tally cards and go from table to table and "graze" all night long. The food was too much and too good.

Clyde has been at the hospital while his mom had back surgery and is recovering for the past couple of weeks. Harley, Vernon, Martha and Clyde have taken turns sitting with her. Today was the first day she has been feeling pretty well.

I went by to see dad today as well and he looks very good. If anyone ever wonders if Hospice would help, I want to say "yes!!" They have been very good to dad and mom. They help so much. They came in and took him off of several meds (doctors OK this) and when they could find only a very slow heartbeat, now it is twice as strong. He is eating more and happier. Thank you nurses aide, nurse, Chaplin and social worker for all you do! We appreciate the love and care you give our dad...you know he is the most important person you will ever provide care for.

I will post a couple of pictures from the UK vs. UL game....go CATS! A win is a win no matter what the score or how hard the punches were....a great start to a great season! We watched it over hot chili, sandwiches, and of course sweets at our friends, Fred & Michelles.