End of Valentine's Weekend

Maggie on her scooter that Santa brought.

Nana and pap bought a dress for Maggie and sweatsuits for the boys. Austin's had a baseball player and Matthew's had a soccer player. (for Valentine's Day)

We (heart) bags for each kid from their mom & dad.
They found them with red tissue so pretty as they woke up today in Louisville. They went there with all the Keith family. Spaghetti Factory for lunch yesterday, a Children's Science Museum and more! Fun times.

Money for Matthew from mamaw and papaw.

We started, as I said in the post below, on Friday night at Murray's. Sat. was laid back and relaxing. Sunday (today), we ate a quick lunch at Cane's and came home to watch the Daytona 500. I baked a cake for my son-in-law and after the race (a long track delay) we took it over with gifts for the kids for Valentine's Day. Sweet end of the day! I love those kids!

Valentine's Day early

We all can say what we want about our husbands, for me, I can't ever say enough good things about him. He really does "go out of his way" to make me happy. To bless me, to keep our marriage alive and fun. He plans trips for months, he likes "last minute" drives to a fun destination, he does the dishes (dishwasher), he helps vacuum, does 90% of the laundry, most all the lawnmowing (10% me), and keeps up with his picture framing (does a totally awesome job at that!). He plans date nights and we watch a favorite TV show (he prefers me off the computer!), he plans going out to movies/dinner dates as well.
He has been "fretting" over Valentine's Day (although he would not say that). He has felt pressure for sure. With the Daytona 500 being Sunday, we both know he LOVES Nascar and especially that race. So, I came home yesterday (Friday) and he had called ahead for dinner at Murray's. We sat near the front door in a corner by the fireplace. It was nice...he had a big, juicy steak and I had grilled Talipia. After a nice dinner, we went to the dollar movie (well, I didn't say he doesn't like to save a buck!) Since we go to the movie most weekends, we see some at the "real" theater and most at Lexington Green. Their popcorn is really good, so that is OK with me...plus, we go much more often.
He handed me a card he had drawn the best sketch of two "fists" bumps (our thing with Maggie) and a message about our "road trip". He is planning our summer trip to Mackinac Island. After last year's trip out West, I so look forward to all he is planning. He's the best ever. I love you CB and can hardly wait for spring break and cruising to Florida in our little red car.

Snow Day

Sat. night Maggie wasn't feeling great, so we cuddled on the sofa with a push up!

Matthew in a quiet moment!

Daniel brought them both new remote controlled cars!

Everyone that doesn't get to stay home on a snow day wishes they did. Each of us that actually do get the day off loves it the night before, we love sleeping in for a short while (although we have to wake up as normal and it's not so easy to get back to sleep!) but I sure don't get a lot done! However, as my daughter just informed me, that's OK...just what we need to do! Rest, blog, and for her, a run to the doctor without having to take a sick day to do it. With three kiddos, she is always at the doctor, dentist or whatever. She just took them in for Maggie who they diagnosed with Bronchitis. She left the prescription and had 25 min. to wait...not easy in the car, even with dual DVD players! So, I volunteered to go pick up the meds for MJ and take them by the house. Good thing we live so close, not a big deal at all. I don't do enough for them as it is. I used to keep Austin several days a week while Becky was getting her masters. Now, I keep them for date night or when they need to (like today) go to the dentist herself.

Change of plans, she had a dental appt. for two of the three and needed to reschedule as it was made long ago on a day that now is a snow make up day! Never a dull moment. When she called to reschedule, appt. is now today! So, MJ to the doctor, dentist for the kids, then Becky has her own dental appt! Her day off is VERY productive...not so restful, but she rarely has a down moment!

We both hosted super bowl parties at our houses this year. Becky had a "souper" bowl party with hot soups and she made these buffalo chicken sandwiches that I want the recipe for. She cooked a chicken and pulled all the meat from the bone. Not sure how she mixed the chicken with sauce to make them "buffalo" but on top she made a great dressing to top it off. Yummy. Every guest brought their favorite Super Bowl snack, so I'm sure they ate well.

I made her meatball recipe for hoagies toasted with mozzarella cheese slices, or the meatballs were good to eat alone. My friends brought hot cheese dips, vegies & dip, cookies, and more so we grazed all night. I made chocolate dipped strawberries and a turtle cake to end the night. The guys watched the game and the girls chatted, watched the commercials, and watched enough to see a few good plays. Mostly we stayed out of the guys way!

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.