"'Ol Spot"...

I finally got my puppy fix, and got to see Roxanne my sisters dog.

I am not sure how "fixing" it was for me, because I forgot how deathly afraid of cameras she is.

I forced her to take both of these, thinking if I loved her enough after, she would get over it.... NOT... she was shaking and upset and ran into the bedroom got in bed and wouldn't come out!

I am so sorry Roxanne! I forgot how traumatic it is for you.

Without the cameras, she is adorable, loving, well behaved, and loves treats!

"Shark Bite"...

Well just to prove it's never good when you get too cocky... I was feeling so good about being able to change the dressing and check out mom's incision... quite proud of my accomplishment in fact.

I even sent my sis the clear photos at work... she replied... "I just passed out", gross I know, but so validating that I could handle it and SHE was grossed out! he he he

Yep! I was feeling really good about my accomplishments, I was really growing!

Then my Dad sent me to the store to pick up a few things... so I snuck out while Mom was sleeping. And driving down the road to the store, I was re-living how proud I was of myself... and doing so well with the blood and guts of it all. And was laughing in my head about the new nickname we can call her... "shark bite"... it would be cute on her... when all of a sudden a wave of woosy came over me. Oooooh this is not good... so I quickly took my mind to my happy place and felt better... but note to self, don't get to proud and cocky about yourself or your accomplishments, apparently that can all go south very quickly!

Lioness courage... (not for the squeamish)

Today was to be a big day... the unveiling of the incision and the most coveted shower.

I knew this would be the hardest part of my service to my mother. I wasn't sure I could do it, but I knew I had to try.

I prayed allot last night to be able to get through the unveiling today.

I got everything lined up and ready, new sheets on the bed, the shower chair in place, clean sanitized clothes and towels to put on after, and layed out all the supplies we brought home to re-dress the incision.

I sat in front of Mom and questioned her to see how she was feeling about the unveiling... I quickly discovered from some of her ideas how to do it without having to look at it, that she was much more nervous about it, than even I was... so that wasn't good.

I calmly explained to her, that I needed to see it so I could make sure there wasn't anything going wrong, ooosing out, ripped open, super red. Really not sure what I was looking for, but I was very confident I would know if I saw it was wrong.

The courage was not my own, it came from he depths of my heart and love for my mom... as I carefully pulled off the bandage and very technically examined the incision.

Here it is in a purposely blurred out photo... kind of looks like a shark bite!

By the time her shower was over and I was able to re-dress the incision, we had both become much more comfortable with it. And high fives were in order!!!

We were both so happy we had accomplished this, and it seemed the hard part was over.

Cherishing the moments...

As I was putting the dishes away this morning, I realized that Mom has already figured it out, and adapted into her life the ability to "Cherish the moments".

I remember growing up, this was her "best china"... it pretty much only came out when the President came to eat with us (the President NEVER came to eat with us). My Mom and I don't have the same taste or style, but I always loved these dishes.

And today, they have become her everyday dishes!

I am so proud of you Mom for not keeping them put away for special times, and realizing every day is a special time in this life!! Thanks for being such a beautiful example to me!

2nd shift...

My Sis picked me up in Seattle at the airport at 6:30am, brought me to my parents, gave me the run down on meds and instructions, and then she was off to work.

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I can't say I wasn't a little nervous, the 1st shift caregiver was gone, and I was on my own. Very much questioning my abilities. I know that sounds weird, but with both my parents here and having health issues, I just didn't want ANYTHING to go wrong on my watch!!!

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They were both still sleeping, so I had an opportunity to get settled in...

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I always stay in my old bedroom, and there are a few changes, but still the same furniture in the same place as when I lived here. It always brings back many childhood memories for me.

I found these beautiful flowers... that is so like my Mom!

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Later she told me she had been at Costco the day before her surgery and they reminded her of me! Awwww....

I love that she keeps the copy of the "For Strength of Youth" on the dresser that I had given them to help them learn what standards we were teaching "the teenager".

Oh to be young again...

Mom wouldn't agree to any self portraits, but I could get her best thumbs up.
She is doing great and being such a good patient! (except for the occasional attempts to want to show me what's under the edge of her bandage... quit doing that!!)
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Tomorrow is the big day... she will get to shower, and remove the bandage.
A much more challenging time for me, keeping it clean and germ free... and weaning her off of the narcotics (which should be a breeze, she hates the way they make her feel.... and told me several times "why would anyone WANT to take these").
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I was tempted to take advantage of the situation and find out anything and everything, while Mom is on this "truth serum" but she doesn't seem to have any secrets, so not as fun as it might be if it were "my teenager"... he he he or better yet, my strong silent mysterious man... I could make him reveal all his deepest feelings... hmmm that's a thought! (just kidding)
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The doctor said to leave the wound open after Friday unless we need a light wrap of gauze on it to keep her from "catching her stitches on anything" YIKES!!! How is that comforting at all!!!
I am so glad "1st shift" was there to get all these instructions... it would not have been good for me to be passing out in the doctors office while he was telling me how to care for her at home.
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I was so exhausted after just the first day! I didn't realize how much energy it was going to take. But my brother and sil and my sis all came by after work last night and are giving great support... so I don't feel like I am doing this alone.
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I am so grateful for this time with my parents, to be able to help them out and "give back"!
I am so thankful that my work is so flexible, that I can take this time. And so blessed to have a family at home that supports me and is holding down the fort, so that I can be here.
Truly many many things to be grateful for, I feel the Lords hand in my journey!

Pre flight checklist...

Wednesday... d-day... if I didn't get it done, it wouldn't get done... dahnt, dahnt, dahnt!

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So I went over my "pre-flight" checklist very carefully... there were so many fires to put out with work, and it is one of my busiest times of the year, getting bookkeeping records ready for the accountants, filing payroll and quarterly taxes.

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But at some point in my day, after I got the low down on my boys busy schedules for the evening, I realized I had to keep to my self promise to cherish the moments.

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So I got my haircut... after all a girl can't cut herself too thin, some things are a must!

Ahhh, much more manageable!

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And I took breaks in-between the deadlines to go watch my strong silent mysterious man's basketball game... the story behind these boys and their basketball team, is a blog post all in itself. But I was so glad I stopped and went, and he appreciated me being there with him.

Then we went over to the church to catch the last half of the dodge ball mutual activity... of course my strong silent mysterious man immediately got a second wind and couldn't resist participation. And the teenager had a blast! I wish I would have gotten some pictures, our Bishop was diving in his suit to catch and get someone out, some of the meekest mildest young women were turning into competitive beasts... it was hilarious, nobody got hurt (for the most part) and a really good time was had by all!!!

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Most importantly I took a few minutes to stop and smell the roses, cherish the moments with my boys, and everything else will be there when I get home. Not a lesson I am learning easily, but most rewarding I am discovering!!!

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I finally got the most important deadlines finished, and began packing my suitcase at 11pm, in bed by midnight, and up at 4am to go to the airport.

Are we there yet...

We live in such a great location to stop on your way through from Washington to almost anywhere east. So I always push myself on family and friends when they are traveling through. I don't insist that you stay with us, I totally get the whole stay on the road and get there quick, but I do insist on at least a phone call as you pass us by.

We have often met at the exit off the freeway, just for hugs, you can stretch your legs, get gas and get back on the road, I get my fix, and all is well.

Yesterday, I got word my nephew was taking a road trip to Wyoming from Washington... so I immediately picked up the phone and called his cell, hoping he hadn't passed us by already. I caught him early enough in his journey and convinced him, if he had to stop and sleep... this would be a great place to do it, free, with food and hugs! He accepted! I can be very convincing!

He hasn't done many road trips, and never by himself this far.

So this is quite an adventure for him!

Oh to be young again!

These two are a crack up... Bryan made the teenager bend his knees down until they were the same height... too funny! Yeah, none of us like it that he is so much taller than us Bryan, it will be okay when you get used to the idea. Plus he can reach all the stuff on the top shelves! He's handy that way.

I love this kid, he is so fun to be around.

It was such a blessing for him to come stay with us. Not near enough time, but we went out for burgers, it is a family joke, (reality for him though), that since he began to eat, he was very very picky. He wouldn't eat any red or green food, and never eat anything that touched his other food, no milk on his cereal etc, etc, etc. So while I was joking about it, I realized he might not have outgrown some of his food choices. So we waited until he arrived to decide on dinner.

Plain burgers would work, and sounded good to everyone.

He was wiped out from the drive, so he was in bed early. He didn't sleep very well between Taylor going and pushing on his door every time she woke up (she loved him to death... and couldn't stand it when he would go in a room and close the door behind him, she fretted the entire time until he came out) and just being in a strange bed. He was up at 7am and out by 8am this morning. I sent him off with a bag of ham biscuits, and made him promise to call and stop again on his way home, if it worked for him. He promised!

In the fog...

The teenager was going to get his hair cut yesterday and let me ride with him.

He has just started back driving again this week, since his accident in September, and while he knows his way out to this little country town, I think he was partly wanting some reassurance of which road to turn on, and partly I think he knew I was feeling like there wasn't much time before I leave for Seattle again for us to be together. It was very sweet, and I cherish every moment to be included in his ever growing independence.

It was sooooo foggy outside. You could barely see the entire way.

He is a good driver, and much more observant since his accident.

He adores Katie. She announced she got engaged to her boyfriend over the Christmas holiday.

We are so happy for her, her wedding is on the same date he received his Eagle Scout award... not much of a coincidence really, but cool to him... it was a special date to remember.

I am really excited, today is my turn!

I hope the fog lifts before I drive back out there.

Happy Birthday Brittany!!!

To my niece Brittany... HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

Seriously one of God's most beautiful children inside and out!!

Words that make me think of Britt...

Humble

Kind

Sense of Humor

Faith

kid at heart

Devoted

Family

Green

(I don't know why, but you remind me of the color green, maybe because you look good in it, maybe you will come into allot of money... who knows, it's just random)

Children

Solid testimony

Beautiful inside/out

Fun

Happy

Friend

SPT ~ I resolve to take more self portraits with people I love...

Whether they are willing....

or not so willing....

Gonna be a bear...

Gonna be a bear

In this life I'm a woman. In my next life, I'd Like to come back as a bear. When your a bear, you get to hibernate. You do nothing but sleep for six months. I could deal with that.
Before you hibernate, your suppose to eat yourself stupid. I could deal with that too.
When your a girl bear, you birth your children (who are the size of walnuts) while your sleeping and wake up to partially grown, cute, cuddly cubs. I could definitely deal with that.
If your a mama bear, everyone knows you mean business. you swat away anyone who bothers your cubs. If your cubs get out of line, you swat them too. I could deal with that.
If your a bear, your mate EXPECTS you to wake up growling. He EXPECTS that you will have hairy legs and excess body fat.

YUP, GONNA BE A BEAR