One Day Closer to...

Dad and Mom are so cute together. Last night Mom was upset over a situation at the Recovery Place and her loving concern made me very proud. She addressed the issue with the people that she needed to and they in turn promised to make corrections. I love to see Mom in this role, she is flourishing at it. Because she has always felt most comfortable at home, she didn’t get out all that often and seemed to me a little shy, but now the current circumstances have dictated otherwise and she is a confident women able to make things happen. Anyway, Mom is of course a great caregiver but Dad in turn gives her constant praise and together it is so sweet. Their banter is so amusing.

This weekend our sister-in-law is coming and her visit is exactly what we need. She’s super close with Mom and Dad and I know her just being here will lift the spirits of us all. Out of all our visits the MN, the most relaxed place for them (from my standpoint) was with her. She is both a good friend and a daughter to them and they love her dearly. I think we’ll have a great time and we’ll get Dad out of his day-to-day environment.

Mom is still looking into housing options so while nothing has really developed in that department, gathering of info is still progress. I’m praying they find a program that meets their needs. We want them close and we want them to be in a safe place.

Christmas

Dad's friend joined us for Christmas.
It was great having him.

We took lots of other pictures,
they are posted on my family blog.

Dad seemed to be really happy, to make things even better, this was his first night away from his recovery center.

Holidays at Dad's Facility

Kole was eating at the yummy food,

Gage didn't think it was so yummy.

Dad's Roommate Archie, a very NICE guy!

Dressed the Door, Brought Santa, & Dec a Tree

Alot like Christmas

Its beginning to look a lot like Christmas...

It was wonderful spending the afternoon with Mom and Dad (and his roommate Archie who is a GREAT GREAT guy!). Mom wanted to make sure Dad’s room was decorated for the Holidays and I think we did a pretty good job. I will download the pictures soon but just thought I’d share the special day I had with some of my favorite people. It almost felt like old times but even more pleasant because there was no pressure. I think Mom and Dad’s house was sooo decorated for the Christmas Season that loading and unloading everything alone was a big deal. Then setting up the many Christmas trees with lights and decorations, etc etc would be pretty daunting. I sort-of like keeping it simple- this decorating took a couple of hours (and we started from scratch) and the warm/fuzzy feelings are there just the same. We have one more project and hopefully will finish that up this week.

Dad was in good spirits but it was clear that he wasn’t feeling well. The catheter he has to wear isn’t ideal and the problem related to it being required is definitely a concern. Nothing will be known for sure until after the first of the year but we’re praying it won’t be a long term issue.

Other than that he seemed tired and weak but he managed to smile through it all and remind me of the amazing inner strength he still possesses. Dad did say he wants to be out of the wheelchair. I’m not sure if his recovery will be to that extent or not but it is nice hearing his goals. I suppose God willing anything can happen.

Keep praying,
Kristy

Thanksgiving Came Early

We enjoyed Thanksgiving early this year at the place where Dad's recovering. It was so great spending time with him and the family- he had the most visitors by far. He was very happy and so were we.

Things aren't back to normal- but now there's a new sense of normal. Having him with us is such a blessing but we're still asking for your continuing prayers as Dad is still on the path to recovery and has further to go.

God is good, he's with us and things are looking up!

Later that evening we went to Karl and Regena's to celebrate Kim and Regena's Birthdays- Dad was able to join us there too and I think really liked the good food and change of atmosphere.

Praise God

What a wonderful day- Mom brought Dad to Church. He was very happy (as we all were). There was a time we wouldn't have thought it possible. The bible always speaks the truth- I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me! In this case, Dad has done all things imaginable and otherwise. Everyone was so happy to see him; his smile reinforced their hope that miracles can happen. He still has a way to go but for this day, we'll say HURAAY!!!! Thank God and thank God for all the prayers.

Halloween Came Early

Halloween came early this year AND we got to spend it with Dad. The place where Dad is recovering had a Halloween Party and we had a blast.

They had a costume contest and Maddy won (1st place at that- I think). It was cute, they had 3 of the lady residents there all judging and they were puttin’ on a little show of their own. They weren’t sitting in the right place, they kept getting sidetracked and then they couldn’t agree. Us women, young or not, we make things difficult sometimes.

Dad was in on the fun, sittin’ next to Karl and Regena and taking it all in. We didn’t get to spend much time with him throughout it all because the kids were on the RUN but at the end we regrouped. It was funny because Dad had this bag of candy and Jack tried to take off with it. I thought it belonged to the facility but it belonged to Dad- we all soon found out when he yelled out- hey, that's mine! Grandkid or not, no one was taking his candy.

Jack and I came back for a visit today. Jack rolled Grandpa around the facility lookin’ for a Jack-o-lantern and all the residents thought it was the cutest thing they had ever seen (it really was very cute).

Dad is seemingly in good spirits and gains more and more control over his movements from what I can tell. I secretly hope to see drastic changes from visit to visit but they are for sure more gradual than drastic. Still I always enjoy talking to him. Today he said I looked rested. He was right, I was. I haven’t been lately and he had noticed. It makes me feel good that he still focuses much on my well-being like that, he always did have a way of making me feel cared for.

He is an amazing guy and Mom is pretty amazing too- if I didn't know better, it seemed to me like she had helped out alot with this event. She was really happy and it showed. Doesn't she look so pretty? Karl and Regena helped out too- the frozen drink machine was up there and they were busy selling drinks for coupons (too bad the didn't have any alcohol in them though- chasing after those boys might have seemed less stressful if I could have had a lil' bit of the edge taken off- ha ha).

Family- there's nothing like it. Wish Marie was here to enjoy it. We miss ya Ree Ree.

Suffering?

This week’s message at Church was nothing short of amazing. I love it when the sermon hits home and we’re blessed enough to have a Pastor who somehow always manages to “reach me” Sunday after Sunday. I can’t imagine how I would get through these times without that time to reflect and release, without that reminder of God’s love, Jesus’ sacrifice and the promise of more to come.

But I digress back to the specifics of the sermon…
He spoke of suffering (or should I say repeated the sentiment already expressed in the Bible). He enforced a truth that I already knew- God can use suffering for good. Maybe it is because suffering has become more of a reality to me lately but I keep hearing this thought-process on suffering over and over. Maybe I just need the reminder? In ancase, it is so true. I know our family has suffered greatly during the last 5 months and yet I am still seeing good emerging from all the pain.

Dad is continuing to work on his recovery at a skilled nursing facility. This place use to seem to me the saddest place on earth but now I see it differently. Watching Dad navigate his wheelchair down the hall (and finding myself overcome with happiness that he has that type of coordination now)- I found myself in a surreal situation. Here we were, walking through the dining room and my Mom was the belle of the ball. Everyone was so happy to see her and she in turn was pleased to see them. Now I knew what Mom was doing for Dad, being there day after day, but I had no idea what she had become to all these other suffering people. Mom is painfully shy and because she’s always been so focused on her immediate family, she never got “out” enough to make many deep or lasting friendships outside of ours. But she has that now. They love her, Dad LOVES her, and I LOVE her so much it hurts. How blessed I am to have been born to such wonderful parents and how blessed are those that come into contact with them. Their spirit, their kindness will always be something I admire and thank God for. Suffering? In some ways I would say Mom and Dad are thriving- just in different ways than one would expect.

Tomorrow I may need another reminder that suffering is not all bad- but today it feels pretty good to see what God works out for us. I can do (and my Parents can do) all things through Christ who strengthens me (and them).