Who would you visit?

I have been very nostalgic for family and friends who have gone before me. This song resonates very deeply. If Heaven Weren't so Far Away who would you want to see and what would you do?

Me? I would want to dance on the daisies with my mom, make fudge with my mooma, rub my poopa's little bald head, and just hug my aunt Doris.

I don't remember much

I know many of you have seen posts on FB as well as here that my dad was here for a week babysitting me. Here is what happened

I went in for my lumbar puncture as planned - however the aftermath was totally unplanned. The lumbar puncture went fine but when I was in observation afterwards is very fuzzy. I remember them telling Scott that I had to wait 2 hours in observation because of being prone to migraines. I remember telling Scott I was getting the worst migraine ever. I remember someone loading me in to the car and being rushed 2 blocks to the hospital. I remember a really nice security guard staying with me while Scott parked the car. I remember after sitting in a wheelchair for a while Scott grabbing a nurse and telling him that I had had a lumbar puncture and I had to be laying down. Then I was on a gurney in a hallway.

I was eventually put in a ER room. At some point some point I got an IV. No clue when. I got a CT scan to check for a stroke - no clue when. I lost the ability to swallow. Remember a nice nurse taking the water from me when I started choking. I was admitted to the hosptial. Scott knew I could not stay alone with Drew for a week - heck we didn't know when I was going to get out of the hosptial. SCott had to go to Dallas on business that could not be postponed in anyway. The government doesn't put off meetings.

He called his mom first but she couldn't get out here till Tuesday. So SCott called my dad. The next thing I remember being told that Dad was coming to stay and take care of me. Thanks to Andrea for arraging everything and sacrificing a week with out dad during the rainy season and the crack in the wall. Thanks to Mary Lou for not being able to come.

What I do remember is having the best week of my life with my dad. It was the most wonderful theraputic week. Lots of talking laughing crying loving healing. What we both needed.
Dad met my friends, went to Dr.appts, pack meeting, knitting group, DRew's OT and speech and so many other little things. IT meant the world to me.

We see a new neurologist on Wed. We now have more questions then answers. No one can explain what happened after my puncture. It was scary. I have so many holes in my memories but I think that is probably a good thing. But not as good as having my dad to myself for a week.

thought for the day

The road of life has so many twists and turns and obstacles, it is good to have family and friends to help us navigate the difficult ones and celebrate the good ones.

Another Saturday

Saturday has rolled around again. I think it is gonna be a pretty quite weekend for us. Next weekend appears to be pretty busy so I will take the down time when I can.

It has become routine that Scott go to Folsom on Saturday mornings for long ride with a group of people. He gets up about 530 and does his thing. He putzes around the house and about 7 he leaves. I try to grab a little more sleep if Skippy allows it. Other wise I get up and take him out. Once I am up I am up and can't go back to sleep - at least for a few hours. I try to catch up on mail, bills, insurance crap, mundane life things. I never know day to day how I feel but my alone time on Saturday seems to be when my brain works and I can get stuff done.

Drew gets up and on goes a movie and cereal in front of the TV. I remember Saturdays like that when I was a kid.

Scott gets home usually between 1:00 and 2:00. Usually we try and go out for dinner. We find our selves eating more Asian and vegetarian food since I have been sick. I do love my favorite Korean BBQ place tho. I love bulgogi.

They have taken dairy away from me as well now - ever try to go to chipolte and get a burrito - cant have it. gluten. So go with a bowl right? No cheese or sour cream. It looses something when it is only rice, beans and chicken.

Next Sunday is going to be fun. We are hosting a Mystery Dinner for our CHILL parents. The mom in charge told me yesterday that there are 10 couples coming. We are doing potluck. We love these friends. The support, love and fellowship we provide each other is amazing. We go camping together, have a monthly mom's night out. The mom's have rented a cabin in Tahoe and we are all headed there the first weekend of March. Fellowship, eating, crafting and napping for an entire weekend.

time to get back to my Saturday.

FTPD

C

Hard decision

Scott and I have to make a rough decision tonight. To some this might not sound hard but to us it was trying to hold on to our youngest sons childhood just a bit longer.

My dad does a wonderful service every year. He calls kids all over the country to help Santa check in on kids. I think last year he said he had 30 kids on his list. He has wonderful sleigh bells. He loves doing it and kids all over the country have a bit of magic during their holiday.

Dad offered to put Drew on his list this year. After much discussion Scott and I decided to decline. Drew is getting very good at discerning voices. He can tell when the same person plays different characters in movies. He knows who Steve Carrel is and knows what movies he has animated for example. Drew talks to my dad on a regular basis and we were worried that he might recognize the voice.

Drew has been questioning the reality of Santa vs the meaning of Santa lately. We have a Shelf Elf and the other Drew asked me if I would ever lie to him. I said not intentionally. He asked if I realized that Shelf Elf was plastic and why didn't he ever blink. HMMMMM.

We want this last year of belief for our own selfish reasons. We aren't sure if he as grasp what Santa is all about so we are holding our breath. I think the belief has lasted this long because he has been homeschooled. After this year I am sure we will be having discussions about Yes Virgina and what Santa is all about.

My youngest is growing up. I am glad we have had this long.

Putting thankfulness into action

It hit me this morning during church that for the past month everyone has been blogging about what they are thankful for OR putting it on facebook. I decided I wanted to start a December movement.

It is time to put our thankfulness into action. I challenge everyone who reads my blog to do the following, challenge your readers. Post what you do here and have your readers do the same on your page.

Do something for a stranger everyday in December. It doesn't have to cost money. Let someone with fewer items go ahead of you in the grocery store or post office, help an elderly person get a cart at the store, put a quarter in a meter that you notice is about to expire, let a car into traffic ahead of you. The list is endless. The power of blogging and Facebook is amazing imagine what a wonderful holiday season it would be if we each took 3 minutes each day and made a stranger smile.

some of my thankfuls

I am truly blessed. I am thankful for my life with my wonderful husband, 2 wonderful boys who are both entering new chapters in their lives. I am thankful for a wonderful dad and stepmom who truly care about Drew and his issues. I am thankful for a MIL who puts Drew first and when she is here my life becomes so much easier.

I am thankful for friends who have my back when things get rough or there is reason to celebrate.

I am thankful for technology that allows me to keep in touch with friends and family around the world.

I am thankful for having enough food, good medical care, a roof over my head, and an overabundance of everything good.

I am thankful that I have accepted Jesus as my Savior and that I let him into my heart and home.

Airport

Do you know what I like about airports. Watching people reunite. We picked up my mother in law this afternoon at the Sacramento Airport. We were early because we had to stop and rent a car for the week. It is too difficult for her to get in and out of the back seat of our 2 door Ford Focus.

While we were at the airport it was so wonderful to see kids coming home from college rushing to hug their mom. We saw several soldiers come home. Grandma's and grandpas waiting not so patiently for their grandbabies to come down the escalator with the kids parents. It was funny to watch grandparents ignore their kids to give the grand kids hugs, kisses and presents. I even heard one grandma tell her son in law "sorry I forgot to hug you too." It made me smile.

I am thankful today to have seen the love of so many families today. I am also very thankful that I get the next week with Mary Lou.

IEP results

the IEP was today. the advocate ensured that Drew got some extra services that he needed. We get to go back to our old speech and OT people for a month until he starts back to school in January. They had assigned a home teacher but I refused him this afternoon. So they have to find another one. They were going to send a high school teacher who I am sure would have done well with Drew but he couldn't come until late afternoon - 5 or 6 PM. Not going to work since Drew's bedtime is 8. Not only that by that time of day Drew is not exactly in a cooperative mood. So after the holiday they will have to find another one.

We went and saw Harry Potter this evening. We had a good time. There were a few parts that I felt were a little unnecessary. The Harry and Hermione kiss didn't need to be nude. I am not a prude by any stretch but with all the kids in the audience I was a little uncomfortable. Drew felt ripped off because this was the first HP that did not have a happy ending. It was a good stopping point however.

We are all looking forward to Mary Lou's visit tomorrow. Drew is so excited to see his MEEMA. We are all grateful that she extended her visit. Thinking about going to Apple Hill on Tuesday - just have to see how things play out. Not wanting to plan a whole lot. Just spending time with ML is wonderful.

Next week will be time to start talking about our upcoming vacation. I have some great surprises for everyone. I can't wait to spend time with Betsy and Phil and enjoy our family. My friend Lori designed some great T Shirts for us. After the holiday I have got to get them made.

So much to do. So little time. But it will all get done - somehow.

Rooster day

For as long as I can remember Drew has referred to Thanksgiving as Rooster Day. Not sure why but he has. Yesterday I told him that MEEMA (Scott's mom) would be here on Saturday. He was so excited that she would be here for Rooster Day. I explained to him that she was leaving on Rooster Day before lunch. He was very upset. I told him we would to a Thanksgiving dinner on Wed. I mentioned to ML Drew was disappointed she would not be here to celebrate Thanksgiving. She went online and changed her reservation to say an extra 3 days!!!!! We only get to see here twice a year so we are all thankful for the extra time.

I am so excited she is coming. Sunday we are going to brave the rain and cold to watch Scott race. At least it is at a winery who will be having a wine tasting and pizza to get us through. Not sure what else we are doing. She has offered to help pack but I would rather just spend time with her.

may be getting somewhere with school

Today I am thankful for the new program specialist that will be working with us to place Drew in the proper place in the public school system. She took the time yesterday to meet Drew and I at his favorite park. She wanted to observe him. She did get to witness a melt down which was nice. She has some good ideas on what is best for him and I agree with her on just about everything. We have the official IEP on Friday morning where everything will be decided.

They are offering at home tutoring until after the first of the year. Then he will be starting in an ED class with increasing time over several weeks so he can adjust. I think he will be placed in the 3rd/4th ED class since he is 8 but only in second grade. that way he can be there for several years and know the routine instead of going to one school for 5 months then changing next year.

After fighting the school district for 2 years it was refreshing to meet someone who appeared to have Drew's interest at heart.

November 10

My dad used to be my oldest son's best friend. When my mom was ill they were inseparable. They would fly Phil to St. Louis for weekends so he could maintain their wonderful relationship. One time my mom and dad took Phil shopping and bought him a very expensive sweater. I hit the roof. I didn't think a 13 year old needed a 300.00 sweater. I pitched such a fit they almost bought a second one just to prove something to me.

After mom died things changed. Dad moved on with his life and so did Phil. They went in different directions. Phil grew up into a man my father would be proud of. Phil misses his grandfather. My dad always says "if the phone isn't ringing it you know it isn't me" That is something else he taught Phil. My dad and Phil are very much like my paternal grandmother. They can both hold a grudge and never forgive. THey may even for get what the grudge is about but they if they are certain a person wronged them then Katie bar the door.

It has been very difficult on many of us that what was such a beautiful relationship has gone so sour. their relationship used to be like my grandmother's and mine. I knew no matter what she was there and would share all my special secrets. Phil and my dad haven't spoken in over a year - well except for a shouting match Father's day. Dad has never met Betsy. That makes me sad.

Today I am thankful for my wise son who realizes that my father is older and read me an email he is going to send to his grandfather. Like Phil says "babysteps are better than NO steps"

********To those that demand I take this down. NO this my blog and there is free speech. Nothing was meant to be inflammatory All I was saying was that I was thankful my son had reached an age where he realized his grandfather was getting older and wanted to right the wrongs between them before it was too late.

Hopefully they ( as well as others of us) will be able to repair relationships and move forward.

November 9

I look at the issues we are having with Drew and I get so frustrated. Then I watch the news and realize how blessed I truly am.

Enough said.

Something good

When I was growing up my dad used to wake up my sister and I by coming into our room and loudly proclaiming "SOMETHING GOOD IS GOING TO HAPPEN TO YOU TODAY - YOU JUST HAVE TO FIND IT" It was always a positive way to start the day. It might be something small like some cute guy smiling at me or something important like an A on a paper. It was my dad's way of always making us learn that even in the chaos of the storm there was always something that could make a day special.

With all the chaos in my life right now - the waves are all around and I am sitting in the boat being still - remembering He is God. At the same time I am cognizant of the small things that make every day special.

today

today's thankfulness? This afternoon Scott took Drew to the train museum with Scouts and I got 3 hours to myself. It was so nice? What did I do? Well it was a raining all day so I had put a roast in the crock pot before church. I fell asleep to the smell of a roast cooking, fresh rain scent and the methodical raindrops falling on the slate roof. It felt so good. Skippy curled up next to me and the cat at the foot at the bed.

I was thankful when my boys arrived home safe and sound and we enjoyed a great dinner together.