I swear I must be the WORST blogger! Or maybe I just don't have a life worth sharing! What could be so difficult about writing a paragraph or two about what's been happening in my life or the life of my family? I think the real issue is that I get intimidated when I read my daughter's blog!! Jamie is such an Author of Words! It just flows from her so naturally.... How can I measure up to THAT!!??? I stammer and stutter and can't even get one coherent thought put down in black and white! SCHJEEZE!!! hehehe!!
Anyway, lately my life has been revolving around my parents. My mother is Alzheimer's and my dad was just recently diagnosed with advanced arthritis in both hips and a narrowing of his lower spinal column. Up until now they have been so independent and active! My mom LOVES to be outside walking. They typically will walk anywhere from 1 to 5 miles several times a week. But now, my dad can hardly move his right leg in front of the other one! It is so sad! He can't keep up with mom - and she still wants to walk! Doctor suggested staying off his feet as much as possible - in hopes he might re-gain some better use of that leg. So much of my time has been spent prepping easy meals for him to warm in the micro, running their errands and helping get household chores completed.
We have a very dear cousin who has stepped up and said she would be willing to assist with this and is now covering the lunch hour Monday - Friday. Kari Nelson is a Gift From God! She not only makes sure they have their lunch - she lays out and or dishes up an evening snack/meal for dad to easily warm up later each evening. She goes for a walk with my mom and even assists them with household chores like vacuuming or sweeping, etc!! WOW! What a relief! Thank you, Kari!!!
Stan's mom was recently diagnosed with breast cancer. On January 18th she underwent a double mastectomy and will soon be facing chemotherapy as well as radiation. We certainly do not understand why terrible things happen to such good people. But God is still on the throne and in control of our every situation! We are holding our parents up in prayer - with thanksgiving for all that we know our Lord can and will do for them! Simply because He loves them SO MUCH!
We are beginning to get a little anxious about being gone on vacation! At the end of next week, Stan and I will be flying out to New Orleans - then setting sail for the Caribbean for 7 nights. All together, we will be away for 11 nights. I think that is the longest stretch of time we have been away from home EVER!! And with both of our parents in their situations - not to mention, Jamie and Jared having a newborn!!! Well, you get the idea - we are a little nervous about taking off and leaving everyone. We feel a little like we are abandoning everyone! We will just have to trust that Joe and Emily will step up to the plate, drive over from Pendleton every day and take care of everyone for us!!! (Just joking, Joe & Emily!!! Don't panic... YET!) Actually, my sister Dianne, who lives clear at the other end of Walla Walla, combined with Kari's assistance, should be able handle the 11 - 12 days of our absence! Thank you to BOTH of you!
Here is what our family room looks like right now! UGH! What to pack! What to leave behind! Will it be HOT? Will it be COLD? Decisions! Decisions!
Hopefully, my next blog will be within the next month or so - and will include vacation photos! =)
Anyway, lately my life has been revolving around my parents. My mother is Alzheimer's and my dad was just recently diagnosed with advanced arthritis in both hips and a narrowing of his lower spinal column. Up until now they have been so independent and active! My mom LOVES to be outside walking. They typically will walk anywhere from 1 to 5 miles several times a week. But now, my dad can hardly move his right leg in front of the other one! It is so sad! He can't keep up with mom - and she still wants to walk! Doctor suggested staying off his feet as much as possible - in hopes he might re-gain some better use of that leg. So much of my time has been spent prepping easy meals for him to warm in the micro, running their errands and helping get household chores completed.
We have a very dear cousin who has stepped up and said she would be willing to assist with this and is now covering the lunch hour Monday - Friday. Kari Nelson is a Gift From God! She not only makes sure they have their lunch - she lays out and or dishes up an evening snack/meal for dad to easily warm up later each evening. She goes for a walk with my mom and even assists them with household chores like vacuuming or sweeping, etc!! WOW! What a relief! Thank you, Kari!!!
Stan's mom was recently diagnosed with breast cancer. On January 18th she underwent a double mastectomy and will soon be facing chemotherapy as well as radiation. We certainly do not understand why terrible things happen to such good people. But God is still on the throne and in control of our every situation! We are holding our parents up in prayer - with thanksgiving for all that we know our Lord can and will do for them! Simply because He loves them SO MUCH!
We are beginning to get a little anxious about being gone on vacation! At the end of next week, Stan and I will be flying out to New Orleans - then setting sail for the Caribbean for 7 nights. All together, we will be away for 11 nights. I think that is the longest stretch of time we have been away from home EVER!! And with both of our parents in their situations - not to mention, Jamie and Jared having a newborn!!! Well, you get the idea - we are a little nervous about taking off and leaving everyone. We feel a little like we are abandoning everyone! We will just have to trust that Joe and Emily will step up to the plate, drive over from Pendleton every day and take care of everyone for us!!! (Just joking, Joe & Emily!!! Don't panic... YET!) Actually, my sister Dianne, who lives clear at the other end of Walla Walla, combined with Kari's assistance, should be able handle the 11 - 12 days of our absence! Thank you to BOTH of you!
Here is what our family room looks like right now! UGH! What to pack! What to leave behind! Will it be HOT? Will it be COLD? Decisions! Decisions!
Hopefully, my next blog will be within the next month or so - and will include vacation photos! =)
