Sand and Sun....oh what fun!

My wonderful super handsome husband took our family to Houston and Galveston over the last several days. It was wonderful and refreshing. Of course I forgot my camera today. Once I get myself in gear, I will post some of the great pictures taken and provide more details of how great this trip was.

On Monday, I start a new job with the hospital. I am a little nervous about the change and ready for this new step. I think... I am just very glad that Mike took our family for this little retreat to prepare for this next phase in our life.

Until later.....get ready for the pictures...they are pretty good!

Dancin' Machine

This makes me laugh.

My super talented son. In case you can't here it, Brass Monkey is playing the background. I have a new camera and lots of pictures...but I have not taken the time to do much with it. I did not want to go another week without blogging something....

I hope this brings a smile to your face. Video-ed by Dad.....his comment.....he has mad phat dancin' skills like his momma.....makes me proud! ENJOY!

While I am thinking about it....

I have so much to blog about....and so little time. We are preparing for dad's arrival home. He will be coming home next Tuesday. We are so very ready for him to be home and so very anxious that this transition is smooth. We must continue to trust God and His ulitmate plan....(but I have LOTS of questions for Him when we meet).

I am trying to get this in before my day is slammed once again. I must say, I am so amazed at all my mom and dad have done for the past 25 years. They are a testament to strength, perseverance, and patience (well maybe the patience part is mostly mom). The business my dad has created, maintained, and grown over all these years is a well-oiled machine. Corey has really stepped up and had a crash course in business and people management and is doing great!! Without him with me each day, it would be too much.

So, I have SO many pics I need to post on here, but will have to do it another time. Our family went to the zoo this week and I took some very good pics of my beautiful husband and children. You might check the blog again next week for the pictures.

In closing, I do want to share a thought. I drive through down town Tyler every day on my way here. Part of this trip goes right through the middle of the area of town where day workers wait for someone to come by. I have noticed over the last month or two that the ethinic make-up of this group has shifted. There is still a majority of hispanics, but today there was a corner of 5-10 black men, a group of 5 or so white men, and one white woman. I am so thankful that, during this economic and societal storm, the people I count as my friends are still employed and able to provide for their families. I know that I am blessed in more ways that I can share in this forum. God is still watching over those that are faithful to him.

Oh AND my dad can stand with very little assistance and can take steps with a walker. I am very proud of him. He is and always will be my daddy....and I love him very much.

Until next time.......hug your spouse and children.....make sure they know without a doubt how important they are to you. In this crazy world, it is easy to forget to tell your husband or children (or wife) how much they mean to you. Make time to tell them and show them today!!

Toot-Toot’s Update

We had a pretty nice weekend. The kids and I worked in the garden and planted lettuce, potatoes, and sugar snap peas.

We visited toot-toot and hung out with daddy. Not much to tell, but I did get some pretty good pictures of Mom, dad, and the kiddos. Hope you enjoy.

Katelynn has learned how to work the "robot bed".

Dad still likes to be on the phone. I think he is the only person in therapy that wears his phone on his collar. The stroke has had a little effect on dad's phone etiquette....so if he calls you and just hangs up, he didn't have anything else to say. I do want to note that he has already improved in this area. The first day he called me and hung up I freaked out and drove up to the hospital. Now he will hand the phone to mom or say bye as he closes it.

Daddy is the best speed reader ever. (Not from this weekend, but I wanted to share the picture.)

Have a great week!!! Hugs to your family!!!

The 2 sides of Sister

This really is her. Sweet, sleeping, so cute you could just cuddle....when she is sleeping. Since I boast so loudly of her toot-ness, I thought I would post a sweet and a funny sister moments.













Papa Joe loves to give Michael and Katelynn singing toys. The very first one was a singing chicken that sang “Mony…Mony”. Sister found it and could not control herself….she had to move. I am usually not very good about capturing these moments…but I could not miss this one. So below is Katelynn’s rendition of “Here he comes now, he’s the Easter bunny…”. Take note that once she sees me with the camera, she grabs her chicken and stops dancing. Turns out she is a private dancer.

Recovery…Basketball…TV…Trains? (see last paragraph)

….these are a few of my favorite things. Recovery of a right-sided stroke can take up to a year. Every day we are seeing improvement and are encouraged by dad’s desire to get better. We have to watch him because he wants to do things on his own so badly, but is just not strong enough yet. He is getting there. Basketball shoot-outs in room 139 are a daily occurrence. Dad got a basketball goal that we set up across his room. Michael is having fun “winning the championships” every day when we visit. Dad is getting good at hitting the nurses. TV is much better when it is attached to a mechanical arm and can be moved to accommodate your position. Michael still loves this feature of dad’s room. He has also become quite the expert at maneuvering Toot Toot’s “robot” bed. Katelynn has even warmed up to this new environment and went for a “ride” on the bed.

According to what I have read, recovery for a right-brained stroke takes from 3 months to a year. Three months is the minimal amount of time for recovery. It is possible to recover lost functions/memories/abilities within this time with intense and correct therapy. The fact that the family feels there is some improvement already is very encouraging.

I am trying to learn what I need to know for dad’s recovery. My struggle (because this really is all about me…HA) is relating to the therapists and understanding their process (or lack there of, in my opinion). Dad has three different kinds of therapists working with him every day. Speech therapy, Occupational therapy, and Physical Therapy. These three work together to give dad a better all-encompassing rehab process. They overlap and are all necessary in order to restore normalcy in dad’s life. I will blog later regarding their specific functions (Amber...this helped me understand more).

For now, Corey and I are working to keep the business going and all the drivers have stepped up to pull their weight and then some. Each day begins anew…we are facing the challenges head on.

The light at the end of the tunnel is a train coming BUT what doesn’t kill you makes you stronger…we have faced so much in the last two weeks that I know I am stronger that the train. BRING IT ON!

My Dad

On January 31 at 11:45 pm, my dad had a massive stroke. Mom and Corey called 911 and got him to the hospital in record time. They were able to do two treatments that busted the clot but there was some residual damage due to the lack of oxygen to a small part of his brain.

So at 9 am Sunday morning, the family was told to get to the hospital and get Amber and her family in to say our last goodbyes.....silly doctors don't know my God and the power of prayer. Needless to say...they were wrong (thank you God) and my dad is making progress each day. He stayed at the hospital until Friday, then was moved to a rehab facility to begin therapy. Saturday morning dad was sitting up in a wheel chair (first time sitting in a week) and Sunday he was able to sit up a little by himself. In fact, I went to see him Sunday morning around 9:30 and he had moved himself around the corner to the windows. We went outside and enjoyed the sun a little before his morning therapy began.

Dad started his occupational, speech, and physical therapy on Monday and was TIRED. BUT, three therapists helped him and had him standing for a short period of time. Good news...no dizziness.

We have a meeting this afternoon with all of dad's therapists to discuss the prognosis, progress made over the last two days, and anything else we want/need to know. He will be in this facility for about two months (according to his pissy Case Manager - we need to pray for her attitude) but we are praying that dad continues to fight and make improvement each day. Mom's goal is to have him out of the hospital by their anniversary, April 16.

Anyway, that's what has been happening around here. Corey and I are trying to keep the business going and keep from losing our minds. Dang, daddy sure did keep this all together. I hope we can do half as good a job as him.

Michael thinks dad's room is the coolest because the TV is right in front of the bed. AND toot-toot's bed has a work out ring. (Hanging above the bed so he can pull himself up.) Katelynn has not quite figured out what is going on.