January 2009 Happenings.

Katie was ready for her training wheels to be taken off.

A little coaching from dad.

There they are!! No problem for Katie.

Serious contemplation about Moses for BSF.

We hosted our Marriage small group.
Here is Kim, Bob (not her husband Bob) and Barbara.

Me in the kitchen before the guests arrived.

We served appetizers and then watched Andy Stanley's

" i Marriage". It was very good. He talked about

when we put our mates needs over ourselves. Notice the small i. Then we had a great discussion. We have really neat couples in

our small group. Bob and Kim, Brad and Laura, Al and Melissa

Mark and Barbara, Bob and Heather, Pat and Michelle.

Mike at mom's. Working hard.
I couldn't do this without this man, nor would I want to.

Lisa and Katie in Uncle Brian's truck ready to go eat lunch.

Uncle Brian making sure the girls are safe in the back seat.
Yes it was only 3 miles down the road, that is probably why he said yes.

Cindy making sure we are about to leave so she can close the gate.
She is probably finding it hard to believe that BOTH girls rode with uncle Brian.
Because they are usually fighting to ride with Aunt Cindy.
Because they LOVE Aunt Cindy!!

Mike and I got to ride in peace and quiet the 3 whole minutes it took to get to the restaurant. But hey, we will take what we can get.

I can only love her

The last couple of weeks have been extremely busy, somewhat confusing, kind of emotional. At the beginning of January the owners of the home where mom is living said they were going to be closing their doors and selling the house. So Cindy and I (and Mike, actually he really got the ball rolling) started to call around and see what is out there for someone with "moderate dementia".

Dementia. It is a very sad disease. I have cried a river over this since mom was diagnosed about 1 1/2 years ago. She is only 60. Brought on by years of alcohol abuse.
Can I blame her? I can only love her.

She "hates" Cindy and me and tells us that pretty much every time we see her. Can I blame her? I can only love her.

She doesn't like kids, not even mine. I can only love her and teach Lisa and Katie that in honoring and loving grandma we have to look beyond her words and this wicked disease and see her as Jesus sees her.

We are about to sell her property in a month. That is so overwhelming because the house is in shambles. Her and Rudy were PACKRATS. Wall to wall furniture, clutter, clutter, clutter, old magazines. They didn't throw anything away. We have to something with this stuff. The other thing that is bothering me is that the last time she was there is the day Cindy and I took away from the unsafe situation she was in. She didn't get to pack, to bring HER most treasured possessions. She has been extremely upset about this and tells me that she hopes my girls treat me just the way I have treated her. Have I thought about this-yes. Especially since we just moved. I thought, "what if the girls came here and got me and made me live with one of them and never setting foot in my home again?" We had to move her. Could we have done it another way?

Tomorrow Cindy and I are looking at 2 new homes for her to live. My heart is breaking! I wish that we didn't have to do this. I am thankful that we do not have to put her in a nursing home. I think I would seriously think about quitting and taking care of her myself. Maybe I became a nurse for "such a time as this". ( I am studying Esther)

Dear Holy, Gracious Father,
I thank you for this woman that is my mother. I know that she loves you, even with this horrible disease. Thank you for Cindy. Thank you for this opportunity to grow in love and grace and to learn to see people through your eyes and not my selfish eyes. I ask you to direct us to the home that will be the best one for mom, that she will feel safe and secure and will find happiness and peace. Cover her with your love. I ask this in your precious name. Amen.

Isaiah 26:3 You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast because he trusts in You.

Tooth Fairy note

This is what the tooth fairy found in a plastic sandwich bag last night along with the tooth which fell out at Costco.

Getting settled

Cindy looking at pictures from our move 7 years ago.

Brian, Mike, Patrick, "Billy Bob" all helping us move out.

I found this message on Katie's bookshelf: "I love you God". I couldn't wipe it away.

A beautiful sunset from the front yard.

It worked!! Actually "Missy Kitty" didn't take the tuna bait. She ran into the garage and we closed it, then we cornered her and she HAD to go into the carrier. I think she really did want to be caught so she could be with "Frankie" and "Katy Kitty".

All 3 animals have adjusted without any problems.

Moving

We moved last weekend. It was the most peaceful, smooth move I have ever experienced. I want to see our grandchildren from this home (not in near future, in about 20 years or so). It is amazing how much stuff we accumulate over the years, so it's good to do some cleaning, giving away and throwing away. It feels good to not have clutter.

"Katie Kitty" and "Frankie" are here, we have yet to catch "Missy Kitty", but we have a plan, and on paper it is a fantastic one. It involves the cat carrier, fishing line and a can of tuna. We will see if it works in real life or just in theory.

Lisa and Katie have adjusted very good. They have a "secret lair" already, that is a good sign of adjustment for these girls. Katie has the bigger room "since she keeps her room clean". It was both of their ideas and we OK'd it. Katie has managed to keep everything picked up and Lisa has not-- not much has changed!

I now have an illness, but I refuse to call it the flu since I got a flu shot.

I will post some pictures soon when I have enough energy to go get the camera and bring it over to the computer. For now my sweats and pillow are calling my name.

Welcome 2009

Happy New Year!

We are starting this new year with both girls running temperatures, coughing, sneezing... Mike and I are praying we don't succumb to this sickness-especially since we will be moving next week.

Our verse for this year is: Isaiah 33:6 He will be the sure foundation for your times, a rich store of salvation and wisdom and knowledge; the fear of the Lord is the key to this treasure.