Light the Night

It's official. I'll be going to Kentucky in just over a month. I'll be visiting Jen and the boys for Davey's birthday weekend. I also get to participate in the Light the Night walk on Saturday the 4th of October - my dad calls that "National CB Day" - get it, "10-4." I hope I remember to call him before he calls me that day...

I also get to go to Davey's birthday party at the planetarium! (I haven't been to a Davey birthday party since he turned one...) What a blast!

Anyway, if you'd like to donate to the Team Incredible Dave, check out the link below:
http://www.active.com/donate/ltnKentucky/2277_jensfriendtena

We'll be walking in memory of David. We miss him. He was a great man.

Sharing

I just wanted to share a portion of an email I got today! I am so excited about the possibility that I can hardly stand it! Vicki has had lots of trouble getting pregnant and staying pregnant - their now two year old, Savannah has been such an amazing blessing. Please send prayers...

"Shawn, Savannah, and I are so excited to tell you that we are expecting 3 babies! Yes, that's right....3! I am 6 weeks along, and all 3 babies are developing on track and have good, strong heartbeats right now. Of course, I am at risk of losing one or more babies, but we are praying and trusting the Lord to help all 3 babies to survive and to be healthy and whole. I go back in 2 weeks for another sono to check on the babies. No wonder I've been sooooo tired, sick, and not hungry! We are totally happy, thrilled, nervous, worried, and overwhelmed, but we're doing just fine. We are choosing to feel honored that the Lord would choose us and allow us to be pregnant with 3 more babies to raise for His honor and His glory! What a responsibility and complete honor! Daddy even came home from work to help us celebrate! Honestly, he couldn't concentrate or do any work at all after the news!!!!!!! Thank you all for your prayers and we ask that you would please continue praying for the health of the babies and me. It's an exciting journey, and we can't wait to see what the Lord will do."

Hunting Wabbit?

No, Husband is not hunting rabbit - but mice. He needs an Elmer Fudd hat like the Albrights...He's decided poison just isn't enough for those annoying, pestering animals. They've taken over the backyard to the point that I won't let Eli play on his slide. They are out during the day, running around the patio where we can see them and, although Eli likes to watch them, they make my skin crawl...This coming from a former 'snake killer' seems weird.
Husband came in this morning and said, "9 plus 3 equals 12, right?" Translation = 9 dead mice yesterday plus 3 dead mice overnight equals 12. Yuck! That's enough! To make it worse, he makes me go with him to empty the traps and reset them...double yuck!
Snake killer = years ago (20 or so), I worked at a Girl Scout camp in East Texas. We (counselors) were charged with the task of killing the snakes that crossed our paths, chopping their heads off with a hoe, bagging them and putting them in the freezer. Probably the funniest thing about killing all these snakes was that when we spotted one on the trail and we didn't have the garden hoe with us we got to yell, "Hoe!" It brought a whole new meaning to that word...
The camp guy (I can remember his name but not his title; he lived on camp year-round) was working on a degree in herpetology and part of his thesis was about the snake species at camp...anyway, I killed plenty of snakes that summer and so did practically everyone else...
But, mice? Nope, I'd rather poison them! That way, they run away to die and I don't have to deal with them!

Perspectives

As I was talking with Jen last night, she shared some of a story about a friend of hers. The couple has had some issues but are working through them. Jen shared that from her perspective, she'd rather have had 12 awesome, amazing years with David than 50 (or more) so-so ones. And wouldn't we all?
I mean, David and Jen together was something truly amazing. They were a matching pair - of socks, of anything, went together like peanut butter and jelly. I rarely said her name without also saying his. They were a team. Davey and Max knew it, everyone that came into contact with them knew it, God knew it. (I'm not gonna discuss my feelings/anger with God tonight, though.)
So hug your husbands a little harder, your children a little longer and your parents a little more. We just don't know how much time we have. And we'd all like to have the kind of relationship that David and Jen had and work toward that.
Okay. That's it for me today. I'm gonna work on being like peanut butter and jelly with Husband. Or, are we like that already? I'll investigate my perspective before I blog again.
** edit ** Husband says we aren't like peanut butter and jelly - but peanut butter and honey. Since that's the combo we both prefer and I call him my 'honey bear.' (And, if you saw him, you'd call him a 'bear,' too.)

Updates

This week, we've had a few interesting things happen around here. We're preparing for a new school year (students start on the 25th) so I'm beginning to juggle the small boy instead of being with him all day, every day. This summer, he's become quite a 'momma's boy!' Oh, no! :)

• Eli will have to have a hernia operation in the next couple of months, most likely. We need to visit another surgeon for another opinion.
• Gram is now in the hospital here in Texas. We've learned that her heart is too weak for a pacemaker, her kidneys are too weak for dialysis, she is still confused - maybe had a stroke? Tonight when Eli and I were leaving the hospital, she asked if I was going back to school. Today, she asked my mom if she was in Texas or Missouri - had no recollection of coming down here over a week ago.
• Husband has lots of quotes to take care of - what a blessing that the phone is ringing again!
• Jen and the boys were able to say their goodbyes to David in a fitting way that they'll remember for many years. Also, they are beginning to do some things that will make their new lives somewhat normal - going to DadDad and Googey's house, taking time to breathe and not entertain, etc. Still sending prayers that they'll learn to live this unexpected life without too much trouble and be able to honor David as well.
• Mom and Dad have decided to keep Eli while I work another year. As he grows older, we'll have many memories of the grandparents with Eli. What a blessing to have them willing and able (and capable) of caring for him. Although, my dad had him all day yesterday by himself and was really worn out. I hope Dad doesn't have him all by himself very often...
• Thursday was my first 'official' day to work. It was both good and bad to be back. Most of the other staff stayed overnight at the camp but I came home. After the events of the past couple of weeks, I needed some down time at home with my boys. And, from the sound of it, I slept much better than my team!
• Mom took me to work today so Dad would have a car. I won't tell you the whole, sordid tale - but we got stuck in the mud! It was an adventure and I walked into the building only 2 minutes late! Thanks for that funny memory, Mom!
• Our guest speaker at the teacher rally - rah! rah! Have a great year! - was Ron Clark. What a gifted teacher - I hope to be only have as energized as he is when I'm in my classroom!

Have a great weekend!

Arrangements

Arrangements have now been made for David. Read my post about it if you'd like... www.chemoisyourfriend.blogspot.com ...

It's also been decided that I will go to Kentucky for Davey's birthday and also for the Night the Light Walk in October rather than go now. Really, I let Jen decide if she wanted me to come now or some other time. I want to make sure she gets all the support she needs - whenever she needs it.

For those of you who don't know, she is my sister - not by blood but by heart. When we met, there was an instant connection that has grown through the years. She is the sister I never had, the sister I always wanted. She has been so strong through all of this and I admire her even more. Even though it's been eight long years since they moved from Texas to Kentucky, in many ways, we are just like we were when we lived a mile apart. In many ways, we are not...I miss her desperately - especially in times like these - and wish she were nearby. But we talk frequently and I can almost convince myself that she's just down the road.

Sending love and prayers your way tonight, friendJen! Love you!

news

I've just written the update about David on their blog. www.chemoisyourfriend.blogspot.com

As for us, we've caught 6 mice in the last 48 hours. Changes to the creek/ditch behind our house have brought them all into our backyard by Eli's playspace...

I must say

that when you become friends with someone, you can't imagine the passing of one of your spouses. That isn't something you think about. I mean, when I became friends with Jen and 'signed on' for whatever that entailed for the next 60 or so years - including the birth of three children between us, marriage (me), cross country move (her), birthdays, holidays, trips together, sitting in our rocking chairs yelling at each other, etc., I didn't imagine that we'd lose one of our husbands before we turned 40! Okay, I'm closer than she is, but still!

Anyway, it seems that the situation is worse than any of us thought. David has been largely unresponsive and unable to talk to Jen for days. He had some other procedures today but the docs don't think that will help. His pneumonia is still present, his tumor is bigger/faster growing than they thought.

Tonight, I learned that he may not make it through the night. I am comforted by the fact that she has many people surrounding them with prayers, hugs and love and that her faith is so strong.

God bless you, friends. I'm sending prayers for a miracle.

Blessings

For the past 24 hours, I have been repeatedly reminded of how precious life can be and how blessed my family has been.

Here's the short list:

• My very best friend (Jen) and her husband (David) are wondering how his recurring lymphoma will effect their boys (ages 5 and 2) and their future - since he's on disabilty, etc. Jen and David have a strong belief - as do I - that this is just a little bump in the road.
• My dear friend (Alyson) and her husband are struggling with the questions all of us have about life. They lost their baby Jonathon at 22 weeks. The funeral/tribute was this morning and it was beautiful and sad at the same time. I admire Alyson and Justin and their faith that will get them through this. I will add that many people I work with were there. What a tribute to my principals that they chose so many caring people to become the family/staff that we are...another blessing that I get to work where I do!
• My grandmother seems to be failing in recent weeks. We were there two weeks ago and she was doing fine. Now, she can't remember who drove her to get her hair done and who is picking her up. We were hoping that she would move here to Texas without problems but now seems to be 'Mrs. Wishy Washy' about it.

As I said, that's the short list. If you have kids or grandkids, hug them a little longer and stronger today - and every day - and be thankful for your blessings.

Sewing, Sewing

As we get nearer to the start of school, I have begun to realize that all of my summer sewing projects will not get completed. So, my goal for the next few days is that I will be sewing while the little one naps and then again after he's in bed for the night. Otherwise, I will never get anything done!