My Dad is a Fighter!

Life can change in an instant. 

Thursday I was talking to my dad and he was joking about me being the best neighborhood watch because I noticed a window on one of their vehicles that looked like it was down so I called to make sure that somebody hadn't broken it.  He thanked me for looking out for him.  I asked him what he had going on for the day.  Who would have ever thought that two days later he would have a stroke. I am grateful that my mom was home this morning and heard him fall and called 911.  I am grateful that Memorial Hospital gave him the medication to slow the stroke.  I am grateful they called Mayo Clinic and got him transferred.  I am grateful for my family. By the time we all got there, they already had a cat scan done and had him prepped for surgery. Before beginning the surgery and talking with my mom the doctor said that he had been around long enough to know that he wasn't the one in charge and would pray before surgery. It was a long five hours, waiting for a word from the doctor about how he was doing.  The blockage was worse than they had anticipated.  He has a long road ahead of him, but I've seen my dad fight back from the grips of mental illness, and being one who struggles, and knowing how hard that is to battle, yet my dad has....I know he can get through this.  I love my dad and its hard to see him like he is right now, but I am grateful that he is still with us.  Sometimes life feels so fleeting.  When tough stuff like this happens, there is always something good to come from it.  The outpouring of support for me and my family was eye opening.  Gave me hope that there are still people in the world who care.  Catching glimpses of my son comforting his grandma was also sweet to see.  I want my boys to know the importance of being there for others. I am grateful for the people who showed up today.  There was really nothing anybody could do aside from pray....and be there.  This world we live in seems to think that we have to "do" for people when they are going through difficulties and challenges but sometimes I think you just need to 'be' for those who are struggling....be there.  I saw that today, and felt the love of those who were there - some in person, some via text messages, some via facebook messages, some via phone calls.  Those who have reached out to me to show their love and support really mean a lot to me.  The doctor did seem a little surprised when he came into the waiting room after the surgery and saw so many people there for my dad. I will say we did take up the majority of the space in the waiting room.  Before we left, we were able to go see my dad, and honestly that is when it hit me the hardest.  In my minds eye I wanted to think he would go through surgery and be up and talking tonight.  I know that was unrealistic, seeing him just sorta opened the flood gates for me.  He did open his eye and squeeze my hand when I told him I would be sure to pick up his lotto ticket that he usually gets every Saturday. I've been pretty upset since seeing him, I know he is a fighter, I know he will push through because that is what he does. I've been listening to messages he had left me, and for some odd reason - I save some peoples messages...  But it's hard, and I'm sad and I'm scared and I'm worried.  As we were leaving my sister came out as I was talking to my brother and gave me a hug and the next thing I knew we were embraced in a 'sibling hug' among the four of us as we stood outside the doors of the ICU Waiting Room, and you know that is exactly what dad would have wanted.  He always told us, and showed us with his actions, that no matter what you have to be there for your family. As my mom said, "He is sleeping comfortably, we are praying faithfully and we are believing wholeheartedly that he will heal."   I love my dad so much, and my heart feels so heavy tonight.

Happy Birthday Vaughn!

I can't believe that my baby brother turned 21 today!  We surprised him by meeting at Daruma for dinner tonight.  I am so happy that he is my brother.  He is one of the most caring, considerate, compassionate, kind hearted people that I have ever met.  We both think a lot alike, its nice to have somebody who really gets my train wreck of a thought pattern....I mean my train of thought!  I am so glad that my boys have him as a positive role model in their life.  I dug through a bunch of pictures and made a little video slide show of him through the years...

Driving....

Very rarely will I turn and look at the people driving other cars when I am driving.  Something about not wanting people to look at me so I won't look at them.  And what if I turn to look at them and they are looking at me?!?!  I suppose none of that should matter.  Anyways, leaving Toys R Us yesterday Dennis said, "wow she is actually eating something that requires a fork while driving."  Now I admit I am guilty of eating while driving, but something like a cracker or a granola bar and I have even been known to take a drink while driving - usually from a straw though.  Not trying to justify eating while driving, because I suppose it still diverts attention.....but I gotta say this girl took it to a whole other level.  She was eating something that required a fork and spoon while driving, and while holding the bowl of food she took a drink, all while driving.  She then put down her drink and picked up her phone while still holding the bowl of food and fork....and driving down the road.  I guess multi tasking is a good thing, just not while driving down the road....

And just in case you wondering about how safe it might be to take this picture while driving, I was the passenger!

"Officer Ivan"

This week Ivan was learning about safety helpers at school.  He enjoyed seeing the fire truck come to school, he did not like the loud noise.  They were all so eager to get out there to see that fire truck, but as soon as those sirens were on, they all took a step back....funny how we can be so excited to go check something out but then go into sensory overload and not enjoy it as much as we thought we would....I guess that is a good life lesson. Be cautious! A lot of his classmates have been out sick this week.  Today they were pretending to be police officers and fire fighters....when I went to pick Ivan up he had his badge on!  I turned it over and looked at the picture....before I could say anything he said, "I am officer Ivan.  This is the face I make when I call 9-9-1 no 9-1-1."  He proceeded to make the face in real life for me to see too! Every time he looks at his badge he starts laughing!  It is such a sweet sound.  No sensory overload when it comes to hearing his sweet laughter.  When Seth saw his badge he asked, "Did an emergency come up when they were taking your picture?"  I love both of them so much....this "Officer Ivan" badge will be one for the memory books.  I am so glad that he is so ok being different! 

Fight Back With Joy

I have been reading a lot lately, a desperate attempt to keep my over active brain busy.  And of course, I am not a fan of 'light reading,'  I need thought provoking, deep books that inspire profound thought.....as if I need any help with increasing my thoughts!  

Anyways, some of the quotes I wrote down or highlighted, were worth sharing.  It is amazing to me how I have completely read two books in the past week and a half and have been working on this other book for about a month.  I read Fight Back With Joy by Margaret Feinberg and I read Safe People by Dr. Henry Cloud and Dr. John Townsend.  My husband and I are in the process of reading If God Is Good by Randy Alcorn.  That one will take a while to complete as I am only able to read a few pages at a time, and in most cases a whole flood gate of thoughts and questions flow from those few pages each night.  What I find fascinating is how all of these books seem to be providing similar messages but yet they are all so different.  

Leo's Love

I am giving you fair warning, these thoughts might seem kind of like they are out in left field.  I don't even know that my thoughts are fully developed or if my words will be adequate to describe how Leo, once again, touched some depth of my soul.  I usually go see Leo on Monday but last Monday I had plans and I wasn't sure if I would be able to make it out to see him at all, but Wednesday worked out and I really enjoyed our time together.  It was like a mid week 'pick me up'!  I love how this horse loves me.  I love that he likes when I am around.  The peace and calm is amazing and gives me hope.  But on this particular day it was like I was seeing an analogy for God's love for us in the way this horse was loving me.  While I was sitting there brushing Leo sometimes he would like turn and put his face just about in my face, like he was trying really hard to get my attention.  Other times it wasn't as subtle, it was a nudge on the arm. So long as I was with him, he never stayed away from me for long.  He was always watching me, if I moved somewhere else he would follow me, as if to just check on me, make sure I was ok and still there, and remind me that he was watching me. And then it was time for me to leave, I told him good bye and that I would see him next time, he let out a horse cry but I figured letting him free to graze in the field would be the end of his thoughts of me.  I hung out and was petting him while he was eating and then I left.  As I walked towards the gate to leave he looked up from where he was and came running towards me.  I didn't think he would even notice that I had left. I got in the car and he sat at the gate crying.  I backed the car up and drove down the driveway and he followed me along the fence line.  I turned onto the road to head home and he followed me as far as he could until I was out of his reach.  He would occasionally let out a horse cry as he saw me get further and further away. 

And then it hit me....we can be doing one thing, and then something will happen to show us or remind us of Gods love and it will feel like it is right in out face.  Other times it might not be as subtle but is still there.  As long as we are with God, he doesn't leave us for long.  God is always watching us, he sees where we go, even before we go there.  He is with us every step of the way.  And should you ever stray from him, he won't give up.  He will follow us.  I suppose if we walk away from God it makes him sad.  He notices what we are doing and where we are going.  He sees us, he hears us, even when we think he is occupied with somebody or something else. Leo gave me a different perspective of God's love for us, and how he must feel to see us walk away from that love.

Think, Act, Be Like Jesus

Think, Act, Be Like Jesus 

Written By: Randy Frazee

Illustrated By: Steve Adams

Overview:

Written for children 6-10, the Think, Act, Be Like Jesus; A Believe Devotional for Kids is part of the national church-wide program led by bestselling author Randy Frazee that shows children how they can think, act, and be more like Jesus, with 90 devotions from the Old and New Testament.

They know the story of the Bible, but do they know what it means?

This 90-Day devotional, written by Oak Hills Church pastor Randy Frazee, is part of the church-wide, ground-breaking Believe campaign and encourages children to follow the footsteps of Jesus. Think, Act, Be Like Jesus; A Believe Devotional for Kids shares the message that the more you believe, the more Jesus can change you from the inside out to become the best person you can be.

As children ages 6-10 walk through 90 devotions from the Old and New Testament—they’ll complete a journey that will take them closer to the heart of Jesus and deeper into the words of Scripture. They’ll learn what the Bible has to say about everything from the nature of God and the identity of Jesus, to prayer, worship, and the fruit of the Spirit. Foundational and faith-building, this book can be used by individuals or in conjunction with the all-church campaign.

My Thoughts:

I really enjoyed reading through this devotional.  It is great for children at the Elementary level.  There were even devotions that I enjoyed as an adult.  It would definitely lend itself to a good bed time devotional that the entire family would benefit from. I enjoyed the fact that it lends itself to further discussion with each reading. I read through a few of them with my five year old and he was engaged and responding to the questions. I would highly recommend this book. It would also make a great gift. I received this book in exchange for an honest review from the publisher, through BookLook Bloggers.

The two most incredible children....

Proud mom moment!!!  I love my boys.  Ivan has had almost an entire week of outstanding behavior and good choices!  He was usually on green, which means ready to learn.  He is so proud of himself, and so are we!  And Seth - wow - he brought home his first report card of third grade - with straight A's! I still can't believe that he is already in third grade!  He also had perfect attendance.  He is a very studious kid, takes his school work and homework very seriously.  The results of such hard work left him feeling very proud.  I love these two with all that is in me! Every night when I tuck them into bed I tell them I am proud of them and love them.  Same thing my parents told me!