Miserable Jessie

As soon as Jessie began her day she was miserable. Just plain miserable. I sat with her on the couch in my bedroom for 45 minutes just trying to calm her down. This continued for the entire day. Yelling, screaming, burping, pulling on her hair. I gave her some pain medicine thinking she might be in pain. I made her lay down on the couch and she feel asleep immediately, but was finished with her nap within 10 minutes. I'm going to call the doctor tomorrow to see if we can find out if something is wrong. This is very frustrating. She is not happy like she was after her surgery. I am concerned.

A Family Date Day

Instead of our usual Tim Horton's Vacation Day 1 breakfast, we switched it up to Panera bread where I could get a healthy breakfast sandwich. Jessie didn't care because she got her bagel and cream cheese anyway. We left there and drove to Dundee to shop at Cabella's.

We've been there several times but not for the past 3 years. Jessie was excited to see where we were going, until she heard all the screaming kids. And, there were numerous. She did her share of hollering, too. I should have given her some anxiety medicine before we left home but I didn't think of it. 

This is how Jessie went through most of Cabella's. Head down, eyes closed, hand up to her face with one finger in her ear and another on her glasses. I had to lift her head to see the mounted animals. It seems that her anxiety has gotten worse lately. She couldn't wait to leave. 

Our Helper

There was an avalanche in our pantry this morning and I had to bend over and pick up several items. Jessie saw me doing that and ran to me and said, "Help!"  Today after Jon got home from work, she went out to the garden with him and picked cherry tomatoes. She did a good job. She's never done that before.

I went to breakfast with a friend this morning, went to Michael's, then went to meet Lois at a restaurant for lunch. She had called me previously and wanted to know if we should meet in the parking lot or inside. I told her we'd meet inside. When I got to the restaurant, I couldn't find her. Why? I had gone to the wrong restaurant. Talk about being scattered! I had suggested Leo's first when we made plans, then changed it to Aubree's, but forgot that part. I sure felt stupid.

A Day Of Visiting

Andrea brought over some of the books I loaned her to read before 9:00 a.m. and we visited for a bit. I met Mary for breakfast at 9:30 a.m. and we got caught up on our families. Brianna came over in the afternoon and we talked for a couple hours before Doreen and Shiloh came to visit, too. Bri goes back to Cairn University on Monday. I'll miss her.

Rachel and Jessie went to Wolcott Mill Farm and wandered around the farmyard before going to Meijer's for groceries. Jess had a good day. 

I made zucchini chips for dinner from a recipe I saw on FB. It was a winner, especially Jessie who kept saying, "MMMMM", "MMMMM" and giving me thumbs up! I made the dipping sauce that came with the recipe but threw it out. It was awful. Jessie used ranch dressing and Jon and I used Tzatziki sauce. 

A Cousin's Lunch

I had lunch with my mom's cousin (thus mine, too!) Carol, her husband Gerry and daughter, Debbie (she stayed with my mom in her home the last month of her life). It was nice catching up. We really need to get together more often. Don't we all say that and usually we don't.

This week I could have stayed home every day and done paperwork and etc., etc., etc. Instead, I called people that I told them we'd get together soon and never have. I've made several breakfast/lunch dates and even made an uninvited stop at a friend's house. She was soooo glad that we stopped by. It's been a good week. I've also got our checkbooks (almost) up-to-date.

Jennifer took Jessie to Art, McDonald's, Walmart and the Library to work. Jen said that she was a bit challenging today. I told her that the "honeymoon" was probably over.

Back To Swimming

Jessie's surgeon cleared her for swimming last week, so Rachel took her to the Rec Center today. She had a good time, but only stayed in the water about a half hour. That seemed to tire her out. They also did their traditional Subway lunch. This afternoon they watched "The Peanuts Movie."

Jon and I were out this morning for a couple hours. We bought a large shredder, as I'm going to get started on shredding everything that's been accumulating for years. Not to mention all my mom's stuff that I still have. It's been 5 years since she passed away. I surely don't need any of the tons of paperwork she kept her entire life.

I finished my book this afternoon. It was "High Noon" by Nora Roberts. She's the only non-Christian fiction writer that I enjoy reading. She is a wonderful story teller. I feel a little let down since I finished the book. Like I've lost a friend. Like a whole bunch of friends I won't read about again. I wish that there would have been a second book, but it was a stand-alone. Oh, well. I'll "recover" in a few hours and on to the next book ...

A Day In The House

I spent all day inside working except for a few minutes this evening taking pictures of my patio and my Rose of Sharron trees that are in full bloom. I accomplished quite a bit today and feel good about it. I hope to continue working tomorrow on various projects.

Jessie and Rachel did some crafts and Jessie rested in the morning. After lunch they went to the park and Jess spent about 15 minutes throwing rocks in the stream. It was the first time in months that she went with Rachel on the trail that included a bridge. Jessie has been having very good days. 

Strange Weather

After Chris left for church, Jessie decided she wanted to go back to bed and she slept for another hour or two. I wasn't watching the clock. I straightened up in my bedroom then began working on her room when I noticed the room getting darker. I looked out her window and was surprised to see the cloud pattern in the sky. I've never seen anything like it. It was moving fast, too. The first picture is taken from her window, the next two from outside in the front of the house. It poured rain for about 10 minutes with a little thunder, but that was all.

Chris came back after church and Jess, Chris and I went to Chili's for lunch then shopped at Kohl's. I didn't get anything but Jessie filled up the shopping cart. I had a 30% off coupon plus had earned $20.00 in Kohl's bucks so I gave them to here. She's got all her stuff laid out on the couch to show Jon when he comes home from work. 

It's earlier than when I normally post - 6:20 p.m.  I wonder what I should do? Read the Nora Roberts book I'm enjoying or watch one of the many movies Jon has on Tivo for me? I may watch a movie. I haven't watched one for months. I don't know. We'll see. I'll let you know tomorrow. 

Catching Up Again ... Saturday, July 23

Saturday morning was spent doing a few loads of wash, straightening up the house, going to the post office, Walgreen's, McDonald's for lunch with Jessie then getting ready for Rachel's sister's (Jennifer) wedding.

It was held at the Birmingham Community House - outside - 97 degrees. A tad bit warm.

Chris went with me so that I wouldn't have to go alone and not know most people.

It was a pretty wedding and the bride was beautiful. Rachel, too, I might add. Food was great and we had a nice time. Chris spent the night and went to church from here rather than go all the way home.

Jane and Al

Chris and me

Catching Up Again ... Friday, July 22

Jess, Angie, Jon and I went out to breakfast together. This was the first time Angie had taken Jessie out, so we thought we'd go along and "help" out. It was also a good excuse to go out to eat. When Jon and I returned home after the post office, he left to run errands and I got ready to go to a funeral home about 77 miles north. My friend, Joyce's sister, Randa, passed away. Marilyn went with me and we enjoyed talking the 2 hours up and 2 hours back. Six people from church came together and we all met for dinner at the Dairy Queen in Sandusky - apparently the best place to eat there. By the time I got home around 8:30/9:00 p.m. I was too tired to blog.

Congratulations, Jon !!!

You might think I'm crazy, but Jon took in his resignation letter this morning and I couldn't be happier. I've been encouraging him to look for another job for months but he wanted to stick it out. I can't go in to details, but this job would eventually be the death of him. I know that there is another place that God has waiting for him.

He's also going to take some time off to think about his future and where he'd like to work, and in what field. He's also considering 8-hour shifts. He's been doing 12-hour shifts for 9 years (5 as a nurse and 4 as a nurse's aide at a hospital). I'm excited for him. I look forward to how God will be directing his future. Sometimes when things look the darkest, God is getting ready to shine a light in another direction.

Back To Art Class

Jessie's been doing so well, she went back to Art Class. Jennifer said she had to reign her in a bit, as she kept flirting with Brent and Mitch and didn't want to do her art project, although she eventually finished it. They stopped at Subway and brought it home.

Jon and I went out to breakfast then he went to Best Buy and I shopped at Kohl's. We both had to be home by 1:20 p.m. when we had to leave to take Jessie to the surgeon. Other than lifting anything, which Jessie doesn't do anyway, she has no restrictions. She can even go back to swimming! She was pretty excited to hear that!

Around 5:00 I asked Jon if he'd like to go to Partridge Creek to the Clark's store so I could get a pair of shoes I saw in a magazine. I really didn't think he'd want to go, but we went. We stopped at the Croc's store and Jessie got a new pair of shoes. The ones I wanted at Clark's didn't fit.We ate dinner at Max and Erma's then went to the oil store. Giuseppe's, I think it's called. It was nice to do something different. We have NEVER gone there in the evening. I really don't like that outdoor mall, as there are usually too many kids and way too many dogs. Tonight there were way too many of both.

Our Day

Before I got out of bed this morning I heard what sounded like a helicopter somewhere in the distance. It was loud, then quiet. I thought that there might have been an accident on the expressway and a news helicopter was flying around. However, it wasn't that. On my way to my meetin I saw a huge helicopter being lifting air conditioning units on the new Kroger's plaza that is near us. It was really something to see and I decided my team mates could wait a few minutes for me. I joined several other people in a parking lot next to the plaza and took pictures and watched as the pilot expertly raised and lowered these huge units. It was really something to see. I wish I could have stayed longer and gotten closer.

The SM Leaders met from 8:30 - 5:00 pm with a breakfast and lunch break only. We covered a lot of ground and it was great to spend this concentrated time to make our group in the coming year even stronger.

Jon had one of the worst days of his working career. I had thought it was one last month, but today topped it off. Something needs to happen, or else my son will be no more. The stress is going to kill him. Please pray that God will direct his steps for the future.

Rachel and Jessie had a great day. They had Wendy's for lunch, went to several stores and then saw "The Secret Life of Pets" at the show. Rachel said that Jessie seemed to enjoy the movie and appeared to feel well. We go see the surgeon tomorrow afternoon.

Monday

Jessie was up early this morning around 6:30 a.m., got herself dressed and played with her beads and iPad. Around 8:15 she crawled in bed with me and went back to sleep for about an hour. After breakfast she complained of pain in her stomach. Her eyes didn't look so good either, so I gave her some pain medicine. She's been fine since. She had a good day with Rachel.

I did wash, paperwork and prepared for our SM Leader's all-day Retreat tomorrow. This is where we re-cap the past year and plan for the "new year". It's a very productive day, but very tiring. We usually go to a retreat center but this year it was booked. We'll be meeting at church instead.

It's been so hot this summer that we haven't been able to sit outside much and enjoy the sound of our water fountain. The plants around it have grown very well and the entire area is soothing.

Lavender Festival and My Son The Canner

After I headed upstairs last night (Saturday) I realized that I didn't blog. I simply forgot. Rachel came around 11:00 a.m. and Jon and I headed to the Lavender Festival at Blake's Cider Mill. Last year Diane and Randie joined us, but this year they are both under the weather. When we arrived, I almost turned around and came home. Way, way, way too many people. I pulled into the closest parking lot, not expecting to get a spot. God did provide one in that lot and we didn't have to walk a mile from the field across the street. I took my mom's walker with the seat on it because I'm like a drunk on uneven ground. It helped a lot, but it was hard to maneuver through the crowds. Friday was a record-breaking day with 5,000 people in attendance. I think there were 5,000 people there when we were there.

When we finished we drove to Armada and had lunch at Chap's. After Rachel left, Jon got out his canning stuff and began making blueberry preserves. His batch yesterday was full sugar. Too sweet. He made another double batch today with half the sugar. Delicious! Way to go, Jon!

He's also been changing out his herbs. He's putting last years herbs in bags and refilling his jars with the newly dried and processed ones. (They're to the upper left of the picture.) I'm one lucky mom to have a son who enjoys gardening and then canning. Growing up in the city, we had canned goods. No back yard garden. It's a lot of work, but so satisfying and he enjoys it so much.

Today (Sunday), we took turns going to church then met Chris, Eric, Sean and Ashley at the Hamlin Pub for lunch. Jessie was thrilled because I let her have fish and chips. She's not had anything deep fried in a couple months. I finished a really good book by Lauraine Snelling entitled, Someday Home. I also took a long nap while Jon was canning. We had a light dinner, Jess and I sat on the front porch for a few minutes, and now it's almost time to call it a day.

Thank you for praying for Jon. The steroids are helping quite a bit. He's still uncomfortable, but not like he was. Jessie is doing super. She's back to sitting on the floor, leaning over her legs to play with her cards, beads and watch her iPad. However, every once in a while she says, "Pain!", gets up and sits on the couch. I'm not really sure how she can sit on the floor already, but that's what she wants to do. She loves pulling up her shirt, displaying her surgery sites and saying, "Surgery, all done!"

Jessie, Jon and A Rainbow

I received Jessie's pathology report in an e-mail tonight. There were over 100 gallstones in her enlarged gallbladder! Poor baby. I wonder how long she's been suffering with pain and we never knew? She's been doing so well that Rachel took her out to breakfast this morning then Target.

Jon called in sick for work and later this afternoon went to the doctor. He's got a steroid to help with the inflammation and pain. He looked a little better today but not much. Thanks, all, for praying!

I went to Meijer's late this afternoon and when I came out it was pouring rain, yet the sun was shining brightly. After I got the groceries put in the van I thought to turn around to see if there was a rainbow. Sure enough! It was awesome! A full rainbow with the most beautiful colors I've ever seen. The first picture is looking east from the Meijer's parking lot. The second is from a subdivision just north of Meijer's. (I got "lost" trying to find my way out!) These pictures don't do the colors justice, but they are still pretty. When I transferred the first picture, I noticed the second full rainbow over the bottom one!

Yesterday and Today

Around 8:00 p.m. last night the sky got really dark and the wind blew hard. I decided I'd shut down my computer in case we lost power again like Tuesday night: it was off from 8:45 p.m. until 12:10 a.m.Wednesday. We are fortunate that we have a lot of battery powered lights, as well as fans.

The rains did come - torrential rains with "rivers" running down the street. We lost a couple branches off our trees. There was wide spread damage, though, in the area due to the wind sheers.

Yesterday - Wednesday - Jennifer came to be with Jessie and they did quite a bit of table activities. Jon and I went out to breakfast, the post office, home, Wiegand's and Deneweth's. Since it was in the 90's outside, there wasn't many people at Wiegand's .... AND, we were the only customers at Deneweth's !!! Great for shopping, except it was really way too hot in the greenhouses. Those poor employees.

Today - Thursday - Rachel came and spent the day with Jessie. She brought Jessie a Hello Kitty bag filled with items for her. Jessie especially liked the Dory tumbler with straw. I took Doreen out to breakfast for her birthday then went to the post office. I did laundry, called several places for various things and did paper work on the computer. Around 3:00 I decided Jessie needed to get out of the house. I took the girls to Menchie's for ice cream. That was my lunch. Breakfast was a bowl of oatmeal.

Speaking of food ... I haven't reported my weight loss in a bit. I have now lost 30.6 pounds since May 1. I am pleased and working on the next 30.

A prayer request ... Please pray for Jon, as he is suffering tonight with great pain in all his joints. He called to see if he could get in to the specialist, but they have no openings. His next appointment there isn't until the end of August. He's going to go to our family doctor tomorrow. He's in bad shape. Thank you for your prayers for Jessie and now Jon. It is appreciated.

A Good Day For Jessie

Rachel was with Jessie while I had a 2 hour meeting at church in the morning, then another hour meeting in the afternoon with her Case Worker. They finished her Veggie Tales mosaics, did a picture mosaic and made a puzzle (picture). Doesn't she look good?

I really don't know how she feels because she has a high tolerance for pain. However, she seemed to have a great day with Rachel and I only gave her 2 pain pills today. One in the morning and one just a few minutes ago.

Every time she gets up to go to the bathroom, she knows that she has to walk around the tables several times. She's walking as if she didn't have surgery. She does cling to her daddy's heart pillow that I kept from his open heart surgery years ago. She holds it on her tummy. She talks about her daddy very day.

My friend, Andrea, came to borrow some of my books and brought Jessie (and me) a diet Coke from McDonald's (which brightened up Jessie's day for sure!) and a box of 4 puzzles.

Back To Routine - Sort Of

Jessie finally agreed to let me give her a shower this morning. She was a bit upset about getting water on her stomach. She did OK, though. Got her hair washed, too.

Rachel came for the day and that freed me up quite a bit. However, it was another nice day of visitors. Rox came around 11:00 and brought Jessie a balloon. Doreen came at 11:30 and brought another balloon (none are the same!). Jane came after lunch and brought a bag full of things for Jessie to do. Every time the doorbell rings, Jessie says, "Presents?" At least it isn't "ten presents"!

Company

Jessie seemed more tired today than before and took several tiny naps. Nod-offs, really. We didn't get ready for the day until after 10:00 a.m. Breakfast was almost noon. I did a few things on the computer and finished my book.

Diane and Randie brought Subway for our lunch and stayed for a couple hours. They also brought her a Dory puzzle. Diane helped her and they put it together. Chris came after her church's picnic and spent the afternoon and early evening. Around dinner time Debbie came and brought Jessie a hot fudge ice cream from McDonald's. It was soooo nice having people over to talk to. Jessie enjoyed everyone, too. Jon arrived home after having a much better day at work.

Thank you, Anonymous, for your prayers and comments. I told Jon about your projected mountain snow. That's just way too early, isn't it? Even for Montana? I remember when Bill and I were on a Missions Trip to Glenallen, Alaska (another life time ago in 1986) that there was mountain snow the last week of July/first of August. Right now we are still "enjoying" high 8o's and low 90's weather with very little rain, and humidity. Some parts of the State, and even a few miles from here, have gotten rain, but it disapates before getting to us.

Jessie's Ups And Downs

Today wasn't the best, but not as bad as it could have been. Jessie spent quite a bit of yelling and screaming at me for coughing or clearing my throat, which is common. Then, she was quieter at times than normal, too. I've kept up on her pain medicine, although she keeps telling me she's not in pain:

Me:  Jessie, are you in pain?

Jess:   No

Me:  Do you need pain medicine?

Jess:   YES!

Each time she went to the bathroom, we took a walk around tables and in the other room. She took a nap. I did all the laundry, read and made meals. I had Jessie fold the wash cloths. I figured she could do that. She didn't seem to mind.

Brenda came by and brought her some educational books to work in. It was nice to have company, both for Jessie and me. It's been pretty lonely around here. Just the 2 of us. 

Jon had a really bad day at work. He came home, got cleaned up, ate, and now he's in bed. Unfortunately, he has to do it again tomorrow.

Day After Surgery

It's a good thing I didn't plan on anything today as her Highness wanted me right by her on the couch. I had purchased a couple benches to go around the fire pit a month ago, and one worked really well next to the couch so things would be in her reach. (I figured that out in the afternoon!) She spent the day with her iPads, cards, beads and magazines. Trips to the bathroom also included walking around a bit. Did she take a nap? Of course not! Aunt Lois stopped by and brought her a McDonald's pop and she was very excited about that.

Jon went out this morning and brought back multi-colored flowers and a couple balloons. I think they cheered her up a bit, but not as much as the pop from Aunt Lois!

This evening was rougher than today, but that's normal. Night time is never good when you're sick. One of her incisions is oozing, so we have been putting triple antibiotic cream and a bandage on it. One incision is red. Please pray that nothing gets infected. That would not be good.

Your prayers, and the prayers of family and friends, have sustained us through her surgery. Taking care of Jessie today brought back too many memories of caring for both my mom, Bill, and even Jon when he had his surgeries. Care giving is a stressful job, no matter who it is for.

Thank you so much for your prayers and friendship!

Pictures And Details From Yesterday - July 7

All the Glory goes to God for a great pre op experience. From the moment we got there until she was wheeled down the hallway to the OR, everything went smooth. 

This picture is Jessie, unbelievably calm. The unit secretary who brought us back gave Jessie the bear. A nurse gave her a warm blanket. They were awesome with her. Another nurse, later gave her a bracelet. 

Jess was given 20 mg of Valium so we could get an IV in her. Twenty mg of Valium would have put anyone else out. Not Jess! 

They had a nurse put her IV in that is an "expert". She certainly was! This picture is of Jessie with the IV finally in but still able to say cheese, even after more sedation through the IV. 

It was now time to get her on the bed and I suggested she do it herself and lay on her tummy! She did! What another miracle!  She hollered and held on for dear life, but we didn't have to lift her!

Jon and I had just enough time to go to the cafeteria and have lunch and sit in the waiting room for about 20 minutes before the doctor came to talk to us. All went well and from the looks of the gallbladder, she would have been in pain for quite some time. She also said that she'd be in recovery for about an hour before we could go back! Not! About 20 minutes later they took both of us back to recovery where she was on her stomach (ow!) and hollering for me. 

From then on it went down hill fast. She was freaked out by finding herself on the bed and tried to get off. They brought in a very large recliner that laid back and was going to transport her to that chair on a back board when she "made a break for it" and ended up on the floor - naked. One of her incisions began to bleed. She was NOT going to sit in that chair. Finally, after about 20 minutes of trying to get her to get up, they exchanged the chair for a regular chair with arms. She got right up and sat in it. Why, or why, didn't I think to do that earlier? 

They had a room ready for her but we decided that home would be best, so we did come home around 5:00 p.m. Jon made her some scrambled eggs and toast. When we got her in bed, she did have a good night's sleep. 

We Are Home

Just a quick note to let you know that we 3 are home and Jessie is doing well. I will post pictures and give you the details tomorrow, but for now I just wanted you to know she's home. Please keep praying. I'm getting her to bed now.

Getting Prepared For The "Big" Day

I've been trying to get as much necessary stuff done around the house that I can before Jessie's surgery tomorrow. I've grocery shopped, washed clothes, paid bills, packed an overnight bag just in case and had her hair cut tonight.

She's been pretty goofy and obstinate today. I'm sure it's because she is scared about tomorrow. Jennifer and Jess met Jessie's case worker for breakfast this morning, as there was no Art Class. They went to K-Mart where Jess enjoyed looking at all the 4th of July sale items! You know Jessie and her hats! Jess also worked at the Library today filing DVD's, all the while giving Jen a hard time.

Several weeks ago Diane picked up a Yonana for me. It's a machine where you put in frozen bananas and fruit and make "ice cream". It's perfect for a WW dessert since fruit is FREE! Tonight we had pumpkin ice cream. That needed more flavor. We've had strawberries and bananas and then a mixed fruit medley. The peach dessert was really good. Jessie has really enjoyed it, too.

Jessie's Day

Rachel took Jessie to the pool this morning, but she didn't want to stay in it very long. About 20-30 minutes according to Rachel. I'm not sure what that was about. She's usually in there for about an hour or more. They had lunch at Subway then went to the Library to return books and they did wash up some of the kitchen toys instead of tomorrow. Jess didn't want to do much of anything else when they got home.

I went out to breakfast by myself, watered a friend's flowers and did paperwork when I got home. I also tried to do all the wash so there won't be too much to do this weekend. I didn't finish. Oh, well. Jon went out to breakfast then went to the show before shopping at a few stores. He also harvested some squash, shelling peas, sugar snap peas and tomatoes. He's been drying herbs for several weeks and spends a lot of time processing them. Right now the kitchen has a distinct lavender smell.

Happy 4th Of July !!!

This is the picture I took of Jessie at Wiegand's on Saturday. I forgot to post it last night. There were a lot of butterflies in the butterfly house!

Jon had to work today, although it was his 3-day weekend off. I think they did it on purpose because he had 2 vacation days last weekend. They like to penalize people for time off. He really didn't care because he got over time and we usually don't do anything on the 4th.

I invited my friends Karen and Jean over for a 4:00 dinner and then we played Rummikub. It was a really nice day outside and we ate and played games on the deck. Jess spent the day inside, except to eat dinner. She was a little off today because she's used to her snack at 4:00 and today we had dinner at 4:00 p.m. She then had her snack around 7 pm. That just messed her up completely. Right now she thinks she should eat again!

Family Time

After church for Jon and I, Diane and Randie picked up Chinese food for all of us for dinner. We ate out on the deck and watched the birds eat Jon's birdseed. Jessie spent the rest of the day on her iPad and played with her cards, although she was very crabby. The rest of us played games. It made for a very nice day.

The neighborhood booming has begun. I almost wish they would ban all fireworks except for those done professionally. The area around us is so dry. I was told yesterday that we only had 4 days of rain in June. Our front grass is brown. We need rain. I don't remember a time we have had so little rain.

A Really Nice Day

Jon, Jess and I went to breakfast this morning but Jess didn't do so well, as there were several babies inside. We stopped at Van's Valley to see their flowers and their garage sale, then while they waited in the van I went to Hallmark's because I had a 40% off coupon. I bought a cute ceramic frog (with black rimmed glasses) plant holder. After that we drove down to Wiegand's to see what kind of sales they had. We bought a few things. Jessie didn't do too bad there. We went in to the butterfly house and toured their back grounds which are really nice. Dollar Store and the post office were our last stops before home.

Jon worked in his garden and I took the rest of the day off and read my book outside on the deck. We ate out there tonight, too. First time this season, I think. We enjoyed watching all the different birds feeding on our "pretend" tree where Jon has about 6 bird feeders with different seeds for different birds. Tonight there were sparrows, a wood pecker, a yellow finch, cardinals, doves, and a small bird like a sparrow but with a red head and breast. And, one lone squirrel.

Watching those birds reminded me of the song that goes .... "His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me!" What an awesome God we have.

A Much Better Day For Jessie

Rachel took Jessie out to breakfast, Target and Meijer's this morning. She returned happy and went outside to swing. She had a much better day not only physically but behaviorally. She constantly watches YouTube segments of kids having surgery. I talked to her again while she was watching one and explained that she was not going to have any more pain in her stomach after her surgery next week, and that we would spend the night and come home. Today, instead of screaming, she said, "OK", and went back to her iPad. Thank you to all who are praying!!!!