Happy 3rd Heaven Anniversary, Mom

 

 

Three years, Mom!  I don't know where the time has gone.  I just wanted you to know how much you are missed.  You were such a beautiful woman and as you got older, the kids thought you looked like Queen Elizabeth.  Jessie still says "Queen" when she mentions you!

 

I miss the fact that you were adventuresome.  You were always game for doing most things at least once.  You always gave it your best. 

 

As life drew closer to the end, you were in a lot of back pain, yet you tried not to let it stop you from going out and doing things.  Especially shopping.  I miss shopping with you, because I liked to spend YOUR money and you always let me!  To a certain extent, that is. 

 

I miss our nightly phone calls.  I still come home from somewhere or when something happens,  I think: "Oh, I've got to tell Mom that!"  Even Jon shared with me the other day how he does the same thing: wanting to call you up and tell you something.  Knowing we can't do that any more hurts.

 

It's been said that everyone in Heaven is in their prime - 20's - 30's.  If so, you probably look like one of the pictures above.  The one by the water on vacation somewhere, or with you and dad holding me on your lap.  (The top left picture is Mom's high school graduation picture.)  However you look, I know you're having an awesome time.  I keep telling Jessie that you are RUNNING with Jake and playing ball with him.  No more back pain.  I imagine you must just love seeing and hearing again, too.  And, being able to smell.  Those senses you lost here on earth are yours to enjoy forever!  

 

Wish you were still here, but I know that you wouldn't want to be.  Until we are together again, throw a ball at Jake for me, too!  Love you, Mom, and miss you very much!

 

 

 

 

What An Awesome Day !!!

Jon went to church and Jess and I had a special breakfast upstairs.  I made scrambled eggs, bacon and toast with mandarin oranges and diet greet tea and orange juice for Jess, too.  That was after a bath for Jess.  She's the only person I know that laughs hysterically when I shave her legs, not that I'm around anyone that shaves their legs!  At least she doesn't scream like when I cut her toe nails or fingernails!

Church service today was exceptional.  All I could say after the service was, "Oh, my!"  The music, the sermon and communion was very special.

Diane and Randie met us at the Chinese Restaurant for lunch, and Chris and her boys were there, too!  We had a nice lunch together, went to the "zoo" and then came home.  We were going to play games (Di, Randie, Chris and me) but we just visited.  I suggested watching a movie, but we just visited.  That was very nice.

Di and Randie left earlier then Chris stayed and we visited longer.  In all, it was a very nice, awesome day.  PLUS, the sun was shining and there was NO SNOW!

Just An Ordinary Day

That was the theme of our SM Ladies gathering this afternoon. We talked about Bible characters where God met them doing the mundane and how it changed their lives.  We talked about being faithful in the little things of life.  Then several of us shared moments in our lives where we knew God spoke to us and what changed or what we did.  I felt that we needed a song but I couldn't think of one in the past several days.  However, one of the women said that God told her to bring her iPod and play a certain song.  It fit so perfectly.  It was by Kari Jobe and I've already forgotten the name of the song.  But it was perfect.  I so enjoy these times with my fellow Stephen Ministers and I look forward to our monthly gatherings.

Rachel hung out with Jess at home all day.  They did book work, coloring, crafts, and the usual.  I also told Jessie to take out all the shoes from the coat closet and empty it so that later I could put the boots away and organize the messy closet.  When I got home I looked at the pile of stuff all over the place and thought: "What was I thinking?"  It got done, but not until 8:45 p.m.

Jon went to breakfast then to the show to see Noah.  Very unbiblical and over the edge.  He just rolled his eyes. 

Two Rubbermaids Done and Mailed

I wasn't feeling as good as I did yesterday, but I still managed to finish the 2 rubbermaids and get them ready for shipping.  I also did a couple loads of wash and paperwork.

Jessie and Debbie went out to breakfast and came home for about a half hour.  Then they went to the Rec Center for Gym Time.  Debbie said Jessie was "in rare form!"  I take it she had a good time.  When they returned I was almost finished with getting things ready, they were home for another half hour then they went with me to the bank, McDonalds for a late lunch and the post office to mail the boxes.

Debbie did her paperwork then we sat in the living room and chatted for a couple hours.  We never get to just sit and talk and it was nice.  Jessie, however, wasn't too keen on that idea.  She kept saying, "Debbie?  Home now?"  She really doesn't like to share Debbie or Brenda. 

Wednesday and Thursday

Wednesday wasn't a good day for me.  I felt like crap, so I didn't do much but sit in my chair, take Tylenol and use my eye rice pack.

When I went to bed last night I was sure that I'd have to go to the doctor's, but today I woke feeling better.  Not great, but much better.  I've been taking extra Vitamin C and eating mandarins.  Guess they help!

I thought I'd share a picture of Jessie and how she gets herself blocked in with her Apples2Apples cards.  Just a bit of warning.  If you should be in the room, do NOT mess with the card arrangement.  It won't be pretty.

Today, Thursday, as I said earlier, I woke feeling better, so I got busy and packed 2 rubbermaids to mail to Lois tomorrow.  I also did a couple loads of wash and managed a nap.  Brenda and Jessie went to Meijer's, the Rec Center and went swimming then exercised.  Subway lunch, post office and home.  Jess had another great day.  I am so blessed that she has wonderful caregivers that get her out and doing things that stretch her a bit but allows her to grow in various areas.

Another Milestone

Jessie wasn't able to swim today so Brenda thought she'd take her to an AMC30 and see a movie.  Good idea, except we've only taken her to the Romeo Theatre which only has 2 theatre rooms and is the "old fashioned" walk down to your seat - not up stairs.  I suggested she try MJR because the front entrance looks like it is part of a mall entrance, and not so big. 

She managed to get her inside, get popcorn and pop and they sat on the ground level seating and Jess did pretty good.  It worked that there were only 2 other small groups of people in there also.  Again, another milestone for Jessie.  AND, when asking her if she'd like to go to that show again, she said, "YES!"  Way to go, Jessie!

She's almost 24 years old and STILL learning and doing new things.  So much for the experts who say that "learning ends around 12 years old!".  Like Jess would say, "STUPID PEOPLE!" 

Poor Baby Jon

That's what Jess says when she watches home videos and I've captured times when Jon was sick.  I could take another video of him today and you'd see another "poor baby Jon".  He managed to take my van and go to the doctor's and get medication for a sinus infection.  He feels horrible and looks like it, too!

On his way to the doctor's he dropped me off at the funeral home for our friend, Frank, who passed away last Thursday.  I hitched a ride with Julie and Ortha to the church for the luncheon and a ride home from Don and Laura.  No news on Jon's jeep yet.

Debbie and Jessie went out for Girls Day out and Debbie said they both had a great day.  They had lunch at Big Boy's and then shopped at Target.