After 4 solid years of fighting Alz, my Mom went home to be
with the Lord. My brothers and I were all there along with
Dylan. ( Others offered but she had MRSA so anyone with babies
we kept out)
Mom was an English teacher, and I can only think of the first
few lines of a poem she taught us by Walt Whitman:
...."Oh Captain, My Captain!, our fearful trip is done, the ship
has weathered every wrack, the prize we sought is won"....
Barbara Wilson
April 8, 1938 to March 26,2018
Next week Wyatt will be a big brother! Hard to believe! I have been able to hang out with him more then usual so his mama can go to doctor appts.... I don't mind! This is how he wakes up in the morning... If we all did, there would be no need for coffee!
My brother Joel, sister in law Laura, Kathy, Jeremy , Wyatt, Chris and I helped Mom celebrate her 78th birthday. She had good moments, and sad moments. Alzheimer is an awful disease. she is being given excellent care and we can ask for nothing more.
Chris and I were in the mood for shrimp and grits . Unfortunately they are not in the budget...and nowhere local has it. why did I never investigate how easy this southern dish was to make.... where have I been??
Thank you Bobby Flay and Food Network. This was DELICIOUS!
My Dad in law had given us a bag of grits from Julia's Pantry to try... I give these 2 thumbs up.... go get you some!
..
and because we have the new grandbabe making an appearance next week, I worked to finish this crocheted stuffie! It turned out so cute that I am going to make a couple more for a few other babies in my life!
Continue to pray for my Mom in law. This last infusion was a bit harder to shake. Also pray for my daughter in law Kathy as she prepares this week for the new baby.
God is faithful and just..... always..
~Lea
...Two days of Mary Poppins duty at Jeremy & Kathy's. Bless their hearts they were so sick... I had two days of Wyatt time, so sorry they were sick. but oh how I love that boy! I am counting days until his little brother makes his grand appearance...
Tuesday Sue started chemo. 1 down... 5 to go... I had bought the book " Keep A Quiet Heart" by Elizabeth Elliot a couple weeks before she was diagnosed, then she had mentioned it, so I have been reading it as an encouragement and to be an encouragement.
Wednesday we moved Mom into Memory care. She seemed fine, the place is clean and recommended by her care workers. There was much much prayer that went into this. While this is not where I would have liked her to be, its where she needs to be.
..and finally I finished a book! My concentration has been elsewhere so last Thursday i felt good to sit and read.
Excellent.... never underestimate the power of a book.
Praise be to the Lord, to God our Savior, who daily bears our burdens.
Psalm 68:19
Two weeks? Yup, and when you read this post you can figure out how busy we have been here around the farm. Life, real life, and all that goes with it is in full swing.
I am so thankful for the specialist at Duke/ Raleigh , and to be a praying part of my mother in laws team. She was diagnosed with triple negative breast cancer this past week. Things look good, there is a game plan in place, and this year we are going to be the absolute best cheer leaders and prayer warriors we can be. Her faith in Christ is strong..... Blessed be the name of the Lord
My mother has been staying with us the past month. She has severe frontal lobe dementia. Her body is in wonderful shape for a 77yo, her mind... not so much. This type of disease progresses quickly, causes violent outbursts, hallucinations, lots of anger. So this week I am so thankful that there was a facility in this state that can help her once again with a meds adjustment so she can possibly have some calm moments as this disease, this awful disease marches through her brain..........Blessed be the name of the Lord
This little guy came to visit with his folks on Sunday. Oh the joys of our miracle baby! His last evaluation on Thursday said he was nearly perfect ... we couldn't agree more... Blessed be the name of the Lord.
..and this package that arrived in the mail from my bestie should have been sister Kathi. Fairy Garden stone, tea bag holder.... AND my very own furl hook... in pink... yes please! She loves me.... she prays for me... she listens to my tears...she shares my happy times and sad... Blessed be the name of the Lord!
...and this man... who is so strong... who loves me with his whole heart... who considers me a gift and a treasure. Who allows me those moments when I just need to stay in jammies all day.... Blessed be the name of the Lord..
And he said, “Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked shall I return. The LORD gave, and the LORD has taken away; blessed be the name of the LORD.” Job 1:21
~Lea
Listing 5 things happens to be so good for me. When you are the caretaker for someone with dementia, its sometimes hard to see the things you are loving... this disease is so crazy! I am literally every day coming in on a wing and a prayer. Not only is there the stress of caring for a loved one like this, but the grief also. Those moments when you have to teach your very intelligent mother how to eat pizza... grief...
But, I do find those moments when I love something, and I am more keenly aware I think not only to the goodness , but where my goodness comes from!
1. https://www.biblegateway.com/
When I am multitasking it is so good to have the Bible " read" to me. I can stop and pause,resume... its great to be able to stay on task with my Bible reading.
2.
My fairy garden.. Jamie , Emily and Jacob gave me a few pieces for my garden, and I ordered a few more. I like to decorate with the seasons so I added a snowman and some toadstools with hearts. I love it!
3.
My crochet this week. 2 hats and a " lovey" for the newest grand due in May. I am so thankful for this stress breaker. My hook is the first thing I grab in the evenings after I get Mom settled in.
4.
...and this mug my friend Angie bought me for Christmas. It goes everywhere with me. I wish I could say I kept water in it always... but ahem... you know me and sweet tea!
5.
A 2 hour lunch with my MIL today, at my favorite place to eat... so fun!.. This picture has nothing to do with our lunch.... but I know she will laugh when she sees it!
What are you loving this week?
So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. Galatians 5:16
~Lea
Considering all things, adding one Mom and one dog to the household hasn't been that tough. Trying at times.... lots of prayer, reading up on dementia and applying different things ... its a horrible disease...
Restlessness and impatience change nothing except our peace and joy. Peace does not dwell in outward things, but in the heart prepared to wait trustfully and quietly on Him who has all things safely in His hands.
Elisabeth Elliot
While I am in this season of life, my down time focus tends to lean towards crochet.... the rhythm...the joy of seeing something become... Especially since Jeremy, Kathy and Wyatt gifted me new hooks, a crochet bag, and my own mug with crochet hook holder!
My inlaws gifted me money for Christmas..and one small thing I purchased was some merino wool... I made these mitts ( pattern faded lace mitts) with Cascade Farms Heritage Print. I could just wrap myself in this yarn and seriously feel a scarf coming on.
~Lea