Week in Review ~ 12/15

What a week of highs and lows. I am obviously behind but still want to remember our week.

On Sunday, Ned and Avery went to Sunday School.  I wanted to meet them with Sam for church, but with our busy night, I knew I needed to get to the grocery store.  That night, we had Avery's Bible Zone program at church.  She was a precious sheep!

My parents and Ned's parents were all there to watch "Stranger in the Manger."  We've been listening to the songs over and over in the car, and Avery sang her heart out and knew all her motions.  We were so proud of her.

It took a lot of puffs to keep Sam quiet and entertained at that hour, but he made it.  We passed on the covered dish supper since it was almost 7 p.m. and just got chicken and had the family at our house.  Sam went to bed as soon as we got home.  It was a nice night eating with everyone.

Monday night Avery had her Bible Zone Christmas party.  They had snacks then decorated Christmas cookies and Christmas cards.  Santa visited with the kids, but Avery opted out of that.  Avery went to bed once we got home, and I surprised Ned saying that I had no school work to do and shouldn't have any to do until after we went back from Christmas.

Tuesday morning I received the call at school that my mom had had a stroke.  I left immediately and picked up my dad at the first hospital she was taken to.  When I arrived she had just been transferred to a larger hospital.  Once we had been there awhile, we learned that she would need surgery to hopefully stop the bleeding on her brain.  We had a long wait but received good news that everything looked good and the bone that had been removed did not have to stay off to allow for swelling.  We made sure she was settled in ICU before coming home.  Ned had stayed home the whole time, picking up the kids and still making it to Sam's 9-month check.  The time has come that we have to make arrangements where someone else will be able to pick up the kids if needed.  We obviously could have figured something out but I think that would have just put more stress on me.

I went back to the hospital Wednesday.  It was mainly a day of just sitting, though we were able to see my mom's quick responses each time they reduced her sedation.  I made sure I was home in time to pick Avery and Sam up at regular time.  Although we had told Avery nothing, it seemed like me not being home for bedtime Tuesday night had thrown her off.  I took Avery to dance and tried to get a little work done there.

I went to school Thursday since things were stable and had my aunt go sit with my dad.  They were able to wean my mom off the ventilator that day, so that was a big accomplishment.  I spent my time Thursday getting ready to be out Friday.  It was Grandparents' Lunch that day, so it was a tough day to go back on.  I have a fantastic school community that showed so much love and concern though.  Ned had his party for the fire department that night, and I wanted him to go, so I had a night with the kids.

Ned and I dropped the kids off Friday morning and went to the hospital.  We are about an hour and a half from there, so it is not a quick trip.  I'm thankful though that it's not a further.  On Friday they were able to extubate Mom.  They had told us not to expect speech right away, but the next thing I knew she was asking to use the bathroom.  She knew all of us and asked where Avery and Sam were.  Those were all great things to hear.  Ned and I left mid-afternoon and picked up Krispy Kreme for Avery.  We had dinner at the Mexican restaurant that night then looked at Christmas lights.  I think I was asleep again before 9.  I am not pregnant but the week definitely brought back a tiredness very similar to being pregnant.

Someone was excited to stay home and have a special donut Saturday.

Ned hunted in the morning but was home pretty early.  I went to the grocery store and got home in time for lunch.  Ned went hunting again and I got the kids down for naps.  Avery didn't nap and Sam didn't nap for long, but everyone stayed in the bed 2 hours.  I managed to lay down on the couch on one of Avery's chocolate eye balls from Halloween, which left a greasy spot on the cushion.  We got outside for a bit to enjoy the weather after everyone got up.

We had dinner and Ned got home soon after.  We must have had an uneventful night because I don't remember what we did.

My mom continues to make good strides each day.  I am being bold and asking for a complete, full recovery while praising each new accomplishment that comes along.  We are so thankful for memory and speech and pray that she will slowly regain the use of her left side.  I ask for continued prayer for my mom as she heals and comes to fully understand what has happened.  I also ask prayers for my dad as he travels each day and processes all that's going on.  Any extra prayer that you have for my family will be much appreciated as well.  If you have read my blog for any time, you know what an enormous part my mom plays in our lives.  Adjusting to and creating a new normal is no easy task.  It is one filled with emotions, questions, and worry.  We are thankful, though, that a new normal keeps her here with us.  After the tragedy on Friday, we are again reminded how life can change in the blink of an eye.