What I need to do more of.

When I stop and ponder, I too can see God's hand in my life each day. I just need to stop and ponder more often.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DF01BQAcj8E

Field day

This year for field day at Kenzie's school, I was asked to help. Kaden and I assisted with the basketball game called "tapper". Two players tap their basketballs together and then try to be the first one to get their ball in the net. If you make it, you continue to play against other students until you aren't the first to get your ball through the hoop.
Kenzie was chosen as one of the four girls to represent her class in the third grade tug-of-war competition.

Maybe if Kenzie wasn't so focused on watching me, her team could have won! LOL!

Kaden enjoyed watching the third graders compete and helping with getting the balls on and off the basketball rack. On the way home be said, "Mommy, that was fun!"

Being in the hot sun from noon until 3:15 wore me out! I went home and took a nap!

Please, no more eggs!

Ashton's last game was a real "nail-bitter"! In the end the score was tie, 14/14. Fun to watch Ashton pitch, but it also makes me nervous!
Yesterday Kaden and I spent some time with Mom during one of her physical therapy sessions. She was suppose to move a light weight rod up and down and from side to side. It took every bit of her strength and energy to move it ever so slightly. I could tell she was in a lot of pain. When the PT asked about her pain on a scale from 1 to 5, 1 being not much and 5 being excruciating, Mom said, "Five." She had such a far-away look in her eyes, like she wasn't really there! The PT also noticed it. Mom said, "I'm just not with it today."
Mom does continue to eat more, just not at breakfast. Every morning she is served eggs, and she hates them! We talked about what else she would rather eat. I suggested yogurt. She told me her favorite flavors are strawberry and blueberry. After leaving the home I went to Weiss Market and got her some! I left it with Dad thinking maybe he could get there early one day in time for breakfast to feed it to her. I'm going to try to get there in time for breakfast on Monday since the kids don't have school.

I'm headed into Kenzie's school today at noon to help with her field day. She knows I'm coming, but doesn't know I'm one of the helpers! She'll be surprised. I hope Kaden cooperates so I'll be able to lead the event I'm put in charge of. When they asked me to help I told them I have a three-year-old and don't have a sitter for him. She said she had no problem with me bringing him. I'm thinking they were short of volunteers this year. I need to remember to bring sunscreen and plenty of water! It' suppose to be sunny and warm, with a high of 84 degrees.

Shocking improvement

Yesterday and today were good days for my mother. Sunday afternoon her niece (Janet) and family came to visit and stayed an hour and a half. Mom was awake the entire time and spoke often. Dad was trying to think of a quartet that he and Mom really like. It's been years since they've heard them perform. Dad couldn't think of the name, but right away, Mom knew! Dad was with her most of the day. He said she never complained about pain until evening. She was alert and lucid enough to tell the nurse that she DOES want resuscitated. She told Dad, "I want to live. I've been here before (meaning sick), and I've gotten better." We have decided that if Mom is coherent, and can make the decisions for herself, then we must abide by those wishes. If she gets sick, and chances are she will, she will likely ask to be taken to the hospital.

Today I was in twice. The first time she asked for clothes, she wanted to get dressed. They took her to physical therapy today and later she was scheduled for occupational therapy. She is still confused about where she is. When I first arrived she asked, "Did you have trouble finding the place?" I said, "You mean this place?" "Yes" she replied. I grew up only a mile from the Lutheran Home and I've been there numerous times so I knew she wasn't' sure where she was, so I asked her. She told me "New Oxford community". I told her she was at the Lutheran Home. Later when asked about where she was by the speech pathologist, Mom gave the same reply. We then told her again were she is. Then the SP asked what town the Lutheran Home is in, and Mom said New Oxford. (It's in Gettysburg) So, still some confusion.

I went home to Dad's and he and I got her clothes together. When we went back over to the home Mom was feeding herself -- NO HELP! Wow! Yesterday and today she ate a great deal more than she had been. We are trying not to get our hopes up, but it is good to see her improving and not seeming to suffer so much with pain. Don't know how long that will last, but we'll take what we can get! Today I trimmed and filed Mom's nails. I told her she needed bright red nail polish! She laughed! She also laughed today when Kaden peek-a-booed her from behind the curtain.

The speech pathologist is going to be working with Mom on her eating, speech and memory. She is also undergoing physical and occupational therapy. In the past we felt like some of this was too much for Mom. We'll see.

Dad was not feeling the best this morning. His anxieties are starting to resurface. He is under so much stress and uncertainty. These are difficult times, and we feel like rougher times are ahead.