a new beginning---- again!!!!

Blogging is not my strength but I do love to share my family and our days so I am attempting to post much more often then in the past! Let's say a post every week? That should be possible but most likely it will be a couple of times a month. We have had so much happen to us. Derrell was in Afghanistan for six months, Brenna was born, vacation to Branson, new floors put in throughout the upstairs, a new lawn started, a new shed to replace the one about to fall in!!!! so you see when life is this busy it is hard to find the time to post! I will try to go back as needed and put pics and stories up and try even harder to keep the current events documented. So let's see how good I do....... until next time!

Maple Memories

I have been scrapping for years. Usually, I would set up a table in the living room or take over the kitchen table and eventually I even took over one of the bedrooms as my craft room. It is always peaceful to scrap; it may not be quiet around me but the art of scrapping brings me peace. I found new friends when my favorite store ScrapFunattic opened. I was invited to a weekend event up at Maple Memories in McPherson. I hadn't scrapped away from home except at classes I took. I had no idea what to take so most of my stash went with me! I had so much fun. I didn't get much done but that weekend I developed new friendships and deepened those I already had. We laughed, ate and laughed some more. It was there I learned that facebook wasn't just for college kids and I really did need a laptop! The neighborhood around Maple Memories is so quiet and beautiful in the spring and fall. The house itself is inviting the moment we walk in. I really appreciate the ramp to roll all of our supplies right up and into the house. The bedrooms are uniquely decorated and very comfortable. I have been back several times and will be there again next weekend!

How Much More for Dad?

Daddy's patience was tested on Feb.9 at his appointment with Dr. Heading. The x-rays showed the bones had healed and the Dr. was about to release him for full rehab and walking. Mom mentioned how Dad was still taking the full amount of meds for his pain and was that normal? No must have been his answer because he ordered a CT scan immediately. Those results showed that the "bone" that had filled in the gaps where he was broken was actually mushy and needed more time and a new therapy (a sonogram type of machine used on his back for 20 min a day for about six weeks). He also wanted to reinforce the front of the pelvis with a strip of metal. That wasn't able to be done earlier because of the bladder tear and fear of infection. So back to surgery on Feb.19. That went very well the first 24 hours, then, the spiral began. Dad has had so much trouble with recovery from the anesthesia. He gets so sick and the meds hurt his stomach and they want him off of IVs and on pills and he can't keep down the food and then the pain increases...... So it takes time for him to get back into a smooth rhythm again. He had problems with swelling also this time but 10 days later he was released back to Cameron. So now here we are on March 4th and Daddy is back at KU. He has fluid and swelling around the incision. Dr. Heading is planning on surgery to repair a possible tear or bleeder tomorrow. Please keep praying. I know it will all end and Dad will be up and back to normal again but these setbacks are depressing for Dad and Mom. She puts up a great front but she is tired. Give her a call or send a note. Those little touches mean so much to her. I will post as I learn more.

Daddy in January and February

The time at Northland lasted four weeks. There Dad began eating again and all of his IVs were removed. Slowly he began to strengthen and regain some of his stamina. Mom spent every night with Dad at Northland because he was too weak to call for help. The staff there were nice enough but not as attentive as we thought Dad needed. My goodness, he could barely move by himself and they would leave him alone for a couple of hours at a time. Not too good when you hurt and can't find or reach the buttons to call for help. His next move came mid January to a rehab/nursing facility in Cameron. That made it so much easier for Mom. By then Dad was shifting around in bed by himself and feeding himself. Mom lives only 15 min. away so she was able to go home every day and sleep in her own bed! Dad only had to heal. The therapist would work on his upper body and leg strength with exercises. By the time Dad went in to have the stabilizer removed in early Feb. the Dr. was pleased with his muscle tone. Having that thing gone made Dad's recovery speed up and he was able to finally sit up at a 90degree angle and in a wheelchair. His attitude throughout has been remarkable. He is so positive and patient with the process.