A Day of Thanksgiving - 2010

Tuesday - November 30, 2010

Another week of preparation, being with family, and giving thanks for the many blessings which came our way has come and gone. Thanksgiving 2010 was a beautiful day. Even though we weren't able to see the entire family, we know that they all were gathered with loved ones giving thanks to God for all He has done for us.

Where do I begin with the list of things I am so thankful for? There are so many, but I will name just a few.

• To begin with, I am so thankful for being able to share another Thanksgiving with my mother. She is really good shape for a 90 year old.
• I am so thankful for the continued improvement Dink is making with his recovery from the stroke he suffered in February 2009, and the care and love he receives from Rhonda, Billy, Bobby, and Jamie. He is such a blessing to us all, and we love him and the family very very much!
• Mike, oh what can I say about my little brother?? That he he is a typical little brother who loves to pester his sister is an understatement. That's what all three of my brothers loved to do! Mike doesn't know how much I really appreciate him . . . he has stayed with Mom on the nights I am scheduled to for the last three weeks due to Bill having to have surgery. We love our mother, and we will do what we need to help her! . . .and I love Mike!
• I am thankful that John's family are now closer together and will be able to see one another more often. John was so much like Dad - they loved family get-togethers! I really miss talking with John, but I know he is watching over all of us and is right there next to Dad.
• I was so pleased that we were able to share this day not only with Mom, but with Mike, Debbie, Meghan, and Grant!! We missed Todd and Cassie, but they were with Cassie's family in Logan County!
• Bill and I are both so thankful that David and Jeni have found a place they can call home and are closer to us than they were last year! David is now back in the pulpit doing the Lord's work. We are also excited that Cora Ann is going to be a big sister. What joy that brings to our hearts!
• We are thankful that Twink, Angie, Ashlea, and John are doing okay. We know Ashlea will soon be a graduate of UK, and we are so happy and proud of her!
• Last but not least, I am so thankful that Bill's surgery was a success and that no cancerous cells were found in the goiter that was removed from his neck and chest. He is on the road to recovery and is doing well.

We would have loved to have been with everyone, but we know that is not always possible. I just hope and pray that those who were not here with us know how much you mean to us and how much you are loved!!! We are thankful that you are part if our family.

For our Thanksgiving feast we had more than enough! The menu included:

• Turkey, dressing, and gravy
• Ham and candid sweet potaoes
• Mashed potatoes
• Potato salad
• Shuck beans (leather britches - dehydrated green beans)
• Green beans
• Sweet corn
• Deviled Eggs
• Cranberry sauce
• Cranberry Salad
• Pumpkin pie and Cool Whip
• Cherry Cheese cake
• Pumpkin roll
• Raspberry tea
• regular tea
• Coffee
• Soft Drinks of assorted kinds

We had an abundance of food, and are eating the last of the leftovers! We sent enough home with Mom that the rest of the family was able to continue the feast!!! Thanksgiving 2010 was a great day, a day that we all will remember . . . . especially Meghan and Grant!! Hmmmm . . . .something about the car breaking down on their return to Huntington for ye another meal with other family memebers!

I hope that all had as great a day with family as we did!!!!

The table ready for all to take their place!

The turkey and ham . . . let the feast begin . . .

The empty chair . . . the chair that Dad built and always sat in after eating a meal with us!!!
This made Mom 90 Thanksgiving gatherings . . . she has claimed her spot at the table for this years!! We love you Mom!!!!

Thanksgiving

For each new morning with its light,
For rest and shelter of the night,
For health and food,
For love and friends,
For everything Thy goodness sends.

--Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803-1882)

Catching Up - Surgery is Not Fun

Tuesday - November 16, 2010

Bill had surgery a week ago to remove the left side of his thyroid and a very large goiter. He had been experiencing some difficulty with getting a deep breath, thus the ongoing battery of test which included breathing test, Xray, and CT Scan. It was through these test the goiter was discovered. The doctor told us it had protruded down into Bill's chest, which was causing him difficulty with his breathing. The doctor was amazed that Bill didn't have problems swallowing. Apparently the goiter had pushed his esophagus, windpipe, etc, over to the right side of his neck.

The goiter was actually resting on Bill's aorta and there was no option as to what the treatment was to be . . . it was to be surgically removed. We were told the surgery would take at least four hours and they were right on the time. One of the reasons the surgeon said he would be taking so long to do the surgery was because he needed to make sure he did no damage to the vocal chords. Evidently they use a nerve meter when doing this surgery to help them monitor the nerves and to make sure they don't damage them. However when the surgeon came out to talk with me, he told me the connectors to the nerve meter did not function properly. Thus we had to wait to make sure there was no damage. Thankfully, Bill is able to talk although his voice is weak, comes and goes, and is a little raspy - all which was expected.

We had to report to the hospital by 9:00. Whew . . . our drive to town was nerve wracking in that we got behind slow traffic, stopped by a train crew working on the railroad crossing, and then utility workers causing traffic to be using only one lane. We made it to the hospital in time. Within fifteen minutes of arriving at the hospital they called Bill back to the room to prepare him for his surgery. By 10:00 they took him to the holding room where is was to wait before they took him into surgery.

My cousin Patty came to sit with me. We have been through many surgeries together. I was with her when she had surgery, and she was with me when I had surgery. Patty may only be a cousin, but she feels like a sister. I was grateful to have there to help me pass the long hours of waiting. The hardest part is sitting there not knowing how our loved one is doing!!! I appreciate Pat and love her very much!

They took Bill into surgery around 10:40. They have someone who calls the family of those in surgery to let them know how things are going. I received a call at 1:30 and was told all was going well and that the doctor expected it to be another couple of hours. They had already removed part of the goiter - the part in his neck - and now preparing to remove the part which had gone down into his chest. We were told by the surgeon there might be a need for him to open Bill's chest up to remove that section of the goiter. If that was the case then there would be a chest surgeon on call if needed! Thankfully the chest surgeon was not needed!

At 2:30 the volunteer came over to me and asked me to go to the conference room, and that the surgeon would be out to talk with me shortly. Patty and I went to the room and within five minutes the surgeon arrived. It was all good news, and Bill was doing well!!! Oh I thanked God for those words. He was to spend the night in the hospital just as precaution that there would be no bleeding or other problems. We were both glad they were going to keep him - just to be safe.

He was taken to his room around 4:00 - it was a private room which gave me the opportunity to stay with him. (I was planning on staying even if I had to stay in the lobby down the hall - did that many times with Mom and Dad!) We were told that all surgical patients are now given a private room to help keep down infections. They even had a recliner type chair in there and extra pillows and blankets for me!!! Bill was given such great care by all he came in contact with that day and night!!!

They brought Bill a tray, but he was in no way ready for a meal! He did take sips of water, but that was about it. He was extremely sore and had pain. He was given pain medication every four hours if needed!!!! He was hooked up to an IV and had leg wraps around his legs that kept pumping up with air - I assume to help his circulation and to keep blood clots from forming! With help he was able to stand when he needed to use the restroom. His IV was in his hand and came out on one of his needs to stand. This liked to scared me to death. I looked at the floor and blood was flowing rather heavily. I thought his incision had broken loose, but it was just where the needle came out of his hand. Whew . . . I needed nerve medication at that moment! Nurses came in and all was well!

We both slept pretty well for being in the hospital. The noise from his IV sounded like a printer, and the machine for the wraps around his legs pumped up every five minutes!!! Before we knew it, the new shift was on duty and Bill's vitals were being taken. At 7:00 the doctor came in to say all the blood work looked good; his incision looked good, and therefore he would release Bill to go home!!!!

We left the hospital at 10:00 and headed home!!!! Bill was weak, but as the days have gone by, he has gotten stronger, soreness is leaving, and pain is not quite as bad. He is beginning to eat a little better, taking walks around the yard, and sleeping with his CPAP machine.

We are so thankful for his recovery thus far. We are also thankful for all the prayers, thoughts, and words of encouragement from our family and friends. We love you all!

This little girl helped give Bill the courage to do what he needed to do to get better. He (we) love her so much. By the end of June we will have another little one to love as much as we do Cora Ann!

We came up with an idea to help Bill communicate with me without straining his voice. One was for me to ask him questions and he would respond with holding up one finger which would mean yeas; two fingers would mean no! I also bought this small erase board for him to write down what he wanted to say! Needless to say he came up with a LIST for me! :):) He was just kidding!!!

Bill has been a great patient so far. It was so cute . . . he thanked every one who did anything for him in the hospital! To the one who stuck his finger to check his sugar; the lady who came in to take a vial of blood; to those who brought him his medication, food, and water; and even to the one who made the incision; Bill said "Thank You!" The nurses said they wanted to stay in his room because he was such a good patient - not complaining and willing to do all he needed to do to get well. So far here at home, he is doing the same thing.

So, to Bill, I say "THANK YOU!" for being a great patient :):)

PS - We went to the doctor yesterday for Bill's post-op appointment. We got great news! The goiter.thyroid was benign!! Praise God for such sweet words. Had there been any cancerous cells, Bill was to have surgery again two weeks after the first!!!! Now, we are focusing on his recovery and not the possibility of another surgery!!! We are so blessed and thankful for all the prayers. God was with us all the way, and HE is helping with the recovery!!!

Catching Up - A Visit to Bedford, Ohio

Monday - November 15. 2010

We were fortunate enough to be able to go and visit David, Jeni, Cora Ann, and Molly the first week of November. We love being able to get to see our granddaughter and knowing her even more. She knows who we are, and we are so glad since we don't get to see her as often as we would like. It takes her a few minutes to "warm" up to us, and then the fun times begin. She has grown so much and is learning so fast new things that it is hard to keep up with her!!! She is a pure joy to be around!

While we were there, David and Bill went to Akron to see Bob Dylan in concert! We ladies stayed home where it was so peaceful and quiet! The men had a great time, and it was nice for father and son to be able to do something together!!!

I always try to capture as many pictures of Cora when we are with her. This trip was no exception. She is such a doll . . . hope you enjoy the following picture!

Cora Ann loved the little container that held the claw clips for her hair. She took out the clips and then placed them back in the box . . . apparently it was better than any toy we could have gotten her! :)

Granddad reading "The Five Turkeys" to Cora Ann. I love this picture of them . . . both are so involved with the story! :)

I love this baby girl more than words could ever express! I love her hair . . .she looks so cute!!!!!

Cora brought out her wooden rocking chair that she is now big enough to enjoy!!

Good-byes are so hard, but we know this was for only a little while!

Catching Up - New Job; New Home

Sunday - November 14, 2010

On September 26, David presented a sermon to the First Baptist Church of Bedford, Ohio. Immediately after the sermon the congregation ed had a vote - to keep David as their pastor or continue the search for a permanent pastor. It was unanimous - they all voted that David was to be their new pastor.

Finally, after a 22 month hiatus as a pastor, David was going to be at the pulpit again as a full time pastor. God does answer prayers . . . in His own time. This meant he and Jeni would need to find a place to live. the parsonage was occupied and would not be vacant until spring. The search committee put them in contact with a realtor who graciously showed them around Bedford and showed some of the houses that were available for rent of to purchase. As it ended up - they found a beautiful home a couple of miles from the church and that appealed to both of them.

David, Jeni, Cora Ann, and Molly are now in their own home. It is a beautiful home . . .one that had apparently been in disarray and was "flipped" into the house of today. They were so fortunate to be able to find the house, do the paper work, and move in before David's first official day as Pastor of The First Baptist Church. We are so thankful he has a job, and Jeni is going to be able to stay home with Cora! Blessings all around!

Here are a few shots of the house and the church.

This is a view from the street of David and Jeni's first home!

We all know how important the kitchen is . . . they have a great kitchen, breakfast nook, and dining room area!

Another important room is Cora's room . . . no guessing to whom this room belongs too! :):) Notice the border - jungle theme!

The sign identifying the church . . .
The church . . .

The sanctuary . . . looking toward the pulpit . . .

Looking back towards the congregation . . . .

I couldn't help myself . . . this was posted outside one of the Sunday School rooms . . . apparently it was the lesson for the day . . . so typical of that age level! :)

David and Jeni have appeared to find "home," and will hopefully be there for many many years!

Catching Up - Great News

Saturday - November 13, 2010

On October 29 I received a phone call from David. It was a short conversation in that he wanted his Dad and me to check our email! Hmmmm . . . .I thought that was strange in that why didn't he just tell me whatever it was in the email over the phone.


So, I turned on the computer to check my email, and this is what I found . . . the cutest picture of Cora Ann . . . but wait . . . what does it say on her shirt????


That's right . . . there is going to be another little one in our family . . . with a due date around the end of June! We can't wait!!!!


Cora Ann will be a great big sister and wonderful protector of her little brother/sister!!!! We are so excited for another bundle of joy to enter this world and be part of our family. Grand babies - there's nothing like them!