Granny

My granny has had Alzheimer's for several years now.  I must admit that since her "loop" has become so short I have avoided spending time with her.  It makes me sad that she cannot recognize that my siblings and I are adults.  It makes me sad that she can't remember whose kids those are even though they were just introduced to her.  Bottom line: It makes me sad and uncomfortable so I avoid it.

Enter a couple weeks ago when Granny (who had been living on her own with my aunt checking up on her) entered the hospital really sick.  She has some issues with paranoia and other people (these came way before the Alzheimer's) so when she was released to the nursing home for rehabilitation, the family wanted to transition her easier so someone in the family (which is huge but the pool of people willing to stay is small) spends the night with her each night.

While visiting her the first Sunday that she was there, it came up that they needed someone to stay the next Friday.  I felt compelled to volunteer.  I just was hit with the fact that this woman had done so much for us and now she needed us so we each needed to do our part to help her feel safe and loved in this part of her life.  So I said, yeah I can come next Friday night and stay the night.  (This is easier for me because Josh works seconds and because I don't have kids to worry about childcare).  However, after the thought came to my mind, but before I said yes the idea that something would go wrong and I couldn't handle it came into my mind.  I still said yes.  The worry still plagued me all week.  I asked for prayers at work and bible study and small group about it.

So I went and she was fine.  She didn't ever get agitated which was my biggest fear.  My dad's cousin had said that while you're there you get no sleep, and I definitely agree with that since when they brought her meds at 5:00am she was ready to be up for the day.  She was great Friday night.  I had brought her a picture from this Christmas of her and her 6 adult children.  She would study it and tell me how old they looked.  And how bald my dad is, and how that is just like his dad.  I brought her flowers and we would look at them and talk about how beautiful they are.  I tried to get her to tell me about my dad as a kid.  The only thing I got was that he was the quiet, studious one (not really surprising there).  It was a good visit.

Saturday morning was harder.  She was obsessed with going back home... but not to the home she had been in since I was born but the one that she raised her kids in.  It made her mopey.  (remember how I hate when she's sad).  My mom and aunt were both texting me about how things were going and suggested a change of location.  We walked down the hall and saw the aviary there.  That broke the mopey spell.  After lunch my sister and her kids, then my cousin, then my uncle came and finally my shift was done.

I was so blessed by all who prayed for me.  I feel like they did shelter me.  While I'm sure that Granny was comforted by my presence (she asked me not to leave), I think it was so good for ME for me to go and spend the night.  Like I said, I've just been ignoring the issue.  Which never helps an issue.  But it was good to go and spend that time with my Granny.  Although I'm sure she didn't remember it once I was gone it was good that for the time I was there I could be a comfort to her.  It was good that she knew that she could trust me and that I loved her.  I'm glad I got the opportunity to be with her.

Genesis 17:7

“I will confirm my covenant with you and your descendants after you, from generation to generation. This is the everlasting covenant: I will always be your God and the God of your descendants after you.

Still working

I mentioned a couple of months ago that I was trying to lose some weight and needed to be accountable.  December is so very hard to be accountable in.  Since I ran my second 5k I have been slowly and not quite as steadily losing and exercising.

Unfortunately being a teacher and aunt in December means nearly every night has something plus people are always trying to give me food (especially chocolate).  The first three days this week were really bad, mostly because I had to stay late to get everything done for the semester.

I had gotten behind because last Friday I left half day to come home and do my home study update.  That went well.  We had to do it for 2 reasons.  One for immigration because our other one is running out soon and also because we moved this summer and our social worker had to make sure our new home was suitable for children.

So I was behind on grading and then this week was just a busy mess! On Wednesday I baked cookies with my students which is my favorite way ever to celebrate the holidays.  We made chocolate chip cookies and I ate way too many!

Anyway, yesterday I was super bad and although I had no work still didn't fit in any exercise (although for the most part my eating was more on track).  Today I got up determined not to put it (and this blog for that matter) on the back burner again.  So I went to pinterest where yesterday I had pinned this:



And while the doggies were outside frolicking in the first snow of the winter (yay! we didn't all die last night), I did this.  Man did it get everything on fire.  So I should definitely add this into the mix (because if I do the same thing or eat the same thing daily I get burnt out super quickly).  Hopefully I'll work up to being able to do twice a day but I think for a busy just quick workout it hit the spot.

So accountability, I am down about 30 lbs from last summer.  I had school pictures in September and sent them out in my Christmas cards to my students this week (ps why do I get a full package of school pictures every year? who am I going to hand 30 wallets, 2 5x7s, and an 8x10 to?  I am not really that narcissistic).  It was pretty cool because I could see the difference between my face in September and now.  Just have to remember that and not let laziness (probably my number one sin, pray for me) get me off track.

A friend put this on facebook last night:


I think it applies to oh so many things.  I am currently waiting to hit my healthy goal with eating and exercising, it is not something that will happen immediately and I don't know why we always think it will.  I am also waiting, waiting, waiting for God to grow my family because I know He will.  I know His ways are above mine and that this wait is helping me to depend on Him.  Thank you God for your willingness to work with me, to prod me, and to lead me.  Amen.

Isaiah 64:4

New Living Translation (NLT)

⁴ For since the world began,
    no ear has heard
and no eye has seen a God like you,
    who works for those who wait for him!

Thankful for good people in this world.

Remember how I posted that Saturday the weather was super gorgeous?  I went to a local park with my sister and went running.  I don't have a cool id for running so I just stuck my driver's license in my pocket.  I also had my pedometer in a pocket and my cell phone.  We listed to music and tracked our run using my phone.  My sister challenged me to run beyond what I thought I could and that was awesome.  I ended my run at the bottom of a lookout tower, head pressed against the cool concrete.  Betsy went to the top of the tower and I walked circles at the bottom.  As I walked circles at the bottom, I put my hand in my pocket to check for my stuff.  I still had my phone and my pedometer but I had no id.  Most of our run had been in a loop so after we searched the car we went back over the parts that we hadn't doubled over already.  It was no where to be found.  I thought maybe it had fallen out at home?  But alas it wasn't there.  Monday the BMV was closed. Tuesday I didn't go because of other things.  Last night I get home after work, working for Operation Christmas Child,  and going to Bible study I get the mail.  There is an envelope to me from someone I don't know in a neighboring town.  She found my id at the park Saturday and mailed it back to me.  There are good people in this world and for that I'm thankful.

Proverbs 11:3
Honesty guides good people; dishonesty destroys treacherous people.

Thankful for...

Tonight I'm thankful for Pinterest.  Where else can I while away the hours finding ideas for my home and my future?

Like this one:



Psalm 84:3
Even the sparrow finds a home, and the swallow builds her nest and raises her young at a place near your altar, O LORD of Heaven’s Armies, my King and my God!

A Week of Thankfulness

I really was trying that first week... and then I slacked off and now I need to catch up on a whole week's worth of posts.

Nov 7-- Thankful for Faraday

My little puppy last fall has turned into a great big Giant puppy this fall.

Most evenings it is just the two of us relaxing, taking walks much to the chagrin of the not as nice dogs next door, playing fetch indoors and out.  We lost both of our previous pooches last year and I am so thankful we were able to get Faraday to help keep me company this last year.  His first year had a lot of excitement, eating a month's worth of medication, moving twice, and making friends wherever he goes.  

1 Samuel 25:16
In fact, day and night they were like a wall of protection to us and the sheep.

November 8

Thankful for Josh.

He tops my thankfulness list daily.  He has been my best friend for over 11 years and my husband more than 6.  He works so hard to provide nice things for us and I truly appreciate it daily.  I also appreciate the time we get to spend together, working on things for the house, going camping or traveling, playing games, hosting our annual Halloween bash.  I prayed to God for my husband and he has blessed me so completely.

The other day when setting up our Thanksgiving mantle I was searching for a picture for a new frame.  I went through the wedding album and found this one which I just love.  It's not the one in the frame now but it did bring a smile to my face.

Romans 12:10
Love each other with genuine affection, and take delight in honoring each other.

Election Day Thankfulness

Here's a picture of me today with my I voted today sticker.  I am so thankful that I was able to put forth my opinions on who should be the next president of our nation, governor of my state, superintendent of education in Indiana, and Senator from Indiana.  I am also very thankful for the thousands of people nation-wide who worked the polls and helped people to exercise their right to vote.  I was lucky to be able to walk right in, show my ID, and go straight to a voting machine this afternoon.  While I was there one of the ladies checking ID mentioned that she had been there since 5am.  That makes for a very long day.  I am so thankful for her and other volunteers who helped to make this and every past election a pretty "painless" process.


Proverbs 22:29
Do you see any truly competent workers? They will serve kings rather than working for ordinary people.

Bonus thought for the day:  I am so Glad Jesus is my king no matter what happens in the election today.

Thankful for my parents and siblings.

Today, and everyday, I am thankful for my siblings and parents.  I have 3 brothers and 3 sisters and a mom and a dad.  I love each of them.  I get together regularly with them.  I am so proud of who we have all turned out to be.  I pray that I can provide my children with as much love and good guidance as my parents gave all of us.  I think we are kind of like rocks in a stream.  We bump against each other and wear off those rough parts so that the world gets to see the shiny smoothness.  We are each others' greatest fans and I wouldn't have it any other way.  This picture idea I got from Pinterest.  My mom free cut the letters and then my sister set it up (she's the awesome photographer and her label thingy is on the picture).  I love it!  Don't you?

Psalm 105:8
He always stands by his covenant— the commitment he made to a thousand generations.