Welcome Home!

Wahoo! Look who came home over the memorial weekend.

Don't you just love the banner the grands Bug and Buttons made for him. I had all the paint supplies so to have his kids add their touch but with only an hour visit the weekend before he was discharged, we just didn't get to it.

Our Journey has been so very busy!

As I write this post we've been doing this traveling thing for 8 weeks and there is still more ahead. Juggling life is what is happening in the main ring of this circus. By no means is it a circus around here. We're just try to see and enjoy all the blessings, positive, happy, soothing things we can when the bad tends to weigh on us. What we are juggling is the scheduling. With his out patient appointments, doctor appointments, visitation schedules, hubby's work schedule and the arrival of the new grand any day now, yep, life is a bit of a juggling act. And I won't even touch on my own aches and pains that I can only ignore for so long. I have rescheduled my doctors appointments 3 times now and have yet to get my scans done. I know I need to get to it once things settle down but I just don't know when that will be.

His first weekend home was filled with many friends stopping by to say hi. To see his home filled with all the love and support just touched our hearts deeply. Though the day was amazing, it could have been better had his 3 children been able to be there to welcome him home as well. However, he did get to visit with them all day on Monday, and in the comfort of his own home.

They played lots of games, we BBQ'ed hamburger and hot dogs, baked brownies, watched a movie and we all even went for a walk to the park.

As we headed home, they were snuggled up together watching the end of the movie and playing on the DSI before it was time for them to go home.

As I mentioned earlier, our daughter is about ready to pop! And I mean any day  now! I feel bad that I have not been able to be there for her more but she has an awesome husband who is taking GREAT care of her. It just dawned on me I never showed or told you about her shower gift. I don't even have a picture of it, silly me, remember I forgot my camera that day. What I did was a labor bag for her. Since she hopes to do a water birth I included a bath sheet (her bath colors so it can be used after, no gender preference), robe, custom hospital gown made by Annie and Isabel...

...along with other supplies for hubby and the kids as well, all tucked in a really cool purse that can be used as a diaper bag that coordinates great with her colors. The cradle was also redone with nuetral colors to match. All that is left is the waiting....

Moving Along!

Literally! Our son is on the move!

He's gone to a new facility, a rehab center that is awesome. In the week he has been there, the improvement has been out of site. However, not in site of his children. He is so ready to see them and when they see him, oh my, I wish I could see it. Just knowing it will happen soon gives me goosebumps. Just knowing how their giggles and smiles can brighten a room and fill his heart. Bumpity bumps everywhere! Drops of joy leaving my eyes!

Our daughter is on the move as well...35 days or less!

Since her shower...sorry pictures of it soon, I promise. Just so you know, I left my camera at home. I'm sure some were amazed! With all I had to load up, unload, plus in between take the EllieBellie shopping before hand, it just got left behind. Waiting on photos to be sent or edited...she has been absolutely miserable at times. The last thing we need to do is wash the last of the babies bedding and put it all together.

It's been fun with all the guessing...

With all the wives tales...it bounces back and forth, leaving us with the normal 50/50 chances of it being a boy or girl. We do know that baby is very healthy and doing great. More then likely will be making an early arrival. No fear! Everything is ready.

Can't wait to see the new addition and welcoming he/she to Our Journey Through LIFE! Hold on tight, it's a lot of fun around here.

Spring Brings New Life!

Back in March, before our adventure with our son began, these little guys made their debut...

When we got home from this last weekends trip over, another addition to the farm (it's our neighbor's farm actually but we get to enjoy it) came out with it's momma...

Proud Daddy!

Last night my hubby asked if I had seen the goose out at the well pump. So I went out to see and look what I saw...

I wonder if the eggs that are out from under her are okay. Shouldn't she be sitting on all of them? Now I have something else to distract me...I will check on her every day since I will be home for a while.

Why...

Because this weekend is our daughter's baby shower.

I am so excited! I get to go as a guest and not be a hostess. It will be so much fun. This time she has much of the needed supplies, so the shower is a Golden Book Theme Shower...

Hey diddle diddle,

The cat and fiddle,

The cow jump over the moon,

A new little babe,

Is coming our way,

And going to be here soon!

 were each of the guest are asked to bring a book...

Although cards are nice, they're read once or twice

A book is a treasure, forever and ever

So instead of a card to be put aside

Please give the baby a book with your name inside

Don't spend too much on it, doesn't have to be new

Any old book in good shape will do

Now a days they sure do come up with some unique idea's. I have already been collecting old Golden Books and they will be props. I also put together a special gift just for her and hubby. (Since she reads my blog I can't say what till next week.)

Before the event, us three girls, me, the mom to be and her daughter will get a pedicure together in the morning. Our first 3 generation beauty shop visit. Can't wait to get pictures of all our toes together. Making memories...my speciality!

Hubby is leaving to go back over to our son, alone this time due to the shower and Mother's Day. I decided to spend it at home with my daughter since she has been left behind through this. Plus, I didn't want to break tradition of our yearly 3 generations Mother's day photo. 

With our daughter on doctors orders not to travel or leave town, she has not been able to go over to be with her brother. She is already having contractions (they are not braxton hicks) and was at the doctor this afternoon. More then likely she has already begun dilation, but her midwife did not want to check her out since the exam could possibly increase the labor, something we don't right now. If she has more then 4 in an hour, she will need to go into the hospital to try and stop them. Her job, she is our office manage, is pretty much easy and so long as she takes care, she won't be ordered to bed rest. So, please, while praying for our son, can you add her to the chain, that she can at least get to 37 weeks. She never made it to her due date with her first 2, (2 and 3 weeks early) and this time she wants a water birth. If this little babe decides to come earlier, she won't get too. She has to be 37 weeks or beyond. Pray, pray, pray!

Home Again, Home Again, but NO Jiggity Jig!

This Journey is wiping me out! My pain level probably matches my son's, well not exactly, in fact  not at all! I get relief and he gets very little. As a mom, I can bury my pain, but my emotions, seeing my son go through this, it tends to be a different challenge. I have had to step back or remove myself so he doesn't see or feel what all this is doing to me. At times I am not successful and he has addressed it with me. I just tell him it's not about me, it's all about him right now. I AM JUST FINE!

Beside removing ALL the cancer, some much needed bone that will never be there again, and some nerves that control his leg, he has developed a blood infection that they are now battling along with edema that is making it hard for him. Each day has been unpredictable and everyone is rallying around to assure his comfort and meet his needs. Every time he makes progress, something will pop up and set him back.

One thing that would raise his spirits is his children. His X only lives 15 minutes from the hospital. I wish there was a way she could bring them to see him every day for visit or even every other day.

Last Thursday, he was finally going to see the kids again. We were all excited! Then just before their arrival time he had some problems that held up his visiting. While the doctors and nurses were working on him, we were outside the room in the waiting area when down the hall the kids came running up. We had to stop them from going into the room until they were done with him. It took another 30 minutes before he was able to have them come into his room.

Finally he got the much needed hugs and love from his kids...

 Only for them to be riped from his arms after 9 minutes. Yep, she was not happy it was taking so long. It wasn't our sons fault there was a delay, but she just couldn't have any consideration for the situation and began demanding or as the nurses said, raising a stink out in the halls. So to not have a scene in front of the kids, he had to say his goodbyes. His heart just broke, and the emotions were soothed by so many. Everyone came in after to see if he was okay and expressed how wrong she had been.

Ok, that's enough about her. For us, it is all about the kids and they are the ones we concern ourselves with. With God on our side, the lawyers working to fix the mess she created, we have faith things will work out as God has planned for them to. In the meantime we must stay focus on the here and now, to reach the goals ahead that they are a part off. They will be a big part of his recovery and God will provide the opportunity.

So what do I do to keep my focus....

This is the plaque at the beginning of the Healing Garden at the hospital. Since he was in ICU I could see this tree from his window.

People would ask me if I had walked the garden yet and my answer was always, when my son can walk it with me. Well not walk actually. I was waiting for the day I could wheel him through it together. I had hoped it would have been this last weekend but the infection and other complications halted that plan. So to regain some strength, I went down and walked it alone. Hubby asked if I wanted him to come along and I told him, not this time. This is something I need to do myself.

As you walk, the water sounds sooths your soul.

You follow a path created by others who found healing and left behind words of encouragement...

These words are on the tree as you look up under it to the sky.

I spent probably an hour, reading and sitting, reflecting and praying for the path we are on to be guided by God. Everything is in his hands.

By Saturday night they had figured out what drug he had a reaction to that caused a rash from head to toe and even in his mouth. Lasix (spelling?) was administered the day before and was already relieving him of so much of the fluid build up. With the water retention going down, he could once again move his good leg and was able to bend his knee some, got up to a standing position, and did 5 knee bends. As with progress, it causes minor setbacks, but I have faith that these will diminish as he continue to move forward in his recovery. I know he wants it to be weeks, but reality is, it will be much longer then he had thought. 

This just in...

Today he was able to get into a chair and I missed it. If only we had stayed one more day. By no means am I sorry. I am beyond joyful for him and thankful he had the nurse take the picture for us. Wednesday will be 2 weeks and to see him where he is now to where he was then...So Blessed! He is surely getting ready for that next time he gets to see his kids...they will be able to stroll around with daddy.

The power of children and of course prayers. Keep up the good work son!