a new day, a new life....

Rose came home yesterday...
she is in a wheelchair...and requires 24/7 care.
We have a caregiver coming in when Bob is not here, as
I am unable to lift her to transfer her....
so this is a new day and a new life for all of us.

we moved her upstairs next to us, and on the main floor so she have access to
the kitchen dining and front room....we built ramps to get her in and out of the house...we are installing grab bars and other equipment to help her.

Bob is shouldering the heaviest of loads and has lost
quite a bit of freedom in his life. What a wonderful son he is.

It will be quite a while until we can go for a walk...to dinner or a movie...
or even church together.

Please pray for us as we figure this all out....one day at a time
( and lest you think I am crazy...it was sarah's birthday yesterday, and hence the party hat)

The bloom is off the Rose

an update on our Rosie.
Last month Mom got ill with a UTI & cough.
She became so weak the Dr put her into the hospital.
she is now at a rehab center.....
where she should be getting her strength back and coming home.
however.... Lil miss stubborn won't due the therapy.
One day she walks 10 steps...the next she refuses to try. The powers that be have informed us that she is not progressing and will be discharged, needing 24 hour care.

Her reason's?
I don't feel like it. (i don't blame her)
I'm not a morning person...(2:00opm)
I could walk if I wanted to just give me my cane.
This is a bunch of @#$%.
My sister isn't doing any of this stuff.

Her twin, is still walking around (with cane) but doing very well.
This drives Rose crazy! She is furious that her twin can do what she can't...
Today I connected the dots...All these years (32)
Rose has refused to do anything that her twin wasn't doing....
She won't come to Mother's Day functions...unless Wanda is invited.
Christmas, Easter, thanksgiving...you name it...If Wanda is not included...she's not going. She refused to attend the kids "Grandparents Days" at their school- because her sister couldn't come too. Sports games...even lunch.... any invitation offered (not only by me, but our inlaws as well) was responded to with,
"Chuck and Wanda too?" If not, then she would pout and refuse to come.

So now she finds herself in a nursing facility, and all she can think about is,
"My sister doesn't have to do this stuff!"
We eventually accepted the fact that they were a set-one would get you three and we made our plans accordingly.. but now I see this stubborn soul tie is hindering her progress and could mean the difference between coming back home to live with her family...and spending her remaining years in a nursing home. How sad.

We have prayed! we have warred in the heavenlies...we have talked to her, explained over and over, tried to reason- explained the consequences...her twin comes daily and tells her to "just do it!"
Bob has shown up everyday to be there at therapy with her...all to no avail.
barring a miraculous intervention....her fate is being sealed, by self sabotage
and I don't know what to do. :(

Did We Give Peace a Chance????

In the 60's & 70's...the youth were crying out to just give peace a chance.
Did we?
Those same people are today well, grandparents. They are loving, kind, involved in their communities.

But when it comes to politics...then it's all fangs and claws. Listen up.
If I dissagree with you on an issue- no way does that make me...stupid, ignorant, racist, deceptive, evil, moronic, bigoted or crazy...

Name calling is running rampant in our society. This practice of attacking the character of someone rather than debate them on the issues , would indicate the insulter has either no facts, or no vocabulary to support their belief. It diminishes us all. It is mean spirited and unlikely that I will want to stop and listen to your point of view after being insulted.

In the political arena, we see these names accompanied by the promotion of violence..."this person deserves to be punched in the face, punished, raped or killed."

While there may very well be bigots, idiots and yes, even an Anti-Christ among us, most folks just have a different view of how things should be done. They can be wrong and not evil.

Is it really necessary to assign the blame before we play out the game....why not strive to be better, do better, get better results, and let our posterity judge us, rather than try to judge without knowing all the facts or outcomes. I am dismayed by otherwise kind hearted people, who work for justice and have compassion on everyone, except their politcal opponents. Those, they would flog mercilessly and without end. What's up with that?

Whoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment.... Whoever says, "You fool!" shall be in danger of hell fire (Matt 5:22). (woops, my sincere apologies to all those I-696 drivers)

Love your enemy...bless those who curse you....
Civility and polite discourse, minus the personal insults, if you please.
World peace (that's right Gracie) starts with your annoying neighbor.

All I am saying♫ ♪♪♫ ♪♪ is give PEACE a chance ♫ ♪♪

otherwise occupied

April's Birthday!!

This is a repost from last year...all good things bear repeating!

What can I say about our April?

That I loved her the moment I met her (she was taking Nate to a political debate)...or that she fits into our family like a glove? (after that first Easter when she jumped on Chris's back to stop him from getting an egg)...or that she is such an amazing daughter to me??? My very first daughter in love...and she sure spoiled me!! ha! Not only is she a loving daughter to me...a terrific sister to Sarah, Joel & Stephanie...an amazing MOM to three lil boys...and a totally devoted wife to Nate ....but a good friend to me, and not just a shopping, "girls stick together friend"...but truly a friend in the Lord whom I can share spiritual things with...Her love for God and His will in her life far outshines any others I have seen...She embraces all of God with such vigor and complete abandon that it stirs up faith all around her....This Gal is going somewhere with God...and If you want to come along....you'd better have your running shoes on! WE LOVE YOU APRIL!!!
Praise God from whom ALL BLESSINGS...LIKE APRIL...flow.....






Was this Prophetic??????














YES,Kaeden looks just like YOU!

Benchmark...Spring has sprung

The Garden Club took its Spring Fling in Marshall again...we had an exquisite luncheon at "Southern Exposure Herb Farm" then learned to add a nice patina to a garden bench...Our hard work paid off big time...they all look great, and will add lots of charm to our gardens this season



Ok you'll notice someone else took this picture...lol

In His Presence

How lovely is Thy Dwelling place

How lovely is Thy dwelling place,
O Lord of hosts to me!
The tabernacles of Thy grace
How pleasant, Lord, they be!

My thirsty soul longs ardently,
Yes, faints Thy courts to see;
My very heart and flesh cry out,
O living God, for Thee.

Behold the sparrow findeth out
A house wherein to rest;
The swallow also, for herself,
Provided hath a nest.

Ee’n Thine own altars, where she safe
Her young ones forth may bring,
O Thou, almighty Lord of hosts,
Who art my God and King.

Blest are they in Thy house that dwell,
They ever give Thee praise,
Blest is the man whose strength Thou art,
In whose heart are Thy ways.