MIND OVER MATTER

I decided I needed to get some exercise this morning and so I took the kids downstairs with me. I got Jonathon all set up on his blanket with some toys and his bottle. He was having fun and playing around. I turned on Yo Gabba Gabba (Don't ask me--it's a funky children's show) for Carly. She loves it and it does teach her some good things like shapes and colors. As soon as they were set I got on the treadmill which is right there in front of the TV and blanket. I walked for a good half hour.

Right near the end of that time I guess Carly was getting bored with her show because she wandered over to the exercise bike. I watched her and she started to climb onto the seat. I told her not to and she didn't listen to me. I told her again to stop and she ignored me again. The third time I told her to stop I said with some emphasis, "Carly, I am going to count to three and you had better get off that bike or you are going to go to bed." I started counting . . . ONE, TWO, THREE . . . I wasn't expecting what I heard next. It was Carly finishing what I started-- four, five, six, . . . seven, eight, nine, ten! And she finished that ten with an exclamation point! She was happily counting to ten! What could I do but smile. My two year old just counted to ten. She totally missed my threat but showed me something she had learned.

Now mind you, this isn't something she learned from Yo Gabba Gabba. No, she learned this from her Grandpa when he was working with his voice coach. He had to practice making his voice stronger because of his Parkinson's and so she gave him simple words and phrases to repeat out loud. One of them was counting and Carly would count with him. So, she did get off the bike but it was to give Mommy a big hug because her big girl is such a good counter. I guess we will learn to mind another day. Hmmmm.

DOCTOR, DOCTOR

More doctor appointments today. Jonathon's 6 month check up and Carly's 2 year check up. Yes, I can count. That's just how far behind we are. Gah! But both of them are growing really well. Carly is a whole yardstick tall! She is in the 95th percentile! She has stayed there pretty consistently all along. She weighs 29 lbs and is in the 75th percentile for weight.

Jonathon is almost 18 lbs and he's 27.5 inches long. He's catching up quickly to Carly! I keep telling her she had better be nice to him because someday he will be bigger and stronger. Looks like SOMEDAY is coming sooner than I thought! Everyone that sees his big hands and feet tells us if he grows into them he is going to be one BIG BOY! I think they are right.

We had a really windy day here today. It was in the 50's temperature wise - so not too bad other than being blown about like a feather when you went outside. Let's not even talk about what it did to my hair. Well, O.K--let's just say if I'd stuck my finger in a light socket my hair would have looked cuter! I hate the wind when I am trying to look cute! :)

That's all for tonight guys--nothing new happening here. Move along now. Night.

IT'S BEEN A LONG DAY'S NIGHT

Had a doctor appt. for Jonathon today. Did a bunch of errands and running around with Mom. Didn't make it to the gym like I wanted to but somehow I still feel like I worked out for a long time! Mom made a really great dinner and we pretty much all tired out afterward. Must be something in the air or water. Oh yah, it's allergy season. I always forget when that comes on and what it feels like. It always slows me down and tires me out. That must be it. Arrgh.

Not much else going on here. Jonathon is rolling over really well now. I can feel ridges in his mouth now but still no teeth in sight. Don't think it will be long now, though. Poor little guy--I can tell his gums are hurting him. I wish it wasn't so painful for them to teethe.

Well, off to bed. It's been a long one--or at least it has seemed that way. :)

ROOM SERVICE

The people in the basement are on a diet. No bread and no sugar. It makes for boring meals and I would think, for a boring life--but, that's what they are doing to lose weight--those basement dwellers--them! Well, I got a hankering for some chocolate chip cookies tonight and I was able to twist Julie's arm into making them. (By the way, she's a basement dweller, too--but she's not on the no bread and sugar plan.)

Well, sure enough about the time the cookies were done one of those Hoosier basement people came upstairs looking for some fruit for a snack. Instead, I talked them into taking some warm cookies and milk downstairs with them. It wasn't a hard sell at all. They only wanted one each but I knew they couldn't eat just one--so I sent two each. I was right.

About twenty minutes later the phone rang. I was expecting a call from hubby who was working late. Instead, it was the man in the basement. He ordered 3 more cookies and asked for them to be delivered. I don't think the people in the basement are on a diet anymore but I understand we have really great room service!

NEIGHBORHOOD EASTER EGG HUNT

We had a neighborhood Easter Egg hunt Saturday. Fifty kids participated--though I only took pictures of a few cute ones. They had a lot of fun. The little boy is Carly's best friend Isaac. She loves playing with him. They have a lot of fun together. I think Julie even had fun hunting eggs with her sister this morning!

I LIKE THIS A LOT

Proposed 28th Amendment to the United States Constitution:

“Congress shall make no law that applies to the citizens of the United States that does not apply equally to the Senators and/or Representatives, and Congress shall make no law that applies to the Senators and/or Representatives that does not apply equally to the citizens of the Unted States.”

Someone sent this to me. I don't know whether it's real or not--in the sense that someone is honestly trying to get it passed. I sure think it would be a great addition to the Constitution given where our current lawmakers have taken us. They have put themselves above the law and that is not acceptable. Well, that's how I feel anyway. I'm just sayin'.

IT TAKES HEART

Great news. Grandpa's heart doctor thinks he is doing terrific. He took him off three medications and said he didn't need to see him for 6 months! We are excited to have such good news and feel terrific about all the progress he's making. He didn't even use a wheelchair getting in and out of the doctor's office today. He just used his walker. He tired himself out but he did great. Yay!

JUST STUFF

Dad is walking really well. In fact, he is doing laps around the downstairs everyday. The home health people are really impressed with his progress since the surgery. He has an appointment with his heart doctor tomorrow. Just a check-up--nothing big but I will let you know how it goes.

I went to the gym tonight with my friend Robin. I actually got a pretty good workout in the hour and a half I was there. Then I came home and ate Easter Candy. What's wrong with that picture? Hmmm. I wonder about me somedays!

Well, not much else going on. Talk at ya later.

RUNNING ON EMPTY

Sorry, not much of a blog tonight. I'm feeling extremely exhausted. We have had SO much going on here lately and I think I have finally gotten to the end of my fuel. I think I've been on fumes for a while now. Lol!

My sweet little son is lying here sound asleep as I type and I only wish I were sleeping as soundly right now. I am so in love with this little guy. What an amazing blessing to be his mom. I can't tell you how grateful I am to have him in my life. It is hard somedays being a mom but the rewards are so very sweet--and I am on sugar overload and loving it!

THE BEST MONDAY EVER!

Today we finalized Jonathon's adoption. He is ours--completely and totally! How can you have a better Monday than that? We are so happy!



From Left to Right in the picture: My friend Robin and her daughter Ellie, our daughter Julie, my Mom, Me and Carly, the Honorable Judge, Rob and Jonathon, our daughter Megan, Rob's Mom, Liz (our adoption coordinator) and Uncle Steve.

I DON'T THINK WE HAVE ANY IDEA . . .

What has just hit us. I have a feeling we will begin to find out all too soon. Don't get me wrong-I think there are a few good things in this health care bill--but I think they are far outweighed by the horrible and horrendous. Wow. Our world is changing. Our liberties are changing. Just watch--under this president our government is going to take more and more control of our lives. Hopefully, we will not just sit back and take it. Hopefully, this will be the warning bell that wakes us up and makes us take back our Congress and Senate and even our Presidency. I don't mean on a party-line; as Republicans or Democrats. I mean, lets vote out those who have been there way too long and who have no honor and who do not work for us. Let's vote in those who will represent "WE, THE PEOPLE" instead of those who represent lobbyists and corporations and their own best interests.

There is far too much greed and dishonesty. There is far too little check and balance in a system where they decide on their own pay raises, work days, vacations, insurance benefits and other benefit packages. We either need term limits or we, as voters, need to limit their terms. We cannot allow them to ignore our will--the will of the very people they were elected to represent and still keep their jobs.

This is and has been one of the most frustrating periods I can remember in political history. I do not remember another time when leaders have asked for and received feedback from voters the way they did here and then ignored that feedback.

I will definitely be more involved in the next election and feel a sense of urgency to do what I can to insure we have more honorable leaders in our country. I pray you do, too.

WAKE UP AND SMELL THE COFFEE

I must admit I have been glued to the television, computer, radio and even my cell phone internet these last few days for updates on what is taking place in our nation's capitol. I've been hoping against hope our leaders would come either come to their senses or find a way to stop the madness of this horrendous healthcare "obamanation"! It looks like that is not going to happen; that this is indeed about to pass and become the law of the land. What madness! The government is about to control another sixth of our economy. They are about to involve themselves in a part of our lives they have NO business being a part of and the best part of all is those charged to insure we all abide by this new law are another very successful and popular government agency. That's right folks, the IRS will be the watchkeepers that make sure you purchase and keep the right amount of healthcare coverage! Yep! You heard right! Oh, there's so much I could write here--but I will stop at that example of things that are about to be popular with the public once they get a good look at this bill.

We as Americans are losing freedoms and so many people around me don't even seem to be aware of it. We need to throw these elected leaders out before it is too late. Pay attention people. Important things are happening in the political world that are going to make huge differences in your home, family, budget and lives. You may not think you care--but YOU WILL!

THERE'S NO PLACE LIKE HOME

Grandpa is home and mighty glad to be here. He is doing so well, too. He walked out of the rehab center on his own power (okay he used a walker but just for saftey), too. He is in almost no pain except for his shoulders and he is even in a good mood! Hee hee! Feel free to give him a jingle. He loves to chat on the phone (like you didn't know that). The kids were so glad to see Grandpa and I'm pretty sure he was happy to see them, too.

Well, that's the news for now. Ta Ta!

TOMORROW, TOMORROW . . .

Probably by the time you read this we will have Dad home or at least on his way. I have to remember there is a two hour difference between most of you who are reading this and us. We are supposed to pick him up between 9 and 10 a.m. and bring him home. He will have home health care continue to do rehabilitation here at the house for some time. It will be great to have Grandpa back home. The kids have really missed having him around and I know Grandma will be so happy to sleep in a real bed again! More later.

REPORTING IN!

Mom and I both had doctor appointments about an hour from home today (but very near each other)so we went together. It sure helped me to have another hand holder since Carly is at that stage where she likes to break away and dart into the crowd or street and I can't chase her because I'm carrying a baby.

Mom was having her foot check up and she passed. I don't know that it's good news and it's not really bad either. Let's just say that the doctor told her she didn't need to continue physical therapy on it since he didn't think it was improving it a lot. He also doesn't think she needs surgery and doesn't have any revolutionary ideas on healing it. He told her that maybe just taking a walk every day might be the best medicine for it. Hopefully, that is true. We will see.

My doctor appointment was for Jonathon. He just needed to have a couple of tests. The docs still want to figure out why he is having respiratory problems every time he gets a simple cold. So, they are just looking at everything they can think of. By the time we got home it was nearly 5:30 p.m. and I had to leave for a meeting. I feel like I ran all day and running with two babies is both tiring and dizzying. I am truly exhausted.

Even Carly is exhausted. This is two nights in a row she has come to me and said; "Mommy, Bed!" She never does that! On that note--I'm going to join her. Night!

UPDATE ON DAD

Dad's appointment with the surgeon went really well today. His surgeon was very impressed with his progress. He thought his incision looked really good. They removed the rest of his stitches and allowed him to discontinue using the support socks he has had on since the surgery. The fact that he did not get an infection in the wound or a blood clot was particularly pleasing to his doctor.

Dad's surgeon left it up to us and his rehab doctors/trainers to decide when he should return home. It will most likely be this weekend or sometime next week. He still has some work to do on the bend of his knee and on strengthening it. Keep you posted on that.

I did something for myself today! My friend Robin talked me into joining a gym with her. I have ten pounds that have been driving me absolutely crazy since July. I just haven't been able to get rid of them. Actually, I go up and down and it drives me nuts. If I have someone to go exercise with it will make it much easier and I will be more motivated. I hate my clothes feeling uncomfortable! If I could just keep that little quote in my head; "Nothing tastes as good as being thin feels." How come my taste buds always override that when it comes to those boxes of thin mints? Plus, those boxes have gotten so small now, I'm not convinced they really have any calories in them anymore! Anyone want to second that?

JUST A FEW LINES

Jonathon is doing a tiny bit better today. Still a ways to go. Dad has an appointment with his surgeon tomorrow to do a checkup on his knee. Mom and I are going to take him to that. I think he will be really impressed with his progress.

Not much happening here other than taking care of sickees--Mom at the rehab and me, here at home. I will give you a full report on what the surgeon tells us tomorrow. Nighty night.

SUCKIN' THE SNOT OUT OF YA

That's what we are doing to Jonathon again anyway. We won't do it to you--unless you come visit and have a bad cold. You can't believe how much snot a little one can hold! Yuk! Poor guy. Carly always comes running to watch brother get his nose sucked but when we offer to do hers she runs the other way really fast.

We really thought our snot sucking days were over. Jonathon had a good 3-4 weeks of really good health and we thought all the colds and illnesses were behind us. Not so.
Dern it! Now we just hope his antibiotics kick in quickly.

Carly had her friend Isaac over to play tonight and he brought light sabers for them to play with. It was pretty funny to see 2 two foot tall munchkins having a light saber war. Should of got that on film. Lol!

Not a whole lot going on here. Mom thinks they might release Dad to home health care this weekend. It's just a thought. No one has told her that. He's just making really good progress. I will let you know when it happens, though.

Night all.

LADY BUG

We have a cute stuffed lady bug that Carly sometimes plays with. She knows to call it a bug but the last two times she's played with it I've tried to teach her what kind of bug it is. Tonight, she brought it over to me and thinking I had told her enough times that she would remember now that it is a "Lady" bug I asked her what kind of bug it is. Carly didn't skip a beat. She said, "Dead bug, mommy!" Julie and I had a pretty good laugh over that one.

Jonathon is sick again. He has a bad cold which means he is struggling with respiratory problems again and we are giving him breathing treatments. It was bad enough Rob decided to take him to the doctor today (Sunday). He spent four hours from the time he left for the doctor's office until the time he came back with prescriptions. He did drop Jonathon off in between the office visit and getting the prescriptions but I felt really bad for him having to spend all that time out. Apparently, most pharmacies here close down on Sunday afternoons. He had to hunt down an open one two town's away and then the line was huge he had to wait in to get the prescriptions.

We have been so good to keep Jonathon and Carly in and away from anyone who could get them sick. I'm pretty sure he caught something at Rob's Dad's funeral. It was just hard to avoid people and even people who were sick came because it was the last time they could see him and mourn for him. I don't blame them. I would have done the same thing. I probably should have kept a mask on Jonathon but I didn't think about it. He was so healthy at the time and the weather was good. His little immune system just doesn't take much to get sick.

Grandpa had a pretty good day today. He's been a little grumpy lately but then I might be too if I were in his position. I think he will be very glad to get his rehab time over with and get home. I know Grandma will be.

MORE ON DAD

I’ve been hanging out with Dad for the last four or five hours. It’s been a pretty mellow Saturday afternoon/evening. No physical or occupational therapy today. No real expectations. Dad’s been telling me stories from his childhood and high school days. I don’t know how he got away with the stuff he’s been telling me. MY DAD would have killed me! Hee, hee, hee! Actually, he was a pretty darn lucky son of a gun—most of the time. Sometimes, he really did catch it big time from his Dad.

For those of you wondering, he is still making progress. I had him out of his bed and sitting up in a chair on the side of his bed. He even had his legs crossed and he had the crossed leg sitting on top of his new knee! He really has very little pain in his knee. He just needs to get to 120 on the bend and he can be released to go home. He’s almost there. We think he has about another week to go.
Feel free to give him a call. It’s best to call on the Thatcher Brook phone line. People have been having a hard time hearing him on the cell phone. I think it’s just too small for him to talk into. Anyway, that number is 801-614-5700. He is in room 26. He goes for therapy twice a day so if you miss him just call back later. He loves to talk to his friends from back home!

MORE ON DAD

I’ve been hanging out with Dad for the last four or five hours. It’s been a pretty mellow Saturday afternoon/evening. No physical or occupational therapy today. No real expectations. Dad’s been telling me stories from his childhood and high school days. I don’t know how he got away with the stuff he’s been telling me. MY DAD would have killed me! Hee, hee, hee! Actually, he was a pretty darn lucky son of a gun—most of the time. Sometimes, he really did catch it big time from his Dad.

For those of you wondering, he is still making progress. I had him out of his bed and sitting up in a chair on the side of his bed. He even had his legs crossed and he had the crossed leg sitting on top of his new knee! He really has very little pain in his knee. He just needs to get to 120 on the bend and he can be released to go home. He’s almost there. We think he has about another week to go.
Feel free to give him a call. It’s best to call on the Thatcher Brook phone line. People have been having a hard time hearing him on the cell phone. I think it’s just too small for him to talk into. Anyway, that number is 801-614-5700. He is in room 26. He goes for therapy twice a day so if you miss him just call back later. He loves to talk to his friends from back home!

A SHORT UPDATE

I visited Grandpa today. We met with his physical therapists, nurses and other aids in a care conference. He is doing really well but it looks like he will remain in rehab for a bit longer. He still needs to work on his balance and just walking and standing.I'm guessing it will be another week or so.

I also want to thank those of you who have been so sweet to remember Rob and me with cards and calls during the loss of Rob's Dad. How very thoughtful of you. We have such loving and dear friends and appreciate and love all of you. Thanks so much! More later.

THE GRANDPA REPORT

Dad is still in the rehabilitation center and continues to do well. He is receiving both physical and occupational therapy. I think Mom and Dad finally got the message through to the therapists that they could not work Dad's shoulders and arms the way they were working them. I guess the therapists were afraid his arms and shoulders would freeze up if they didn't work them but didn't understand they were bad enough that Dad is scheduled to have shoulder replacement surgery in a few months. So, we now have kinder, gentler therapy on the upper half of his body.

His knee is healing really well and doesn't cause him much pain at all. Even his polio leg seems to be a little stronger. He still has to watch his balance but we think that has more to do with the Parkinson's than anything else. We have a care conference with the center tomorrow that should give us more information on how long Dad's rehab will need to be.

Mom is tired but hanging in there. More later. :}

YOU SCREAM, I SCREAM

WE ALL SCREAM FOR ICE CREAM!!

SOME CUTE PICTURES

Carly in her new dress with a new hairdo!




How's this Mommy?




Carly with her cousins Keelie and Kaden (Rob's brother Steve's kids)taking an outside break before their Grandpa's funeral.




Keelie and Carly just before their Grandpa's funeral.

A SAD YET BEAUTIFUL DAY

It was a gorgeous day today. The sun was shining and there was just a little wind. We didn't even really need a coat, just a sweater or a light jacket. It was a seriously beautiful day. But, I kept asking myself if it can ever really be a beautiful day when you bury someone you love. Rob's Dad was a good man. He was a policeman for 24 years--a wonderful public servant. He had a tremendous sense of humor and he was dearly loved by his family.

The letting go is the hardest part. It's not that we don't know where he is; we do. We know we will see him again and be with him again. It's just that parting for now is hard. The blessing is that he is out of pain and at peace. We know God lives and we know Christ is His son and that because of His sacrifice we can be together again.

Dad, we love you and miss you and are grateful to have had you in our lives.

Jim and Jane Ann Harris with Jon and Carly

This is a sweet picture we took right before Jim and Jane Ann left to head back to Indiana. They were so nice to come and see Dad through surgery. What amazing friends! They even babysat for Carly and Jon while we took Dad for some pre-surgery appointments. The kids fell in love with them. Thanks so much Nana and Boppa!

DARN THIS THING!

I had some cute pictures to post tonight and for some reason the Blogger isn't letting me post them. I've never had it act up like this before and so, I don't know what's wrong. Something in the Blogosphere, I'm guessing. Hope they get it fixed soon. Oh well, the pics will have to wait for another day.

Went to visit Dad today, and Mom too for that matter. She has been spending the night there the last few nights. Well, we actually haven't left him alone there. Someone has stayed with him each night but Mom never came home and took a break today so we visited her, too. Dad's having quite a bit of pain in his shoulder's as the physical therapists are continuing to work them so they don't freeze up on him. I think I am going to have to go meet with his PT people and tell them to lay off a little. I don't know that they aren't doing more harm than good for his shoulders.

As far as his knee goes, he is doing wonderfully and has not had much pain at all considering what he just had done. He is up to 115 degrees on the bend and only has to get to 120. He is amazing everyone!

That's the good news. Tomorrow we have Rob's Dad's viewing and Monday is his funeral. Rob and I appreciate all the love and caring you have sent our way. This is a difficult time. Please know your thoughts and prayers are felt and appreciated.

TURN AROUND . . .

Carly is having her first sleepover tonight. It's her 5 year old cousin but it counts because she really, really wanted her to stay. I can't believe what a little girl she is becoming. Oh my goodness, she is growing up fast!

NEWS OF THE DAY

Well, Dad is doing well. He is pretty much back to his old self. The medicine for the thrush is working. Also, he is amazing all of his physical an occupational therapists by how well and how quickly he is coming along. He is up to 108 percent on his knee bend. They want him to get to 120 percent. They think he will be there by Sunday. I'm not sure what comes after that. We found out today that he will likely only be in the rehab for 2 weeks. He will then have continued therapy with home healthcare.

Rob's Dad's funeral is on Monday. We will have a viewing for him on Sunday evening. Our girls are going to sing at the funeral and Rob and his brother Steve will be speaking also. I think it will be a very nice tribute to him. It is still hard to imagine he is gone.

Well, that's about all I know for today. Guess I'd better get some sleep while I can.

SOME SAD NEWS AND AN UPDATE

I'm sorry I haven't posted for a few days. We got word a few days ago that Rob's Dad had been rushed to the hospital and wasn't doing well. The doctor's told us he had less than a week to live. Rob and his brothers and mom took turns staying at the hospital with him and he passed away early this morning. I'm really grateful the kids and I were able to visit with him a couple of days ago. I don't think any of us thought he would go so quickly. It's been really hard on Rob.

While my Dad's surgery has gone really well, he got thrush again from the antibiotics and it caused another infection and some confusion for several days. Thankfully, he is starting to come out of that now. Overall, it's been a really hard week but here's to hoping things get brighter from here.

UPDATE

Dad's doing pretty well. His pain level is still pretty low. He's had a lot happen pretty quickly and I think that's been the hardest adjustment for him. We are trying to have someone stay with him throughout the day and night just to make sure he is comfortable and getting the care he needs. He is doing well with his physical therapy. Hopefully, time will pass quickly and he will be able to get through his PT and come home. That's all for now.