California Adventures

We have had a wonderful week with Grandma, filled with much joy and adventure! Lillie, Dennah & I were blessed with a great flight into San Jose on Thursday afternoon. We were able to rent a fun little car...a blue PT Cruiser! I drive a 15 passenger van at home so this car was quite the treat. We drove to Grandpa & Grandma's apartment and were treated to a delicious dinner prepared by Grandpa. He has become quite the chief now that he does most of the cooking. We had a joyous reunion with both Grandpa and Grandma. They were both amazed at how much Lillie & Dennah had grown and changed since they had seen the girls over a year ago.

Friday was one of the best days that Mom has had in a long time. It was like she was super woman! She spent the morning in the Infusion Ward (IW) where Lillie & Dennah came to play the violin for her and her fellow Infusionites. Mom was blessed to hear them and the girls will be forever blessed by the gift of music lessons from their grandparents. When Mom was done in the IW, Grandpa met us and we all toured the wonderful and most imaginative playhouse being displayed at the Standford Mall. Mom walked the entire mall which is amazing in itself! We then returned back to the apartment for a time of rest before we met Aunt Christine and Uncle Ray at one of Mom's favorite Chinese food restaurants. They serve a wonderful broth type soup that Mom can digest easily. Mom was also given the "go ahead" to try and start eating solid foods today. Yeah!! So far so good at being able to keep the few things she has eaten down. Stasi arrived at the apartment very late to say "hello" and spend the night. We all love seeing Aunt Stasi! It was a very action packed day for Mom and we were blessed to share it with her.

On Saturday, Dad left for the ranch very early and was able to "escape" without having his photo taken. I am sad about this but am most grateful that we were able to spend a delightful day with him. Mom was tired from her adventures of the day before. She was given the day off from coming into the IW, so we all spent the day relaxing. Stasi was able to stay until around 10:30 AM before she needed to head north to join up with Matt & Travis to help with the senior trip for the North County Christian School graduating class. It was way too short of a visit but I am so glad Stasi was willing to make all the effort to come to see us all. In the evening, we went to Uncle Ray & Aunt Christine's for delicious enchilada dinner. Cousin Brian happened to be there for a little while which was an added bonus. It was good to see him. I never cease to be amazed at how much he reminds me of my brother Mark. They both have bold and fun senses of humor and fabulous laughs! The girls played their violins for Uncle Ray & Aunt Christine which blessed Mom greatly to be able to share the talents of her granddaughters. It was fun to remember all the things of the past and enjoy a special evening with family.

On Sunday, Mom was back in the IW for a few hours. I read a great book to Mom that was graciously given to me a couple of months ago. It is called The Invisible Woman~When Only God Sees: A Story for Mothers. A wonderful read that blessed Mom as it blesses me whenever I read it. After Mom was pumped up with all her fluids, minerals and platelets, she was feeling quite good. We went to Fresh Choice for lunch as suggested by Grandpa. We had not been to a Fresh Choice since before we moved to Oklahoma over five years ago. What a fun treat! We then made a quick stop at Micheal's to look at art supplies and then back to the apartment to enjoy time with Grandma and relax for the rest of the day.

On Monday, Mom found herself a little bit more weak and tired from running around on Sunday. She was given the day off again from the IW, as they are trying to have her only come in every other day. We spent a bit of time at the pool so the girls could swim. Grandma relaxed by the pool in the shade while Tamy tired to get some sun on her Oklahoma white body. Mom has been blessed to be taking a watercolor class at Palo Alto High School on Monday evenings. We enjoyed going with her and trying our hand at watercolor. Mom has been especially blessed by her teacher and classmates. It is nice that Mom is able to get out and do something she loves to do.

The biggest adventure of our trip (thus far!) has come on Tuesday morning. When I was taking Mom to the IW, she passed out while sitting on her walker seat and fell face first on the concrete. I was bringing the car around and saw it happen but felt helpless to stop her from falling. I was able to call Lillie down from the apartment so she could help me get Grandma in the car and to the IW. Praise God, Grandma is okay but has the most impressive black eye to show for it all.

Mom spent the better part of the day in the Emergency Ward having tests run until her doctor had her admitted to the hospital for observation. The plan is to keep her in the hospital to try and figure out why she her blood pressure keeps dropping and causing her to pass out. She should only be there for two days and then will go to Aunt Christine & Uncle Ray's until Dad returns from the ranch. In the meantime, Mom has wonderful doctors and nurses watching over her.

Lillie & Dennah actually didn't get to spend anytime with Grandma until she was admitted to the hospital. Then they were able to come play for her which blessed Grandma again. The plan for the day had been for Mom to quickly get her needs met at the IW then off to lunch at PF Changs, a trip to Mom's favorite bookstore, relax at the apartment and then dinner at the Egan's. Well, with Mom's fall, all that changed. I was able to a take the girls up to the Egan's for a quick hamburger dinner. It was nice we were still able to go since Kathie and her youngest son, Cody, were also there.

We then headed back to the hospital so the girls could play again for Mom. The family of Mom's roommate were interested in hearing the girls play. We praise God for the talent He has given Lillie & Dennah and are glad they are willing to share it for His glory. The night ended with one last surprise...Aunt Stasi and Morgan showed up to see Grandma in all her colorful glory and to say "good-bye" before we fly out this afternoon. Stasi and Morgan spent the night with us at the apartment and left at 3:00 AM this morning to get back home in time to get all they need to do done. We were so blessed to see them, as was Mom!

This has been a wonderful visit. It is hard to believe that a it was almost a year since I was here last. It blessed Lillie, Dennah & I greatly to spend time with Grandma. We plan to head to the hospital so the girls can play one more time for Mom before we catch our flight. We praise God that Mom is safe and will soon be on the mend. Thank you for your continued prayers on our family's before. You have blessed Mom more than you will ever know. Many Blessings to you all.