Medical Miracles!

Good morning! Mom and I had a very early start to our day. We left their house at 4:35 and headed to Austin's Bailey Square Surgical Center. We arrived at 5:45, and they had requested we check in at 6:00...perfect! The light traffic and blinking signals aided our trip in! Once we checked in, they did all the usual stuff, went over her medical history, had her sign all the "don't sue us" paperwork, had her change into the attractive paper clothing and non-slip socks, checked her vital signs, put numbing and dilating drops in her eye and wheeled her back at 7:35. Prior to the surgery, Mom's only complaint was when the nurse asked when was the last time she had eaten or had anything to drink! Mom couldn't eat after 10 p.m., so she smilingly complained about being hungry! I promised her that we'd go eat breakfast immediately after they dismissed her!

She was out of surgery and back to the little cubicle at 8:05!! She returned with the cataract in her left eye removed and a brand new lens in place! Amazing!!! Before the surgery, in the operating room, the nurse anesthetist noticed that Mom's teeth were chattering. She asked Mom if she was cold and Mom replied, "No. I'm nervous!" So, they gave Mom a little happy juice, the equivalent of half a margarita! That did the trick! Mom said there was no pain, but she could simply feel the pressure of the doctor working on her eye. She was also experiencing some burning in the eye, which is perfectly normal.

As soon as she was dressed, the doctor peeked back in and moved her follow-up visit from 1 p.m. to 11:30! That pleased Mom because she could get home sooner! The nurse wheeled Mom downstairs and we headed straight for migas at Waterloo Ice House! Mom's first experience with migas was a really good one!!! She ate every morsel!!!

Like I said, she's napping now...sleeping off her margarita!!! It's a little after 11:00, so I'd better go wake her and get her to the doctor's office. I'll report back once I get her home and settled!

Thank you for your prayers! Her surgery went so well because our precious Lord was there holding her hand and guiding the doctor! Sing praise to Him! Amen!

Dont' say the "m" word!

Just so you know, Mom and Dad are NOT talking about the "m" word (move) for a while, and maybe never! They are so happy to have that subject off their minds! Truthfully, for now, we are too! Sure, it would be great for them to be closer to all of us, but they aren't ready to leave their place, and they may never be. They have so much pride in knowing that they cleared that property and built their beautiful home! You may not know that Dad was their own General Contractor! He takes a lot of pride in that!

I spent the day with Mom and Dad Monday, Jean and Jimmie went Tuesday, Danny picked Dad up Friday and took him to the deer lease and Saturday they came to town for birthday lunch for Glenda at her house! They had plenty of family-time this week! On Monday I took lunch and served them chicken/sausage gumbo, Jean took them pot roast with veggie, the boys fixed steaks for Dad Friday night and we had home-made bean soup Saturday! Hopefully Mom didn't have to do much cooking this week! We girls have decided to take food often to help relieve Mom of that burden! So far, they seem to have enjoyed it!

In addition to helping with food, I encouraged Mom to schedule a housekeeper to come twice a month and to have Jerry come two to three days a week rather than just a few hours here and there. Remarkably she agreed to both! I think that his her concession to being able to stay there rather than move! She is also recognizing that she needs the help.

Mom is having a cataract on her left eye removed this Thursday morning. I am going to spend the night with her Wednesday and drive her into Austin early Thursday morning for the surgery. She has to be there at 6 a.m.! I'll take her to my house after the surgery because she has a follow-up visit the same day at 1 p.m. After the follow-up visit, I will take her home and Jean will take over and stay with her Thursday night and during most of the day on Friday. Danny will be there Friday night and Saturday and Glenda has Saturday night and Sunday! From what I hear and read, she may not need anyone after that, but we'll work out a schedule for the week of Thanksgiving if so! It's the least we can do! Even though several friends of hers have told her about how easy their cataract surgery was, Mom is still a little apprehensive about the surgery, so please keep her in your prayers.

On Saturday Mom, Dad, Ollie, Clint, Austin and I gathered at Glenda's for her birthday. Mollie was playing soccer and the rest of the gang had other obligations. Mom and Dad drove in about 1:00 and we had a late lunch around 2:00. Glenda had played soccer that morning, so we got a little later start. It worked out well since Mom didn't have to get up earlier than usual or have to rush. After a nice lunch we all were drawn outdoors by the beautiful weather. We tossed around Austin's little football and played "Monster in the Middle!" We even got Mom involved! She's such a good sport and got some good chuckles out of it! Dad "supervised"! During the midst of our game, Austin decided to take a time-out and go give his Papaw some hugs! It was so sweet! Dad ate it up! Everyone headed home about 4:00 because Glenda had another soccer game at 5:00. The team she and Mollie play on was in an all-day tournament and they won it! It amazes me that Glenda who is OLDER THAN I, can run and play soccer like she does! It makes me, her YOUNGER sister, look pretty out of shape!!! I bought new running shoes Friday, so I plan on remedying that situation!!!

Thanksgiving will be spent at Jean and Jimmie's house again this year. That is our family's tradition since Mom's last knee surgery, which was about 6 or 7 years ago, I think! It seems like we've been doing it forever! Jean and Jimmie's sister, La Rose, spend Wednesday together preparing the turkey and making the dressing. The rest of us girls make the appetizers, the side dishes and the desserts. It works out great! Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday. It's a low-stress, good food, happy family kind of holiday!! I pray that yours will be just as wonderful! I am thankful to be part of a loving, respectful Christian family and extended family, which includes all of you! I also pray that you will have safe travels and a blessed day with your loved ones! I will leave you today with a Thanksgiving prayer that our family will say together...

Dear Lord, Our Father in Heaven, we give thanks for the pleasure and privilege
of gathering together on this Thanksgiving day. We give thanks for the freedom to enjoy our lives, and for the men and women of the military services who protect our freedom. Thank you, Lord, for all of the blessings that You so generously shower upon us. We give thanks for this food prepared by loving hands. As we partake of this food, we pray for health and strength to live as examples of Your love. This we ask in Jesus' holy name.
Amen.

Not quite ready!

Well...Mom and Dad came to town Wednesday and looked at 2 garden homes and a house in my neighborhood. The house was about as perfect as they could get, if they were certain they wanted to make this move. That's the big "IF". Mom and Dad love their home and their property so much that this decision is being put on hold for a while. They are still considering putting their place on the market and then moving, but they are not certain that's what they want to do either. We kids are being 100% supportive and telling them that we want them to do exactly what makes them happy. Truthfully, they vacillate almost on a daily basis, but we are patient and do what they ask when they ask. I cannot imagine having to make this decision. It's heart wrenching to know how much they want to stay in their home. It would be easier if Mom would accept help in the form of a caretaker for Dad, a housekeeper, etc. They do allow Jerry to come one to two times per week, so we are grateful for that. Again, they are getting supportive input from their kids and that's enough for now! We're not saying much, just listening to their wants, needs and desires and doing everything in our power to be sure they are happy and well taken care of!

Thank you for all your prayers and your loving support! God bless you all!

Lord, throughout our lives you partnered with our parents in loving and caring for us. Now they are in their golden years and I ask that you partner with us in giving them the same tender loving care. Give us the strength to be fully present for our parents and lovingly tend to their needs. Amen.

Is It Time For a Change?

Decisions, decisions! Mom and Dad are facing one of the toughest decisions of their lives. I am sharing this with you, but respectfully request no input because they have enough from their 4 kids!!! Dad is concerned, as we all are, about Mom having the weight of taking care of their property on her shoulders. They are vacillating about putting their place on the market and moving to Austin, or staying where they are and remaining status quo. We all want what's "best" for them, but are on the fence as to what that is! They love it out in the country and they love their home. After all, Mom and Dad designed it to their specifications and Dad was the general contractor. Their blood, sweat and tears are in that place. I was going to say that their heart and soul are in that place, but I don't believe that to be true. Yes, they love it, but their heart and soul are in their togetherness! In May they will have been married 66 years...there in-lies their heart and soul!

I took them yesterday to see two garden homes and one house in my neighborhood in North Austin. That is the area they think they would like to be if they move. The garden homes were in a gated community on Anderson Mill Rd, about 7 minutes from Ollie and me, and the house is about a block south of Anderson Mill Rd, about 5 minutes from us. Dad liked the largest of the garden homes and Mom loved the house! The garden home is 1512 sq. ft. and is a very nice home in a well-maintained community - but it means downsizing a LOT. The home is 2345 sq ft, much more space for Mom's antiques and much less confining. Coincidentally, or a God-thing, which-ever way you choose to look at it, the house was built to accommodate a wheelchair-bound person! It has a very roomy kitchen and ample living space. The shower was built for a person to wheel right in! Not that we are encouraging Dad to use his wheelchair, but he could roll right in! Mom also loved the back yard! She walked out and immediately said, "Oh, I could piddle around out here!"

Much of the family was together last night at my house for grandson Austin's 5th birthday. That gave Mom and Dad the opportunity to talk to each of us kids about moving. We all want them to make the decision of what makes them the happiest. Obviously, they don't WANT to move, but they both realize they need to be closer to their kids and, most importantly, that Mom needs to have her load lightened. Their decision changes from one conversation to the next, so we know it's a very, very tough one. When they left last night, they were still undecided. But, as I already said, it needs to be their decision with as little input as possible. I am not sure that all four of us kids are really on the same page, so we don't want to add to their confusion or make this more difficult for them.

I will ask that you pray with me while they make this decision. Lord God, King of Heaven and Earth,Mildred and Harvey Smith are facing a difficult decision in their lives. Inspire them to make the right decision, no matter what it may be. We are all relying on Your grace for divine help. Help us, their children, to know when to give them our input and when to keep our mouths shut! Help them to make a joint decision so there is no regret. If the decision is made for them to move to Austin, please give them peace. We ask this in Your holy name. Amen.

I will be surprised if I don't get a call from Mom today with a decision, one way or another. I will keep all of you posted.

Meanwhile, we were blessed to have so many of our family members together last night to celebrate Austin's birthday! Our house was full of laughter and love, not to mention a huge pile of gifts! Kids do really have too much stuff, but don't we all?! Fortunately we look as forward to seeing each other as we do to the gifts! It's a good balance! It's hard to believe that we are in November and headed toward the Thanksgiving and Christmas seasons! Every single one of us, from the oldest in our clan to the youngest, looks forward to being together, praying together and appreciating each other.
God is great!

Batting Zero this week...

It's a good thing I got to go see Mom and Dad twice last week because I didn't get to see them at all this week :( I had a little stomach bug that reared it's ugly head Monday. Until this afternoon, I was still feeling a little under the weather and didn't want to take the slightest chance on taking it to them. Jean went Monday and Glenda thinks she is going tomorrow, so they certainly don't feel neglected! Praise God for loving siblings!

Lord, thank You for my husband, my siblings and their spouses! Please continue to shine Your light upon them, on our loving parents and on our whole family! We are so grateful to You for the example of love, respect and togetherness that our parents have taught us! Please help us to continue serving them in harmony, and help us to guide them in making the best decisions for their future. In Jesus' name we pray. Amen!

Two visits this week!

Any time we get to spend with Austin, as well as our little twin granddaughters, Livi and Madi. is very special. This week, Austin's Mommy let us have him a little extra time because she had an important paper due at school on Thursday. So, we picked him up on Wednesday after school, took him to school on Thursday and then picked him up at 3:00 to take him to his favorite place...the DEER CAMP!!! For an almost-5-year old little boy like Austin, there just isn't a better place! He absolutely loves to go walking in the woods, driving around looking for deer, pigs and other animals, and going down to the river to play in the mud! As you know, due to the drought, the Colorado River is very low right now. In fact, Austin and I walked and waded from one side of the river to the other, and it never got up to my knees! Pretty sad as far as the lack of water goes, but the perfect place for us to play! We spent at least an hour digging in the sand, picking up shells and rocks, following turkey tracks and splashing around in the water! It was an overcast day and a little breezy, so the day just couldn't have been more perfect! By the time we were ready to go back to the cabin, Austin was down to his skivvies! I helped him put on his rubber boots but wanted to carry him up the hill to the truck so that he didn't get itchy on his little legs from the weeds. I wish Ollie, who was standing by the truck watching us, had his video camera on...but he didn't. Anyway, as I tried to pick Austin up, I slipped and fell splat in the mud! Austin and I roared in laughter! I righted myself, washed the mud off Austin and tried to pick him up again. For the second time I slipped and fell into the mud! I though Austin and I were going to pee our pants we were laughing so much! And there stood Ollie just shaking his head at us!!! Needless to say, I have spend a good part of this day doing laundry, but I can't help but chuckle as I load the washer with muddy clothes!!! This is the stuff memories are made of!

We had a wonderful time and, as always, it went way too quickly! We took the long way home from Spicewood and went by Mom and Dad's house so that they could see Austin! We let them know we were coming, but we didn't tell them we had Austin with us! They were elated to see him! We stopped and got their mail for them and Austin had a ball walking in and announcing, "Mail call!" Dad let out a big "Ah" and laughed when Austin walked in the door! Of course, Mom also made a big fuss over him! There's nothing like big hugs, kisses and happy smiles from Mamaw and Papaw!!! We stayed about an hour and a half and headed back home so Austin could have his nap in the car. Grandpa wanted one too, but I didn't comply! It's rare that I don't drive so Ollie can nap, but Austin and I had been up part of Thursday night, so I was too tired to drive!

As I mentioned in my previous post, Jean and Glenda saw Mom and Dad twice this week, and Danny and Lisa drove out and had Sunday dinner with them! They were in great spirits accordingly!!!

Mom is scheduled to have the cataract on her left eye removed on Monday, November 21. I plan to spent Sunday night with her, take her to the surgery and then stay at least until Wednesday morning to make sure she follows the doctor's orders and behaves herself! I am so excited for her to have this done and have been trying to get her to schedule the surgery for a while! The cataract makes her eye sensitive to light and makes her vision in that eye fuzzy. Since she still loves to be able to drive, it is vital to get it done!

Mom also has been diagnosed with peripheral neuropathy in her hands and feet. It is getting increasingly difficult and painful for her to do things like open jars or lids and hold the telephone for any length of time. She has seen a doctor for this and was prescribed a pain killer. Mom is very sensitive to pain killers and has chosen not to take the medication. Glenda has researched acupuncture for this and has found that it is very beneficial if treatment is received on a regular basis. I spoke to Mom today and asked her to call Monday and make an appointment with the acupuncturist in Marble Falls that treated Dad for a while. Mom sounded very excited that acupuncture would help, so I think she will call. I hope so. I nearly cried as I told her that we seem to focus so much on Dad while she is in pain and not taking care of herself. She is simply wearing herself out.

That is why we are talking to Mom and Dad about moving closer to us kids. I would love it if they would move to my area so I could help more and so all of us could see them much more often. Mom and Dad love their home and their property, after all, they designed it to be perfect for them! But , it is such a worry for Mom to have to see to all the maintenance, cleaning, etc. She worries about tending the yard and the lack of water in the summer and about the pipes freezing in the winter. She just has too much on her plate. We are starting to look at the options of garden homes in Georgetown, Round Rock and Austin, as well as at homes in my neighborhood. At this point, we are gathering information, but I feel it is something that will have to happen pretty soon. Dad isn't happy about it, but he understands it is what's best for him and Mom. I truly believe that, once they are moved and settled, he will love seeing all of his kids and grand kids more often and that he will be relieved for Mom to have less to deal with.

Please pray with me for Mom and Dad, for their health and well being and for us to help them make the right decision about moving. Also. please continue to pray for rain...Lord, give us, we pray, a plentiful rainfall, and graciously pour out on the parched earth moisture from the heavenly vaults; through Christ our Lord.

May we be united, as family and friends, in prayerfully singing of God's wondrous and generous blessings! Amen!

Home from Warrenton!

Howdy to all my friends and family! Ollie and I got home Sunday from our lengthy show in Warrenton TX. It was a highly successful show, for which we are grateful to God!

One of the first things we did was to go to see Mom and Dad on Monday. We had borrowed their flat-bed trailer, so we returned it and took Mom out to eat lunch. Dad had slept late and eaten something so he could take his morning meds, so he didn't want to go. We brought him back something nice to have for dinner later! Danny and Lisa had been there Sunday and had a great visit with them. Glenda and Jean had seen them Friday, left one of their cars there, taken an overnight trip and saw them again Saturday to get the car! Mom and Dad were in great spirits, especially since they had seen all their kids in the last few days!

Now that the weather is cooler, Mom is sending Dad on his scooter to get the mail! I love her insistence on getting him out of the living room and out into some fresh air! Praise God that the temperatures are lower! There was just no way Dad could get out when it was 100 degrees! A little cooler weather has put a bit of a bounce in all our steps! After way too many days of over-100 degree temperatures, the 80's are so welcomed! It's so depressing to drive in central Texas and see miles and miles of parched land, dry tanks/ponds, and dying trees. Please join me in praying for plentiful rain! "... it is the LORD who makes the storm clouds. He gives showers of rain to men, and plants of the field to everyone." -- Zechariah 10:1

Our guys are gearing up for deer season which opens here the first Saturday in November. That is exciting to me because Danny and Ollie make a point to invite Dad to the lease for dinner and poker. The once-a-month poker night still is in effect, but they get Dad out there more during deer season. Danny and Ollie and even making preparations for Dad to be able to spend the night out there. All the men on the lease really enjoy Dad and I know he loves it out there and loves cutting up woth all the guys.

Mom is doing okay. She is suffering with peripheral neuropathy that is affecting her feet and one of her hands. Her feet feel tingly and sometimes numb and one of her hands has lost most of its strength and aches off and on. I intend on finding a doctor in Austin who specializes in peripheral neuropathy and see if he/she can help her. One of Mom's relatives also has this and is in a wheel chair because it has dramatically affected her feet. Mom is very concerned, of course, as all of us are. Bless her heart, she focuses so much on Daddy that she doesn't often take time out to take care of her needs. Now that the Warrenton show is over, I can get focused on her!

Good news! Jerry, the wonderful man who was helping Mom out at the house, has decided to continue working with her and Dad! He took off a little bit of time to take care of some personal issues, thendecided that he really loved working in the healthcare industry and went back to work for the home healthcare company that Mom hired early-on! YAY! Mom had tried a woman caretaker after Jerry left and was totally dissatisfied. I knew that Mom wasn't going to ever be happy with another woman working in her home. We all breathed a huge sigh of relief when Jerry came back! Jerry is a compassionate, hard-working man whom Mom trusts with the care of Dad, as well as her home and her laundry! That's HUGE!!! Another blessing from our sweet Lord!

I have to run...I will leave you, for now, with this passage from 2 Corinthians 1:3-4...

Praised be God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and the God of all consolation! He comforts us in all our afflictions and thus enables us to comfort those who are in trouble, with the same consolation we have received from Him.

Amen!