What I See

This is what I see:

That was from August 1 - 8

And it encourages me. All that and I hadn't even been posting much. Thanks for stopping by to our little corner of the world.

I will give you an update on Mike's med list soon. So glad he is home.

Something to contemplate:

We pray for blessings, we pray for peace
Comfort for family, protection while we sleep
We pray for healing, for prosperity
We pray for Your mighty hand to ease our suffering
And all the while, You hear each spoken need
Yet love us way too much to give us lesser things

'Cause what if your blessings come through rain drops
What if Your healing comes through tears
What if a thousand sleepless nights are what it takes to know You're near
What if trials of this life are Your mercies in disguise

We pray for wisdom, Your voice to hear
We cry in anger when we cannot feel You near
We doubt your goodness, we doubt your love
As if every promise from Your word is not enough
And all the while, You hear each desperate plea
And long that we'd have faith to believe

'Cause what if your blessings come through rain drops
What if Your healing comes through tears
What if a thousand sleepless nights are what it takes to know You're near
What if trials of this life are Your mercies in disguise

 

When friends betray us
 When darkness seems to win
We know that pain reminds this heart
That this is not,  This is not our home
It's not our home

'Cause what if your blessings come through rain drops
What if Your healing comes through tears
What if a thousand sleepless nights are what it takes to know You're near

What if my greatest disappointments or the aching of this life
Is the revealing of a greater thirst this world can't satisfy
What if trials of this life
The rain, the storms, the hardest nights
Are your mercies in disguise

"Blessings" to you

There should be a difference . . . right?

Mike is home . . .

And he should feel like he is home . . .

There should be a difference . . .

When you are at the hospital . . . you know you are at the hospital. Someone could blindfold you right now and take you to a hospital room and take it off and you would instantly know you are in a hospital room, right?

Well the same should be true when you get home . . . you should be able to tell the difference, right?!?

For Mike, it hasn't really been feeling like that.

"Mom, I used to go to the hospital . . . and then I would come home. I would leave the hospital . . . at the hospital. But now CF and the hospital come home with me. . ."

I spent part of everyday while Mike was gone for 10 days rearranging his living quarters on the 3rd floor. There is no way to completely erase CF from his everyday life but with some creative planning I was able to subdue it some. It was also time for his old couch to go. It is fabric and the ability for it to house germs concerned me. Our leather love seat is now on the 3rd floor (have I ever mentioned what an amazing hubby I have??). A little step, but every step
matters, right? I hope there is a difference.

I got lots of HAPPY MAIL this week! Twenty-one scrapbook pages and 320 pictures. I ordered the scrapbook pages from Persnickety Prints. They were only $1.99 each. Great price considering what other places can charge. The photos I got were from Shutter-fly. I haven't gotten pictures developed for over a year and a half. I always love to get pictures and I love that Shutterfly puts the file name on the back of each photo. The paper quality is excellent (not to thin - has some substance to it) but can I say I am just a little disappointed? I took the time to Photoshop some of the pics and they didn't turn out that great. Any borders I did were off - way off. Some even went off the side of the paper. I guess it's back to the drawing board for me.

Here are some of the digital pages I did. Love to get happy mail!

This one is my favorite!

 

 

Love, love, love

Kind of a Bust

David got a bad boo boo last night. He took Richie's scooter for a little spin and took a corner too fast:

Poor thing. He didn't really even cry. But, I don't think he'll be riding ANYTHING for a while.

We still decided to go to Bay Beach in Green Bay. We don't have many days left and this was a great opportunity. The weather was perfect - mostly sunny, high around 80 and Gage was with us. Can't ask for more than that!

We got there and headed right for the big roller coaster. To Richard's disappointment, no one else wanted to go on the ride with him. Gage had been to a Fair with his mom earlier in the summer and puked after a ride . . . no go for him. David probably wouldn't have gone even if he could open his eyes . . . no way for him. I have been dealing with motion sickness issues (may have to blog about that another time). I was fighting to hang in there just from walking across the park - just looking at the rides was enough to push me over the edge . . . NO way for me! Thankfully, dad said he would go with Richie.

NO THANK YOU!

Ahhhh, this is more like it . . .

I even started to regain some equilibrium. This was the only ride David went on all day. Gage wanted to go on it so badly but was told he was too tall. He was so disappointed. He wanted to ride it with his Uncle David. There wasn't much left for Gage and I could see his disappointment but he was a trooper. Then we came across the bumper cars!

Perfect! He would get off and get right back in line. David road along with dad on one trip.
Richie got dad to go on that roller coaster THREE times! Did I say NO THANKS yet?!?

All in all, when you're with family it is always a good time! Many happy memories made!

Mike had his PFTs today. FEV1 was 43%!! Praise God!! He is coming home tomorrow. Can't wait to go pick him up. Miss that young man!!

Hope you had a great day too! Blessings to you!
And remember, Love, love, love!

The -ing List

working on organizing - everything!
watching my boys grow
drinking anything without caffeine
listening to paperclipping roundtable 
trying to remember God's forgiveness
wearing sandals
preparing for another school year
eating lots
loving a couple of very special women who have encouraged me
revisiting my photos
continuing to persevere
wanting Mike to be home
laughing at my boys and my grandson
brainstorming with hubby on his new class structure
enjoying new opportunities
feeling like life is good
believing that we all move on . . . all things happen for a reason
praying for peace

Mike will be doing PFTs tomorrow. He is planning to come home on Friday.

David got a nasty boo boo. Tough little guy.

Gage is spending the night. Special times.

More to share . . .

Love, love, love . . .

What room is Mike in?

Julie was asked this question before Mike's birthday. A friend wanted to send him a birthday card and the past few years has had to send them to the hospital.

"He's not in the hospital!" was Julie's answer. And for that we are grateful. Not only because it wouldn't be any fun stuck in isolation on your birthday but also because he just got out of the hospital on June 28 and that would make it less than a month!

Mike turned 30 on July 25th. A blessing.

On July 30th he returned to the hospital. His room number is D6/534.

On June 17 he was admitted to the hospital, not feeling well, tired, yucky. Lungs were at 41%. Two weeks later he was discharged and lungs were at 39%. Mike was disappointed. Seemed like a lot of work and suffering to lose 2%. But still, he felt better and Mike always perseveres...makes the best of things. He was able to attend a charity Harley ride and visit friends. The difficulty breathing and going up stairs came back quickly.

He was admitted with his lungs around 30% on Tuesday, July 30. Oxygen sats were at 94%. Thankful he didn't need immediate oxygen. Took a while to get his room. The room is so small people were bumping into me so I left until they got his port started. It was accessed successfully.

I was able to take Mike to the hospital. I hope to go back and see him soon. I have more time now that I am not working.

More to come. Love, love, love.

Little Memories

What I've been up to. Too fun!

Off to Madison tomorrow. Will be back with stats after.
Blessings to you!!

Had to share

Hope you are having a lovely Spring!

Blessings to you.

Welcome 2013

And happy 10,000 views to me! I just went over 10,000 on my blog shortly after the New Year. Thanks to those of you who stop by!

One thing I have resolved to do this year is document our everyday life a little better. To enjoy this wonderful life we have been given and connect with more family and friends along the way. Well, I guess that is more than one thing!

Here is my first Project Life post for this year. I hope there are more to come. Thank you Cathy Zielske for helping me out!!

We're off to another basketball tournament!

Blessings to you!