Weekend's happenings!

Friday we spent trying to catch up from this past insane week. Saturday morning I left before the sun came up to attend a math conference for teachers-imagine me all day in a math conference with people wearing shirts that said "I LOVE MATH!" I got out of there as quickly as possible and headed down to spend the next 30 hours visiting my folks at St. Thomas who are now in week 3 of the critical care.   Our plot to try to stay longer by bathing and feeding him was cut a little shorter than last time I visited. I think the staff is catching on to us.  Although we got to stay longer the the 15 short minutes we are allowed each time.  They kicked us out twice. There have been some changes with Dad since I was last with him, he is much weaker. I had to leave the room at least 5 times to gather my thoughts-and keep my composure. I was really shocked to see how much weaker he had become.  He amazed me still by his will to fight. The strength he has is used for breathing but he was determined to do everything the doctors say to do.  The told him to sit up in the chair for an hour 3 times a day. So even with nothing left in his soul-he will sit up- he sat there with no strength to even hold his head up.  I begged him to get in the bed to let us put him back in bed for my own benefit to not have to watch the struggle,  but he said he needed to do what they said. He is having a hard time holding food down. I really hate for him to have a feeding tube but I know that is the next step. We got to bring him his favorite lemon yogurt. He loved that and it stayed down most of the time. My mom is struggling with not being able to take care of his every need. She wishes she had him home and is praying for the day they  move into the little after transplant apartment so she can take care of him just how she wants.

I was so happily greeted by some sweet family members when I returned last night-they all ran to meet me at the van, even Uncle Bruce!  I wrapped my arms around each one and thanked God for giving me a family to share my life with.  To my surprise my dear husband had done so well. All the laundry was done for the week. The house was clean and the refrigerator even cleaned out!  All the kids had been carted to practices and weekend birthday parties.  There was milk and cereal for breakfast.  Caroline whispered in my ear, "Will this be an every weekend thing for you to be gone?"  I said, "I'm not sure, why?" Her reply, "Don't know how much of Dad being in charge I can take!"

This week I am thankful for:

Living close enough to my family that I can visit often

parents that love each other still

witnessing the blessing that come from those who have given monetary and spiritual things (food, money, prayers etc) to my family during this struggle.

a supportive husband and children while I will need to be gone a lot.

a new understanding of people who hurt deeply when they watch the health of their parents melt away.

Good friends to talk to and who have given me and my family supportive text and unconditional love and support.

 stake primary counselors and sec. that I work with in my calling that step up to the plate while I am falling apart.

and answered prayers that he is still fighting while he waits.