Sunday Fun

This afternoon, we traveled to Arkadelphia to see our new great-nephew. Wow, that sounds really old doesn't it? Older than Nanna and Grandpa sounds.

In this photo is Winston (on the right) and Bryce, who is two weeks younger. Bryce is a bit larger but he weighed more at birth too.

And here they are with their great grandfather who just can't stand to be left out of the photos.....*wink*

We all enjoyed loving on the babies and complementing each other on our grandchildren.  Win will be one month old on Friday. I can't believe it! In honor of his birthday, I created this for him. Can't wait to see him wear it.

We had some happy news yesterday. J popped the question to K and they are ENGAGED! We are thrilled. No plans for the wedding yet, but I'll be sure to post when I find out.

HAPPY MEMORIAL DAY EVERYONE!    REMEMBER.........

Back Up

We are slowly heading back up the mountain. Or maybe we are meandering around the foothills anyway. I got Mom home at around 10:00 p.m. last night. She had a pretty good day yesterday and was feeling her oats. The doctor finally allowed her to have some solid food, and she was finally able to eat it.

This whole ordeal was caused by some unknown infection in her colon. Of course her blood levels were very low when she contracted whatever it was and it could have been any little thing. The doctors were concerned at first that the spot on her CT scan may be a new cancer, but it was all resolved. God answers prayer.

I have had a rough four days. It's hard taking care of your aging parent by yourself, I'm not going to deny it. My siblings either have children at home, or a job they can't leave, or live too far away to be much help. Thursday was a bad day for both of us, and I needed a LOT of prayer. Fortunately, I have so many friends who are prayer warriors, that yesterday was a breeze! Thank you all for that.

Now I'm sort of lost. We had a big gathering planned for today that won't happen now. I'm free for the entire day for a change and am just unsettled. The house needs cleaning desperately, blogs need to be caught up on, and I need a fix of Little Man Win. Yet, I sit here in front of this computer. So, I suppose I must make a decision and get moving.

I hope everyone has a safe and happy Memorial Day weekend. And on that note, I will post a photo of my father, who was a 20 year veteran of the USMC. I still miss him more than words can say after 5 years.
I love you Daddy. Thank you for protecting our way of life and our country in Korea and Vietnam.

1rst Sgt A.J. Brown, USMC. Served from 1951 to 1971.

If you want to view a memorial page I created for him, go here.

Mountains and Valleys

The last several months, I have had it pretty easy. Lots of great things happening, a new baby to adore, my backyard shaping up, really getting some painting and quilting done. All has been right with the world, and I've thanked God for my life being how it is just about every day before I even get out of bed. Been on the mountain top man. M O U N T A I N  T O P I tell ya. But in the back of my mind, the nagging thought runs round and round. This is just too good to last. So, I kept expecting the bottom to fall out, or something major to change.

Here comes my valley. My mom is sick again. I've spent the last three days at the hospital with her and we really won't know exactly what's happening until tomorrow. Symptoms started out like a virus, her labs were bad, and she felt bad, so we wound up in the ER.  Two units of blood and IV fluids later, she is still sick as a dog (as they say in the south) and a CT of her abdomen is showing something fishy. She was in a closer smaller hospital, simply because it's easier for me to deal with her there. The drive is not so hard, the patient load not so demanding, and they have always treated her well. This is above their capabilities, so they sent her to UAMS to get back under the care of her oncologist. 

Tomorrow we will see what is what. And you know, it will be what it will be. God is in control and I have faith that He will work His will. The fatigue and uncertainty, the lack of knowing what to do....those are the things that are getting to me.  I am thankful I have a couple of sisters who can help me a little. One still has children at home and it's hard for her to help, but she does all she can. The other has a very demanding job, and is not able to help much. My other two siblings live too far away to help at all. But if I can get a breather, I can handle it. (With God's help)

I'll keep you posted as I can. If you think of us, say a little prayer. They are always welcome.

Saturday, May 22, 2010

New post on The Seam Rippers.

Florals

It was a gorgeous, sunny day and I had to bring out the camera. Some of the blooms in my yard were begging to be immortalized digitally, and there was nothing I could do but relent.   Above is clover beside my hydrangea.

The first bloom on the lavender I planted last spring.

The blooms on my new hydrangea, and one bloom beginning on the old bush that has been moved 4 times. I'ts a wonder it still survives.

A lily getting ready to burst into bloom.

The wind was blowing and getting a good shot of the petunias as they waved in the breeze was a struggle.

All but the lavender was in the front yard. The backyard is doing well, but nothing whispered to the camera...

(New post on The Seam Rippers)

Upheaval

There's so much going on that I can't keep it all straight. I'm just the grandmother, but for some reason my routine has been shot all to pieces. That's ok, I'm not complaining, just a little surprised. 

The following is a list of what is going on in my world and my head.

Visiting Little Man Win. Frequently.

Taking my Mom for her LAST CHEMO TREATMENT. Can I get an Amen?! (Next month she will get a CT to make sure all is gone)

Working on some craft projects: A grouping of three canvases for J and K, and pillows for their couch. A new quilt idea. Some baby things since it will be easier to keep some things here for Win than to carry them back and forth from his house to mine every time he comes.

Our back porch redo. We have the moulding pulled off the door frame to replace it when the handy-man can get here.

Going to the doctor myself for a variety if reasons. Yearly checks, and some pretty nasty pain in my neck and shoulders. Gotta get that fixed if I want to enjoy Winston.

Trying to keep up with my exercise regimen and healthy eating choices. Not easy with the upheaval in my life of late.

Nothing major, but lots of busy-ness. God is good and life is great.

Now, you didn't think you would get away without a picture of Little Man....did you?

K and Winston

J getting the hang of feeding a newborn.

Having a good time with the baby.

LeLe, my Mom, Winston and Me.

Back to the Yard

Ok, so here is a post that is not about my precious new grandson.... *heavy sigh*

As shown in earlier posts, we are replacing and covering our back porch/deck. I thought I'd show you how the deck part turned out.

BEFORE

You can't really tell much, but these are brand new treated boards. They aren't nailed down right here, but you get the idea.

AFTER

Since we are going to cover the deck, we needed to replace the old light fixture, as it was too tall for a roof.

BEFORE

AFTER

Not fancy or expensive, but just what we needed.

Our 33rd anniversary was on the 7th, so after we ran to the hospital to see Little Man Winston, we ran out to Lowes and got ourselves some chairs.

They aren't what I had in mind to begin with, but since I couldn't find any vintage/retro tulip chairs I could afford, these were my second choice. They are made of hard plastic and were only $17.00 each. I would love to have some cedar ones, but that will be a dream for the future. And I wanted them in the aqua blue color shown in the sale circular, but brown and green were the only choices at the store. I love green, so I can live with this. I considered trying to paint them, but decided to leave them be.

I found this plant stand at a flea market the other day for $10.00.  I thought it would make a great base for an outside table.

I'm now on the hunt for the perfect thing to make a table top out of. I'm open to suggestions....

And I can't close this post out without a picture of my adorable, precious, wonderful grandson....(You knew I had to!)

The Latest Photo

I promise every post from now on won't be about Little Man Win. But you will have to bear with me for a short time while the newness of grandparenting has me in its grip.

Isn't he precious?! And sleeping "so good" as we say in the south. SR and I babysat while LeLe and MK went to the store for a little while. Win slept the entire time. And that's ok because we got in some good snuggling time.

Life is good.

Quick Update

Little Man Win is one week old today. He is precious of course, and a good baby. He hates a wet diaper, and screams while he's being changed, but calms down almost immediately when we finish changing him. He got used to sleeping on his stomach while in the NICU, but the pediatrician made it perfectly clear that is not acceptable. He's had a little trouble nursing, but after a consultation with a Lactation Counselor, he's doing great. And so is his Mama. LeLe and MK are beyond tired, but getting used to it all.

I've spent way more time with Win (and his parents) than I planned, but am not complaining one little bit. I wouldn't be anywhere else! Problem is, when I am at home, I go through withdrawal. :( His precious little body is so sweet to hold and pat on the bottom, which he loves by the way.

I don't have any recent photos, since I am usually pretty busy when I'm with him, but I hope to have more soon, so stay tuned.

Not So Fast...

The day before we expected LeLe and Win to come home, he developed jaundice. So, into the bilibox he went. Apparently he developed dehydration as well, and wound up in the NICU at St. Vincent. There was lots of wailing and gnashing of teeth I can tell you!

The doctor did some testing, thinking Win might have some kind of infection, gave him IV fluids and antibiotics. The tests came back today and the only infection was in his eye. (Which we knew about, since it was matted and swollen and had been treated with drops.) So, good news is his eye is clearing up, his color is good, his temp is down and he will probably come home tomorrow.

God is good.

Little Man on the Scene

Winston Ellis King has arrived....

Photo courtesy Erin Sandrick

7 lbs 9 oz, 18 1/2 inches long, born at 12:38 a.m. May 4, 2010 at St. Vincent's Infirmary, Little Rock, Arkansas. Son of Maburn E. and Leann King. Grandson of Steve and Belinda Winston, and Maburn and Peggy King, all of Sheridan, Arkansas.

How do you put into words the experience of becoming a grandparent for the first time? When you become a parent, the experience is so taxing and stressful, that in the end, you are floating and you are joyous and proud and very very tired. But..... when you hold your first grandchild in your arms for the first time, an indescribable feeling seems to build in your very being, until it explodes into something so monumental that words could never explain it. The results of that explosion are tears of unspeakable joy.

We waited a long time for this child. God's timing was perfect as always. He knew exactly when it was time for Win to join the family. Everything was in place. LeLe tried very hard to have him on her own. She was in labor for about 17 hours, when the doctor gave her the go ahead to push. After 2 hours of this, it was obvious Win was being held for ransome. He was finally freed by a swat team of one wielding a scalpel and all was well.

The family waited patiently in the wings, for each text message update from the parents to be. Every time my message indicator sounded, everyone stopped whatever they were doing. In certain situations, texting can be a very good thing.

I spent the day holding Little Man Win. And would have been no where else on earth for any reason.  SR and I have discussed what kind of grandparents we want to be. What kind of experiences we want to share with him and what kind of memories we want to give him. The possibilities are endless.

I Finished It

J's quilt is done. Check it out on The Seam Rippers!