Staying Out Of The Way

The last few days have been fun although tiring.  Tuesday morning after picking up David’s car I got a migraine.  So I was an hour late for work due to the need to sleep off the medication for two hours.

Tuesday night David, Ash and I went out for sushi and to CarMax to check out a Town and Country minivan we had seen online. It was nice and the trade-in in value of David’s car was more than we expected but we walked away not wanting a car payment since all of the cars we have are paid in full. 

It has been wonderful having Ash here.  He has a fun slightly warped sense of humor like I do so our banter is entertaining to say the least.

Work is awesome!  I put out a casting call and ad for a shooter this week and am now working on updating our video catalog.  This job is so much fun!  The people are amazing as well and it is a joy to go in every morning.  I am truly blessed!

David…well…he is not doing as told by the Doctors as much as I would like.  My solution this week, instead of getting upset and having a spirit of resentment, is to go to the gym, eat well, and dive into my bible reading and prayer time which allows me to be calmer and more accepting. 

There was a big blow up a few Saturdays ago about David and the kids doing chores.  It brought me to my breaking point.  I need help around the house. 

Mom has been doing much more than she should, Ash has been a great help since he arrived, plus Andrew does things as well and it helps take the pressure off of me. For that I am truly grateful.  Owning a house is a lot of work.  It would help if we acted like a team more often and everyone chipped in. 

The reality is God is in command and I just need to step out of the way.  The only person whom I can control or change is myself. 

Please pray for my sister-in-love who had surgery on her hand last week.  She is doing well but in a bit of pain.  For David that he might be inspired to do all the Doctors suggest and that I may stay calm and out of the way of the process.

Blessings!

It's All Good

Ash flew in last Tuesday night.  I am so excited to have him here! Every time I see him after an extended absence I cry.  This time was no exception.  My heart soars having my child so close!

As we stood at the baggage carousel he pointed at different pieces of luggage.  “Mine is dusty like that one, small like that one, fat like that one…wow someone really has a shiny silver bag like the Jetsons?”  We were having a good time.

I didn’t know Mac could play fetch in the pool until Wednesday.  Swimming and grabbing the ball at the same time…this dogs talents are endless. J

Over the weekend Ash was an angel at P3.  We went through as students years ago and it has made an impact on him as well as our family.  It is an amazing way to work through emotional pain and get back on track allowing me to be more present for my family and a loving servant towards them and God. 

Today we get David’s car out of the shop.  He drove it two weeks ago without water and it warped the head.  I was striking it up to his memory loss until I found out it is a male family trait.  His father and brother have done the same thing.  $2,600 later I guess I’ll be in charge of the cars from now on.  That is an expensive lesson to learn and one we really can’t afford.

I have been going to the gym and eating better for the last week.  I decided that I need to take better care of myself and that eating feelings is not making them better.  I also need to be an example for David.

He went to a Nuropsycologist yesterday.  He reiterated to David that he needs to make a list for daily activites, use a day planer, and take care of himself. 

When we were to the Neurologist a few weeks ago she stated she wants him to eat better, loose the weight, and go to a new Brain Fitness club.  For some reason unknown to me he is resisting the changes recommended by the specialist we have seen.  It hurts my heart. 

If his memory loss doesn’t slow the Neurologist is going to put him on an Alzheimer’s medication in August.  Which is frustrating since he isn’t implementing what all of the Dr.’s have told him so we truly don’t know how far down the scale he has gone.  It’s like he has given up.

All in all I can’t complain.  I feel blessed that our problems are slight and that I have a family to worry about.  God is amazing and in my daily Bible reading and prayer he shows me His peace and love.  Who could ask for more?

Blessings!

Here We Go Again

Thank you all for your patience while I took a break. The neurologist appointment was a bit rough. She would like David to go back to Brain Fitness Club to help give him coping skills with his memory loss issues. Implementing the use of note books and a dry erase board at home with his list of things to do like showering, brushing his teeth taking out the trash...will help both of our frustration levels and take some of the pressure off of me. Exercising and eating right is presumed to help as well.

The deal is, if after two months if these things don’t stop/slowdown/help the descending spiral then the neurologist is going to put him on an Alzheimer’s medication. So we are back to that.

Please pray for us.

Brain Fitness Club

(This post was originally posted 2/25/2011. It moved on it's own this morning, while I was looking at it in the edit section, to here. I'll figure this blog thing out sooner or later.) :)


Our neurologist told us about Brain Fitness Club held in Winter Park. David goes for 4 hours twice a week. He does math, puzzles, wears a pedometer, Thi Chi, foosball; anything that can help work his brain in a stimulating setting without pressure or judgment. It’s partnered with The University of Central Florida so they’re on a semester basis.

He receives homework to keep active.  With the move he hasn’t had a chance to get board. We talked about things he can do around the house and make a list but he forgets to check. That puts more on my plate but I chalk it up to being part of the new normal.

He gets mad if I start to do things that were placed on his list two days ago explaining we never talked about doing ______ and I need to rest more. I point him back to the list and he gets frustrated for forgetting but the new carpet needs to be vacuumed once a week and the bathrooms don’t clean themselves.

The “person” I feel the worst for is Mac. I come home and he hasn’t been left out all day. That’s a lot to ask when being played with and only being 17 lbs. It goes like this.

“He’s not God he doesn’t need to go out more than twice a day!”

“Of course he not God. If he were he would take himself out!”

Poor Mac. We think we are going to get him a friend this summer. His cat died two years ago. Another Jack Russell puppy would be fun, although I dread the potty training stage. 


Blessings!

LOL

So I have some pool stories for you. Mac loves to swim but he likes to do it under his own terms…usually…

David was swimming a while ago as Mac scampered and barked up a storm at the edge of the pool. It was filled to the brim. Consequently, as David went back and forth water sloshed out.

Well, a big wave came onto the deck and washed Mac into the pool. Boy, was he shocked! We patted the stairs and he finally found his way to safety.

Last weekend due to evaporation and the lack of rain I needed to fill the pool. As you might remember Mac loves flowing water. He jumps and bites at the watercourse every single time without fail. It is a sight to be seen.

To keep him as calm as possible I bent the hose after turning it on while dragging it along. As I let it go Mac jumped off the deck like Superman going after a bad guy and right into the deep end! 

It took him a second to pop up and he doggie paddled to no avail. I do give him credit for making it to the side where I pulled him out by the scruff of his neck and tail. He was most grateful.

Needles to say we don’t let him on the lanai without supervision. This place is never boring and the comic relief of a Jack Russell is always well received.

Blessings!

Back To The Neurologist

David felt concern about the Mother’s Day conversation last week. So we have an appointment with the Neurologist on Monday at 7:30 AM. I am hopeful they might be able to help.

Thank you all for your prayers. :) 

Jehovah-Shammah! Jehovah-Jireh!

Okay so this morning was filled with whine so here is some food for thought (cheese). God is amazing. I am grateful for my husband and the gift of being his helpmate. He is the best husband in the world and the one God wants me to have. I love my mom. She is the best mom ever.

So I get frustrated with God sometimes for letting this all fall apart. What kid doesn’t get mad at their parent? I know, I know, we live in a fallen world. At least I am in the same house with David and Mom and can keep a close eye on their needs and wants. At least God lets me throw my temper tantrum and still tucks me in at night. He is an awesome God. My Father. My…

Jehovah-Rohi...Psalm 23:1 "The Lord my shepherd"

Jehovah-Shammah...Ezekiel 48:35 "The Lord who is present"

Jehovah-Rapha...Exodus 15:26 "The Lord our healer"

Jehovah-Tsidkenu...Jeremiah 23:6 "The Lord our righteousness"

Jehovah-Jireh...Genesis 22:13-14 "The Lord will provide"

Jehovah-Shalom...Judges 6:24  "The Lord is peace"

El-Roi...Genesis 16:13  "The strong one who sees"

El-Olam...Isaiah 40:28-31 "The everlasting God"

Christ is my Foundation, Chief Shepard, Comforter, my Protector and Savior.

The Holy Spirit fills me with peace and knowing I’m never alone.

Without the Trinity I don’t know how I would exist. I am grateful. Please pray for all of us and forgive my mini meltdown. Thanks for listening and all of your kind words and prayers. J

I Feel...

Bless his heart, David’s memory is failing more and more each day. He is forgetting the simple things like to take a shower or bring in the trashcans and when reminded he gets angry. He is also forgetting if we agreed to pay a bill. I feel worried.

He cannot recall much at this point and I feel he is getting as bad as he was when he was taken out of work. If he doesn’t empty the dishwasher or take out the dog when reminded right away it doesn’t happen. The dishes aren’t a big deal but poor Mac…I feel concerned.

He is starting to “rest” (sleep) more again and not exercising as much. I feel perplexed. He told me he is going to call the Dr. and see what if anything can be done. For that I feel hopeful.

It breaks my heart to see my husband decline. I wish I had a magic wand to make everything better but I don’t.

Please pray for us.