Grace's Favorite Color

I have been buying patterns, making mental notes on how to tweak patterns and I have even purchased some material. I seem to be drawn to the pinks and purples. I recently found out Graces favorite color is BLUE. Back to the drawing board. Glad I know because I did see some really cute polka dot and stripe in light blue.
A couple of people have contacted me about helping and said they have a treasure trove of fabric and notions. If my Mom were alive she would love this project. Little did I know when she taught me to sew in the 6th grade( I still remember that yellow short sleeve blouse with the peter pan collar), that I would still be using this talent that she shared with me. Wish she were here to help.
We may extend the Arbonne Fundraiser a couple of weeks. I will let you know.
The prayer service at Childrens Hospital was very moving on Wednesday evening and it was wonderful to see so many standing with Mom and Dad. That was some powerful stuff.
My son-in-law's Yia Yia past away this week. Please pray for Mrs. Palassis, her funeral is today.
Keep Mom in your prayers today, she is undergoing gall bladder surgery.
Have a great weekend and thanks for reading.

Ready to Sew

I was fortunate enough to spend last evening with Grace. I brought 101 Dalmations and we watched. Any time Grace heard the dogs bark she opened her eyes wide and seemed to take it all in.
I have known for a while that special clothing would be a need that I could help fulfill. I looked over the weekend at different fabrics and I have a plan. If anyone reading has done sewing and has notions lying around for "future" projects that have gone by the wayside, maybe you would be happy to contribute them to me. Buttons, lace, trims, etc., can get quite costly. Maybe you can not sew, but would love make a contribution. I would be happy to buy material and make something sweet for Grace in your name. That would be a blessing.
Many of you know that my Dad was recently in the hospital. When ever we bring him dinner or drop something off that he needs, he trys to give us money. Saturday I told him I would take the money this time and I would use it to buy Material to make clothes for Grace. He was thrilled and said "Do you want some more?". I told him I would let him know.
If you do Sew and want to help, let me know. Grace is scheduled to come home in a few weeks and we need to be ready.
Thanks for reading.

Time Flies

I have not been on vacation. However, Alison and Michael had a great time in Vegas. Alison called it Disney World for Adults. Vegas is a nice place to see once.

Niko is coughing and has a runny nose. He was awake and crying multiple times Sat. night. PaPa slept right through it all, but Mimi is pooped today. It felt very good to sleep in my own bed last night and I did not hear a thing until the alarm at 5:00am.

The second Arbonne information event at Panera is Weds., April 16 in Deerfield Towne Center. It is a great chance to learn about and try the products before you buy anything on line. We also have a great time! Don't forget this is a fund raiser for Grace and her Family.

I was praying on my drive time this morning for direction. I guess the events of the past week have not allowed me to be as focused on prayer. I hope my alone time with God this morning has gotten me back on track. I gave myself the "be still and listen" talk again.

I visited my Dad last night and thought he looked very weak. He said he slept on and off in his recliner yesterday. My siblings have been in and out since he came home Friday but he stayed alone last night. I am anxious to talk with him this morning.

Thanks for reading.

Thursday Already!

There is definitely a reason why I had kids when I was much younger. Niko is a ball of toddler energy! Yep, Wednesday is a blur. I did get a call last night from Grace's Mom. She was calling to see how my Dad was doing. I was very touched that she would call ME and check on how I was doing? How sweet is that!!
Thank You so much Grace's Mom.
Dad called me this morning and sounded pretty good. He said he still did not sleep last night but I really don't think hospitals are a place where you get rest. My sweet cousin from Georgia came yesterday after noon to visit Dad and he was so thrilled.
The doctors have started the Lumonox injections and Coumodin and as soon as that is fairly regulated they should scoot Dad out of the hospital.
I talked to Paula a few minutes ago and Her son Kenny could not get into see the specialist until Wednesday. Paula will be traveling to Eastern Kentucky university to go to the doctor with him. We are all very concerned.
Thank you ALL for your prayers and concern for my Dad and nephew and as always thanks for reading.

Is it Tuesday Already?

I completely missed Monday. My husbands tests are finished and he is snoring loudly.
My Dad looked better this morning and will have another test tomorrow. I have emailed my Dad's two Sisters and the numerous nieces and nephews. I am gathering my belongings to go back to my daughters tomorrow.
I mentioned last week that my daughter was having some tribulations at work. Today on the Wyoming District website teachers were given accolades for a job well done and my daughter was sixth on the list. I am always proud of the way she advocates for her students and happy that she was able to see something in print.
Our little Grace is back in ICU and the storming continues. Please pray that this stops. The doctors are baffled and divine intervention is desperately needed.
Most of us feel our lives are full of peaks and valleys but would any want to switch with Grace's family? Please continue to pray for full recovery for this precious child.
Thanks for reading.

Unexpected Sunday

I got up at seven this morning and went to the kitchen to get the coffee pot going. The phone rang and my sister said my dad's neighbor called and Fire fighters broke down my dad's door after he called them because he could not come and open the door. Apparently Dad was too weak to get out of bed. The phone by his bed is not programmable and he has a laminated piece of paper with all of our phone numbers on it by the phone. He was trying to read that paper with a flashlight. All he could manage to do was call 911. My youngest sister Karla works at Bethesda North and was working this morning when the ambulance arrived with Dad. I arrived and and shortly after that sister Paula and brother Ben arrived with their spouses.
Dad has been sick for 2 weeks, difficulty breathing, on antibiotics and steroids. Any way we are going thru the battery of tests and nothing has been decided and more tests tomorrow.
I have to tell you that my friend Glo showed up at the hospital, brought Starbucks, and kept us all in stitches and was a huge support to me. She is the BEST!
My son in law headed to Las Vegas today for a week long conference. I am staying at their house with Ally and Niko on Sunday, Wednesday,Thursday and then on Friday Ally is off to Vegas to spend the weekend with Michael. I will stay with Niko for the weekend.
In between my dear husband is having a colonoscopy and endoscopy.
Please continue to pray for Grace and her family, my Dad, my husband, Mel, Ally and Michael(safe trips), and that I have the energy to get thru this week.
Thanks for reading.

Moving is so Difficult

If moving could only be simple! If everything else in your life is going well and under control, moving to a new home is hard. When your children are small it is a challenge to pack up, live out of boxes, move said boxes, live out of them a little longer until you find new places for all of your Stuff.
Okay, then throw in the fact that one of your children is in the hospital. You are planning a homecoming for her. Of course you are thrilled but scared and nervous about bringing her home. You also know that the layout of your current home is not adaptable for this homecoming.
You really are not feeling that great yourself. You are seeing a surgeon next week to see if you could possibly squeeze in some surgery and have your gall bladder removed and recover before you pack and move and bring home your little girl from the hospital.
Readers, this is the tip of the iceberg.

Another Door Opens

My son in law told me yesterday that his company will donate proceeds from their "Monthly Jeans Day" to Grace. Apparently each employee that wants to wear jeans on the specified day pays $5.00 and the proceeds are given to charity. Grace would be their August recipient. I supplied the information needed this morning and my son in law will take it from there. Blessings to his Company. I feel a CHALLENGE in the air. Do any of the readers have companies that do similar charitable donations? If so, let me know and I will provide them with information. If not, maybe they would consider starting something similar. I could help with that also.
Last night a few ladies and one cute second grade boy came to Panera to sample and gather information about Arbonne (the very cute second grade boy did not sample products and was not at all interested in what we were doing). We will be there again on April 16 from 7:30. Join us if you would like to see what these natural products are all about. If Arbonne is not your thing I would be happy to accept donations on behalf of Grace and her family.
Today is a Niko Day and he will be up and needing MiMi's attention shortly.

Continue to Pray for Grace and her sweet family and thanks for reading

Be Quiet and Listen

My commute this morning was quiet. I was listening. This is a very difficult thing for me to do. Many times on the drive this morning I had to remind my self to "just listen". I really am going to try and practice this. I realized that if the Lord has something to say to me he would have to SHOUT above my thoughts and prayers.
It is very simple for me to be completely consumed with the things going on in My world and not hear directions or ideas being sent to me from Our Lord. So for now, I'm listening.
Our precious Grace has had a set back. A good friend shared this morning that last evening was much better than it has been. We were discussing "storming". Let's pray that Grace is taking steps out the door of ICU again. Pray for rejuvenation for Mom and Dad. The pace that they are keeping is mentally and physically challenging. I pray that the sleep they receive be peaceful and they wake feeling rested.
Thursday evening will be the first of two samplings of Arbonne products at Panera of Deerfield Towne Center. From 7-8:30 you can try products and ask questions about all of the Arbonne line. Hope to see you in the Community Room.
My brother in law, Bruce, is checking on field availability for the Softball/
Cornhole fund raiser. I've asked for a date in July, preferably a Sunday. Nine make a softball team and only two teams of two are needed for Cornhole. Start thinking of your teams. More information will follow.
Thank you for reading and praying.
Psalm 23:2 He makes me lie down in green pastures,
He leads me beside quiet waters
I am Listening!

Big Time Prayer Needed

On Grace Good Day.com today I read that Grace was moved back to ICU yesterday. Also, there was a discussion with Mom and Dad yesterday about the possibility of Grace coming home in three weeks. I can not imagine what this family is feeling today. Can you imagine having a child in ICU at Children's who needs your attention and wondering where you might be able to move to accommodate Grace's needs and two other small children. Just moving alone is a daunting task in the best of circumstances.
All of you have been following this journey and have been praying, We need to kick it up a notch! With Prayer all things are possible.
A perfect example of something unexpected is the person who volunteered to keep Grace's brothers for a month so mom could spend needed time at the hospital.
So, I believe that God will show this family a home that will fill their needs and provide the people to get them moved and settled (In HIS time).
When I read the news this morning my first reaction was to start looking for a different place for this family to live. How quickly I forget, I am not the fixer of all things. God, however, will fix it in HIS way and in HIS time.
I am inspired that "Filled with Grace"(fundraiser) begins today. All that can participate, please do. All of those who can not or do not want to, please pray.
One last prayer request, My daughter Alison and My Dad who is 80. Alison has a situation at work and my Dad is sick and having a lot of trouble breathing.
Thank you for reading.