With Mom and Dad in the Hospital

The trip had been planned to visit mom and I was compelled to spend as much time with her as I possibly could. Mom had left her home to travel the world as a missionary. She was always supportive of  our family's ministry in the military - but it did cost us time with family. That cost was heavy as I realized my parents would not be making extended visits to Alaska, or moving up in a few years.  I wanted every minute I could possibly get with Mom. I slept at the hospital and spent my days with her and Dad. A friend of mine, Tracy, commented  Mom had taught me all my life. This was not the time to pull away, but to push in and let her teach me lessons even in this season. I was determined to do just this. 

On this Wednesday Mom was still struggling with pain, she was a bit less responsive and Dad and I got to talk with her oncologist on his rounds. I think, regardless of our hopes and prayers, we were all sensing Mom may have been right and would end her fight sooner than expected. 

I loved this day with Mom and Dad

 

Our last photo together. I'm reminded as I note what I'm wearing...that our words for 2017 were Strong. Courageous.  God commanded us to be strong and courageous, not to tremble or be dismayed. He would be with us wherever we went. I'm thankful that He was....and I do know we are a bit stronger and braver, having walked through this year of PD reality, move, settling in, unemployment and loss.  Each path we safely navigate by His side, builds a bit more courage into our lives.

My heart is full of awe and gratitude for those who volunteer their time and skills in the hospital. This man, and a gal too, came in to play beautiful harp music each day.  Knowing we were Christians, they picked many worship choruses and hymns. It became a highlight of the day. This first day, mom responded, by calming down and turning her head towards the music. She's always loved harp music. There were also pets and quilts and all sorts of volunteers on the floor. River Bend is a good place.

Stacia's New Dress & Mom Update

Stacia took her material and pattern, as well as a cookie cookbook on our trip.  Lorri and Stacia spent a day putting together her dress. 

 And, here is the finished product! 

Mom was still aware of who we are today. She was agitated and determined not to eat. We aren't forcing her to eat. Her pain is still not 100% controlled - even with all the meds. Though I didn't realize it - this was to be the last day that I got the "stink eye" from Mom, or her wry, "Just try to make me look."  She did NOT want to eat - not pudding nor even ice cream. The one mouthful she did eat - she spit out; forcefully. 

At this point mom kept trying to get out of bed.  Throughout the day we sat with her and blocked her exit. She would take hours scooting down so she could attempt a getaway. At one point she got clear to the end and looked at Will and I and said, "SO THERE!" The nurse wanted me to sleep, and so she and Dad took over watching mom. Mom scooted to the end of the bed and went over the end....Mom has always had a fighting spirit - and she kept it to the end.

Visiting Mom in Oregon

I am going to be back posting about a month worth of posts - from this date until mid-January. The tenses may get mixed up, you may read yesterday and it happened a month ago, bear with me. I'll try. 

Early on Sunday Morning, the 3rd of December my brother called. I could hear Mom moaning and talking incoherently in the background. Stacia and I had planned the first of three winter trips for 4 December.  Mom and I had talked daily. We'd texted and shared Polo's on Marco Polo, but shortly after Thanksgiving this all changed. I suspected she'd taken a turn for the worse. She had just had a biopsy earlier in the week. She hadn't seen the doctor to discuss the results.  I only talked to her twice between Thanksgiving and December 3rd and both times she wasn't herself. This was attributed to drugs and pain. 

Will called because he wanted me to be prepared. Earlier in the week we'd talked about a tea party with Stacia, Me, Mom, Sherri and Lorri. Mom had planned to move back home for the week I was there. She insisted we have a "normal" visit this time. There was no way this was happening. 

It was apparent Mom needed to go to the hospital. She didn't want to go, but we all made the decision to take her. Her pain was out of control and there was just no way to keep her comfortable or safe at home. She had been staying at Will and Sherri's since Thanksgiving. I think we suspected they'd get her pain under control and come up with new a new med cocktail and we'd take her home. Mom seemed to know if she went to the hospital, this would be it. She had quit eating on Saturday and we hoped she'd begin to eat as they got her pain under control. 

We had been told Mom had 7 months - 2 years to live. I didn't really think this was "it." This was to be the first of several visits to see her in the upcoming year(s). Michael and Will had both warned they didn't think it would be years. I'm not sure any of us envisioned how quickly she would go - she passed away just 6 weeks and 1 day after being told her cancer had returned. 

Tired and worried - in  a hurry to get to Oregon and River Bend Hospital....

Stacia is wearing our 2017 Family Shirt - Strong.Courageous. 

A word of thanks to Josiah, our eldest son. When he heard I was going to visit Mom, he paid for Stacia to come along. We all wanted her to get to see Mom while Mom was still in a good place. This is one of the things I worried about. We debated about Stacia staying in Alaska - but in the end, Lorri, my cousin, agreed to make sure Stacia was busy,  had a good trip, and visited Mom when she wanted to, while having an escape when she needed it. It worked well and Stacia is glad to have been able to see Mom when Mom still recognized who she was.

Seats together - SCORE 

 I am glad Will called to be sure I understood how much mom had failed in the week before we arrived. She recognized us. She held us, cried, kissed us over and over...and it's been a long time since I've been called, "My baby," so lovingly.   It was good to be with family.

Will, Dad, Stacia and Sherri 

 This turns out to be the last photo the three of us have. I know some wouldn't share it - but it's priceless to us.

Stacia, Mom, Me

First Sunday in Advent

The first Sunday in Advent found us at our new home church, Matanuska Assembly of God. 

The kids enjoyed a rousing game of Catan in Stacia's room. 

Michael and I are looking forward to our first advent with grown up children and grand kids around. We kicked off the season with our first Family Sunday Advent Dinner.  Gideon won't be content to watch us eat at the table much longer.

Gideon - 6 1/2 months

Bella - too tired to socialize

Bella - 19 1/2 months

 Benny scores points with Uncle Cy! 

Bennett - 2 weeks old

 Dinner was followed by an Advent Dev by Bre on Week 1 of Advent

Michael read the clue and they were off....

What could it be? A toy to bring back fond memories for the older ones and new delights for the younger ones - a Spirograph!

Stacia and I left in the morning for what was planned to be a one week visit to Mom and Dad. (Did you notice Gumby hanging from the apothecary cabinet? Semper Gumby.)  This guy came to the Moose Pasture to give us a proper send off.

Second Scavenger Hunt of the Season

It's time for a scavenger hunt. 

Some clues lead to constrenation. This one had something to do with a podiatry container. Google to the rescue. Building some problem solving skills into the mix. 

They were each rewarded with a new Christmas ornament to celebrate our move to Alaska and their summer Salmon fishing. 

Advent Traditions

We love the whole Advent season around here. We don't typically open gifts on 25 December, with the except of gifts from those who would care if we opened on the "wrong" day. We open gifts from Michael's sister Mary and my mom on Christmas Day. Other than that, we have a birthday party for Jesus. We have done our family gift exchange on New Year's Eve (6th Day of Christmas) for many years. This took considerable stress off our family as we focused on the Advent celebrations, squadron parties,  and special services for a chapel worship community. It also allows us to shop the clearance sales. ::snort:: We are no longer as busy during the Advent season - but we decided to keep our unorthodox schedule. We like the focus on personal gifts to be separate from the celebration of Jesus. Quite a few of our traditions have had to adjust as the children grew up.

They ASKED for us to continue to have our Advent scavenger hunts. Each little door has a clue. Each night the kids read the clue, figure it out and find a little gift.

This is another tradition we still enjoy. During Advent the donkey with Mary slowly makes it way to the center. We have an add on for Lent and Jesus with His cross makes His way to the center. 

Our Advent season had some unexpected sorrow and loss this year....but I'm glad we had these reminders of the season.

Offending Tree

Once upon a time there was an offending tree at the side of our yard. It was on the boundary between us and Stalag 13. Michael and I secured agreement from our neighbor,  that the dead tree needed to come down. Cory and Michael took care of it.

Not all dead trees are offensive. THIS one showed in all our photos of our mountain - and the Northern Lights.

Now if he could do something about the electric pole, Michael would be totally happy. 

Note: We do not actually live next to a prison. Stalag 13 is what we loving call our neighbors spread. He has 8 surveillance cameras up and the back yard blazes bright with numerous flood lights.