Christmas 2013

 

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 26, 2013

The Lord Loves Me

Tuesday, December 24--

This week I got a phone call from my sister Sonya, her son and his wife Katie are having a baby in a couple of months. Sonya was so excited because she had all boys, and now finally, they had their baby girl in the family; her phone call was to let me know Katie had gone to her regular appointment and there was no heartbeat, and the baby had died. It was heartbreaking, and Jimmie was in California. She was induced to give birth to Dannie Jo, named after Katie's dad; she was 12" long and weighed 1.3 pounds. Yesterday we attended her graveside; nothing has touched me like this, seeing Jimmie carry this tiny little casket to the burial area. Then he and Katie stood and talked about their love for Dannie Jo and the plan of salvation. I was impressed with their knowledge of the method of salvation. There is no doubt in my mind or theirs that they will hold and love and hug and kiss Dannie Jo again someday. She is a good reason for us all to live like Christ did so we can be with her again --

Also, in the Williams family, Blake was admitted to Banner Gateway early this morning; he has been to the ER a couple of times this week and has been sent home with no answers. He has incredible pain in his stomach, throwing up, diarrhea, and complete frustration, not knowing what the problem is. They took several cultures, and we still have no answers. He was discharged from the hospital with antibiotics, pain meds, and a referral to a gastro Doctor. Also, last night our little Recker was in the ER, I don't understand much about his diagnosis (Autism), but he has breathing problems. When he gets a cold, it is intensified. Last night he was gasping for breath, so Kayla took him to the ER at Phoenix Children's Hospital. He is home and doing well; he was given some breathing treatments.

After spending time at the hospital today, when I got home, the right side of my face was very swollen, Sonya had said something about it yesterday, but I didn't notice anything except that I cannot eat much as my jaw hurts when I open my mouth, so soup has been about all I can eat. Last night when I washed my face, I could see the swollen areas Sonya was talking about, and it felt different on that side when I put on the face lotion. Tonight, I had Sonya and Greg come over and look at the inside of my ear with a flashlight, Eric was gone, and I could not see inside my ear; I always put two pieces of cotton in my ear like the Doctor showed me how to do, but I could not find the other one. Greg did the looking, and Sonya held the flashlight--not a fun sight to see, I'm sure; I asked Greg to take a picture so I could see what it looked like.

Sonya had some tears in her eyes, but I know she has had so much going on that this was not what she was worried about. The pain is still unmanageable, and I am so concerned about getting germs, but honestly, I do not feel great and have not left my home other than Eric taking me for a ride, and that was not what I had expected. Tomorrow is Christmas, and Eric and I both looked at each other and said we do not feel the Christmas spirit we usually do. Let's hope 2014 will be an uplifting and learning year without surgery or pain.

Christmas Day 2013

I woke up this morning to my sweet Ezra in my face, smiling big. Oh, I love my grandchildren. They certainly can turn a frown into a smile. Neither Ez nor Recker understood or knew what Christmas was. We enjoyed giving them some little things and spending time with Kayla and Jeremy, but the second Ezra got tired, I took the opportunity to feed him his bottle in my bed and take a nap next to him. We slept for a while until Blake, Chloe, Scott, and Haleigh showed up; Kaitlyn and Brian are in Utah, so we will celebrate with them when they get home from spending time with the Wrights. I must enjoy my time with Ezra when Kaitlyn is gone because she really does like to hug him...he loves her and lights up when she comes into the room.

While I write this post, it is midnight, and I am sewing, blogging, and watching The Sound of Music--my favorite movie.

--Eric is fast asleep. He tried his hardest to get someone to go to see a movie tonight, but no luck. I'm glad he has such a great relationship with his son-in-laws and Blake. I looked at him tonight before he went to sleep and said, "You know how much I love you?" He smiled and said, "not more than I love you," and that was music to my ears; I suppose there was no better way to go to sleep at night. Tomorrow I will see the surgeon for a 2nd opinion, but I told Sonya yesterday I don't consider it "giving up," but I really am done with all the cancer stuff; it is no way to live, and my quality of life may not be the same as what others may think they would want. So, let's pray tonight that the news will be good tomorrow. Tonight, I have a lot to be grateful for another Christmas I have been given to spend with my family. The Lord loves me.