My precious Kennedy...

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A milestone to honor and remember...

Happy 55th Anniversary Pap and Gram!
We love you!

On July 16, 1955...55 years ago today...two special people committed to each other and to a marriage that has stood strong all these years!

Obviously I wasn't even thought of at that time...but this marriage and the commitment these two wonderful people made to each other...began a journey that would shape and influence the lives of many people along the way.

I am thankful for their commitment to God and to each other. I am thankful that they were committed to raising a family and teaching them the importance of serving God. I am thankful for so many things about them...but right now I am most THANKFUL that God has allowed me to have 35 wonderful years with them and that my children are getting the opportunity know these wonderful people!

Daily Devotional Thought...

Many people in my "circle" of friends are going through some difficult situations....I found these words a little while back and saved them in my "Keep" file so I could reflect on them in the future.

These words are good for all of us to consider and remember...but there are a few special people in my life...and you know who you are...that are dealing with difficult circumstances. All I know to say right now is .... Just hold on, Sister!". In some ways this simple phrase has become a little "secret code" for me and others I know that say it. However, it has become more and more meaningful and not just a simple phrase to me over the last 6 or so months. It has become a heartfelt expression...and I know when I hear it being said to me...I finally understand the true depth and the love that is meant for me when some good friend tells me to "Just hold on, Sister". Four simple little words...but to me...so much MORE!

My heart goes out to all of my friends that are dealing with difficult situations...and I wish I could take away the difficulties and the emotional roller coaster they are riding on during this time. Even as much as I can encourage them, pray for them, and let them know how much I care....God can do so much more! Aren't you thankful that we serve a god that loves and cares for us...and can provide the ultimate comfort during difficult times? I am!

So, just hold on Sisters!

Master of the Wind

My boat of life sails on a troubled sea.

Ever there’s a wind in my sails

But I have a Friend who watches over me

When the breeze turn into a gale

I know the master of the wind

I know the maker of the rain

He can calm the storm

Make the sun shine again

I know the master of the wind

Sometimes I soar like an eagle to the sky

Among the peaks my soul can be found

But an unexpected storm may drive me from the heights

It may bring me low, but it cannot bring me down

Let Jesus calm your storm

Make the sun shine again

He is the Master of the Wind.

Update #8 - Indiana Summer

This house is way too quiet therefore I am getting very sleepy!

Quick update on Gram for the day: Took her to get a scan done today and they found one valve/artery not functioning correctly...this time on the opposite side then before. I don't know all the medical terms and proper way to describe it....but basically, she will have to have some work done with a laser later on this month to hopefully help to get the blood flowing more like it should be which in turn will help with her swelling problems.

She has one more appt. next week and then I am hopeful I will be able to come home for a bit and be at camp with the kiddos! I need to try to stay and be at this appt. because will be the first step to me being able to get her into a diabetes specialist or at least find out which direction we need to go next with her diabetic issues.

She felt some better this morning and by afternoon, I could tell she was worn out. Today it was just me and her. Pap stayed home and worked in the garden and told us to go on and spend some time together. So we did! :)

She always has several places she wants to go when we go to town...but usually we make it to 1-2 places and then she is out of steam. Today was no exception...but at least she got out a little bit. However, before her appt. I took her to the one store she wanted to go to first and I turned into the human clothes rack! I pretty much stay with her if she ever feels like going to a store because I am afraid to leave her alone for very long. After I was holding about 10 items....I was teasing her and she said...Pap said to go and get me a few things. I just laughed and was happy that she was in good spirits this morning.

I am thankful for everyday I get to spend with her and it was nice to just have some down time today.

Update #7 - Finally, a little more positive update

Today started out to be a much better day for Gram. We got out of the house a little today and she did pretty good...but it didn't take long to wear her out. I knew she would probably over exert herself this morning...but also knew she wanted to get outside of the walls of this house...so off we went. The afternoon and evening were a little tougher. She didn't feel so great and rested on the sofa. However, she finally did eat today. She ate a whole PB & J sandwich...which is more than I have seen her eat in a couple of days...and the fact that she actually wanted it was wonderful! I didn't even have to say...YOU NEED TO EAT! So, that was good! Tomorrow will probably be a resting day...if I had a guess. Friday we go back to the doctor for a couple of tests.
She is still nervous about taking the new heart meds. that the cardiologist prescribed after all this mix-up with the wrong medication being given to her. I am hopeful that I can get her to start on it in the morning.
Good night everyone! Thanks for all your prayers and kind words!

Update #6

I love this picture! I love that Gram is actually smiling...because lately I haven't seen too many of those smiles from her. She hates to have her picture made...and I might be put before a firing squad if she finds out I posted this here...but I will take my chances!

Today was a little bit better day...as far as how Gram was feeling. It started off sort of bumpy but by dinner time she was some better. This morning she was so shaky and she told me her insides just felt like they were jumping around. Her blood pressure was not normal today when I took it. However, it wasn't ever high enough that it really made me nervous.

After yesterdays little escapade with the pharmacy, she was nervous about taking any of her medicines. I tried to reassure that she still needed to take them. So, she took everything but this new medication...so that was acceptable to me. In the morning, she will take her first dose of the new medicine she should have been taking all along.

I sent an update out about yesterday and didn't really have the time to go in depth...still don't because I am falling asleep at the keyboard. :) However, let me try to explain and give it an ending.

I will try not to confuse you too much since the story started out a little complicated.

I took a written script for Imdur to the pharmacy on Friday afternoon...handed it to the pharm. tech and continued my shopping while waiting for the script to be filled. When I had the few grocery items I needed to get...I went back picked up the medicine, talked with the pharmacist about side effects, checked out the label, and then went to checkout and get home.
All of the info on the information sheet was correct or so it seemed and since I didn't actually know the name of the generic of Imdur...I trusted that I was taking home the right medicine to her.
When I got home, I explained it all to her and told her how many times a day to take it, etc.
So, all was well...or so I thought. I won't go into all of the symptoms that she started exhibiting and had for several days...but something wasn't right and I knew it wasn't right! I knew I had to go pick up another script on Monday...because I forgot it while I was over there the first time. So, I thought I would just wait and ask a couple more questions when I went back to the pharmacy. I never even dreamed that I would hear it was the wrong medicine!
I went on over to the pharmacy and told them I needed to pick up B-12 shots for Gram. The lady asked me..."Do you want to pick up both of them now?" I told her there should only be one to pick up and then asked her what the second one was. She stated that the
doctor had called in a script for Imdur (a heart medication). I said I already have picked that up and she has been taking the medicine. She said, "No, he called it on on the 26th (which was the day she had the heart cath. done) I corrected her and told her that the script was written on that day...but I had physically handed her a written script for the Imdur on Friday.
At this point, my heart started racing. I pretty much knew when she said what she said, that there was a problem. I went on to explain that she had been exhibiting unusual symptoms the last few days and I needed to get this straightened out. She asked me to wait and she went to talk to the pharmacist.
I'm standing there waiting at the window, and I hear a bunch of chatter between the tech. and the pharmacist. Then, I hear...."Well, she should be alright." I sort of lost it when I heard that! I quickly told him that she wasn't alright!

I could feel my face getting hot and I had a horrible feeling in the pit of my stomach. Instead of receiving Imdur (the prescribed medicine) they had sent me home with another lady's blood pressure medicine. Gram's name and this lady's name are exactly the same except for one letter. This lady's last name was Hall and Gram's last name is Hale. The pharmacist came back and talked with me and apologized. Basically, he just said he would be happy to call the doctor or if her symptoms got worse and she had to go to the ER...just tell them to feel free to give him a call. I assured him that I would!

So basically, what was happening was that she was taking TWO blood pressure meds. a day because they gave the wrong medicine to her. No wonder she couldn't hold up her head and was walking like she was drunk!

To me, this is totally unacceptable! I called the cardiologist first thing this morning and that is when the nurse told me that what she was given was one of the strongest blood pressure meds. that is given to patients and that she needed to stop taking it immediately. (I think...Clonidine is the name of the medicine that was sent home with me at first) I talked with her a little bit and she said that if Gram would have continued to take it...the results would not be good! I am supposed to monitor her blood pressures now and there are things to look for and if something isn't right we are to call immediately. Lesson learned: You can't bet that I will be paying even closer attention in the future with scripts she has filled.

Well, I have already made this lengthy enough and I am sleepy...so I will close for the evening.
Once again, thanks to all of our family and friends for their prayers and concern! It means so much!

Where did the day go?

This day has flew by...before I knew it, it was 10 o'clock and time to start the nightly rituals of bath, story, prayers, etc. Whew!
We are 1 hour ahead here in Indiana as compared to back home in Alabama... and I am not really sure if the kiddos or I have really fully adjusted to that yet.
I am sitting here listening to Parker humming and trying to fall asleep...such a sweet sound from a precious little boy! Don't know what I would do without my Parker-man! There is never a dull moment and it makes everyday so much brighter! Love you Parker!