Just another day in paradise?

5 days and counting ...

Dad is staying (mostly) comfortable with the help of his morphine and has enjoyed visits from ALL of his grandkiddos ... 8 in all! Miss and Bill and their crew came down Wednesday night late and on Thursday the older boys and Bapo enjoyed watching Mall Cop - Will "snuggled" next to Dad in bed. My kiddos have had quick visits (thank goodness ... Cale has been a handful at the hospital) before heading over to VBS this week. All three were able to participate this year and will be singing at Mass tomorrow.

Appreciate your prayers and well wishes. Not sure how long of a stay we are looking at. Need to control the pain and get everything in order to come back to our digs.

In the building/housing news ... there are two pieces of large machinery (no clue WHAT they are ... Dad told me the name of one of them - they are BIG and yellow) just waiting to be used! I know Dad is excited about getting that going. I will post pictures as we move forward - proof too for Dad that dirt is getting moved.

God Bless -

Another day ...

Thanks for checking in! The kiddos and I went up to see Bapo yesterday AND today. Yesterday's visit was much more pleasant, but none-the-less Dad enjoyed having the kiddos around. Each of the grandkids made a "Get Well" sign for grandpa. Shayna added the VBS saying, "God is always with you!" and Mara explained then we were all supposed to yell! I was asked often, "Are they ALL yours?" We looked a little odd as 4 of the 5 kiddos had on their VBS shirts and I had one on too. Bapo treated us to lunch after our visit to Cici's. Luckily Gary was able to come with us, so it was easier on me!

Dad is received a lot of pain meds. Yesterday he was mostly pain-free, but today he has had more pain and therefore more meds. He continues to have an upbeat spirit and is anxious for us to take Jet up for a quick visit. I am SHOCKED that they allow dogs to visit, but you don't need to tell dad twice about that! We took a picture of Jet up to his room, but if you know Jet ... he is pretty difficult to photograph with black hair and eyes. He is plastered up on one of the doors of Dad's room so he can see him from the comfort of his bed.

Shayna had a riding lesson today and her teacher was gracious enough to take each of the little ones on a quick ride as well. Bapo told Shayna he was hoping that he could come and watch her ride sometime. Shayna had a grin on her face a mile wide! She has really become more confident in her riding abilities.

After our visit to the hospital today we went to Krug Park and had a quick picnic and fed the geese/ducks. We almost didn't make it as our trip to the hospital was a bit crazy, but they all pulled it together and fun was had by all.

Baby Bear

Cousin Fun - the Sleeping Tent - BEFORE one of the stools feel over and gave Mara a scratch and "blackish" eye! Lots of love from the kiddos to Bapo!
Where Dad's new "house" will be!
Dad's current living location. We LOVE having him here with us! Always SOMETHING going on with 3 kiddos and the neighborhood dogs - not quite Arizona or Colorado!

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Yep, that would be me. You know our family and if not is made up of: Mama Bear (watching from above), Papa Bear, Big Sister Bear and Baby Bear. Well, Papa Bear is comfortably resting back in a hospital bed with some thanks to some great pain meds. And ... it is good that they got the pain (at least mostly) under control for now, because they were about to learn that just like a Mama Bear protects her cubs - so a Baby Bear will do about anything it takes to bring comfort to Papa Bear. Augh - seeing Dad in pain isn't any fun and he is so tough that he graciously "grins and bears" it. He is back visiting the hospital for some pain relief, diabetic control and to hopefully get some questions answered.

I am going to be keeping the blog more up-to-date. It is easiest to keep you all in the loop and share pictures and such - especially Dad's friends whose emails I don't have ... and I KNOW you are out there!

In addition to health updates and such I will document Dad's new "house" that is going to be started soon, hopefully. He is putting up a building on our property that he will be able to drive his rig in and have all the comforts of home with an additional room in the back for lounging and company.

I am sure Papa Bear would love to hear from you, so either leave a note here or drop him an email. If you want a snail mail address - comment here too and I will send you our home address.

Thanks for all your thoughts, prayers and well wishes.

Update

Good Day to All! Or ... no one since I was so neglectful at updating previously. I am going to try to be better about posting since "real life" is going to happen just around the corner. I begin my full time teaching job in just a few short weeks. I am anxious and a bit nervous about starting this new chapter in my life. I know that we will adjust and God will help us muddle through.

Speaking of muddling ... Dad has been have GREAT pain that past couple of days and yesterday we learned why. He has a compression fracture on one of his vertebrae. Please keep him in your prayers. He has a great back brace that helps, and we are going to the pain clinic today.

Thanks for your prayers and thank you for checking up on us. May YOUR day be blessed.

Craziness!

That would be me! Crazy that I haven't written since May. So sorry, because we HAVE had a lot going on. Vacation with Bapo out to Colorado, a new squatter on our property (Bapo), a hospital stay, family reunion over the 4th of July, 10 year old birthday, Jonas Brother's concert, birthday party - not to mention everyday life too! Whew! Tired? We were and have recovered (well, mostly). I will try to keep this up-to-date. If you are wanting to find Bapo - email/comment and I can share his new (and as perminent as we can get him) snail mail address!

Have a Blessed Day - Juli