Gotcha Birthday Boy!!!

Last weekend was People Suck's BD weekend. All the family was here to celebrate His Day--a day early. We managed to surprise him with a new recliner. He has spent so much time in the recliner, it has gotten pretty dog-gone worn.

I spent the whole week before going to different furniture stores- sitting in all the recliners I thought were worthy of his body. I finally came to decision Saturday, but had to take the one on the floor since the warehouse had none and would not have any for 2 wks. They loaded it in my truck and off I went, almost dumping it b/c it got to rocking and picking up speed with the wind. Matthew met me in the driveway and we were able to get it in the house in a room he never goes in, while he was still sleeping.

Sunday evening we got together for Gattis pizza and some Marble Slab ice cream cake. Afterwards, he was outside chatting with Rick, Matthew and Mary Ann (her job was to keep him out) Good Job Mary Ann!!!!! Mark, Lisa, Ashleigh and I were busy inside switching out the recliners.

When he was finally released to come back in the house, he walked right in eyeing a small gift bag in the new recliner. Even picking it up to sit in the NEW recliner, he did not realize until he placed his arms on the huge overstuffed chair arms. FYI--he also had his eyes on the kiddos. Then the big smile appeared. It was a good Birthday. I'm glad we were able to pull it off. It's so much fun surprising people you love. I will say, I did not get much done that week, even forgetting to do a couple of things he wanted me to do. It was hard coming up with excuses for getting little done.

What prompted this blog was watching him tonight relaxing in it for the first time since he's had it. He worked Monday - Thursday night and then Friday night we were traveling to Monroe, getting back tonight with just enough time to relax and channel surf. He deserves some down time in it.

Our trips to Monroe are always planned with Catfish Junction in Broddus, TX in mind. It's all you can eat buffet with homecooked veggies, gumbo, sausage and fish of course and so much more. Of course I go for the banana pudding. It's a great place, they also have jamborees every weekend. We need to go for that sometime. We go this way to avoid the highsway 59 ratrace traffic. It's good highways and beautiful scenery.

This weekend was really tiring for him. We rented a compact car for the trip. It was cheaper than buying gas for our truck. When you're used to riding in a big truck, riding in a compact car is like riding a go-cart among all the big cars, trucks and 18 wheelers. Anyhoo, it saved wear and tear on our truck and was worth it in gas, especially since we took the scenic route to the family reunion, Saturday. That reminds me, we passed thru the hunting grounds Wayne used to deer hunt. Coming back thru later that afternoon, we took a chance on stopping by his cousin Bonnie's house. We had a great visit with her and Houston. Leaving her house, we went to the cemetery his great grandfather was buried. Found his grave marker AND his great GREAT grandfather's marker and possibly a great great uncle's also. This ended a good day. Needless to say, Wayne was pooped. I tried to hook up with Stacey, but I guess her social calendar had her elsewhere. Try you next time Stacey.

Today we had my mom's famous hamburgers. Just for Wayne, she cooked up some of his favorite veggies. They have not seen him since November and was so glad to see him, though they have talked with him via phone all thru this illness. Debby (my sister) and Ralph and my neice Jody and her two children joined us for lunch. It was a splendid visit back home, I MUST do it more often. DOWN GAS PRICES, DOWN!!!

3 Generations of Fathers

I am witnessing 3 generations of fathers. They are all wonderful, but in their own way.

The first one of course, being My Father. His generation was usually the provider for the family. And so, that's what they were good at. They are also known as the Greatest Generation. My dad was a good example of honest hard work, integrity and love. He was also the head honcho in discipline. If he had to step in to discipline, I must have done something really bad. I remember kissing Wayne good-bye on the carport one Sunday afternoon.(when we were dating) We were right there in view of Daddy's recliner. Maybe it was one of those wet kisses, I don't remember, but he flew out of that chair and followed me to my bedroom(as I had to get ready for evening church). He gave me a piece of his mind and would have given me a piece of his belt if my mom had not stepped in to save the day(I got smart with him, which is the only time I can remember doing that). Whew! I must have looked like some kind of slut in his eyes, kissing in broad daylight for the neighbors to see(IF they happen to be looking out their windows at that very moment). I can't remember if I apologized for being disrespectful. Think I'll do that today, b/c you see, I am still lucky enough to have my daddy. I remember my daddy working graveyard all week(11p.m.-7a.m.). And on the Saturday morning after, he called for me to come to his bedroom. He just wanted to hug me, b/c he hadn't seen me all week. Man!! WHAT a FEELING. I'm 56 yrs. old and that still affects me. The mother never went anywhere alone, or at least that's the way I remember it, but I do remember going to my grandmother's with just me and Daddy. He even let me drive there, and patiently drove his truck out of the ditch I had run into. Then put me back in the driver's seat and said go. I remember going fishing with him in a swampy looking creek and eating watermelon til I was about to pop. I was not a bed-wetter, but I was that night. Never eat alot of watermelon before bedtime.(especially if there's no indoor plumbing, if you know what I mean). But mom's never retreated for a weekend or went out for the evening. How did they do it?? Then the next generation of fathers came along, which brings me to the 2nd set:

The second one is My husband. Now they still have the mindset of providing for the family b/c it had been modeled to them. I wanted to stay home with my children, just felt that was right for me. He was agreeable with that. Even though I cleaned houses parttime, he still worked on the side-building stuff or doing plumbing. But he never missed a ballgame of his children if he could help it. Whether he had to trade shifts or work overtime to make up for it, he was always there. This generation let the moms discipline as they didn't want to spend what time they had being "mean". This father can sit and visit with his children and talk just about anything. He says "nothing can surprise him" hmmmmm? This is the baby boom generation who also became known as the hippy generation, although this father is the complete opposite. He has a good work ethic and shows up for work sometimes an hour early, (in case he had a flat). At work, there are no excuses. He learned that from the previous fathers. This father would keep the kids for a weekend, so that mommy dearest could retreat for awhile. Or for a night, for me to go to a movie. He kept our 3 month old baby girl while I took the boys to the Houston Rodeo. I was still nursing at the time. We were the first generation to have the fathers in the delivery room, although it didn't start until our 3rd time around. That really made a difference in his involvement in caring for our infant. Which brings us to the third set:

The third is My sons. They have a much different role than the fathers before them. From day one of their children's lives, they have played an active role, a shared responsibility with the mothers. They are known as the X generation. I never have liked that. What does that mean, anyway??? It sounds so negative. These fathers are anything but negative. They share in baths, feedings, playtime, discipline and probably much more than I can think of now. Their children don't see a difference in whose caring for them at the moment, b/c both parents are active equally in their lives. This generation usually has both parents working, sometimes b/c they have to, sometimes b/c they want to. And that works these days b/c the fathers have stepped it up a few notches.

Just to say, they ALL have been a vital part in who we are. And I'm proud of all the fathers in my life.

Nuff said!

My Bionic Man

Reading up on my last few blogs, one might think that God failed us, in that we DID in fact have the dreaded surgery. I'm here to say, HE DID NOT!. And He does not need this feeble human to explain His part in this, but I will attempt anyway for MY peace of mind.

When Wayne's heart rate was racing constantly 24/7, it wore him out. After 5+ weeks of this, we prayed for God to slow it down(which we firmly believe He did, as it has not raced since). Where we went wrong in our thinking, is thinking that would cure all. HA! The flutters caused the high heart rate. So, even though the flutters were still happening, Wayne was able to function, (not to normal capacity),to the point he was tempted to cancel the surgery. Thank God, we didn't, b/c he started a-fibbing and/or fluttering again. (to the drs. there's a difference in the two, to Wayne, there IS no difference) I might add here that his heart rate stayed normal during this time, thank you Jesus. Maybe God slowed the rate until we could have the surgery knowing he needed it. I don't pretend to know the mind of God, our job is to trust Him and we will do just that. I do know He was with us thru it all and HE will never leave us or forsake us. If we had canceled, we would be waiting right now for another date in which to have the procedure done again. One might say, "well dummy, why didn't you ask for God to just heal it all, if He can do it". That's an legitimate question. Don't know the answer though. We do ask God for wisdom in making decisions, so maybe He had a part in that as well.

It was a huge blessing to have all our children there waiting with me. Wayne went into surgery knowing all the children would be there. And as he came out at the end of the day, even though feeling much pain and discomfort, he was blessed to see his children. We had Alex and Maya all day too, and they were great to be able to stick it out for such a long time. They both finally fell asleep after the long day at the hospital. They neither one was as happy to see Wayne as Wayne was to see them, but the next evening at home, they were both normal to him. My faithful friend Kathy was also there with me. Wayne's sister, Cherry, wanted to be there, as she has been there for the other surgeries, but couldn't make it this time. She was there in spirit though, I know!!

As for Wayne's outcome in this surgery, it goes as follows:

I now have the bionic man living with me, as the pacemaker is running his whole heart.

It controls his heart rate no matter what the flutters are doing.

After healing, he probably will not feel the flutters, and will lead a normal life.

Of course, we might have to redefine normal, but maybe not, as we have heard stories of others living normal. We will expect the same.

I hope to write again saying how good he feels and is back to normal.

Until then.........

A Smile Goes a Long Way

My Rebekah found this out Sunday at the nursing home. While we adults were singing hymns of the faith---She was passing out bowls of ice cream to the residents. Oh My!!! they just love to see children, and they were tickled she was serving them. With her beautiful smile she made their day much brighter than they had anticipated.

This was the beginning of our time together on her sleepover. It was great!!

Thank you Beka for serving the least of us. Many can't do for themselves. She is not really accustomed to being around the elderly and she was a JEWEL in my eyes. Alex went with me last week, and they adored him also. But as expected , he was a little shy and finally fell asleep in my arms while we were singing.

They are always welcomed to come with me anytime.

Jesus loves the little children----- there is always room for children in God's eyes.

Third Time’s a Charm!!

That's what they say, anyway!!! Are there statistics on this??? Will I bring home a renewed and improved hubby or the bionic man??? At this point, anything is an improvement. Tomorrow will tell the story. If the pacemaker takes over the whole heart, isn't that life support?? That's what Wayne calls it. Living off a chip about as big as a silver dollar, with a battery no less!! Whose in charge of making these pacemakers and batteries, for that matter???? We know most things now a days are made in China. And some things are designed by engineers fresh out of college!!! EEEEKKK!!!! Did they finish at the top of their class or by the skin of their teeth??? We also know by experience- some people don't have integrity to build something to last. They'd rather cut corners and make a bigger profit. After all, they'll never the see or experience the results of a flawed product. They'll never face the family their product affects. I'm not just talking about the big guys on top. I'm talking about the John Doe who actually put it together. The one who goes home after an 8 hr. day not caring what kind of production he gave the company.

The human body is a magnificient piece of work. I am in awe of how it all works together for the common good of the body. It's scary to mess with mother nature, but if it has failed the body in some way, THANK YOU GOD--you gave some of us the brains to figure out how to help the body along.

Wayne and I can rest tonight with a peace that passes all understanding, knowing this is a win/win situation.

Many things about tomorrow - I don't seem to understand. But I know who holds tomorrow, and I know who holds my hand.

We both believe this. Here's another saying--

Those who sing--pray twice.

I still believe in Miracles

I believe we have witnessed a miracle. Those of you who already know the story leading up to this, hang in there---you know I'm a detailed person.

Wayne has for the last 5-plus weeks experienced a fast heart rate, which wears him out and gives him that whimpy feeling. This has been going on 24/7. The dr. said another ablation and if he couldn't resolve it, he'd just disconnect his heart and let the pacemaker run EVERYTHING. Yeah, I know, scarey!!

A couple of weeks before the Dr. visit, I heard testimony from a very reliable source ( a dr, no less). His son was about to endure a very painful surgery to remove a kidney stone. Now, he had had others that dissolved and some that broke up, but this particular one was large and would not budge. The dr.- father was reminded to ask God for his heart's desire. Well, it's obvious what that would be---for the stone to just disappear, right? Being a dr., he knew the chances of it disappearing were very slim, so asking God for this was a big step in faith. The morning of the surgery, his wife called him (as he was working-seeing patients) and told him-before surgery the drs. were checking to make sure exactly where the stone was located. THEY COULD NOT FIND IT!!!! The message of this story--pray your heart's desire.

Back to Wayne. This week I was talking to Wayne while he was working and told him about this story. I said maybe instead of praying for successful surgery, we should pray our heart's desire. Well I didn't have to hint as to what THAT would be. Our heart's desire is for God to heal him so that a 3rd surgery is not necessary. I told a few people to pray along with us for this specifically. Hadn't even had a chance to tell my Bible study ladies about it. I was going to tell them Tuesday when I saw them again. In my little human mind, thinking I had plenty of time to tell them, after all God's got til June 10th to do His wonders right???

This morning Wayne came in from working all night in the oilfield and told me to listen to his heart. I assumed he was worried, as the case usually is. HIS HEART WAS BEATING NORMAL. I raised up and looked at him in amazement. He said 76 beats a minute(which is normal), and it hasn't been that way in months. When he woke up this afternoon to get ready for work again--I listened again. STILL BEATING NORMAL!!!! PRAISE THE LORD!! Thank you Lord for showing us his heart has what it takes. I expect to be able to call the dr. and say--"no need, thanks anyway"--

Now this is still a free country, I THINK, and I choose to believe that God intervened and divinely calmed his heart down. Call me crazy-doesn't matter- I believe in miracles and we are giving God the Glory.

WHAT!! Another surgery?????

Well, we went to the doctor and the doctor said,

"ya got two choices since ya can't take meds.

I can do one more ablation, and if it's not a taker

I'll cut the connections,and leave it to the pacemaker."

Just one last surgery, that's what we understood.

After this, no more surgeries! Sure sounds good!

He'd feel pretty normal from the very start,

But of course, this is always a last resort.

All kiddin' aside, it's a scarey thing,

For the body to depend on such a small machine.

The other choice is keep doin' what he's doin',

And let me tell ya, that ain't a whole lot of livin'.

The choice is obvious, that ain't no lie,

'cause livin' like this, you'd just soon die.

But we have a GOD, and He'll see us thru,

'cause He still has alot for Wayne to do.

So we'll do all we can and give it our best,

But thru it all, in God we will rest.