5 kids, 5 pictures

Thanksgiving day, we got together with my family, for a wonderful dinner. I like to get pictures of the 5 grandkids for our Christmas cards. Would love to have Sasha in them also, but with her in MN., just never works out.

So, had the kids go outside and get on the play equipment. Did this a few years ago, and loved how they turned out. Well, this year, the sky was perfect again. Can't say the same for the subject matter, LOL. Anyone that thinks toddlers don't cooperate, hasn't dealt with teens and preteens. Like I always tell them all, "what you do, is what I scrapbook. So which of these do you think would make the best photo for the Christmas cards?

I am very thankful that they are all close enough, right here in town, that I can get them all together. I am also very thankful that they are close enough to act like this. We don't do the, get them all in matching clothes, thing. Just wouldn't happen. Now that I think of it, I sent home clothes with three of them, and none of them have them on, so much for trying to plan this.

Oh, this is Mhikealy 14, Katisha 18, Teddy 10, Tyree 16, Grace 9. Katisha and Mhikealy are brother and sister (Misty's). Tyree, Teddy and Grace are brothers and sister (Joan's)

I think I am going with the top one. God I love these crazy kids. I love them all, more than my life.

I did have a wonderful dinner, with my family. Mom and I really had such a wonderful talk about what we are the most thankful for, our husbands.

Don's mom

Thought I would do an update on her recovery. She is an amazing woman. She cries from time to time about the loss of her leg, but then we all talk about celebrating 100 years+, and she beams. She wants so bad to see 100 years, and many more. And who wouldn't mourn the loss of a body part?

Today she was transferred from Des Moines to her local hospital, which is about a block from home. She knows all the staff there, and is really looking forward to seeing the Physical Therapist. He is a close friend, and will do wonders with her.

What a wonderful Thanksgiving gift to our family.

Amazed

Today has been such an emotional day for us. My beautiful, mentally alert, 97 year old mother-in-law had to have her right leg amputated, just below the knee. This has been one of the most gut wrenching things to even imagine. This shouldn't happen to anyone, but especially someone that has lived this long.


The first 6 years of our marriage, this woman did so many things to ruin our marriage. I don't know that it was that she hated me, I think she just wanted her son to move back home. In 1974, her brother passed away, and a month later, I lost my brother. I think that was what bonded us, and we became the best of friends. This is a woman that has never harmed anyone her entire life, except for that brief period in our lives.














So today, this beautiful woman had to go thru such a horrific ordeal. This is a woman that has never been seen in public, without powder, rouge, and lipstick. In her day, she was a WOW! She just had her hair done a day or so before she was admitted to the hospital, and yes she is a red head!!!!

The hardest part of this day was when they came to get her to go down to surgery. Darleen, Don and I were there. We had all talked to her, and she was doing pretty well. As they started wheeling her away, she raised up, and grabbed at me and called my name. OMG, my heart just totally melted. We have been somewhat estranged for the past 4 years. She let me know at that moment, I was still her best friend.



The surgery took longer than first anticipated. It was one of the longest days I have ever put in. I spent the whole time with Don and his nephew, David. Darleen sat by herself, just because none of us can stand being anywhere near her, but we just won't go there. When we finally got to see "Mom", she looked gorgeous, seriously, gorgeous. She was smiling, no pain, and doing great. She was a bit teary at times, but not bad. We all got a chuckle when I told her she looked gorgeous, and she said, "well, they did put rouge on me". I said, well, did they put lipstick on also, she chuckled and said, "yes, I think so."

Guess I should mention, these pics are from Don's retirement party, June 20, 2007. These are of Don, Me, our daughters, our grandkids, Me, and Don's nephew, David.