Giving Thanks

In light of Thanksgiving being next week, I really need to write an entry about some things I am thankful for.  So, today, I decided I would write about my Mom, Patti. Our relationship has seen ups and downs for sure, but my Mom is someone I can always count on when I need something.  I am thankful for her now, probably more that I have ever been.  I think we have both grown to understand each other better in the recent years, which is a great feeling.

When we were little kids (I have 3 Sisters) I can remember distinctly each outfit my Mom would wear.  I don't remember them because they were that great (although my Mom always looked neat and clean), I remember them because there were so few.  I never got that until later in life when I was conscious of my own clothes and I realized that my Mom always wore the same clothes and rarely bought anything for herself because she spent every dime she had on us girls. 

I can remember each and every Labor Day through school when she would drop us off at the start of the Labor Day Parade (many years we were all in different activities), watch us each go through, and then pick us all up at the end.  There were some years that Jamie (my Twin) and I had to go through the parade 2 or 3 times because we were involved in so many different activities.  That, takes dedication.  The last thing I want to do on Labor is carpool kids back and forth through a parade.  I'm sure I will get my fair share sooner than later.

Anytime any of us girls came home and said we wanted to join an extra-curricular activity,  a way was always made.  My Dad traveled for work, so many times, it was up to Mom to shuffle schedules and figure out how to get 4 girls to activities on the weekends and during the week.  Talk about crazy!  In my high school years, I began to play club volleyball.  The team I played on was a travel team and was very expensive.  Somehow, someway, there was always a way made so I could play.

At Christmas, there were always so many gifts under the tree that you could hardly walk through our living room.  Christmas was always a magical time of year at my house.  My parents weren't the kind of parents who bought us toys all year long (which was a good thing), so Christmas was always a really fun time for us.  Not only were there gifts, but there was always wonderful food, beautiful China, and most importantly Family.  I will never take fore granted the Holidays at our home.  As we have grown older and matured in our own lives, Christmas has changed some, but not the feeling of walking into Mom's house and seeing all the decorations and trees and food and presents and so on.  It's definitely a feeling I want to pass on to my little girl!

There's been many times in my life where I have been wronged (who hasn't) and I can say that I've always had my Mom to walk me through it.  Of course, there's also been times where I have been wrong too, and she's definitely walked me through those as well.  I've always appreciated the fact that I wasn't a pedestal child.  I've never been portrayed as perfect, and I've always been accepted when I've failed.   I certainly hope I can be so true with myself when Emme is growing up.  I don't ever want to watch her grow with blinders on!

This Fall, my Mom and Grandmother joined Shannon, Emme, and I for vacation in Florida.  I have always known my Mother's love for the beach, so I was quite excited to have them with us.  It was a wonderful week, a rare time when we could spend Mother/Daughter time without anyone else (remember I have 3 Sisters).  I enjoyed the vacation so much because we spent everyday on the beach just chatting, just the two of us.  Don't mistake me, I thoroughly enjoy our big Family times (there are 19 of us total), but it's definitely not the time to have one on one conversation.  It really meant a lot to me that my Mom would take the time out of her busy work schedule and also her vacation time, to spend a week with us.  Of course, who in their right mind would turn down a week at the beach?

I could go on with more stories, but I think we all get the point.  Mom, thanks for the sacrifices, love, and time you have put into making me who I am today.  I, am Thankful, for you.

Surgery, Take 3.

Well folks, we did it! We made it through three surgeries in three weeks.  I'm really surprised at how well Shannon has done.  I know that I have given him a hard time through my blog about how bad of a patient he is, but truthfully, he isn't all that bad.  Anybody who knows Shannon, knows that he can be a little high maintenance at times, but seriously- I think he has earned a "trooper" badge in my book.  In fact, I think I've earned one too.  I'm not sure I know too many people who would be so patient through something like this.

Last night on the way to Louisville, we stopped at Rafferty's in Bowling Green to eat dinner.  After we got back in the car to finish the drive, I felt a little sad.  I know it sounds weird, but I'm kind of sad that this whole ordeal is coming to an end.  For the last three Wednesday's, Shannon and I have basically had a "date night."  Some may not think it's that big of a deal to stop and have dinner with their husband, but we rarely get a night to ourselves that's child-free.  I think I can count on one hand the times that we've had that chance.  So there ya go, selfishly, I've enjoyed part of this journey because I have been able to have a kid-free dinner with my husband.

Another sadness I realized today is that we have become very friendly with several of the staff at the hospital.  I know you all will be so surprised that Shannon made friends with everyone we came in contact with, but the staff at the hospital was truly one of  a kind.  I must tell you their names, just because if anyone from Norton Brownsboro reads this, they'll know how much we appreciated them.  Wilma was the waiting-room-one-of-a-kind-nicest-lady-I-ever met person; Mary was the absolute best about getting Shannon ready for surgery especially because she kept him laughing (or maybe he kept her laughing) prior to go time; Ann was the best pre-surgery nurse who tortured (not really) Shannon by inserting his I.V. and asking all the fun questions; and then there's Jason who was so kind post-op to my overly dramatic husband.  I don't think  we could thank you enough, and I promise Shannon will be by to share with you the results of his surgery.  Of course I can't end this paragraph without saying another "thank-you" to Dr. Todd Shanks.  Thank you for giving my husband the opportunity to find some normalcy again.

Before surgery today, Wilma (the receptionist in the waiting room) came to tell me we had visitors.  I had no earthly idea who it could be.  About a month ago, Shannon sang in Lawrenceburg, KY for Pastor Rick Clark.  Donnie and Shirley are a part of that church.  Today, they took time out of their day to stop by and pray for Shannon and just visit before surgery.  It was such a blessing to our day.  Thank you both for coming by this  morning.  It really meant a lot.

With all of that being said, I am truly happy that this over.  It's been a LONG three weeks for me, and I know it's been even longer for Shannon.  Shannon's heading back out on the road this weekend (with a little help of course) and I know he is more than ready to sing again.  I will tell you he has kept his voice in shape by singing for the entire operating room the last two weeks.

Well, I guess that's about it for now.  I can't end without saying "thanks" to all of our Veterans today.  Thanks for your service and sacrifices!