Home is where we laugh the most and are loved the best.

Someone sent me a card with this saying on it.   When you reflect on the words you realize how much you miss your own Mom and Dad.   There is something about that unconditional love that gives you so much support and sense of worth.  I am happy to have the chance to keep giving that unconditional love to Matt and Ashley and especially to Cooper and Cole.   It is heart warming too to see them give that love to there children.   If only we could keep passing that down and laughing together we will be ok.  

A lot has happened

It has been some time since my last entry.   Matt accepted a job in Seattle Washington and we have been through the selling of our house in Austin, packing and sending all our possessions to Seattle, and traveling on Alaska Airlines for 4 hours.  We are here and I must admit it is very peaceful and serene here on Mercer Island where we live.   Ashley and Matt found a great house to lease with 5 bedrooms and a great area for me on the first floor.  The Crowley boys seem to be doing well and for me it is always a great treat to watch them change each day.  Cooper turned 4 years old since we arrived and Cole turned 10 months and I think is on the verge of walking.  Time always seems to fly by.

Well it is quite an experience to be in a new state.   There is so much paper work to find new doctors, get a drivers license and new car plates.  Seattle is hard for me to drive in especially because it is so difficult to find parking.  I am going to hire a car to go to the doctor and get my coumadin checked.  I have finally identified doctors and am working on all the other paper work including taxes. Much more to say later.

Understanding old people when they are sick

It is probably hard enough for our children to understand us under any circumstances but when you are sick it seems to be even more difficult.   Your family has so many things going on in their life and you the sick one has only yourself to focus on in the illness.  Fortunately I can manage my own pills, doctor visits, etc. but little things can drive you crazy for example:
1. Taking pills.   I have to take so many pills just getting them ready every morning wears me out.   You have to take most of them with food so it means finding something you can eat in the Am, noon and at night to take with each set of pills. I have to have my coumadin level checked periodically and this is another challenge to keep track of.   I think it is the routine of carefulness that is so tiring.   It is important to carry your list of medications with you and review them with any health care professional so that you don't mix the wrong drugs.

2. Looking good and feeling terrible.   I try to take care of my hair and clothes and when you look yourself everyone thinks you feel good too.   Not so.   No one wants to go around looking like poor me.  Please don't get me wrong.  I am very grateful for everything my son and daughter-in-law does for me and I love living with them and the grandkids but there are differences and trying to understand them is important at least for the older person who has to really deal with them.  Right now my heart problems are complicated with a fractured disc in my back.   This is really frustrating because you can't bend over, pick up the kids or do regular straightening of your room.   Of course no one but you understands why doing any of that would make you feel better.   Just another thing you have to live with.
3. Finally going to the emergency room is no fun.   I am blessed to have good care givers at Austin Diagnostic Clinic.   My general physician has email and is always responsive to requests and information sent to her.   The cardiologists all take good care of you and Dr. Mejia my cardiologist is appreciated.   But it is very lonely waiting for tests and then next steps.   I am blessed with years of training in meditation and Healing touch and that helps the loneliness.

I hope these rambling thoughts help my kids understand a little about what it is to be old.  I'm sorry they have to go through this with me but I am really glad they are there for me and I thank them for all they do.

jl Alpine Advent Calendar

Every year Coop and I share an advent calendar.  It is a wonderful way to have special moments with your grand children.  This year we are exploring together the Alpine Village Advent Calendar.   We have the opportunity to visit each day in December before Christmas and do puzzles, make stockings, build trans and decorate a big tree all on the internet.   These are colorful and creative opportunities to talk about the meaning of Christmas, Santa, and looking forward to special family events.  It's also a wonderful time to hold your grandchild and hear his ideas about Christmas, the baby Jesus and why his family is important.   Thanks for the creative people who make these opportunities for us.  You can check them out at www.jacquielawson.com   Enjoy.  14 days till Christmas

Thel Elf on the Shelf is Back

Everyday the Elf is somewhere watching if little boys are good for Christmas.  Ashely and Matt are very creative where the Elf is placed and Cooper comes down in the morning and looks for him.   Today the Elf wrapped the Christmas Tree in toilet paper and was sitting in the roll watching out for little boys.  Tomorrow I think he is going to be making pictures on a whiteboard around a family picture.   Cooper is a lucky little boy to have so much fun with his parents.
This was also Dec. 1 so we could do the first day in the Advent Calendar.   It is amazing to see the excitement and innocence in these little guys. 

Thanksgiving 2012

It is wonderful to have a happy family.  I am so fortunate to be able to see the everyday little things like Cole sitting up and hearing Cooper's great conversations with his parents.  Living all together is not always easy but the rewards are so great it makes it all worth while.   Thank you Ashley and Matt.

It's hard for little boys to be patient

Jacquie Lawson animated card web site has a great advent calendar.  They started last year with London and things you could click on for each day in December leading to Christmas.   This year it is the Alpine Village.   Cooper and I love to open each activity but it doesn't start until Dec. 1 and we have a week to go.   Everyday he asks why we can't start.   Fortunately they have a tree you can decorate and a puzzle you can do while you wait.    We also are watching the live feed of the rein deers on the internet and once again we have to wait to see Santa feed them until 5 PM.  More waiting and waiting.   We seem to always be waiting for something.  Patience isn't easy for little boys or families or grandmothers but we know that if we can be patient something good will eventually come if it's worth waiting for.   These are lessons that come up living together and give us a chance to talk about important things.  Cooper is trying hard to be patient.