My Dear Sweet Mom-in-Love

It was February 12, 2011, and the family came together to celebrate her 91st Birthday.  Jessica brought Andy home so she could meet him for the first time as well.   All the siblings and spouses were together for dinner at Olive Garden.  Then, we came back to Atria for a wonderful little party to celebrate her birthday.  It was a very memorable weekend, indeed!

Today, as I write this post, I have a heavy heart.  We got a call from Ken early this morning that she had suffered a pretty bad stroke.  At this writing, about all I know is she pressed her Emergency button and they found her on the floor by her bed at about midnight last night.  She spoke two words that were understandable and then now can not speak.  Her right side seems to be paralyzed.  The doctors are saying she has "issues" and continue to run tests.  Also, as I write this, Keith is on his way to Sterling Heights, and trying to "beat" this bad snow, sleet, ice storm headed into Michigan in just a few hours.  I pray he beats this storm, and the Lord will give him traveling mercies.  Praying the Lord to comfort Vivian and may the Lord's will be done in her life.  She has come through some hard storms herself in the last couple of years.  God, just lift her up today and put your loving arms around her and give her a peace that passes all understanding. 

We, as a family, would really appreciate your prayers as well.  Thank you all for your years of love and friendship and prayer support.  I will try to keep you all updated as we find out more.  Thank you all for your prayers.

Wow! It's already February!

Wow!  Christmas came and went.  New Years came and went.  Keith has turned another year older, since I last wrote on here.  Jess has also turned another year older, just this week.  But, twenty-five years ago today was the day we went to pick up our beautiful baby girl, Jessica Lynn.  How blessed we have been!  I'll never forget that day.  The day previous to this, there had been an ice/snow storm.  Our case worker had called the day before and asked me, "How ready are you for a baby?"  I replied, "Well, we'd just have to get some diapers and bottles.  My sister had a baby the previous October and had some things we could use that her baby girl had grown out of already."  He replied, "Well, we have a baby girl for you."  "YOU DO?!?"  "Do you think you can come here tomorrow and pick her up?"  I said, "We'll DEFINITELY BE THERE!"  He asked me if I thought Keith would be able to get off work.  I laughed and said, "Oh yes, he'll be able to get off work, for sure!"  The next day, February 6, 1986, our lives changed forever.  Thank You, Lord!

Then, we held her in our arms for awhile, we held her hand for another while, and now she's on her own and in a dating relationship with Andy.  The Lord has been so good to have blessed her in so many different ways.  For that we are so thankful.