Update on Kim :-)

 

 

Day 21, December 10, 2013

Posted 8 hours ago

PROGRESS!!!

Physical therapy worked with Kim this morning and she did very well. With support, she was able to sit on the edge of the bed for a short period of time. She was able to hand a stuffed toy or ball to the therapist when asked. Her special uncle, who has put everything aside to be with her every day, was able to participate in the therapy. She made him very happy when she threw her therapy ball to him - many times. Randy and I also were able to be a part of this progress this afternoon when she threw her ball to each of us several times.

When she is more alert because the heavy pain medications are wearing off, she seems to want to communicate with us and her nurses. Because her jaw is wired shut, she can't speak to us. We try to ask yes/no questions and have her point to yes/no on the word card she has. Her uncle tried having her write what she wanted on a white board. She could hold the marker and did "write" something, but I could not decipher anything. For now, it's mainly a guessing game to figure out what she wants, but the fact that she is trying is progress.

The ophthalmologist took out the suture in her left eye. The swelling has come down a lot. She will be given ointments and antibiotics to help with the healing. There was some reaction to light in her left eye, but it is too early to determine its condition. Her right eye still is continuously dilated, but she has at least some vision in it.

Over all, a very positive day! It's been three weeks since the accident-she has come a long way. Thank you, Heavenly Father, for what you are doing for our precious Kim!

daybook 12/6/2013

 

{the Popper & Tim at the Kate Shelly Farm, 2004}

 

For today, Friday, December 6, 2013

{Happy Birthday to Mary! Tim’s sister}

Outside my window... bare, brown grass and a mass of frigid air!   AccuWeather says +1F with a RealFeel of –14F.    But I am thankful to be out of the ice storm’s path.

Hearing... children stirring {time for breakfast!}

Pondering... how fast I can write this post!  and can you believe it’s December?!

Praying... for Tim’s 18yo niece Kim who is still in ICU but showing MUCH more progress since Thanksgiving Eve – how timely is that?!  She had her first surgery Wednesday, and her second is scheduled for today!

… for our own college kids.  Girls have started final 2-week block, and Daniel has final tests next week.  {not sure about 9-week leftovers for the girls… but I know Kate has semester-long class projects to finish up}

… for Taylor undergoing a 4th round of testing today, hoping for better results

… for Denise, undergoing both physical and relationship stress

Thankful.... for Kim’s recent progress in healing.  Still a long, long road to travel.

… for our faithful Suburban getting us where we needed to go yesterday in the cold, and dry roads to get there and back.  Again today, Lord willing.

… for answered prayer for the A Family finding a new, more ideal job – near extended family! {Should get visas to remain in that huge country on the other side of the world}

Creating... lists.  Secrets.

Meanwhile, ingredients for finishing the pillow and garland are here.    As well as a bag of large marshmallows for a favorite easy treat ;-)

{Conny, Mimi could help you make these!}

{marshmallow puffs ~ Taste of Home}

Going... out with Tim.   It will be worth braving the cold, right?

Reading... Revelation

Looking forward to... more good news about Kim, Christmas, a new year {yep, same list!}

In the kitchen... I intended to cook a turkey this week {today} – however it is still in the freezer.  Next week perhaps.  Meanwhile in the fridge we still have leftovers of turkey from our friends.  And a couple baked sweet potatoes from Sunday {lunch?}  Last night’s leftover taco soup should serve us well on Sunday, especially if I add more broth, tomatoes and meat to stretch the overabundance of corn in it.  The kids will have pizza tonight of course.  I hope to have a chicken chimichanga!

Chocolate products are accumulating… waiting…

In the learning rooms... the Popper worked hard over Thanksgiving’s grace week to catch up on the rest of her subjects!  Yay!  She even finished her research paper early.  :-)

Around the house... we are tidied up {and the Cowgirl has even been dusting!} in preparation of both Christmas tree and the piano tuner who is coming this morning!

The Mother Load...mop floors while they are still ‘vacuumed,’ the usual ironing, Christmas prep {including letter/cards?!}, November reports, finishing gifts…

Noticing that... Tim is both an awesome husband and father <3

Something fun to share... later!  Secrets now…

A encouraging quote for today...

The greatest freedom is found in slavery to Jesus Christ…. We’re all slaves.  The question is to what and to whom.

~Nancy Leigh DeMoss, Revive Our Hearts radio

One of my favorite things... delphiniums

A few plans for the rest of the week... running errands in town today, dinner and shopping with Tim, seeing how big of a tree Tim and the kids bring home tomorrow, enjoying the choirs’ cantata on Sunday.  Continuing the countdown until the college kids start arriving home!

A peek into my world... November 27, a mere 21 years ago.

 

~.~.~.~.~

Giving credit where credit is due:

While I am not linking up with anyone, you could read more weekly news posts at other blogs by following any of these links:

• Peggy at the Simple Woman’s Daybook

• Julie for adapting this daybook version as her own ‘Grasshopper Days’ ~ Perhaps I could call it the GHV Daybook. :)

• You can also find a similar weekly meme in Happy Homemaker Monday at Sandra’s

~.~.~.~.~

Take heed to the ministry which thou hast received in the Lord,

that thou fulfil it. Colossians 4:17

Giving Thanks to God

 

Thanksgiving Proclamation
President George Washington
City of New York, October 3, 1789

Whereas it is the duty of all Nations to acknowledge the providence of Almighty God, to obey his will, to be grateful for his benefits, and humbly to implore his protection and favor, and Whereas both Houses of Congress have by their joint Committee requested me "to recommend to the People of the United States a day of public thanksgiving and prayer to be observed by acknowledging with grateful hearts the many signal favors of Almighty God, especially by affording them an opportunity peaceably to establish a form of government for their safety and happiness."
Now therefore I do recommend and assign Thursday the 26th day of November next to be devoted by the People of these States to the service of that great and glorious Being, who is the beneficent Author of all the good that was, that is, or that will be. That we may then all unite in rendering unto him our sincere and humble thanks, for his kind care and protection of the People of this country previous to their becoming a Nation, for the signal and manifold mercies, and the favorable interpositions of his providence, which we experienced in the course and conclusion of the late war, for the great degree of tranquility, union, and plenty, which we have since enjoyed, for the peaceable and rational manner in which we have been enabled to establish constitutions of government for our safety and happiness, and particularly the national One now lately instituted, for the civil and religious liberty with which we are blessed, and the means we have of acquiring and diffusing useful knowledge and in general for all the great and various favors which he hath been pleased to confer upon us.
And also that we may then unite in most humbly offering our prayers and supplications to the great Lord and Ruler of Nations and beseech him to pardon our national and other transgressions, to enable us all, whether in public or private stations, to perform our several and relative duties properly and punctually, to render our national government a blessing to all the People, by constantly being a government of wise, just and constitutional laws, discreetly and faithfully executed and obeyed, to protect and guide all Sovereigns and Nations (especially such as have shown kindness unto us) and to bless them with good government, peace, and concord. To promote the knowledge and practice of true religion and virtue, and the encrease of science among them and Us, and generally to grant unto all Mankind such a degree of temporal prosperity as he alone knows to be best.

 

 

 

As a historical aside, you might like to read an article summarizing the debate that preceded this proclamation – available here.

 

 

May you have a joyful Thanksgiving holiday ~

We are truly blessed and ought to give thanks to God.

November 27, 1992–2013 = 21 years!

 

 

 

I am blessed to be loved.  <3

  

daybook 11/27/2013 <3

 

For today, Wednesday, November 27, 2013

Outside my window... sunshine and blue skies, but the bank’s time/temp says 12 degrees F. at 9:30am, headed for a high in the 20’s.   Baby, it’s cold outside!

Hearing... Mr. Howe teaching science class {the Popper’s}.

Pondering... what to do, where to go, when?  I do know who to go with!  <3

Praying... for Tim’s 18yo niece Kim who is still in ICU and not showing much progress this week.  Which the doctors say is to be expected, but still… :-(

…and for our own college kids.  The girls finish their 9-week block next Tuesday, so it’s time for them  to finish projects and prepare for final tests. 

Thankful... for our Soup, Pie & Praise evening at church last night ~ good food and good fellowship and great testimonies of God’s goodness.

…and for opportunities for our college kids to be with new friends or extended family tomorrow.  The girls are staying at Grandma’s house along with several cousins this week.  Daniel’s church in NC is hosting a dinner tomorrow ~ and one of the ladies there emailed to ask for a favorite recipe to make for Daniel.  They are blessed.

Creating... I’m ignoring the pillow project for now.  And other projects are still secrets.  Today a friend has agreed to help me with a different project…

turning this paper

into something like this

{photo sources:  sistersnest on etsy & pottery barn kids}

Actual inspiration for the project came last Christmas from a friend on facebook who had a photo of their Christmas tree with a garland hanging across a window nearby.  So I bought the paper last winter on sale at Hobby Lobby and tada!  Jill and her Cricut are going to help me make it happen! 

Now where to hang it?

Going... to Thanksgiving dinner at the home of friends tomorrow.

Reading... 1 John; Basher Five-Two

Looking forward to... good news about Kim, Christmas, a new year {yep, same list!}

In the kitchen...  tomorrow we will whip up some applesauce, green bean casserole, rolls, honey butter, and an apple pie {which is conveniently in the freezer already}.

We had our first Thanksgiving {& Christmas} dinner at my brother’s on Sunday; Monday – Madison County Chicken; Tuesday – I made a creamy chicken & wild rice soup {yay! for leftovers!}; tonight – pepper steak hopefully {didn’t take meat out of the freezer until this morning}

In the learning rooms... Everyone likes to watch class with Mr. Howe!

Around the house... an artificial tree in need of ballast before it makes its home outside on the front porch.

The Mother Load... errands in town, laundry, schoolwork, accounting, seasonal projects, cleaning, ironing, more laundry, deeper cleaning, blah blah blah

Noticing that... One should not attempt to pour soup where one does not want to clean up a mess.  Not like I did that yesterday or anything.

Something fun to share... Picaboo has a 50% off sale through Sunday.  Happy Black Friday!

A favorite convicting quote for today...

“An idol is anything that you think will save you from what would be your ‘functional hell’.”

We all have our idols. Yours might be different from mine, but we all have something that we look to that we think will satisfy us when this God who made us is where we will find fullness of joy.

~Paula Hendricks  via Revive Our Hearts 10/17/2013

One of my favorite things... this collection of photos now hanging on the wall!

A few plans for the rest of the week... projects, Giving Thanks and having fun with friends, shopping for flannel on Black Friday {and groceries!}, celebrating our anniversary, watching Daniel’s concert via live streaming

A peek into my world...

       

 

~.~.~.~.~

Giving credit where credit is due:

While I am not linking up with anyone, you could read more weekly news posts at other blogs by following any of these links:

• Peggy at the Simple Woman’s Daybook

• Julie for adapting this daybook version as her own ‘Grasshopper Days’ ~ Perhaps I could call it the GHV Daybook. :)

• You can also find a similar weekly meme in Happy Homemaker Monday at Sandra’s

~.~.~.~.~

Take heed to the ministry which thou hast received in the Lord,

that thou fulfil it. Colossians 4:17

O give thanks unto the Lord; for he is good!

 

 

Oh that men would praise the Lord for his goodness,
and for his wonderful works to the children of men!
For he satisfieth the longing soul,
and filleth the hungry soul with goodness.

Psalm 107:8-9

 

14.  N – Neighbors.  Like Mr. Jensen who recently brought us more firewood.  Cut and split.

15.  O – Opportunities.  To speak truth.  To show love.  To forgive.  To be forgiven.  To learn.  To pray.

16.  P – Patience & Promises of a good and faithful God.  Perspective.  Provision.  Peppermint tea.  Piano music!

 

Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.

Beloved, if God so loved us, we ought also to love one another. 

I John 4:10-11

 

17.  Q – Quiet times.  When I remember that God has it all under control.  or just when all the kids are outside working or playing.

18.  R – the Rettigs.  And other missionaries we count as friends, who will probably spend the holiday season overseas apart from extended family.  Reunions.  Rest.  Reading.  Recipes.  Romaine lettuce.  Really.

19.  S – Snow.  But hopefully it will come after we’re home from running errands.  Smoothies.

20.  T – Tim.  <3

21.  U – U… why can I think of nothing but that?  You know, long johns.  :-)

Oh yes!  UNlimited texts via USCellular! 

 

What are YOU thankful for that begins with a U?

 

[source]

daybook 11/20/2013

 

For today, Wednesday, November 20, 2013

Outside my window... it is overcast and breezy with a few sprinkles of rain.  Potential snow tomorrow night.

Hearing... the Popper practicing memory verses.

Pondering... how quickly a life can change.

Praying... for Tim’s 18yo niece Kim who was in a major car accident yesterday afternoon – hit broadside by a semi.  She is stable in ICU and the doctors are hopeful, but she has a long, long road to recovery. 

Thankful... for the life-saving protection of an old Buick.

Creating... ? I bought this Christmas placemat thingy at $General to maybe put on a pillow cover, but the center will need additional embellishment.  Or removal.  Methinks this is not the quick project like the leaf pillows others have made.

Going... to celebrate Thanksgiving & Christmas with my extended family this Sunday!

Reading... 1 Peter; One Candle to Burn

Looking forward to... good news about Kim, Christmas, a new year

 

In the kitchen... still apples to deal with, but I think I will wait until Saturday to bake pies for Sunday.  {procrastination?}

I did bake about 128 butterhorns last Friday – and put them in the freezer.  Also mixed up some extra cinnamony honey butter ~ with portions set aside to ship to my college kiddos along with a bag of frozen butterhorn rolls.  {Their care packages should arrive today, the Lord & the USPS willing.}

    

Menu ~  we’ve had ham/potato casserole, baked taquitos, and broccoli cheese soup.  Tonight ~ BBQ biscuits.  Tomorrow ~ leftover beef roast?  Friday ~ calzones?

In the learning rooms... I’ve requested the movie Cromwell through inter-library loan since we are up to the Puritan Revolution {English Civil War} in history.

Around the house... the usual dust bunnies ~ and several packages ready for Sunday!  :-)

{Yes, I indulged my want for baker’s twine ~ 40% off at Hobby Lobby, thank you very much!}

The Mother Load... banking, accounting, check schoolwork, make pies and cranberry sauce for Sunday.  And of course, there’s laundry, ironing, and cleaning et al

Noticing that... how the mighty are fallen.  Because they are but sinful men.  And there, but for the grace of God, go I.  Take heed.

Something fun to share...

My daughters want something like this to hang in our basement library/family room.

 

$42 on etsy

or $12 unpainted on e-bay in a different font ~ What would you choose?

 

 

A favorite quote passage for today... from Leonard Wibberley’s The Mouse that Roared:

‘I hope,' said Gloriana warily, 'that you are not going to suggest that I marry the American minister because I won't do it. I've been reading about the Americans in a women's magazine and they're all cruel to their wives,'

'Cruel to their wives?' echoed the count.

'Precisely. They treat them as equals. They refuse to make any decisions without consulting them. They load them up with worries they should keep to themselves. And when there isn't enough money, they send them out to work instead of earning more by their own efforts. Some of them even make their wives work so they can go to college. They are not men at all. They are men-women. And their wives are women-men. If I am to marry, I want a husband who will be a man and let me be a woman. I'll be able to handle him better that way.'

One of my favorite things... a squash worth cooking

A few plans for the rest of the week... Piano lessons and too many errands, clean the office, make/bake for Thanksgiving meals, and shop-shop-shop for Christmas gifts

A peek into my world...

The cows begin to beller when we open the garage door ~ and gather quickly at the fence.  They like the apples our friends have shared with them!

~.~.~.~.~

Giving credit where credit is due:

While I am not linking up with anyone, you could read more weekly news posts at other blogs by following any of these links:

• Peggy at the Simple Woman’s Daybook

• Julie for adapting this daybook version as her own ‘Grasshopper Days’ ~ Perhaps I could call it the GHV Daybook. :)

• You can also find a similar weekly meme in Happy Homemaker Monday at Sandra’s

~.~.~.~.~

Take heed to the ministry which thou hast received in the Lord,

that thou fulfil it. Colossians 4:17