Two Dumb Dames and a Good for nothing GPS...

Okay, so my BFF ~ Carol Barrett ~ graduated from Sand Springs Beauty College on April 6, 2011 this year as a Nail Tech... now comes the time to take her state boards in Oklahoma City and who else should go with her to be her demonstration dummy but me!

Weekend Adventure... Can I call it that?

Tami, my youngest daughter, and I had a brain storm one afternoon while talking on the phone to one another.  We decided we needed to plan activities for our entire family to participate in this coming spring, summer and fall.  So what better way to do that than to browse through the entire Travel Oklahoma events calendar for the coming year?  We couldn't think of any. 

We listed an activity for nearly every Saturday till the end of October which is as far out as the www.travelok.com calendar had been scheduled.  Had there been something through the months of November and December I am quite certain we would have forged ahead with the planning.  

Seeing that both Tami and I are Free Spirits by nature and feel the need to be doing something new all the time... not to mention we are great and getting others involved in our grand schemes, LOL... we fall short of nothing less then spectacular when it comes to planning activities that are usually memory maker events.  Not that everyone else isn't willing to participate after a bit of coaxing, but as with most things, Tami's and my expectations usually run a lot higher than anyone else.   

Osama... Obama...

So, Sunday night, Loren and I are watching television and the announcement came on the FOX23 Network on the Geraldo Show that President Obama would be addressing the nation on the half hour.  Then about 28 minutes after the hour Geraldo gets word from a correspondent that Osama Bin Ladin was killed by Americans and the U.S. had possession of his body.  I just want to ask at this point, am I the only one who thinks there is a remarkable resemblance between Osama and Obama?  I mean seriously... 

A Note From Ber Oaks...

We have been having some amazing services at Word of Life in Sand Springs, Oklahoma this past year... especially this past few months.  We have been hearing the supernatural anointed rhema word of God.  Speakers like: David Baker, Kim Weir, Doug Jones, David Fleming, Karen Jensen, Larry Mosley, Craig Hagin, ... and our own Chad Stewart.  Wow!  What an amazing message he delivered this past Wednesday.

Recovering... Fun times ahead!

It is amazing to me when you go through something so hard emotionally and mentally, like the death of a loved one... even when you know they are dancing with Jesus... how long it takes to recover physically.  It is exhausting!

Funeral...

The funeral was amazing... there were tears to be sure but there was celebration as well.  We had a great time with the family and friends and the church provided a great fried chicken meal.
  
Later we all gathered at Mommy's home and got to visit.  It was really good to see everyone.

Sunday's Viewing... Funeral today...

Yesterday Loren and I arrived at the funeral home about 20 minutes before anyone else so we took that opportunity to have a private viewing.  I thought it would be a good idea to get that initial look over with before the rest of the family and friends arrived.  I am glad we did, it helped a lot.

Shirley's Viewing and Funeral...

Sunday and Monday will be challenging to say the least.  Sunday is the viewing from 2-8pm.  Loren and I found ourselves in tears several times today.  We just miss our mama so much.  

Face to Face with Jesus...

We got out of Tulsa earlier than anticipated and making better time than usual when I got a call on my cell at 7:24am from Hospice saying that mom (Shirley Ber) was gone.  We were about an hour and a half away from Demotte.  We just were not fast enough to make it to see her one last time before she entered into Glory and now is face to face with her beloved Lord and Savior Christ Jesus.  I just thought that the rest of you would want to know.  Shirley was so loved by all.

Headed back to Demotte, IN...

Loren and I got home last Friday at 2am.  We had just spent a week in Demotte and Crown Point with his brothers and mama.  Shirley was not doing too well when we left and I have been in constant contact with Hospice nurses since our return home.

Shirley Ber... My precious Mama-in-Love...

Loren and I spent last week in Demotte, IN with his brothers and his mama.  Shirley went into inpatient at the Hospice Center in Crown Point a few days before we arrived.  It was her decision to go there.  Before that Terrence and his wife Stefanie had been caring for her in their home.

Wednesday Evening...

Shirley definitely looked a little better tonight. She was trying to communicate and make jokes even though she can't laugh or smile.  She is aware of people being there but can't really participate in the fellowship.

Ahhhh... Internet Access... Shirley Ber update...

First internet service since we left Tulsa, OK.  I luckily have accessed (hi-jacked more likely) a WiFi signal in the area but I'm not sure how long it will last.  Just wanted to update everyone on mommy's (Shirley Ber's) progress.

Leaving tomorrow...

Spoke with Loren's brother, Terrence, tonight and right now there is no change in Shirley.  She isn't any worse and she isn't any better.  She is still on oxygen and Terry said that she is retaining about 17-20# of fluid in her abdomen area and in her lungs.  They have tried diuretics but they are not working.  They don't believe that draining the fluid would be a good solution for her at this time.

Latest on Shirley...

Shirley is still in the hospital.  She has fluid on her lungs and they have told her if they drain it off it will just build back up in a day or two and would have to be done again.  I spoke with Terry, who along with his wife Stefanie and brother David, are up at the hospital with her now.  He told me that Shirley has decided to go another route.

More Urgent News...

A lot of you have been praying for Loren's mama.  We got a message from Loren's oldest brother a few days ago saying that Hospice Care said that she is rapidly declining.  They have given her a matter of days, weeks but not more than a month.

Long Road to Recovery...

I am not sure who it is harder on... the one recovering or the caregiver... but here we are, a little over a month since Mandi's surgery and she will finally be headed back to work on a part-time basis this coming Wednesday.  She won't be released to return fully until March 1, but that is probably for the best.

We're home...

We are so glad to be home.  We made good time and I got butterflies in my stomach just thinking about seeing Loren again.  I miss him so much when we are away from each other.  Loren met us at the airport and drove Mandi home.  The children were so glad to see her. She is doing very well, but still having some pain.  It will take her a while to get back up to par physically but her spirits are good and she is happy to be home.  I will stay with her during the day when the kids are at school and have dinner ready when they get home.  Mandi feels that Tristen can help her at night.  I think she just didn't want me to feel like I couldn't go home.  If I feel like I need to stay I will but tonight I am going home.
I am so tired from traveling all I want to do is go home and sleep.  I will post more later.  Love to you all.

At the Lodge...

Mandi is at the lodge with me now.  I brought her back here this afternoon about 2pm.  She is still hurting but it is tolerable.  She will be sent home with Extra Strength Tylenol and Regular Tylenol for pain.

Up and at 'em...

Mandi called this morning so excited... they put her on a regular diet so she now "can have food you actually have to chew"... she cracks me up... LOL!  By the time I arrived she had just about sucked down an entire egg and spinach omelet.  It has been over five days since she has had solid food on her stomach so eating that much so quickly made her feel like she was going to pop her staples.  Needless to say she didn't get hungry again until almost 4:30pm. Ha!  She had just gotten her meal when I had to leave.

Best Progress Yet...

Mandi called me early today on her own.  She said she wanted a shower.  That is great news!  All IV's are out and so is the Foley Catheter.  They have also taken away the self medicating pump.  She is alert and feeling so much better.  She is only asking for Tylenol for pain.  She is slowly walking to the bathroom and still on a clear liquid diet.

More Progress...

Mandi was a little more alert today but still awake with her eyes shut.  Still has bouts of nausea, but her medication is as low as they can get it without taking her clear off of it.  When I got there this morning she was more responsive and would actually carry on a short conversation.

Out of ICU...

ICU called this morning, Mandi was wanting to see her mama.  I think she likes that I look out for her as long as I don't mother her, anyway I hurried and got myself over there.  She was still in ICU not doing much better than yesterday, but she is doing really well.

Progress...

I slept in a little this morning and then when I woke I dove right in to the Word.  After reading for about an hour I prayed and then put Chris Tomlin "See the Morning" CD on my laptop while I showered.  I drank my cup of detox tea and had a cup of coffee with a shot of espresso and then headed to the hospital.

Surgery...

Surgery today was a great success.  Surgery was supposed to start at 8am but they didn't get started until 9am.  They were done by 2pm, a record 5 hours.  Dr. Broslosky (Dr. B, he is from the Ukraine) came out and told me the team was closing her up and that he successfully removed the large tumor and 4 other tumors for a total of 5 tumors.  He said that the kidney pinked right back up and began to function normally right away.  That's the power of our God.

Indescribable...

How can I tell you what I am feeling right now... I know that everything... and I mean everything is in God's Hands.  I know that He loves Mandi more than I ever could.  I know that I trust Him completely to do His Will and work His Plan in her life.  But still I ache in my heart for her.  The tears stream down my face and I feel as if my heart will break. What I feel is indescribable.

Last day on pass...

This was Mandi's last day of freedom.  We spent it in the room watching television all day.  I am so bored I could scream but she still isn't 100% yet from the migraine she had yesterday so I am keeping my mouth shut and trying my best to relax.

Saturday disappointment...

Mandi and I were so looking forward to having the day off today to go shopping for groceries but she woke up this morning feeling sick with a headache and her throat was sore.  I sent out a mass email asking for prayer and tonight she is feeling much better.  Prayer accomplishes much when we all agree together.

What a way to fly...

Never let it be said that I am not grateful for living in the "land of the FREE and home of the brave" but I have to add that as a free woman I object to only being allowed to carry on board only one quart size bag of liquids on board any given airline.

Especially hard to leave home this time...

At Last... I don't know what was going on with Blogger the last couple of days but for some reason I could not leave a new post.  Just wanted to say... this is trip day.  Today is Tristen's 15th birthday... this is the second time his mama has had to be gone for surgery on his birthday.  She really hates that.  I am doing my final blog before I shut off the lap top and pack it for flight.  Mandi and I managed to get out seats together for all but one of the flights out.  We have most of our seats together coming home too but if not most people are happy to trade with us when they find out she has just had major surgery, so not to worried about that... after all we DO have the favor of God and MAN... right?!!!

Coming together...

Loren worked so hard all day on the living room.  We painted it last night with a real warm gold and today he trimmed out the room and windows.  It is really coming together.  He does such wonderful work and is so detailed.  We have decided to carpet that particular room and just keep food out of it.  We will have the den for family time when the kids are all over and that floor will be wood or tile and food will be allowed in there, after all we live here it isn't a museum...LOL!

Highly Motivated...

Today was a great day... but then just about every day is a great day... We got to go to church again, Tami and Rick and Izzi came and Izzi sat in my lap for most of the service.  Praise and Worship was awesome, Loren interacted with the people and got a chuckle or two.  Then he led us into the most awesome worship and helped to really usher us into the presence of God.  Chad preached a great sermon about growing up spiritually, but even more than that.  He preached about what the Holy Spirit has been dealing with me about for several months now... press in more to God, dive into the scripture more so that I can be spiritually mature and fit for God's use.

Shopping with Mandi...

Mandi and I decided earlier in the week to go shopping together for Tristen for his birthday and to celebrate it early with all the family on the 2nd (tomorrow) since we would be flying to Maryland on the 6th which is his actual birthday.  She called yesterday to tell me that Dillard's was having a big sale... everything with a mark down tag on it was an additional 50% off today.  So we decided to meet out at Promenade Mall at the main entrance... however, I took off and forgot my cell phone.  Big mistake when you are meeting someone else.