May. Again.

So, when I said May was a bit crazy, I wasn't kidding. 

My in-laws have a big RV, and decided to make a trip around the US to visit some of the amazing sights and all of their kids and grandkids.  On the stop with Mary and Ryan in Oregon, the week of Mother's Day, my MIL fell and broke her hip and femur.  Surgery, rehab, and a much longer stay in Oregon, and lots of uncertainty made for a very long month.  But Mary is a nurse, and the fact that they were near her and able to be with my in-laws during all this made all of us this far away much happier. 

Exactly one month later, on June 18, she was given the A-OK from her surgeon to return home in the RV.  Their trip home also includes 2 extra passengers: Tommy and Paul. 

 

These amazing men hopped on a plane to help drive the RV and help with the long trip back.

 

It might have looked a little like this:

 

 

 

Of course they will make the best out of this trip, as my sweet husband always does. He will get to go through some states he has never seen, and even some Wal-Marts in some never before traveled states. Even a tough situation. We aren't sure how long this trip will last, and we are praying they make it home safely! 

 

It's Hard to Know Where to Start

When you have taken a "blogging break" albeit unintended, but nonetheless, a break.  Life happened a lot this summer, but not quite in the ways that I thought it would.  I struggle to come back to the blog, as there are a few "events" that I *gasp* didn't blog about, and I hate to make those kids feel unloved.  I am all about chronology, and putting things in the way they happened, so sometimes blogging for me is tough.  But, I need an outlet.  And, my dear readers, all 5 of you, don't have to come along, but I am happy to have you.

Our families have had some issues that has changed quite a lot of what we are focused on, and I guess that when it came to blogging, it took a very far back seat.  My mother-in-law has had such a hard time with back pain that she decided to have back surgery.  Her recovery has been slower than we hoped, and it is such a stress to see her in pain, and struggle to walk.  The surgery went well, and she is finally without her walker or cane, but it is still a while before she will be fully recovered.  She has an incentive to keep going, as she has all her children in the same country this year, and wants to make a road trip to visit them.

My mother decided to have a full knee replacement in June.  That was a tough surgery, complicated with some infections in the skin, but it went very well.  We are so impressed with how well she is walking!  And, mom knows she will need to do the other one at a later date, and will feel more herself when she can walk.  We are so blessed that our family is close, as we all rallied to help after her surgery.  My sisters My sisters were amazing nurses.  My dad had to work, as he is his own boss, so the big sisters kept the pain pills, therapy, meals, and running of the household, as well as their own homes, running so smoothly. We also were able to have all the family together to see her, which is the best therapy around for my mom. 

But the biggest reason for the quietness here, is my younger brother.  Around the end of school, the Best Gregory of all, was diagnosed with ALS, or Lou Gerhig's disease.  It was a long time of testing until it was official, and we were hoping and praying that it was not.  But this has made our family all feel the need to come close, to be here, to see him, to try not to wear him out too much, but to pray and be here.  With all those feelings, we have had visits from the out of town families.  Joe is such an example of how love and suffering go together.  He has always touched lives, even as a little guy, and everyone wants to pray for him.  The grace and acceptance with which he has had with this diagnosis has been so beautiful.  Please pray for him and his family.  It has been quite a lot to process, and the kids seem to ask me if I am crying all the time, because I am. 

But, before any of this happened, our family had already made plans to celebrate an extremely special lady. My mom turns 70 this year (we also have 50 and 40 in our family).  We decided to do a party at my house, and it was another occasion where we could be together.  We were missing some cousins and in-laws, but all 7 kids again!  Longtime friends and family came, and everyone had a wonderful time.  I was a bit stressed out to plan the party, but my wonderful friend Lucia catered, and it was delicious.  The whole family pitched in to help make the day wonderful, with decorations, seating, a slide show, a special cheesecake (who knew that was my mom's favorite?), music, a punch that will knock the bad mood out of anyone, especially Sherman, and support for me each time I called in a panic. 

 

The best joy for me, was that my brother and 3 of his girls came to stay with us.  My kids were so happy to have them, and it filled my heart so much to hear them all together.  One of the girls actually brought a special toy from Vermont for Lucy to play with, as they remembered that she loved it during our visit.  And they left it here for her to have.  What sweetness!

 



 

We also had some birthdays, and a VERY long scout camping trip, as well as a family funeral.  It was a very full summer.  But not the kind that most think of when you say "we were busy." 

 

 

Friends: if you would like to join us in praying for the intercession of Fr. Al Schwartz for my brother, we would appreciate it! 

 



 

Grandma Reynolds Update

Hello to all my prayer warrior friends!  I wanted to give a quick update about my MIL.  She was having a lot of trouble breathing, blue lips, and just very uncomfortable.  She went to the hospital last week, and they decided to keep her, and to move her surgery date up.  She had valve replacement surgery on Tuesday and everything went really well!  The cardiologist said the MRSA infection she contracted last time caused a hole in her valve.  Tommy spent the day at the hospital, and  was able to see her when she finally woke up.  In true Mom Reynolds fashion, she woke up asking about everyone else: the nurses (that she knew by name), the grand kids and the kids of our favorite nurse who is also a Knight of Columbus and a friend of the family.  She was able to leave ICU yesterday and was sitting up and eating.  The nurses have put in all precautions for MRSA again, since she had it last time, though she has been tested and re-tested to be sure she was without risk before this surgery.  She is such an amazing woman, and touches so many lives with her love and goodness, and I am just overwhelmed by the love that has been poured out for her.  We are still praying for a swift and safe recovery!  Thank you for all your prayers!

ETA: She is home!  God is so good!  She came home on Sunday, 10/13!  Pink cheeks and pink lips!  We are so relieved!

Visit with Grandma Reynolds

A visit with Grandma on Mother's Day weekend was the best for our family!  Grandma is in rehab now and doing so much better!  Thanks for your prayers.  We are hoping we can see her for Emma's first Communion next week.  Don't you love the isolation gowns and gloves?