Tonight, my parents, siblings and a few friends are joining my family at Babbin’s, a local seafood restaurant. There will be fun, fellowship and alligator appetizers for the adventurous among us. No, it does not “taste just like chicken”. Afterwards, we will be going to my parent’s house for cake. The only ones missing will be RTA and MFA, who live too far away to come (insert frowny face here). I told FMP that this all sounded a bit expensive and he asked me if I intended to turn 50 again. Since I don’t, I had to concede his point. On with the festivities!!
Archive for the 'Children' Category
16
Nov
13
time to party
07
Oct
13
note to self:
People who take two days off from work for “goofing-off purposes” should first make sure the college-aged children have transport.
04
Sep
13
rta and avb update
Well, those who think there is no God or, if there is, He doesn’t care about us, should not read further. It would just make them angry. Today, RTA was announced as the winner in a contest for gear. He had been entering once a day forever. The prize is enough clothing, eyewear, and other gear to get his and AVB’s new company off to a great start. As you may remember, I have been praying that they would have the will, means and help to do what they have planned. Last month, AVB met with a gentleman who is going to supply the means. Today, they got the help. All that is left is the will and they are both full of that. Thank you, Father, we truly are grateful!-TSG
26
Aug
13
a new chapter
This morning, for the first time in twenty-one years, I do not have a child going off to school. RTA is married and soon to be moving closer to Texas. IRP and CPI are going to the college with me this morning to start classes there. IRP has gone before, but this is CPI’s first time to attend class on campus. He has a solid backing of Dual Credit courses from high school to send him on his way.
I am happy that my children have turned out so well, but will miss their younger selves. Well, at least until they begin to gift me with tiny replicas of themselves to spoil rotten.–TSG
11
Aug
13
com’n, take the money and fly!
In true Gaudy fashion, CPI has found a way to make flying a paying venture. His flight was scheduled to stop in Phoenix where he would catch another to Seattle. He was going to call us when he got to Arizona and again when he reached Seattle. When he called, he apologized for not calling from Phoenix and then explained. It seems that the original flight was overbooked and the airline gave CPI a $536 credit for a future flight to wait for the one going straight to Seattle. Since that is what he wanted to do anyway (he didn’t have enough graduation money), CPI was thrilled to wait. As he told me, “I got paid to be convenienced!”.
11
Aug
13
travelin’ man
This morning at about 5:45, we dropped CPI off at the airport. This is his first time to fly and he was dressed for the occasion. As I may have mentioned, CPI has decided to bring elegance back to daily life. Accordingly, he was fully kitted out in a suit and tie. As he walked into the terminal, I was so proud that I was the mother of such a good-looking traveler.
He is on his way to Seattle to visit RTA and MFA. I am sure they will show him a good time. Judging from Facebook pictures, they have been practicing with MFA’s folks, who were in last week. Most of all, though, he is excited to be going somewhere by himself. If he runs true to form for our family, he will not want to stop going to new and exciting places EVER. My grandmother made her last trip in her late 80s to take a river cruise in New England. I have a picture of her taken the day she ate her first lobster.
Have a great time, CPI, as you run towards your wonderful future!
Love,
Mom (aka TSG)
10
Aug
13
a prayer is answered
RTA called yesterday to tell me some very exciting news. As I mentioned a few posts ago, he and AVB are starting a company together and also want to help other veterans. Last week, AVB met with a potential investor to show him the business plan and talk about the non-profit they want to start. This gentleman was very impressed and is going to invest a large amount to help RTA and AVB get started. I am so happy! I hope their business will really take off so that they can help many people.
Thank you, God!
TSG
03
Aug
13
the return of irp
Hurrah! The blockage in IRP’s intestine has resolved itself and she is back home. We are truly grateful for the prayers and well-wishes of everyone. Next week, IRP and FMP will be going to consult with a surgeon about the reversal of IRP’s temporary colostomy. If it pleases God, this will be the end of IRP’s struggles. Oh, how we hope and pray it is!
In other news, my brother is marrying again. He has been married to this woman before and we are very happy to have her and her children back in our lives. As a bonus, she will be gifting us with a baby girl in December. Oh, how we love adding children to our family! The rottenness in our family is unbelievable. And, it all starts before we even see the child’s ultrasound. The moment a child is conceived, we know that s/he is a person with a unique and special purpose. My brother and his fiancée have already refused the test for Down’s Syndrome because it carries a small risk of harming the child. Since nothing will change their intent to have Little Miss HM (of course she has a name), they see no point in risking her life to find out. Other tests that may reveal challenges but carry no risk of harm will be performed so that we may better care for her when she makes her grand entry. We are, of course, praying for an uneventful pregnancy and delivery, but God has a plan no matter what happens. Just because we are not in on all of it doesn’t mean it doesn’t exist.
IRP’s suffering also has a purpose. We are totally in the dark as to what it is. In time, perhaps He will show us. If not, we will trust until we stand before Him and learn all.
Hoping your weekend has started on such a good note,
TSG
30
Jul
13
this is a bad day
Once more, one of RTA’s brothers-in-arms has killed himself. I often joke about “RTA’s ‘little friends'”, but in reality, their association with my child has made them my sons. And now, another of my children is dead. I often hear of programs designed to prevent such things, but they don’t seem to be helping much from my point of view. I can no longer count (although I am sure RTA can remind me) how many he and I have lost. RTA and one of my other sons have an idea that I think will probably be more effective since they have been there. My prayer is now that they will find the funds, the will and the help to succeed. I am willing to do anything to help them. Anything to save my boys. If I hurt this much at this remove, I cannot imagine how RTA and AVB (Andrew of the Volleyball), his business partner, feel.
At the same time, IRP is in the hospital with the doctors trying one more thing to clear the blockage in her intestines before they must operate. She is barely speaking to me because I lost it and yelled at her because she was not following instructions or doing anything to help herself. Since scar tissue is the main cause of her on-going problems, every surgery seems like just a set-up for more trouble. I am praying fervently that it doesn’t come to that.
I thought about starting this post with a question as to how one can sleep all night and wake up feeling as if they hadn’t been to bed at all. I think, though, that I have answered my own question.
All prayers and good thoughts gratefully received,
TSG
26
Jul
13
down and then up
Yesterday, the doctors took another set of scans of IRP’s abdomen to see how things were progressing. There is still some distension of the area of intestine where the blockage was. They were also concerned that she had not passed anything but gas into the temporary colostomy bag. So, they had the tube put six inches further down so that it is now draining from the small intestine instead of the stomach.
For a bit, this made things worse for IRP. The new position of the tube puts pressure on her right eye socket. It was rather painful. Also, her abdomen began to swell again and was very tender to the touch. Finally, we were having trouble controlling her pain in general.
The nurse brought an ice pack for IRP’s eye. Then, she put IRP’s pain medication on an every-four-hour schedule. The result of these two actions is that IRP is now so comfortable that she is sleeping and moving about in her sleep normally. The tube has also done its work and her abdomen is flat once more. Now, we just need her to pass something and we can begin to look forward to her discharge.
Thanks for all your prayers and well-wishes!
TSG
In the Ensuing Panic 
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