Sunday, May 31, 2009

Quiet Sunday

After a busy Saturday, we've had a very quiet Sunday.

Ron, Mom and I went to lunch at one of our favorite little Mexican places after Mass. When we went in, the TV was on and there was a breaking news crawl across the bottom of the screen about the shooting and death of the notorious late term abortionist, George Tiller. I am sorry that his life ended as it did, and I'm sad for his family, who loved him. I hate what he did for a living, and wonder if he ever thought that what he was doing might be wrong. May God have mercy on his soul.

My cold has me feeling pretty under-the-weather, and I took a nap this afternoon. When I woke up, I re-potted a plant, fertilized and watered others and picked a few tomatoes. Mmm, homegrown tomatoes.

Ron's leaving again tomorrow. It's probably a good thing the kids and grandkids keep me busy. :o) Cyrise has an appointment to go to tomorrow, Aubrey on Wednesday, I have one on Thursday, and Camryn's on Monday next week.

And now I'm off to the store to pick up a few things for Mom.

Pentecost or Whitsunday

Our Lord Jesus Christ, being seated on the right hand of God, sent, as He had promised, the Holy Ghost upon the Apostles, who, after His Ascension, continued in prayer at Jerusalem, in company with the Blessed Virgin, awaiting the performance of His promise.

Let us pray in like manner with the Church: "Come, O Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of Thy faithful and kindle in them the fire of Thy love."

Antiphon at the Magnificat (Second Vespers):
Today were the days of Pentecost accomplished, alleluia; today the Holy Ghost appeared to the disciples in the form of fire, and gave them the gifts of His graces: He sent them throughout the whole world to preach and testify: (Mark 16. 16) that he that shall believe and be baptised shall be saved, alleluia.

Saturday, May 30, 2009

Saturday Smiles

What a nice Saturday we've had! Papa and Reece went to the grocery store while I went to see Mom around noon. Mom and I sat outside on her patio and visited with one of her neighbors, then took Teddy for a walk and talked with some little girls who wanted to play with Teddy. They were visiting their grandmother.

This afternoon, Josh and his family came over for a spur-of-the-moment cook-out. They brought riblets, potato salad and macaroni salad. Our contribution was bratwurst, green beans and rice.

They arrived around 4 PM. Reece and I were in the spa, and Papa had already gotten the grill going. Aubrey joined me in the spa while Reece and Josh played in the big pool.

We stayed in the water until Papa had the meat almost ready, then everyone got out to eat. By then we were famished! Reece wanted to be outside, so he and I ate at the table by the pool. Everything was so good, and Reece and Aubrey liked everything.

Camryn slept the whole time. She looked so cute in a little orange premie hand-me-down that used to be Aubrey's. :o)

I know the kids will sleep well tonight after "swimming." Fresh air, sunshine and exercise makes tired little ones, and tired Gramma, too.

Friday, May 29, 2009

Friday Five

Ron is safely home from Florida.

Teddy looks cute after his grooming. His hair is short for summer.

My cold has moved into my chest and is worse.

Reece spent the night, and has been calling me "sweetheart." :o)

Thanks to physical therapy, I can lift my arms high enough to french braid my hair. Yay!

Have a great weekend!

Thursday, May 28, 2009

Great-Gran Meets Camryn

Another busy day. I've been gone all day, but it was a good day. :o)

I picked up Mom about noon, and we went to lunch at Chipotle, then went shopping for baby things for Camryn. Mom got her the sweetest little gown and some pretty receiving blankets. Not wanting to leave the other kids out, she got Reece some dinosaurs (he's into them lately), and Aubrey a pretty pink and blue ball. They loved their new toys. :o)




I wish I had a picture of Mom's face at the moment she saw Camryn. She drew in her breath and looked at me in amazement, hardly believing how tiny Camryn is.

She held Camryn on her lap the entire time we were there, gazing at her and holding her little hand. She unwrapped her to look at her whole body.








You can get some idea of her size by looking at her beside Aubrey's Glow Worm. Their faces are about the same size!

We stayed about an hour, enjoying the kids and how Josh and Cyrise are such calm, relaxed parents.

I took Mom home, then went back to Josh's to watch the kids while he and Cyrise went shopping and to get something to eat--mostly just so they could get out for a bit.

Aubrey went to sleep right after they left and napped for an hour. Camryn woke up and I got to feed her a 2 ounce bottle of breast milk. She's a good little eater! Reece and I played with his dinosaurs and play-doh and watched Little Bear.

When the kids got back they filled Reece's little pool in the backyard so that he could play in the water, and Josh and I went to the mall. I had promised him I would buy him some summer clothes for his birthday, and we had not had a chance to get them, so that's what we did.

It was after 7 PM when I finally got home. I'm going to crash pretty soon. My summer cold has returned and I feel kind of yucky. I think we're all passing it back and forth.

Teddy has an appointment to be groomed tomorrow, so I'll have to pick him up at 8 AM. He will be at the groomers until around 1 or 2 PM. We've had temps in the 90s lately, so he will be glad to get rid of some of that hair!

Ron gets home tomorrow, but leaves again next week. He's been traveling so much lately.

Wednesday, May 27, 2009

Swimming With Daddy!

I've been on the go all day. I took Ron to the airport first thing this morning, came home and had scrambled eggs with cheese, toast and a cup of Earl Grey for my breakfast, ate while I read emails, then showered, and went to Mom's.





Left Mom's a little after 1 PM, stopped for chili cheese fries and a diet Pepsi for lunch.

Went with Josh to take Aubrey to her physical therapy. I wanted to go along so that I could see how to do all of the exercises correctly. We were there until around 3:30 PM.




When we got back to Josh's, I got to hold Camryn for a little while. I brought Reece home with me because he was clamoring to go to "Gramma's house." His daddy said he would come over in awhile and go swimming.





When we got home we went outside to play, and Reece immediately put his feet in the water, so I went ahead and put his swimsuit on him. He played on the steps with some of his cars until his daddy got here.







Oh my goodness, he was in 7th heaven, playing with his daddy in the pool! They had such a good time.









I know this is picture overload, but I couldn't pick out just a couple that I liked. I love all of them! You can see how much the two of them love each other, can't you?









My son reminds me so much of my dad in some of these pictures. And Reece reminds me of his daddy. The man in these pics is my baby, our youngest child.








Both of my boys are such good fathers. I am so proud of them, because they are doing the most important job in the world, and doing it well.

Aubrey Is One Year Old!

Her birthday was yesterday. Happy Birthday, Baby Girl!

We had a little mini birthday celebration for her last night, with cake and ice cream and presents. The girl is always moving, and I have a hard time getting a good picture of her. :o)

Here she is, in a chocolate cake daze.

Monday, May 25, 2009

Change Of Plans

Well, those Memorial Day plans sure got changed! Instead of a big family cook-out, we got a new grandbaby. :o)

Camryn got to go home today! Reece and Aubrey are still with us, but will go home tomorrow. Josh will be on paternity leave this week.

Kelly and Mike were sick this weekend, so they would not have been here anyway.

So it was just me and Ron, Reece and Aubrey here today. Ron grilled the tenderloin, and I made some rice and green beans. Reece loved everything! Josh came by and took some food home for himself and Cyrise.


We played outside, and Reece and Papa got in the pool for a bit. Reece sure loved that! He went under the water again and again and came up grinning. :o)

I put Aubrey on a blanket in the grass and she had fun exploring, picking up leaves and tasting the pepper that Reece picked. :o) (It wasn't hot).

I'm so glad they are very comfortable staying with us.

They were both sleepy and ready for bed after their baths tonight. They will have a big day tomorrow, getting used to having a new baby sister around. :o)

Memorial Day Remembrance

Ours is a military family, and it is heart-warming to see the honor paid to those who defended our country in the past and present on Memorial Day.

The World War II veteran nearest and dearest to my heart lies in a little country cemetery. I don't get to visit there very often, but I think about him every day, and pray for his soul.

I miss you Daddy, and I love you.

Memorial Day
by CW Johnson

We walked among the crosses
Where our fallen soldiers lay.
And listened to the bugle
As Taps began to play.
The Chaplin led a prayer
We stood with heads bowed low.
And I thought of fallen comrades
I had known so long ago.

They came from every city
Across this fertile land.
That we might live in freedom.
They lie here 'neath the sand.
I felt a little guilty
My sacrifice was small.
I only lost a little time
But these men lost their all.

Now the services are over
For this Memorial Day.
To the names upon these crosses
I just want to say,
Thanks for what you've given
No one could ask for more.
May you rest with God in heaven
From now through evermore.

Sunday, May 24, 2009

Obligatory Baby Pics

Here she is, our little 4 1/2 lb. peanut.
















Mommy and Papa introduce Aubrey to her new little precious sister. They are almost exactly 1 year apart in age. Camryn's bday is May 23, Aubrey's is May 26.












When we first went into the room, Reece went right up to Camryn and gave her a kiss, but of course I didn't have my camera out yet.

Here he is getting a good look at her. He likes her. :o)










And of course her Papa thinks she is just the most beautiful little baby girl ever! (He thinks that about all of his beautiful granddaughters, and he's right)!


*edited to move the "Irish twin" term in case anyone thinks it is a derogatory term. I don't believe it is, but "precious sister" works just as well. :o)

Welcome, Baby Camryn!

Camryn was born at 6:44 PM yesterday, May 23. She weighs 4 pounds 8 ounces, and is 18 inches long (bitty baby). So far she is doing great! Her apgar was 9.9. Her temperature and blood sugar are staying within the normal range. Her pediatrician was there this morning and said that she is very strong. She is nursing and eating well (breast fed, but on supplements to help her gain weight) and has already had 2 poopy diapers. Yay Camryn!

In all the excitement I left my camera at home, but the kids had theirs and I took some pictures. I'll have to get their camera, though. Josh took a few with my phone, but you can't really see her. She has no fat on her. Her eyes, ears and nose look big on her tiny face, but I'm sure her head will catch up with her features soon. She has dark hair.

Cyrise is doing well, and is over the moon about how well Camryn is doing. Ron and I are taking Reece and Aubrey to see her this afternoon. If all continues to go as well as it is now, they will be able to take her home tomorrow!

Thank you all so very much for your prayers. And a special note for Angela--you were praying just as she was being born! Your comment on the last post was at 6:40, and she was out into the world at 6:44. I love that! Thank you, thank you, thank you!

Saturday, May 23, 2009

Grandbaby Seven Will Be Here Today!

Josh called around 11 AM to tell me that Cyrise's water broke. I already had Reece, who spent the night, so I went over and got Aubrey. The kids seemed calm and everything was under control.

I took Reece with me to see Great Gran while Ron stayed with Aubrey. While we were over there Josh called just to let us know that she was in a room and only dilated to 4 cm, so it will be awhile. Cyrise wants me to be there, so when she is about 7 cm, Josh will call and I will leave the kids with Ron and go to the hospital. I'm excited!

Reece and I left Mom's around 1 PM and headed straight into a thunderstorm on the way home. He was so excited by the thunder! :o)

Oh my gosh, Josh just called and said he thinks I should come on up there. I have to wait for Ron to get back with Reece. They went to McDonalds. I'll check in later!

Friday, May 22, 2009

Four Day Weekend!

There was a low Mass yesterday evening for Ascension Thursday, and Ron and I went. There were not as many people there as on Sundays, but it was still a pretty good turn-out for a week night. I'm sure it was mostly the people who go to daily Mass. There was a rosary after Mass, and those who stayed had obviously prayed it together for a long time. Very nice.

Ron will have a four day weekend. He's off today, and Monday is Memorial Day. He is working in the yard today, edging and mowing.

Kelly and I are going hiking on Sunday. She wants to show me a new rugged new place she discovered to hike, so we're going early on Sunday and taking her dogs. I'll have to go to a different Mass, but want to spend time with her, so I'll probably go to the Novus Ordo Latin Mass Sunday evening.

We're planning a cook-out for Memorial Day Monday. We have a pork tenderloin in the freezer, so we may grill that. I may need to get another one, depending on how many people are here. Not sure yet what else we'll have, but we haven't made ice cream in years, so that might be fun (if I can find the ice cream freezer).

Thursday, May 21, 2009

The Cabinet, The Baby And National Security

I finally decided to put the cabinet in the living room. Yesterday Reece and I started filling it with some of his books and homeschool supplies. I want to get a couple of rectangular baskets to put smaller stuff in--things like crayons, scissors, flash cards, markers, glue and paint. With the doors closed the cabinet still looks pretty, but it is so functional, too!

Cyrise had another appointment with the specialist today, so I stayed with Reece and Aubrey. The baby is doing well. They didn't measure her today, so I don't know if she grew, but they did another ultrasound, and the doctor said the blood is flowing well through the cord.

The kids were good for me. Aubrey slept most of the time I was there, and Reece played and played. He was acting out a scene in one of his favorite Little Bear videos, talking to a broom. It was so cute. :o)

I usually don't have the TV on during the day, but turned it on just in time to hear Dick Cheney's speech while I was getting ready to go to Mom's. Wow! Someone needed to say what he said, and he did it with clarity and the confidence that comes when you're speaking the truth from the heart.

I didn't hear Mr. Obama's speech, but I think it odd and rather sly that he scheduled himself to talk about the same subject just before Mr. Cheney's speech, which had been scheduled for months. I have a very hard time being charitable with the new president. I don't like him.

The Ascension Of Our Lord

Forty days after the Resurrection, our Lord Jesus Christ, attended by Angels, ascended into heaven, in the sight of His most holy Mother, His Apostles, and disciples, to the great wonder of them all.

St. Paul declares that God "hath made us sit together in the heavenly places, through Christ Jesus." "There where the Head has gone, the Body is called to follow!"

The Roman Missal, 1962








O Thou pure Light of souls that love!
True joy of every human breast!
Sower of life's immortal seed!
Our Maker, and Redeemer blest!

What wond'rous pity Thee o'ercame
To make our guilty load Thine own,
And, sinless, suffer death and shame,
For our transgressions to atone!

Thou, bursting Hades open wide,
Didst all the captive souls unchain;
And thence to Thy dread Father's side
With glorious pomp ascend again.

O still may pity Thee compel
To heal the wounds of which we die;
And take us in Thy light to dwell,
Who for Thy blissful presence sigh.

Be Thou our Guide: be Thou our Goal:
Be Thou our Pathway to the skies;
Our Joy when sorrow fills the soul;
In death our everlasting Prize.
Amen

God is ascended with jubilee, alleluia.
And the Lord with the sound of a trumpet, alleluia.

Wednesday, May 20, 2009

Reece Got His Ears Lifted

Reece got his hair cut today. Oh my, is that ever an ordeal for everyone involved. He hates having his hair cut. But he sure looks cute. :o)

I had promised him a truck if he was good during his hair cut (I am not above bribery, 'though it didn't work). After our visit with Great Gran, we stopped at Dollar General to look for one. He found some little inexpensive ones he liked, so we brought home 2 trucks and a 4-wheeler pulling a boat and trailer.

I asked him why he cried during his hair cut, and he said, "Scare-wy."

We got fast food for lunch, then came back to my house. After a late lunch, he wanted to play outside, so he brought me my garden clogs. He kept looking at my feet. I think he thinks they are funny shoes. They are very old, but I love them. :o)

Papa was home from Washington DC when we got here. We were glad to see him.

Josh had the afternoon off today (he has to work Saturday), so he went with Cyrise to take Aubrey to physical therapy. I took Reece home when they got back, around 4:30 PM.

Happy Birthday, Ron!

The years between fifty and seventy are the hardest. You are always being asked to do things, and yet you are not decrepit enough to turn them down.
T. S. Eliot


May your birthday be filled with happiness and peace, and no one asking you to do anything! :o)


I love you.

(I'm glad you're flying home and won't be away for your birthday).


God's In His Heaven...

Some days the world overwhelms me, usually when I've been watching or reading too much about the news.

I feel sick about the Notre Dame scandal and that 50% of "Catholics" supported (and still approve of) Barack Obama, despite the fact that he is the most anti-life president in history. It makes me sick that an 80 year old Catholic priest was arrested on the campus of a CATHOLIC university because he protested giving a pro-abortion president an honorary degree, while that same pro-abortion president is given a standing ovation by 90% of the graduating class at that CATHOLIC university. What is wrong with this picture? (Everything).

Not to mention Nancy Pelosi, swine flu, gay "marriage", the economy and all the usual crime and chaos that happens every day.

Then I walk outside and the sky is the most beautiful blue, the air calm and cool, and filled with the scent of the Asian jasmine in bloom under our live oaks in the front yard.

I pray the rosary on the way to Mom's, and a peace comes over me.

I take a nap in the afternoon, and wake up refreshed and ready to bring Reece to spend the night.

We go for a walk around the block, and he finds all sorts of things that interest him and carries home three acorns, a rock and some ball moss (which he calls hair).

We play with his Lightning McQueen stuffed pillow car and some other cars while the movie Cars plays in the background, then we sit at the table and make funny things with Play-Doh. We watch some Pingu videos, talk about haircuts, cats, tigers, bears and dragons, read lots of books and count pennies as he puts them into the piggy bank before bedtime.

Reece falls asleep within minutes of turning out the light, snuggling against me, and I know beyond a shadow of a doubt that this is what matters. And I don't feel so overwhelmed, 'cause this I love and all's right with the world. :o)

Sunday, May 17, 2009

How We Spent Our Sunday

After Mass, then lunch at a Chinese buffet with Mom, Ron and I picked up Reece and Aubrey about 2:30 PM. They were here until around 8 PM, and we had so much fun with them.

Papa was working on the pool, installing a whole new filter contraption, and Reece wanted to be out there with him. He always gets wet. Always. We don't care. He's having a ball. :o)

See that look in the first picture? When he gives me that look, I can't resist him, even though you just know he is getting ready to do something he's not supposed to do.




Like this. He only got his shirt a little bit wet.









The Play-Doh obsession continues. Duplos and Legos are a close second in the obsession department. Here they got combined. Reece insists that I play with the Play-Doh, and he directs while I fashion any number of funky looking characters. He's crazy about penguins. And cars. And he's pretty fond of that flashlight in the background. ;o)



Aubrey enjoyed being outside, too. She didn't even mind that I sat her down on a rain-soaked chair cushion. I thought it was dry; the cover felt dry, but when I picked her up her little pants were soaked.








Oops, maybe she did mind. :o)

We're enjoying the extra time we get to spend with them while their mommy stays off her feet. I'll be with them tomorrow, too.

Update on Baby News

Cyrise did see the specialist on Friday, and the good news is that the doctor did not think she needed to be induced. She wants Cyrise to carry the baby for as long as possible. The baby weighs 4 lbs. 12 oz., a little bigger than her OB had told her. The doctor explained some of the possible reasons for the baby's delayed growth, and told Cyrise to stay off her feet and rest as much as possible, and to try to keep her blood pressure under control.

But Friday night Cyrise was having contractions again, and we kept the kids overnight while they went to the hospital again. She was not in labor, but had done some housework during the afternoon, so the doctor firmly told them that she was not to do anything. Ron and I kept Reece and Aubrey here until around 4 PM today so that she could rest, and we will pick them up after Mass tomorrow.

Cyrise brought home a photograph of the baby's face in profile (from the ultrasound done at the specialist's office), and she looks so much like Reece and Aubrey. Thank you for your prayers; they are working!

Fifth Sunday After Easter

The Church continues to exalt the risen Christ and exhorts us to unite with her in prayer.
The Roman Missal, 1962

Collect for today:
O God, from whom all good things do come, grant to us Thy suppliants, that by Thine inspiration we may think what is right, and under Thy guidance perform it. Through our Lord Jesus Christ who liveth and reigneth with Thee and Thy Holy Ghost, One God forever.
Amen

Today's Gospel is from St. John 16. 23-30:
At that time Jesus saith to his disciples: Amen, amen, I say to you: If you ask the Father any thing in My Name, He will give it you. Hitherto you have not asked any thing in My Name: Ask, and you shall receive, that your joy may be full. These things I have spoken to you in proverbs. The hour cometh when I will no more speak to you in proverbs, but will show you plainly of the Father. In that day you shall ask in My Name: and I say not to you that I will ask the Father for you, because you have loved Me and have believed that I came out from God. I came forth from the Father and am come into the world; again I leave the world and I go to the Father.

His disciples say to Him: Behold, now Thou speakest plainly and speakest no proverb. Now we know that Thou knowest all things and Thou needest not that any man should ask Thee: by this we believe that Thou camest forth from God.

Jesus is speaking more and more plainly to his Apostles, so that they will be prepared to lead the Church after He goes to the Father. Here He makes clear where He came from and to whom He shall return. May we always be able to tell Him with the Apostles, "we believe that you came forth from God."

Thursday, May 14, 2009

Yesterday and Today

Yesterday.

9 AM: I was with Reece and Aubrey while their mommy went to the doctor.

10:30 AM: We went to see Great Gran, who was so happy to see their sweet faces. While we were there, their mommy called to say that the doctor told her the baby has stopped growing and was the same size as she was 2 weeks ago, a little over 4 pounds. Not good news to hear. Baby is still moving around, heart beat is good, but she should still be growing. The doctor has referred mommy to a specialist who will see her on Friday.

11:30 AM: Leaving Great Gran's, she was saying good-bye out in the hallway, watching us leave. When she opened her door to go back inside, Teddy escaped and ran down the hallway the other way. Great Gran was frantically chasing after him. Knowing that it was useless to run after him with Aubrey in my arms and Reece holding my hand, I continued to the car and got them settled in their car seats. I got into the car and drove in the direction Teddy had run, passing Mom on the way. She showed me where Teddy ran. I stopped by the dumpster and made my way through weeds and a drainage ditch to where Teddy was examining something (I hoped not something dead or a snake) in the grass. As I came up behind him he turned and saw me, but (thank you Lord) he stood still. I reached down and snatched him up and gave him a good scolding. He gave me a hangdog look and we returned to the car. I took him back to Mom. She was still standing on the steps to the parking lot, and had not seen me capture Teddy, so when I pulled up she said sadly, "Did he just go on?" I said, "No Mom, here he is." The look on her face when she saw him in the car was worth everything. He was happy to be reunited with her, and probably glad to get away from me as I was ready to clobber him.

12:00 Noonish: The kid's mommy was home from the doctor and daddy home for lunch when we reached their house, so I didn't stay long. I figured they needed some private time. I came home for awhile.

1:30 PM: I picked up Reece, Aubrey and their mommy to take Aubrey to her first physical therapy session. She has a shortened muscle on one side of her neck and holds her head tilted to the side. The therapists are confident that it can be corrected, so we will take her to them every week for the next six months. I'm relieved that the therapy has finally begun. After receiving PT on my shoulder these past few weeks, I've seen firsthand how much good it can do.

3:30 PM: We drove across town, back to daughter-in-law's OB's office so that she could have a stress test done to make sure the baby's heart rate is okay. I waited in the atrium with Reece and Aubrey while she had the test done. It turned out well--baby's heart rate went up and down as it should, and the doctor told Cyrise that the baby is small but well-porportioned. We are still anxious to see what the specialist will say tomorrow.

4:45 PM: We headed for home fighting some rush hour traffic. Ron called to see where I was.

5:15 PM: I dropped off Cyrise and Aubrey and brought Reece home with me to spend the night. He was very sleepy (he only had a couple of catnaps in the car) and still coughing from his chest cold, so not feeling his best but still happy and cheerful. We spent the evening playing, watching videos and Y-Tube (that's what he calls You-Tube), but when it was time for bed, he wanted his mama.

10:00 PM: We called his mama to tell her he wanted to come home. She asked him if he wanted to stay at Gramma's and he said softly, "No." She asked if he wanted to come home, and he said, "Okay." :o) So I took him home and he was glad to be there after a long day.

The end. :o)

Today was a piece of cake. I took Mom to the dentist and we stopped for lunch on the way back to her place. I came home and took a nap. And now I'm going to go plant some stuff in pots.

Wednesday, May 13, 2009

Happy Birthday, Caelen!









I hope all your birthday wishes come true!

We love you.

Happy Birthday, Josh!



















We love you!

Tuesday, May 12, 2009

A New Jewelry Shop

My daughter Kelly has opened a jewelry shop on Etsy. Right now she has handmade earrings and bracelets for sale.

She's still in the process of getting the shop set up, and will have more items listed soon.

Please visit Biologie at Etsy.com to see some of her wonderful creations. Her jewelry is packaged in pretty little ribbon packets and envelopes, also handmade by Kelly. Perfect gifts for someone you love, or for yourself!

Morning Walkabout

I've been so lazy about the yard this spring. I haven't planted anything new, or even pulled old growth out of the flower bed, and yet there are pretty things to see back there.

Oh wait, I did plant a tomato plant in a pot--the larger tomatoes in the picture. But those smaller tomatoes came up from little tomatoes that fell into the dirt last year, so there are 2 different kinds of tomatoes in this pot.

The black Spanish grapes are forming. Soon the grape arbor will be covered with bunches of little purple grapes. These are the grapes we used last year in Lily's wild grape jelly--they are so small and full of seeds they aren't good for eating, but they made delicious jelly.



Do you see the little honeybee visitor in the esperanza flower? These are also called yellow bells, and bloom all over South Texas for at least 6 months of the year.







We've had the plumbago bush for several years. It never has as many blooms as the ones we see around the neighborhood because it is planted under a tree and needs more sun. I love the flowers--especially the color, but also the simplicity of the blooms. They look so sweet and old-fashioned.

Monday, May 11, 2009

Monday, Monday

Reece and Aubrey both have colds, and I've caught it, too. Summer colds are miserable. I crashed about 4 PM and took a nap. Ron came home to find me sound asleep and had a sandwich made with leftovers for dinner instead of the beef curry I had planned to make.

I had an uneventful day--the usual trip to Mom's, Adoration, and then my last PT appointment, at least for awhile. I don't know if my doctor will want me to continue the PT since my shoulder is so much better. There is still a little stiffness and pain, but nothing like it was, and my range of motion is 90% better. I have exercises to do at home, so I may not need to go back. I highly recommend Schertz Physical Therapy to anyone in the San Antonio area in need of PT. The people there are wonderful and know what they are doing.

Our oldest son called last night and we talked for over an hour, catching up on everything. He said that our sweet Lily had to have minor surgery to drain an abscess on her tonsil. A lab test showed that she had strep, which was probably the source of the bacteria that caused the infection. She is doing fine now, thank goodness, and only missed two days of school.

I'll be glad when school is out so that she and her sibs can spend some time with us!