We have a College Graduate!

Our first born graduated from the University of Houston - Clear Lake on May 15, 2016, with a bachelor of science degree in biology! Can I just say what proud parents we are! It took him 7 years, but that's okay! He plans to teach science and coach. 

That night, as I lay in bed, it really hit me that nothing would ever be the same again! He would soon begin this new chapter in his life.  A new job, moving out, beginning his own life. I'm not ready, although he's 25, to let him go! I never imagined how hard it would be to cut those apron strings. Needless to say, I cried for hours. He came home later, laid next to me in the bed, as he often did as a child. He assured me I'd always be his number 1.  He may think that now, but once he's married, I know his wife will take that place, and rightfully so. 

We attended graduation, accompanied by Tyler's girlfriend and her parents, then celebrated with dinner at Pappasitos. Here's a few pics of this grand occasion! Party post to follow. 

We love you Tyler Sean Rhone and are so proud of your college graduation! 🎓

Mother's Day 2016

Mother's Day.  A day we set aside, always in May, to honor our mothers. Most Mother's Days I just choose to rest, nap, etc. A day to "just do nothing", which to me is very pampering! More pampering than going to the nail salon, massage, etc. 

This Mom's Day, Tyler was working at Floyds so we chose to go there for a late lunch and have him serve me. It was very special. The moms were being presented with a carnation. Ty brought be out three. The food was great, served by the cutest waiter ever, followed by an afternoon nap! 

Here's a pic of me and the reasons I get to celebrate Mom's Day!  (left to right, Jake, Tyler)

Look at those handsome boys! I'm the luckiest mom in the world. Not only are they handsome. But they are good boys that love and protect their mom!  If we've done anything right in this life it was having and raising these boys! 

They presented me with a live plant, fresh flowers and lots of love!

They really are the sweetest! I sure miss being able to celebrate this special day with my Mom and Grandma. Imagine what Mother's Day in Heaven must be like! All the moms gathered around Mother Mary!  Thank you, Jesus, for giving me these two boys who call me Mom!

My take on Selfies

Selfies. Is that even a word? I'm sure Mr. Webster would say no, but the Urban Dictionary is sure to have a nice definition. 

Do you have days you just feel pretty? Or you just feel like you are confident. If you're like me, most days I feel far from pretty, much less confident. Most days I feel just "thrown together", a weak attempt to look decent enough to be seen in public. Ask my kids, when at home, I'm in what they call my "uniform", one of Brian's oversized tees and underwear, yep, that's it! Oh, any my slippers. 

So, I decided I'd start taking a selfie on those rare days I felt pretty, or if not pretty, at least "put together".  I think it's funny. I think it's fun. I think it does capture the confidence on those rare days! Try it! You can delete them you know! (Believe me, I've deleted plenty!)  I even started sending a few to Brian. He loved them. Now he even says, "where's my selfie for the day?".  Here's a few of those days I felt confident enough to capture myself! 📸

Selfies. On the days I felt sassy, pretty, put together, or even just presentable! I've always looked in the mirror and just saw the flaws. Doing these selfies has made me realize although I'm not perfect, definitely not a beauty queen, I am Enough! Enough confident, enough pretty, enough because this is who God made me! 

And, I've decided I'm also "enough" on those days I'd dare not take a selfie! Learning to love yourself can be a liberating thing!

So, take those Selfies! Don't be ashamed! 

Just Say No

In March of this year, Jake and two friends were asked to help the League City Police Department with their campaign "Just Say No" to drinking and driving. It was a privilege for him to participate. And I received a message from one of the officers telling me what a fine young man he is and what a pleasure he was to work with! Big Mom smile! Here's some of the pics to be used in the campaign. 

Look at my sweet GIANT boy! Mr. Rocky! I'm one proud Mom! I just love this boy, he keeps my heart full! ❤️

Just Say No!

Granny's Fall from Grace, I mean Garage!

The call you always dread getting.  "Mom has fallen, I called an ambulance". Poor Granny. She was heading out the door for a doctor's appt. and fell getting out the door to the garage. The step down using her walker caused her to become unbalanced, hence the fall. She broke her Tibua (big bone) in lower leg, right below the knee. She's 84. Not an easy fall at her age. Here's a pic of her leg. Nasty!

She was admitted under observation to the hospital. They were controlling her pain with morphine pushes through a heplock. A nasty break. Ortho doc said no weight on that leg for 3 months. Sigh. Now what do we do? She was already feeble and using a walker. This was not her first fall. How does an 84 year old lady manage any mobility with a no weight bearing leg. At first, the bed pan sufficed for her potty needs. But, we soon came to realize that once she said she had to go, there wasn't enough time to wait for the aids and/or nurses to come help. I was with her the most and due to my back surgery I was not able to lift on her to assist with the bed pan. She, being old, in pain, and on pain meds, could not help lift herself. So, we decided the best option was to place a diaper, unfastened under her. Much easier to pull that out than change sheets on bed. She was in the hospital 7 days. By the end of 7 days she was now wearing the diaper, fastened, to prevent leaks. Moving her to change her bedding caused her too much pain. 

We knew she could not go home. No one was able to be with her 24 hours a day as everyone has jobs. Even if someone could be with her, we knew we could not care for her in this condition. What to do? Thankfully a family friend helped get her into the hospitals rehab unit a few floors down. Now, let me back up, when she was admitted the day of her fall, she was admitted under observation. Medicare would not approve a skilled nursing center (nursing home for rehabable patients) unless her admittance status was changed to in patient care. No one wanted to change this status. But God took care of that! The next day, her blood work showed a UTI that required IV antibiotics and her O2 was low requiring oxygen. Then later that day her blood count was so low she required two units of blood. Status changed to inpatient! What a relief!  So, after 9 days in the hospital's rehab unit, she was then transferred to a skilled nursing center. The Regency House. With recommendations, high ratings, and a visit to the facility, this was where Brian decided for her to heal and rehab. (Brian has power of attorney for all of her finances and health needs.). The reason for wanting her admitted under "skilled nursing" was because Medicare would pay for 100 days. Because the facility we chose didn't accept Medicade her portion is about $40 a day. Having to admit her under "custodial" would have meant the facility receiving her whole monthly income. Now, if she's not ready to go home after the 100 days and Medicare won't approve more days, then that's the route we will have to take. It can be reversed once she leaves. We just pray she will heal enough to bare weight and will be able to walk again. Even if she physically can walk, will she? Will the fear of falling again be too big for her to try? She can't stay home alone if she can't take care of her basic needs, toileting, transferring from bed to chair, etc. so then what? Bring her to our home for us to take care of? Hire someone? Continue long term nursing care in patient. Tough decisions to be made eventually. Everyone, especially the elderly, just want to be at home. As of today, July 8, doc says bone is healing, but slowly. She fell 4/12/16. 

On day at a time. That's all we can do. So far, she's been ok being in the facility. Here's a few pics. I'll do an update post later. 

Day 3 in hospital. Therapy got her out of bed in a chair. She was in so much pain and out of it!

Day 10, in hospital rehab unit

Day 13, therapist trying to get her to stand on one leg. 

After she got her cast, sexy granny!

Our visit Memorial Day Weekend. She looks so much better!

Go Granny, Go get well!! We love you!

The Women of Lockerbie

A mother from New Jersey roams the hills of Lockerbie Scotland, looking for her son’s remains, which were lost in the crash of Pan Am 103. She meets the women of Lockerbie, who are fighting the US Government to obtain the clothing of the victims found in the plane’s wreckage. Determined to convert an act of hatred into an act of love, the women want to wash the clothes of the dead and return them to the victim’s families. A poetic drama about the triumph of love over hate.  

Jake had the pleasure of playing a role in this UIL production of The Women of Lockerbie. Very touching. Jake performed excellently, as always!

I just love watching this boy! He injects his own sweet personality in to every part he plays. 

The whole cast of The Women of Lockerbie. Excellent performance!