Tie a yellow ribbon on the old oak tree....

This morning began for me about 5:45 am.  The kids and I moved into Mom's house yesterday evening and Luke didn't sleep hardly at all.  He wasn't really cranky, just awake every hour or so.  He even woke Daddy up a few times.  Thankfully, Avery slept through most of it.  At about 6:30 after feeding him again - I decided I should just be up for the day.  

I fixed breakfast for Daddy and Avery and we all sat around the breakfast table (all except for Luke who decided he was tired...) and talked about today's events.  Daddy loves breakfast time and he was very glad to share his table with two morning people.  We were all very excited to have Mom come home!  

After breakfast Daddy headed off to the store and Avery, Luke and I finished getting ready.  Daddy had gone to buy roses for Mom for the house and also yellow ribbons because of an old song.  When Mom saw the yellow ribbons she told me to take a picture of them.  She was also excited about the roses on the table.  

Let me get back to the morning.  Luke, Avery, Daddy and I all piled into the car and set off for the hospital.  We found Mom in her room standing up with her walker and walking around trying to pack.  She was glad we were there to take her home.  Avery was a flutter. Luke's stroller was too big - so we set him outside the door.  While Daddy packed and carted things off to the car - I tried to control the kids.  Mostly Avery.  She has been sick for 3 days before this and other than going through the drive through at Sonic or over to Mom's she has been inside.  She had some energy to let out.  Unfortunately, we didn't know this until we got to the hospital.  When a doctor came by to talk with Mom and Daddy - I took Avery and Luke around the floor of the building.  To distract Avery I taught her to control Luke's stroller (which she cannot see over.)  This came in handy later...

After visiting with her nurse and getting all directions for medications - we went on our way. Daddy wanted to visit all of the people he now calls friends that we have met since our time began at Baylor  8 1/2 weeks ago.  Two of my favorites are on the same floor as Mom at the rehab center.  One lady named Lucy came in because her husband had an accident during the ice storm.  She, Ethan and I got to spend the night at the hospital together and we became fast friends.  The other, Mrs. Berry is a very kind lady!  She also came in because of the ice storm.  Her husband was walking into work and slipped on the ice and bumped his head.  Both ladies have been friends to our family through all of this.  I am very glad to have met them! 

Daddy then thought we should go and see other nurses on other floors - people who helped Mom that she may or may not remember.  He wanted to tell them thank you and also show Mom off.  He wanted to let them know that she is going home and what they did for her got her to this point.  BUT - as we started out for the underground tunnel from the rehab hospital to the regular hospital things began to happen.  

Picture this - Daddy has a plant and coat in one hand and some other things from Mom's room in the other hand.  (His last load for the car.)  I was pushing Luke with my jacket and Avery's across the top of the stroller.  Mom was pushing herself some and I was pushing her, too.  I would push Luke, come back - push Mom, etc.  Avery decided to help and we thought it was best for her to push Luke and not Mom.  So then - we are going behind Daddy and Avery is pushing Luke, I am pushing Mom into the elevator that will take us to the basement.  While we are there - Mom's huge glass of ice water spills off of the stroller we forgot it was on that was pushed by Avery.  Daddy then decides he needs to push Luke and juggle the things in his hands.  Avery goes between us - sometimes pulling on my shirt, sometimes "helping" Daddy push the stroller all the while wearing a CLEAN bed pan on her head.  I can only imagine how we looked. We went to the third floor of Truett first and didn't see anyone at first.  We finally saw one nurse.  At this point - the kids are hungry and tired and so is Mom.  We call it a day and go back down the tunnel to the car.  

We get into the car and it is stuffed with all of the things we have.  Wheelchair, walker, stroller, a plant, etc.  Daddy decides we need to call Heidi.  She needed to be part of the moment, too.  He dials her as he is pulling out of the parking lot, in the backseat I am reading to Avery and Luke is talking (not a quiet car)  -- when all of the sudden -  Mom feels sick.  

We pull over, help Mom and then make other plans for lunch.  The original one was going to Pappadouxs.  We decide to call ahead and get take out.  After getting take out from there we went by a chicken place for tea.  (Really good tea, but Dad noticed that a gallon of tea there costs more than a gallon of milk. - Not sure we will go there for tea again.)  Then home.  We ate a wonderful lunch - all of us at the table.  (Except for Luke who was again - asleep.) 

After lunch I fed Luke and then Mom, Avery, and I tried to lay down to take a nap.  Luke didn't want to sleep - he wanted to talk - so he and Daddy spent some boy time together before Luke decided to lay down, too.

Dinner was more quiet.  Mom still felt sick.  She didn't eat.  Daddy, Avery and I had popcorn and hot dogs.  I went to the store after the kids were in bed.  

At times today I had no idea if I was helping or creating more of a problem with the kids around.  Ethan would have been here - but nobody knew when Mom would get out of the hospital and he had a business trip scheduled for Houston this weekend.  Thankfully - he will be back tomorrow.  

Daddy is who I found myself watching today the most.  We all are a little different because of this event.  I have told Daddy and Heidi that I think the three of us are closer now than we were.  Daddy did what he always does today - he visited.  He laughed, he showed his family off, and he celebrated with anyone who wanted to celebrate.  We are lucky.  So many of the people we met didn't get happy endings.  Mom is one of the lucky ones.  Of course - she is not at the end of her story or her journey yet.  

Mom's therapy today- she got to hold Luke.  She got to get in and out of the car and go home.  When she got home she got out of the car very quickly!  Mom didn't feel well today, but we think that was from motion sickness and trying to do too much packing this morning.  Tomorrow is another day....

On May 2nd (Saturday) we are having a party to celebrate Mom's recovery.  All blog readers are invited.  You have been praying for my mom and we want to thank you.  More will be posted about the event as it gets closer - just save the date on the calendar, please.  It was supposed to be a surprise for Mom, but Daddy couldn't keep it a secret.

As for the blog.  For now I will write.  This week will be filled with eye doctor appointments, physical therapy (maybe done by my husband, Ethan), grand kid time, and other normal everyday things.  I will keep you posted.  

Something you can do for me - I am going to cook for Mom this week especially because I have Spring Break.  I am not a cook.  I have about 5 recipes that I cook all of the time and that is it.  I am needing help to get better.  I am looking for healthy recipes that I can cook and then maybe put in the freezer so that when I am not here on the weekends or in a few weeks - Mom can pull them out and cook them and have a good hot dinner.  SO - if any of you know these recipes - post them on the blog OR e-mail aclark78@hotmail.com.  Also - any tips for storing frozen meals like this?  Thanks so much for your help!