Gratitude Sunday :: An Unforgetable Week

Once again I'm joining in with Taryn and friends and I have a lot to be thankful for this week:

On Tuesday it was Benedict's tenth birthday ... double digits, where did the time go?  It only seems like yesterday, that I was calling the labour unit to contact my midwife.

On that very same day, my mum made a call which I thought was to wish a Happy Birthday, but very quickly I realised this was not the case and Dave had the onerous job of telling me that my Dad had been airlifted to Blackpool Coronary Care Unit, following a massive heart attack.  He was playing bowls at the time and apparently went drip white and keeled over.  I am so grateful that an opposing team player knew how to administer CPR, he saved my dad's life and kept him going until the paramedics arrived.

Immediately after my mum's call I jumped into the car and made the three hour round trip to collect her and bring her back to our house, whilst we waited for my brother to pick her up and take her to his house in Lytham, which is twenty minutes from the hospital.  Despite my having been in chronic pain earlier that day, the adrenaline kicked in and I was able to step up to the challenge as needed.

Wednesday saw me driving on the motorway again, so that we could all visit my Dad on the CCU.  Benedict and Pip coped really well with the situation and it was good to see my Dad managing to share a joke with them.

On Friday I was Gracie minding all day as Kathryn collapsed with some sort of flu like virus, I kept her entertained and nappy changed and took her to mummy when she needed feeding.  Despite all the chaos around us that precious wee babe is a balm for any weary soul and her smiles, chatterings and giggles brighten the darkest days, I am so grateful to be her grandma.

On Saturday Benedict's pump failed again, arggh!!  The motor packed in just as I was instigating a set change, so we were on auto pilot ringing medtronic in America to arrange a replacement via courier as well as sorting a back up system with the insulin pens.  Poor Benedict had to miss his planned birthday treat to the megazone, but we hastily arranged an afternoon with our friends and all was well.

So grateful for my lovely friend Debs, organising a birthday cake for Benedict on that Saturday afternoon, complete with candles and a Sparkler letter B, which was impossible to blow out!  With a bit of luck I'll eventually post a video of him and the cake as well as the few random pictures from his rather eventful birth day.

We've been up and down the motorway again today to visit Dad.  He's had varous tests and is awaiting heart by-pass surgery; he sees the surgeon tomorrow.  He's in good spirits but I know we'll all be glad once he's sorted.

I have more driving ahead of me this next week.  Benedict has a trip to Leeds for a diabetic appointment and Kath, Gracie and I will hopefully be in Cumbria on Wednesday, packing up her belongings as the two of them are coming home to roost!!  God knew what he was doing when that conservatory went in as the downstairs front room as from next week will be their room.  If I remember, I'll do a before and after shot.  Just think we get to have snuggles with this little miss cutie pie on a daily basis:

Yay for Ergo's, she was on my back when this shot was taken, courtesy of Kath's i-phone.  I mean , look at that adorable face, how can any of us be down with her around?!!

 

Gracie Boo we love you to the moon and back.

Ten Today

Benedict hit double digits today.  Ollie and Bela came for tea and the kids cooked on Benedict's birthday present from us, a fire bowl from Myriad.  It will be a birthday we will never forget as my Dad had a massive heart attack, whilst playing in a bowls match and nearly died.  Thanks to CPR administered by another team member and the skill of the paramedics and nursing staff he pulled through:

 

Opening the present.

 

 

"Exactly what does this do?!"

 

 

"Now that's looking more promising!"

 

 

Eating fire pit cooked corn on the cob, nachos dips, garlic bread and salad.

 

 

Happy Birthday Benedict.



First Communion

Benedict finally made a right of passage today and received Jesus in the Holy Eucharist.  It was a quiet family affair during a mid week mass and afterwards Father Jim gave him a certificate to remember his special day:

Gratitude Sunday

It's been a while since I did one of these, but I do have so much to be grateful for this week:

Last weekend Dave was "blue lighted" to hospital with all the signs of a heart attack, needless to say it has been a very worrying time.  The medics are still baffled as to what really happened but as a result of all the numerous blood tests, they were able to detect inflammation in his blood and for the first time ever he was offered a three day steroid infusion to dampen down any possible MS relapse.  Hooray for Dr Seth and the team on the acute medical ward!

Whilst waiting for the paramedics to arrive, Benedict was also having a crashing hypo, I was so grateful that Sara was around, she took charge of Benedict whilst I stayed on the phone to ambulance control.

Our gardener turned up Monday and did battle with the lawn.  Whilst chatting to him it became apparent that, his partner was in fact the named nurse caring for Dave on acute medical ... small world.

Having lost several hours sleep on the weekend, I slept on Tuesday whilst the world carried on without me.

On Wednesday I collected Pip from forest school and we made our way to the garden centre in the village.  I've part cheated this year and aswell as Sara and the kids growing from seed, I also bought some ready established seedlings to bolster our sparse crop of veggies.  Sara, Pip and I spent some time in the garden after tea, it was cold but lovely.

We had a visit from my parents, Kath and Gracie.  Kath had an appointment in town and I was on Grandma duty, yay!!  There was a whole lot of snuggling going on, she is the sweetest baby I know.

On Friday we made a visit to my friend in St Helen's, it's been quite a while since we've had a chance to meet.  She is currently struggling with major health problems, so we decided last minute to stop over and help her sort out some practical issues.  Benedict and Pip had a great time rambling around the house and cuddling Simba the Lionhead rabbit.

Today, I have just crashed!  I finally had a full night's sleep last night and also slept for several hours this afternoon.

Despite being in pain with the fibromyalgia and totally exhausted I've managed to cope with more than my ususal share of chaos at this end!  I know for sure that my faith has sustained me as well as the prayers from family and close friends and for that I am truly grateful.

Art

Pip has had some fun these past few weeks during her Friday art time with Erika:

Making Charlie Caterpillar, using pre-cut circular shapes and cardboard tubes.

 

 

 

 

3-D effect hands ~ Pip had to draw around her hands, use a rule to draw the straight lines and also colour in each individual band.  She did have a tiny amount of help from Erika, but in the main most of the work was her own.  She worked solidly for an hour and a half.

 

 

 

Well done Pip!



Clitheroe Castle

We took our learning out of the four walls last week and visited Clitheroe Castle last Tuesday.  The kids had a great time, Pip especially enjoyed the museum trail and the obligatory cafe stop was very reasonably priced and coped well with our whacky dietary needs:

Tomato and Basil Soup, Chunky Chips and a Toddler Platter for Pip.

 

 

 

 

Following the trail, brass rubbing, dressing up area and reading corner.

 

 

The museum housed a geology section, a victorian study complete with a variety of collector exhibits, a local history section as well as the story of the infamous Pendle Witches.  After a good look round, Benedict, Pip and I made our way to the Castle Keep:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

They then had a good run around in the play area at the bottom of the hill and I then attempted to complete the labyrinth; true to form like all areas in my life it was completed at break neck speed whilst keeping one eye on the kids!!  I think God was having a laugh with me that day!!

 

I'm determined to visit this place again, only next time I'll leave the sproggles with Dad in the cafe! 

Visiting

Kath and Gracie came to stay this week and a whole heap of fun was had by all:

Snuggle time.

 

 

 

Two sister out for tea and Mum and Dad Gracie sitting!

 

 

Filling out nicely!

 

 

Gracie - wearing.

 

 

It was also my Mum's birthday toward the end of the visit, so we organised a bit of a surprise party:

 

 

 

L-R Mum, Colin my brother, Me, Gracie and Kath.

 

 

 

 

Pip, Gracie and Heather my sister -in - law.

 

 

My Dad and Sara are missing from these photos as they were on washing up duty in the kitchen!

 





Meet Mary - Grace

On Thursday 11th April 2013 I accompanied our daughter Kathryn to hospital and we were shown into this room:

Kind of apt don't you think!

 

 

Taking a sneaky peek at her hospital notes!

 

 

Last bump shot.

 

 

It was a rather tense time to say the least but a few hours later and this precious bundle made an appearance:

 

 

Snug as a bug in a rug.

 

 

" Oh Dear! It can't be that bad surely?!

 

 

Boo time with mummy...

 

 

 

 

Peace at last.

 

 

There was a lot of backwards and forwards travelling between  our house and Kathryn's prior to and after the birth so it has been a very tiring few weeks!  Benedict and Pip love the newest addition to the family:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Kath has been a real trooper throughout and breasfeeding is going really well, both of them are complete naturals.  Thankfully she wasn't innundated with visitors and has managed to catch up on some much needed sleep this past week:

 

 

 

One lovely mummy and a totally scrummy grandaughter!

 

 

 

Playing games.

 

 

Before leaving we managed a trip out to a lovely restaurant in town, I think Kath was pleased to escape the same four walls and ...

 

 

... Gracie slept through the whole event!

 

 

We are now back home and I'm slowly catching up on household chores and washing.  I literally cannot remember the last time Benedict and I sat down to do some productive work, it has been a very long time!  It's amazing how sickness and a new baby can mash the best laid plans, still I would not have swapped these past few weeks for all the tea in China!  It was an amazing priviledge to see her being born and to hold her shortly afterwards, it is a moment permanently etched on my memory and in my heart.











Out of the mouths of babes

Pip:  " Sh, mum we are having a hideout"

Me:  " Why is that then?"

Pip:  " 'cos we don't want dad to bath us!"

Me:  " Well you had better go on and hide then!!"

I think it is safe to say that Little Miss PJ is slowly on the mend!

Art :: Easter Preparations :: Sickness

Benedict and Pip enjoyed their art lesson on Friday:

 

 

 

 

Benedict's Shield.

 

 

Sir Philippa.

 

 

On Saturday, Benedict and I made a start on the Easter Gardens.  I've been wanting to make one of these for the past few years but I've always left it too late.  Thanks to my lovely friend Eva, I managed to glean the necessary information and armed with a picture from my pinterest board, we made a start:

 

 



Preparing the base.

 

 

Adding the wheat kernels.

 

 

 

Waiting to germinate ~ we still need to make the three crosses to stand at the back and to hopefully make a quick trip to the beach, for our stone at the front of the tomb.  I'm not sure if there'll be any grasses come Easter Sunday, but since Eastertide spans a whole forty days until Penetecost, I'm hopeful something will appear in that time!

 

 

Dave was extra busy in the workshop last week making this lovely gift for Pip and Ben (made using a side from one of the packing cases used to deliver workshop machinery!):

 

 

 

 

 



His drawing of the Baltic which is an engine he is working on using a CAD design package.  He takes the computer to the coffee shop near Pip's pre-school and works there when she is in her sessions.

 

 

 

They have had enormous fun.  Benedict has invented new designs and Pip has been busy writing her name and other letters.

 

 

 

Dave and I had an interesting date night on Thursday, we braved high winds and a severe weather warning to travel fifty minutes to this place:

 

 

 



 

 

 

Cheerful flower display.

 

 

We went to see this nice guy who effectively told us there was no treatment available, neuro protective drugs are not a big money spinner it seems!  We have yet to receive our bill, gulp!!  On the way home we stopped off at a motorway services and treated ourselves to this:

 

 

 



Two decaff lattes and a chelsea bun for Dave.

 

 

Still Smiling...

 

 

... just!

 

 

 

Pip became unwell late on Friday evening ~ high temperature, headache, flu aching and vomiting.  Homeopathic Belladonna dealt with the temperature and hallucinations and Nux Vomica finally sorted the sickness, late last night.  All we have to deal with now is the  conjuctivitis and loss of appetite!  Despite feeling so unwell she was desperate to make her Easter Garden, so in a five minute spell of being able to sit upright, she made a start:

 

 

 



 

 

 

I also made her a play tray with some of the left over wheat kernels and it provided a suitable distraction for ten minutes:

 

 

 



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

So here we are at the beginning of Holy Week, today is a much needed cleaning day, there are a few craft based activities I'm hoping we'll manage during the week  and of course the beautiful services at church.  The sun is currently shining and there are howling winds, a good drying day for sure!

 

 

 

Be Blessed x