A Very Busy and Blessed Week

On My Mind ~ Oh my!  What a blessed week we had.  I can hardly count all the blessings that were bestowed on our family.  The biggest blessing is that Timothy made it through surgery safe and sound.  Another huge blessing is that we sold our home 17 days early.  We didn't have to pay a double mortgage for a single month!  We got a call on Wednesday (while we were in the hospital 200 miles away from home) that, if we could make it home and get the piano out of the house, we could close on Friday.  It didn't seem possible, but the doors opened and we were able to make it happen!  We are now the proud owners of only one home ~ a much more comfortable position.  During the move we had decided to sell the piano, since I had to face the facts that my kids were theater kids, not piano kids.  There is only so much time we have with our children, and when they have lots of special needs, there is even less time for teaching all of the extras.  Music is very important to me, but they get lots of exposure to it through dance and theater.  I just had to let it go.  I spent several desperate hours our first day home trying to sell/donate the piano.  In the end, it went to a family I had spoken to years ago who is raising a child with similar issues to Goldilocks.  They had a very limited budget and had been looking for a piano for a long time.  Miraculously, we were able to find professional movers and get it moved to their home in less than 24 hours!  This is the studio piano my Mom bought me when I was 16 years old, and it is such a blessing to know it went to a good home.

The Hospital ~ We arrived at Duke University Hospital on Monday and did all of the pre-op tests.  All went well and he went in for surgery Tuesday morning.  The surgery went very well, amazingly with no surprises.  After surgery, we teased Timothy that he must be losing his touch.  He is famous for surprises in the operating room.  Timothy wanted a hamburger almost as soon as he could form words.  The recovery nurse thought he was a riot.  Within hours he was eating Jalapeno chips and a large Angus burger.  That boy has a stomach made out of steel!  He was released in the afternoon on Wednesday, and due to needing to get home to close on the house, made the long, uncomfortable trip home that night.  He was a real trooper.  He can't lift anything for a month or walk his dog, but otherwise he is well on his way to a full recovery.

Left to right ~ Timothy being wheeled out of surgery, front of hospital, Timothy's old pacemaker (the kids new favorite "Show and Tell" item), Moving to the short stay unit, Siblings hanging out with brother at the hospital, A happy young man who just finished a soda and hot fries.

At Ronald McDonald House ~ Ronald McDonald house was a great experience as always.  It was fully decorated for Christmas.  I think I am ready to get in the mood now.  Little Red Riding Hood fell in love with one of the therapy dogs who visited.  The dog could do all kinds of tricks and loved to lick her face.  We were treated to a luxury room this time, complete with our own kitchenette and bathroom.  That was such a treat.  Tom Sawyer lived in the room, watching Cartoon Network (yuck).  This is why we will never have cable television.  He loved it all and got his fill until next year.

The Nutcracker ~ We made it home in time for the Nutcracker.  I am really amazed it all worked out.  The kids went to dress rehearsal and are in the process of completing the three shows.  They are a bon-bon, a puppet, and a mermaid.  My show kids love it all. 

As you can imagine, we are a tired crew ~ or at least Mommy and Daddy are tired.  We did a lot in the span of six days!!  I am looking forward to a fun and relaxing December. 

I am joining Homegrown learners.

Blessings, Dawn