Okay, every year we take a group from our youth group (this year there were 39 of us) to Taylors Falls and the Alpine Slide/Go Cart/Water Park. Last year it was cold and most of the day was spent playing cribbage and riding the alpine slide and go carts. During that time I had the urge to call Gary only to discover that he had fallen and I needed to return to the camper to take him to the emergency room. Sure enough, he had broken his leg.
That was last year. This year I get a call from Eme when we were getting ice cream (which is the last thing we do before heading back to the church) to say that Jon had taken Gary to the emergency room in Grand Rapids with severe back pain after a storm came up on the lake they were fishing on (you can read Gary's story below). Not really knowing how bad it was and being one of the drivers for the group, I couldn't just leave to be with him. What an incredibly frightening, helpless feeling.
My first statement to Chuck was that I didn't think I would be going on the Alpine Slide Adventure in the future. Who is to know what might happen next year?
Thankful to God that it isn't worse than it was.
Sunday, May 23, 2010
Fishing Trip with a Slam Dunk
So this is what happened. We were fishing on Winnibigoshish( a very large lake) with dozens of other fishers (most in 14-20 foot boats). The wind started to increase steadily and we decided to head back while it was still safe to go... The wind got a lot worse rapidly and all started across to go back to safe harbor. Suddenly we were all trapped in 4-6 foot swells in small craft. Looking at other boats we could see what was happening to us. the boat would crest the top of the swell with 2/3- 3/4 of the boat out of the water. Then it would drop into the swell and slam the front of the boat down 6-8 feet and immediately repeat. There was about 20 feet between crests so smaller craft had an extra second to right themselves before the next climb. At least one 20 foot boat had swamped and needed to be towed in under bad conditions. At one of the many slams I felt my back crackle like a huge chiropractic adjustment that I surely didn't need, and my muscles (which were tight from bracing against the constant slamming) screamed in pain and I slid from from my sitting on the floor. on a flotation cushion, to a laying down position. Many times I blacked out for extended moments and we had to press on or risk swamping our boat and me dying. Everyone out there was petrified... It was bad. We put in at a beach on the lee shore to find if my injury warranted medical attention at the beach. I was able to climb up to the front chair ( which took about 15 minutes).. and I told them if we idle back to the landing we could see if I could make it to the car. We did that and took the boat home and then went to the hospital.
The x-rays showed no broken bones, or compressions, and soft tissue damage would not show up in x-rays so I was given muscle relaxers, pain meds. and a chest compression wrap to possibly help muscles to not over strain to help me heal. My son-in-law Jon drove us back to the cities while I drifted in and out of the drowsiness the meds brought on. I am home and trying to recover as fast as possible, with a lot of pain and can't bend over...
Praise God it could well have been a lot worse.
The x-rays showed no broken bones, or compressions, and soft tissue damage would not show up in x-rays so I was given muscle relaxers, pain meds. and a chest compression wrap to possibly help muscles to not over strain to help me heal. My son-in-law Jon drove us back to the cities while I drifted in and out of the drowsiness the meds brought on. I am home and trying to recover as fast as possible, with a lot of pain and can't bend over...
Praise God it could well have been a lot worse.
Wednesday, May 12, 2010
I have the BEST daughters, husbands and grandchildren
What does that really mean?
Last Saturday was the celebration of Casen's reaching 1 month of age. Michelle invited Gary and I to the ceremony at Loan and Ha's as well as to their house for the afternoon celebration. What fun to be included in the traditions of another culture. Michelle and Jeremy are amazing as parents to little Casen. He is a joy to hold and watch as his personality comes shining through all he does.
Then on Sunday, Mother's Day, we got invited by Eme and Jon to have lunch with them and Brianna. Jon and Eme made wonderful brats with a salad for lunch and spent time just talking and watching a little Twins action. Brianna is such a cute little girl. It is so cute how she sucks on her tongue when she gets hungry. She very much loves her daddy and smiles often when he talks to her. I am so proud of Jon and Eme and know that they are loving parents who will continue to teach Brianna what she needs to know.
On Saturday, at the big celebration for Casen, Margaret and Jerimy came with Oliver and Lucius. Neither boy has been feeling terrific but they came to support J and Mick. Oliver, as I have been told by my other daughters that I talk about all the time, is such a joy to watch exhibit his independence. Lucius is the smiliest little one that I have encountered. He seems to always have smiles for his Mormor and loves to come and cuddle with me. Jerimy and Margaret are also doing a fantastic job raising two little men to be what they need to be. I love how they both take turns to make certain that time is spent with both of the boys.
On Sunday, Mother's Day, in the afternoon; I talked briefly with Laura as she shared the story of flowers and "doo doo". At these times, when I want nothing more than to be with all of my daughters and their families, it is hard to be so far from John, Laura and Danya. I love so much to read Laura's blog on all of the fun updates in little Danya's life. John will soon graduate with his doctorate and we could not be prouder of what he has accomplished in these past years, raising a daughter, being a husband and provider and finishing school too.
As I reflect on the blessings of my children, I think about what each had to say to me on Mother's day -- Eme said, in her card -- "I can only hope to be as wonderful of a friend/mother to Brianna as you have been to me."; Laura sent me an email to simply say "I Love you so much!"; Michelle brought me a flower to work with a card that said "What a blessing you are to me."; And Margaret, too, sent me an e-mail to say "I Love you. Hope you had a great day." What wonderful sentiments from 4 wonderful daughters. I love each of them and pray that what they have received from me over the years will be sufficient to keep them able to teach their own children with love and understanding.
Last Saturday was the celebration of Casen's reaching 1 month of age. Michelle invited Gary and I to the ceremony at Loan and Ha's as well as to their house for the afternoon celebration. What fun to be included in the traditions of another culture. Michelle and Jeremy are amazing as parents to little Casen. He is a joy to hold and watch as his personality comes shining through all he does.
Then on Sunday, Mother's Day, we got invited by Eme and Jon to have lunch with them and Brianna. Jon and Eme made wonderful brats with a salad for lunch and spent time just talking and watching a little Twins action. Brianna is such a cute little girl. It is so cute how she sucks on her tongue when she gets hungry. She very much loves her daddy and smiles often when he talks to her. I am so proud of Jon and Eme and know that they are loving parents who will continue to teach Brianna what she needs to know.
On Saturday, at the big celebration for Casen, Margaret and Jerimy came with Oliver and Lucius. Neither boy has been feeling terrific but they came to support J and Mick. Oliver, as I have been told by my other daughters that I talk about all the time, is such a joy to watch exhibit his independence. Lucius is the smiliest little one that I have encountered. He seems to always have smiles for his Mormor and loves to come and cuddle with me. Jerimy and Margaret are also doing a fantastic job raising two little men to be what they need to be. I love how they both take turns to make certain that time is spent with both of the boys.
On Sunday, Mother's Day, in the afternoon; I talked briefly with Laura as she shared the story of flowers and "doo doo". At these times, when I want nothing more than to be with all of my daughters and their families, it is hard to be so far from John, Laura and Danya. I love so much to read Laura's blog on all of the fun updates in little Danya's life. John will soon graduate with his doctorate and we could not be prouder of what he has accomplished in these past years, raising a daughter, being a husband and provider and finishing school too.
As I reflect on the blessings of my children, I think about what each had to say to me on Mother's day -- Eme said, in her card -- "I can only hope to be as wonderful of a friend/mother to Brianna as you have been to me."; Laura sent me an email to simply say "I Love you so much!"; Michelle brought me a flower to work with a card that said "What a blessing you are to me."; And Margaret, too, sent me an e-mail to say "I Love you. Hope you had a great day." What wonderful sentiments from 4 wonderful daughters. I love each of them and pray that what they have received from me over the years will be sufficient to keep them able to teach their own children with love and understanding.
Sunday, May 2, 2010
Oliver's First "Camping" Trip with Mormor & Morfar
Oliver joined Gary and I for a Friday night sleepover at the trailer. What fun it was to take him with for his "first camping" trip with Mormor and Morfar. Jerimy dropped Oliver off at the house with certain instructions: What do we do with fire? O's response: Don't touch, fire is hot!; What happens if we spit? O's response: Time out (Daddy politely informed him that Mormor and Morfar would put him in time out too); When can you drive? O's response: Not until I am 16 years old (not sure what this had to do with camping but great response).
After packing up the car we headed out for our adventure. Oliver shared all kinds of wisdom with Mormor ad Morfar as we took the 40 minute drive to our trailer at Kozy Oaks Kamp in North Branch. He was a very excited little boy.
We got to go for walks, sit by the fire, stay up late, have breakfast, go to the park, walk the dog and most of all spend a wonderful time with Mormor and Morfar. He has such wisdom for his age. It is so fun to hear what he will share with you. He is also one who can make anything sound like it was your idea -- i.e. Oliver: "Oliver wants to go for a walk." Mormor: "Oliver, do you want to go for a walk?" Oliver: "Okay". And he does it with great success.
We kept him up a bit beyond his bedtime because it was a beautiful evening and he was enjoying watching the fire (and selfishly, we were thinking he would sleep later in the morning). However, he did not really sleep all that much later than normal but was so cute when he woke up in the morning. On the back of the couch, where he slept, I have several stuffed moose. I hear him not saying good morning but instead he says "silly moose" to no one in particular.
Enjoy the little slideshow of Oliver's "camping" trip. And thanks Oliver for coming to spend time with Mormor and Morfar. We will go again soon.
After packing up the car we headed out for our adventure. Oliver shared all kinds of wisdom with Mormor ad Morfar as we took the 40 minute drive to our trailer at Kozy Oaks Kamp in North Branch. He was a very excited little boy.
We got to go for walks, sit by the fire, stay up late, have breakfast, go to the park, walk the dog and most of all spend a wonderful time with Mormor and Morfar. He has such wisdom for his age. It is so fun to hear what he will share with you. He is also one who can make anything sound like it was your idea -- i.e. Oliver: "Oliver wants to go for a walk." Mormor: "Oliver, do you want to go for a walk?" Oliver: "Okay". And he does it with great success.
We kept him up a bit beyond his bedtime because it was a beautiful evening and he was enjoying watching the fire (and selfishly, we were thinking he would sleep later in the morning). However, he did not really sleep all that much later than normal but was so cute when he woke up in the morning. On the back of the couch, where he slept, I have several stuffed moose. I hear him not saying good morning but instead he says "silly moose" to no one in particular.
Enjoy the little slideshow of Oliver's "camping" trip. And thanks Oliver for coming to spend time with Mormor and Morfar. We will go again soon.
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