A Change of Plans

As mentioned before, Ambur and I planned out the month of December pretty tight with activities and Holiday fun.  Today we planned to go to the Dollar Store and get some items and then come home and get the decorations out of the shed and the tree and decorate the house.

After the trip to the Dollar store, we learned that PLANS CHANGE.    We were walking out of the very crowded store as always, Gimlet by Ambur's side, I was walking in front just a little and had just used the key to open the side door on the car for Gimlet to get into the car.  I hear a sound, turn around and Ambur is lying on the ground.  I said, "did you fall?"  I realize that should have been obvious to me, but when Gimlet is with her it is really unlikely that would happen.  It became apparent very quickly that she had fallen, and she was in a great amount of pain.  This all happened so fast, suddenly there were people there trying to help her up, Gimlet was concerned and was right by her side trying to comfort her, Ambur was trying to reassure her that she was ok.  The culprit--a small little rock the size of a quarter. 

Still trying to help Ambur up, from out of nowhere this young boy-maybe 7or 8 runs out of the store, straight to the rock and kicks it with all of his might.  He says passionately, "They should keep this parking lot clean, so blind people don't fall down".  He was so upset, and so sweet. There were a few people gathering to help her up and I could see how totally embarrassed she was.  She told everyone she would be able to get up--not really looking like it-- and thanked them all.  The we managed to get her up and she hobbled to the car and got in.  I told her we should go to urgent care and that is when she told me she doesn't have her insurance card with her.  So, we headed home, and I thought we would get a blessing for her, so we stopped at our ministering brothers house, but he was not home.  I reached out to a few people, but it was a holiday weekend after all, and we just headed to the ER.  We left Gimlet home since we didn't know how crowded it would be and how long we would be.

The black top parking lot left the funniest (in my warped view) marks on her coat (sorry no pictures) and her hands black as could be. (This is after they washed her hands off.)

They registered her right away, there were probably about a dozen people in the ER so it wasn't really too bad.

She got an x-ray right away and they said they would get her some pain medicine.  It was taking a pretty long time.  I had to leave and go home and let the dog out to do her business.  They said they were just waiting for the splint.  I came back thinking she would be ready to go.  Nope.  It turned out there was no splint tech on duty, so they had to call someone in and wait for them.  But finally, they got there, and Ambur got the splint-which was like a cast of its own-on.  It was painful.

Back to the waiting room to wait for the medications and discharge paperwork.  It was a bit of time.

Finally, home, a very kind brother in the ward, came and gave Ambur a blessing and I helped her get situated in her chair and she got as comfortable as could be had.  Okay, I am a bit warped but watching her use a walker just made me laugh.  Every time she got up to use it, I laughed.  Good thing she knows me.  The poor dog didn't realize just how life was changing.

Gimme wanted to get up on her lap so bad.  But she realized as we put stuff around the chair for protection, she wasn't going to get up there.  

Then this is what Gimme did.  She was so sad and just didn't know what to do so she came over my way to see if she could get up on my lap.  She knows the answer before she even got over there but look at that poor sad face.  

I told Ambur she would need to be able to let the dog out by Monday so she worked hard at practicing and by Sunday afternoon she had it.  She is a trooper.  I put a cooler to the side of her chair and filled it with water, lunch, snacks and that is how we have lived for a good week then she went to the orthopedic doctor and got a boot on her leg and there will be more information about this in later blogs.

Poor girl was in a lot of pain and I felt so bad for her. She is such a brave and a bit stubborn girl that she was up and about with the walker and doing great.  Grateful for the blessing that it wasn't worse.  We have had many a prayer of thanks.  I am sure there will be pain in her future, but I am equally sure she will handle it with ease.

A Sort of Boring Thanksgiving and an Overdue Happy Birthday Celebration

Ambur and I debated what to do for Thanksgiving.  I am not a big dinner fan, I don't want to do all that eating, and I definitely don't really like the leftovers from a big meal, so I usually go out to eat.  We talked about going to one of the casino's where the meals are just simply delicious but then I decided I really didn't want to go out.  So we just stayed at home and cooked a lovely meal and watched movies all day.

We had these yummy croissants, green beans, broiled potatoes, dressing and Ambur made a Lemon chicken in her instapot.  Saying delicious is not enough description, but that is exactly what it was.  Really, really good.

We enjoyed the very boring lazy day with one another and just relaxing.  It was a great day and we actually went to bed early in preparation of going to Parowan tomorrow to see the grand kids.

It has been so long since I have seen my grandkids.  It is difficult for me not to see them or hear from them, but I have sort of come to understand that is just how it is.  Because I really like to see the kids when they open presents, I give, I have missed two birthdays and just haven't been able to work out a time to head there to give them the presents.  Finally, the day arrived we could go and see them so, Ambur and I got up and headed out early.  We were going to meet Blaine in Cedar City which is nice of Blaine because it saves about half an hour of time.

We stopped for a rest and there was a bit of snow on the ground under the shade and Ambur got out to have gimme do her thing.

The view was just beautiful.  We went to the park to meet up with Blaine and we had a few minutes to wait for him to arrive, so we just looked all the beauty around us.

Saw them coming up the hill so I decided why not snap a picture.

Life just can't get better than when I get a big ole hug from a grandchild. Kinsley was first out and she is the sweetest hugger ever.  She is always so pleasant and polite and sometimes so shy but when she hugs, she does it full force and you can feel her love from the inside out.

Then Blaine went off with the girls to go shopping while the boys, Ambur and I went to have a picnic.  It wasn't really that cold, but a coat would have been nice.  Blaine forgot to put one in. The boys didn't seem to care.

Maddox turned 4 in August and Jaxon turned 6 in October.  We had peanut butter sandwiches, chips, mandarin oranges and chocolate milk.  All things these two boys love.

Then opening present time came.  I always worry if I am going to get something they like.  I didn't do quite so well this time around.  I don't really hear from anyone about what they like or don't like and so I just guess- and Jaxon didn't like that his toy said for 4 and up.  He must have told me 15 times it was a baby toy.  Sometimes you get it right and sometimes you don't.  After he gave a little more inspection, he decided it wasn't so bad after all. 

I love the body language of Jaxon in this picture.  Maddox liked his gift just fine but Jaxon wouldn't even look at it because it was a baby toy.

So sweet this Maddox is.  He is four and in preschool and he is just the sweetest kid.  He gives hugs that can't be topped and although he is a bit of a terror with a ton of energy, He laughs and plays, and he likes to be involved in absolutely everything.

Then it was Jaxon's turn.  He kept saying, "I know this is a baby toy, I just know it".  Then he got it opened.

Maddox has a little different body language going on.  He just wants to get it open and help his big brother out.  (That help is not always well received).

He was very happy with the toy once he got it opened and saw that it is a racetrack and that the car's go through the dinosaur body.  He was happy with it, and I sure was glad.

The boys had some fun on the playground and although it seemed cold to me, they didn't seem to be cold at all.  They had fun trying to get where I couldn't take a picture.  The park was getting more and more crowded and we decided time to go.

Jaxon is 6 and he is quite a kid.  He loves to learn, and he is smart.  He can hear or be told something, and he remember it well.  He will correct if you say something wrong because he is very matter of fact.  I love that when I am around, he is full of hugs and kisses and shows his totally loving side to me and hangs around and talks.  I just love him, and I am so blessed to be Grandma to him and Maddox and all the kids.

Blaine came and got the boys we all said goodbye and then we headed out. 

The drive home was just beautiful.  The sunset was amazing and although we were driving, Ambur managed to capture a couple of really beautiful shots.

I truly have more love in my life than I realize, and I am so grateful for these kids, and I just thank my Heavenly Father for the privilege of being their grandma and Ambur's mother.  What joy she brings to my life.  I am blessed.