Save Me a Room Next to Your's

Last week, I lost a little bit of my heart.  My amazing step-dad, Steve (Grandy to you all), went to live his life with the Lord on Monday, July 8.

Steve had a long, courageous fight with brain cancer.  When we were told 5 1/2 years ago that he had 6 months left to live, we were all devastated.  We have been beyond blessed with these unexpected years.  My children got to know their Grandy, got to experience his amazing love and were showered with his praise and attention.  Jared and I had three full years of living back in San Antonio and less than 3 miles from my parents.  We absorbed our time with Steve like sponges, knowing that this dreadful disease would one day return and steal him away.

Some of you read the sweet story of Harper's last day with her Grandy on his Caring Bridge site.  She quietly asked if she could sit with Grandy, climbed up in his lap and lay still as stone while Steve gently swept his fingers over her forehead, her cheeks, her chin.  They soaked each other in, almost as if they each knew their time together was limited.  Just a day later, Steve would suffer from another seizure that would severely limited his ability to function.

A few days later on Monday morning, Jared unexpectedly decided to stop by Mom & Steve's to say goodbye before a routine work trip.  That night, my Junior League meeting ended early and knowing I had a sitter with the kids, decided to swing by at the last minute to say hello.  Steve was doing pretty poorly but little did either of us know that this would be the last time we would see him.  He had rallied so many times and we just knew he would rally again.  But I have to say, I almost prefer that I didn't know.  My last words to Steve were "I love you" and with a nod and a smile "Love you" were his last to me.  What more could I ask for?  Two hours later, I received the call from my mom saying he was gone.

These last couple of weeks have been hard but I am so grateful that his suffering was short and his spirit is now fully restored.  I am also completely overwhelmed by the outpouring of love and support we have received.  Wow, do we have an amazing group of friends and family!

We love you Grandy but this isn't goodbye.  We know we'll see you again soon, just save us a room next to your's.

Prayers for Grandy

Many of you know our sweet Grandy (Steve) has been battling Glioblastoma multiforme or brain cancer for 5 years with it's reappearance this spring.  Steve made the decision to end his treatment last week since it was doing so much damage to his body and his quality of life.  The doctors supported and suggested this but Steve needed to come to this decision on his own.  I ask you to please cover Steve and our family with your prayers as we go through these next steps in his battle. 

We love Grandy so much.  I know I speak for Brent, Jared and me when I say that Steve has been one of the most positive influences on any of our lives.  In our family, we don't distinguish with labels like "step" as in "step-father", "step-sister" or "step-brother".  When you are blessed with people in your life that might not share your blood lines but do share your love for each other as a family, labels just get thrown out the window.  Please give a shout out to they Big Guy for my mom (Honey/Janet) who has been such an amazing caretaker and for my brothers, sister and me (Brent, David and Lynn) as we help support them both but mostly for Steve - peace, comfort and that His will be done.

Good news....no, GREAT news!

For those of you keeping up with Steve on Mom's Caring Bridge Site, you already know.  For those of you not in the know, Steve had a great appointment with his oncologist, Dr. Fichtel, today.

It was just a few short weeks ago that all appointments - neuro, oncology, cardio, etc - were giving Steve a few months, even a few weeks to live with the reoccurance of his brain tumor. Well, as I like to say "IN YO' FACE BRAIN TUMOR!"  Steve is reacting to the Avastin!  His tumor is shrinking and those weeks and months are increasing by the day.  Hip hip hooray!  God is GOOD!

His brain has sustained injury and trauma with the previously rapid growth of the tumor so he has lost more word finding, can be pretty unsteady on his feet and is tired from both the treatment and his brain working in overdrive from the damage.  Mom and Steve are trying to find their "new normal" but looks like we'll have the time to do it.  We are so grateful to have more time with our sweet Grandy.  We are overjoyed.

You can read my mom's beautiful words at:  www.caringbridge.org/visit/SteveBoswell

Medical Blah, Blah, Blahs

It's been awhile since I've had to give medical updates on my family but this last week has been filled with them.  Sooooo, here goes:

Last weekend, my dad (Grampa Jack to you all) was on the golf course and collapsed.  He was doing great and playing a good round one minute and the next he was out cold.  His regular golf group was with him and performed CPR and called 911.  Dad spent the night in the hospital and this last week has gone through a number of tests to which they have found nada.  A little frustrating to not know what this was caused from but thankful to know that there wasn't anything life threatening that's come from the tests.  

Then on Tuesday we were hit with a second blow.  Steve (Grandy) went in for his regular three month brain scan and the tumor that we've known all along would return has finally done just that.  Steve has been in remission for the last 4 1/2 years from glioblastoma multiforme, an aggressive brain tumor.  Google it all you want but know that Steve's case is one that defies all medical odds and is proof of God's amazing faithfulness.  I would love to write to tell you all about it but why do that when I have a mother (Honey for those of you that know her best through this lil ol' blog) who writes so beautifully?  Mom has had a Caring Bridge page for Steve that hasn't had to be used in the last two years but thanks to GBM's grand reappearance on the main stage, she's warming up her typing fingers again.  I will keep you all updated briefly on any news but please feel free to follow Steve through my mom and the Caring Bridge page.  She amazes me with her outlook and her depth.  And Steve....well, there are simply no words to describe how much I love my stepdad. 

http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/steveboswell/journal

And excuse me but I need to get deep for a second.  While this week has been one for the record books in terms of heartache for me, I have a sense of peace that I can only attribute to my God.  Given ALL of the medical hoopla that we've endured over the past 5 years with Steve, my brother, Harper, my mom and my dad, my faith and trust in the Lord has been strengthened beyond imagine.  I don't believe that God tests us or wants us to struggle but He lets life happen and our sin has given us the fear, the challenge and the reality of death.  We are human and we will face death whether it comes in two hours, in two weeks or in two decades.  I am thankful that I know Jesus Christ and I know His death saves me from my humanity.  And yes, I am sad at all of this news and yes, I have cried BIG tears this past week but I know that the Lord's will steers my ship and I am comfortable with that.  Regardless of the outcome of all of this medical blah, blah, blah that we will start to hear again, I am at peace with His will in regards to my family.  

Okay, you may return to your regularly scheduled programming.  Thank you for your prayers, thoughts and concerns.  They are felt and appreciated.  

Honey Hijacking - Camp Boswell

I did it again.  I've let my blogging duties slip.  Honey sent this to me a few weeks ago but I'm the slacker that's just now getting it posted.  Heeeeerrrrreeeee'sssss Honey!

January has become annual Camp Boswell time for the Meabon children.  Jared has worked hard and been fortunate enough to be awarded incentive trips in each of the last five years.  Each January we have kept Harper while they have enjoyed a much needed week at a tropical destination.

This year, adding another little Meabon to the mix was going to make our babysitting duty a little more... consuming.  Thankfully Brooke and Jared thought ahead and flew Jared’s mom in to co-sit.  Now, what I’m about to tell you moms with more than one little oneis pure wisdom...a jewel, a pearl, a key to blissful living for everyone so read these next words carefully.  If at all possible, when leaving at least two very young children for more than 48+ hours at a time, having two grandmothers on hand is perfection. 

Daughters/sons we are too old, our bodies are too tired to do what you do as a parent. The current 58 is not really the new 40.  When keeping small children 58 year olds quickly age to about 65 year olds.  It’s not because we don’t love you or your children, we do, that’s why we beg to keep them.  The problem is our bodies can’t keep up with their energy level and when you multiply it by two...Holy Moly!!  So my sage advice to each of you Peep readers is:   Bring in those grannies and I say the more the merrier.  

Here’s a summary of our fun five days.

Grandy and I kept Harris from Friday night to Sunday evening.  Now, I will be honest and say that after knowing how little sleep has gone on in the Meabon household the last 10 months due to Cito being so prone to ear infections I was gearing up for a few sleepless nights.  I was also gearing up for some very active days with this little human tank plowing his way through, and I do mean through everything.  I did think ahead on this and will digress for a moment here to ask a simple question...What ever happened to playpens?   They were a magnificent invention, meant to keep your toddler out of harms way, yet able to be confined and entertained with whatever you chose to plop into the said “pen” with them… a great invention.  I was raised in a wooden one with slats, my children were raised in ones with soft see through mesh sides.  We are all perfectly normal functioning adults now, it caused no mental nor physical abnormalities in either generation.  All I can say is someone needs to rename them and BRING THE PLAY PEN BACK, you would make a fortune.  

Okay enough of that, so I thought ahead and went upstairs a week before the children were to come.  We already have a little Mouse House built into our eaves where the grandchildren all love to play but I felt the need for more space, with the little human tank coming.  So I took a closet and turned it into a little playroom as well!  I put in little drawers, shelves, a mirror, filled it with toys and voila I now have multiple play spaces to occupy busy little bodies.

Long story short, all my fears about Harris, not sleeping,  wanting only his mommy (not unusual for a 10 month old), getting another ear infection...Harris was a perfect baby boy.  He slept like a champ, he took two naps each day two hours per nap.  He cuddled and toddled from one play area to another.  We took long stroller walks, we swung and sang, we took fun baths after terribly messy dinners!  Every minute of keeping Harris was a joy and a delight and Sunday afternoon when I had to make the switch I must admit I did so reluctantly because I had so enjoyed our one-on-one time together. 

Then it was time for Harper.  I helped her pack her bag which was full of dinosaurs, Bruce the Rabbit, Soft Blanket, pull-ups, and a few clothes.  As soon as we got home Harper began constructing her Dinosaur Museum for Grandy, complete with dinosaur fabric that I had found to make her some big girl panties and a wooden spoon to begin her digging for dinosaur “rocks”.  Harper began to amaze and entertain both of us with her incredible imagination and sponge like little mind.  We had such fun washing dishes after meals, putting big girl panties on all the dinosaurs, cleaning up dinosaur tinkle, wearing nothing but big girl dinosaur panties, but not having anything to do with going to the potty.  Oh every minute was an adventure. 

The one-on-one time made all the difference in being able to truly enjoy the time we were able to spend with each child and not feel so strung out at the end of each day.  It was special time not only for Grandy and me but I think it was equally special for Harper and Harris.  Both children were able to have some wonderful quality time with each grandparent without having to share attention.  I’m telling you, this is a win/win situation and if you ever have the opportunity to try it out, do it.  I highly recommend it, as I can honestly say Grandy and I just had one of the most fun five days of our lives!

Much Love,

Honey

Christmas 2012

This post totally got away from me but before we are too far away from Christmas, I wanted to post a little reminder for the future about Christmas 2012.

Christmas Eve Eve - Jared had one final trip to take for work before the holidays set in.  He was suppose to meet his client in Dallas on Christmas Eve but was able to convince them to meet on a Sunday so he could be home for all of the festivities.  Honey and I took H&H to the children's Christmas service.  It was great and soooo kid friendly.  

Christmas Memories - Harper loved the camels; Harris was great for about 20 minutes and then he had enough of sitting still so we had a little date at the back of the room.

Christmas Eve - Our church had a 3:30pm service for the first time ever and with the kids being as young as they were, we decided to give it a try.  While it made life much easier, there's just something about singing Silent Night in candle light when it's dark outside so I don't know that that's one we'll repeat.  We headed back to Honey and Grandy's for a small Christmas Eve Dinner with Bos, Aud, Bonnie and Tom - quite this year with all of the younger cousins spending time with other family members.  We headed back to the house at about 7:30pm and Cito was exhausted so he went straight to bed.  After putting him to sleep and getting Harper all ready, we said goodbye to Bobeck to try to soften the blow of his departure (our Elf - on a side note, if you REALLY want to confuse a two year old, get Elf on the Shelf and then after looking for him every day for 24 days, have him disappear!), we sprinkled our reindeer food on the front lawn, picked out the perfect treat for Santa to eat and sat by the tree for a little while.  

Christmas Memories - As always, my mom and I cried during Silent Night - gets us both every year!; Singing Silent Night to Harper as we put her to bed that night; Harper singing Jingle Bells as loud as she could for about 30 minutes before she fell asleep.

Christmas Day - We had an early riser, and by early, I mean Harper woke up at 5:45am singing Jingle Bells. I headed to her room to lay down and see if I could get her to fall back asleep but she was so hyped up that it was no use.  Cito woke up about 6:15am so we got the day started.  They didn't even notice all of the activity at the fireplace and by the stockings during breakfast.  We finished up breakfast, opened stockings, Honey & Grandy came over because they just couldn't stand being away and Brent got in town just in time for Honey's egg casserole.   We headed off to Honey and Grandy's to open presents from the immediate family and then Evelyn, Bonnie, Tom, Bos and Aud came over for lunch.  We had a fun afternoon and were back  home to relax by 6pm.  I think we were all exhausted by the end of the day!

Christmas Memories - Harris loved tissue paper this year; Harper and her BFF Uncle Brent playing in the backyard, just the two of them; Harper waking up singing Jingle Bells on Christmas morning; Kids getting a playscape which they both love; This was definitely the year of dinosaurs and Thomas the Train for both kids.  Until Harris gets a little older and can express himself, it looks like he's going to be stuck with playing with what his sister likes.  He's lucky she likes dinosaurs, trains and construction equipment - he could be dressed up like a fairy princess!; Harper also got big girl panties from Santa and when anyone asked her what she wanted for Christmas, the answer was "Big Girl Panties!!!"

Christmas Memories from the whole season - Harper didn't shed a single tear when it came to Santa.  She was a little leery but gave him a hug each time; Harris loved Santa until his stranger-danger mechanism kicked in the week of Christmas so he had a few tears at the Santa Party; Harper LOVED Christmas decorations.  We got in the habit of taking the kids for a walk in the neighborhood every night that Jared was in town. She would point from house to house and then say "More decorations Mommy?"; Harper also loved the tree and Harris was great about not getting too close or trying to attack it;  Harper also loved nativities this year, especially the "kings" - good thing since her mom collects them.

I can't wait for Christmas over the next few years.  This was the first year that Harper was into it and I can only imagine how much fun it will be each year as they get a little older and as Cito starts to grasp the concept!

Construction and Dinosaurs

I mean, who would have imagined so much fun in one day?  Not only did Harper (and her sweating mother) get to stand and watch a construction site for an hour on Monday morning but she also got to visit the dinosaurs at the museum that afternoon.  Whoa.  Big day at the Meabon household.

Honey called on Monday morning to let us know that the foundation was being poured on a new house around the corner from them.  And it's a good thing since I was under the impression we had gymnastics but realized we didn't when I showed up to an empty parking lot.  So after trying to breeze over the fact that we weren't, in fact, going to gymnastics as I had been telling the Squirrel all morning, we high-tailed it over to H&G's neighborhood to watch the line of 12 cement mixers and a crane truck.  The girl was in HEAVEN!  I seriously think she would have stayed there all day if we'd let her.  We came immediately home and read Goodnight, Goodnight Construction Site about twelve times. 

And if that wasn't enough, the afternoon was completed by a trip to the Witte to check out the dinosaurs.  Now, granted they only have one full triceratops, a T-rex head and a few other random bones but that didn't stop the girl from being fully impressed.  After our visit with Herb the Triceratops, we took a stroll through the Texas Wildlife exhibit with taxidermied animals and a few live ones too.  Cito was really into the dead, stuffed animals too.  Unfortunately, he wasn't captured by the camera...you know, that second child thing.  

Looks like we have either an engineer or a scientist in our midst!  Maybe she'll fulfill my lifelong dream of bringing a woolly mammoth back to life.