entry 32

I need to be more patient. We have had a lot going on. I need to be more positive.

{Momisms}

An Alzheimer's commercial came on TV.

MOM: I'm sure glad I don't have that!

ME: Me, too!

MOM: Your dad took me to the Doctor to get me checked out a while ago. But I tricked those doctors. They asked me what floor we were on. I could see the sign so I knew it was the 4Th floor. I would have to go back for visits. I wrote down what they would ask me and memorized the months. I tricked them!

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Last week we took the kids to the dollar show to see ICE AGE (very cute). Now...my mom can sit in a chair for hours holding the dog and not move and inch BUT...she can not sit in a movie without fidgeting the entire time! (Alicia is my witness) I seriously was ready to scream. I am the biggest movie Nazi! Nothing bugs me more than someone talking, kicking my chair, chopping popcorn with their mouth open, cell phones, crackling candy wrappers ,babies too young to be in the movie theater-crying, fussing and parents do nothing! I'm just getting started.

Mistakes I made:

1) I gave mom a really crackly paper bag for her popcorn. She made more noise than the kids.

2) When she was done with the popcorn she fidgeted with the bag moving it from one chair to the next, checking to see if more popcorn was inside, wondering why she even had the bag in the first place.

3) She keeps a flashlight in her purse. It's battery powered. She turned it off and on during the movie to see if it still worked. She kept cranking the handle. I told her it was noisy and bothering other people-she said "too bad".

4) She fidgets with her purse pulling stuff in and out. She found a pen looking for her watch (she was sure she lost it). She held it up in the air and clicked it up and down and up and down like she'd never seen a pen before. She repeated this several times, it was strange!

5) I gave her a big drink...Right at the end of the movie she was fidgeting SO much I asked her what was wrong. I need to go to the bathroom, now! She can't go by herself . We missed the end of the movie.

Oh well, she had to potty train me once upon a time!

BUT...I'm sitting at the opposite end next movie!

entry 31 {cool for Halloween :)}

IT'S HALLOWEEN
{Clic the title above to play the music}.

It's Hallowe'en,
The lamp is lit,
Around the fire
The children sit,
A-telling ghost stories
Bit by bit,
'Til somebody whispers "hushhhhhhh"!

What's that a-peeping
'Round the kitchen door?
What's that a-creeping
'Cross the bedroom floor?
What's that a-sweeping
Down the corridor?
It's a goblin!
We will not go
To bed 'til morn,
We're drinking cocoa,
Popping corn,
And laughing 'til our
Sides are torn,
'Til somebody whispers "hushhhhhh"!

What's that a-peeping
'Round the kitchen door?
What's that a-creeping
'Cross the bedroom floor?
What's that a-sweeping
Down the corridor?
It's a goblin!
The doorbell rings,
A witch I see,
And with her, black cats,
One, two, three,
And one of them says
"Boo!" to me,
'Til somebody whispers "HUShhhhhhh!"

What's that a-peeping
'Round the kitchen door?
What's that a-creeping
'Cross the bedroom floor?
What's that a-sweeping
Down the corridor?
It's a gooooobbbblinnnnn!
{my mom's version}
My mom loved and still loves Halloween. Maybe that's why I love it so much. She always dressed up and decorated the house, too. She used to sing this song to us when we were kids. I remembered it a few weeks ago and looked it up on the web-there it was and the music to go with it. I haven't mentioned the song to my mom at all and what's funny is she sang it to Mason yesterday. {she didn't get the words right but she remembered the melody}

P.S. I'm not sure what a goblin looks like, do you?

entry 30 (mom-isms}

Mom about Halloween:

Last year, even though the government asked us not to spend money on Halloween because of the bad economy or something like that...I gave each trick or treater $4 each.

Geez mom...no wonder you have so many trick or treaters!

ENTRY 29 {be careful what you wish for}

You know that old saying "BE CAREFUL WHAT YOU WISH FOR"? Back in 2005 my mom and dad came for a visit. The main purpose of the visit was for my dad to Bless Jocelyn and Julian. {what sweet angels, would you agree?!}. Anyway, I quickly became very angry with my sister that visit because there were MOTAB concerts among other various religious activities which took time and attention away from "my time" with my parents. My agenda was to have my parents spend as much time with their gkids and great g kids. Needless to say my expectations were shattered and I was very hurt and upset with both my mom and sister. My mom was already experiencing signs of dementia that we really didn't recognize. Long story short... I wanted more time with my mom and for her to spend more time with my kids and great g kids. Who knew...4 short years later I would have her full time attention!!! The irony of life.

entry 29

Bear's sitting on Jaxon!

Mom and I watched Jaxon while Natalie went to an appointment. Mom was holding Jaxon in the rocker and feeding him a bottle. Next thing she knew Bear had jumped up on her lap as well. Do you think there is a little bit of jealousy going on there?

In this pic...Bear has this stinky, gross, squeaky toy that he LOVES. When bear wants you to play he will shove the toy up against your leg. When mom didn't give up Jaxon -Bear decided to try another tactic!

entry 28 {the sweetest thing}

Yesterday mom took Bear out after we got home from running several errands. As she walked down the sidewalk adjacent to the school field she heard a voice calling...Grandma-Grandma. To her surprise Jeremy who was outside for recess ran all the way across the field to say HI . Can I tell you..it made her day. She talked about it for hours. Thanks Jer for being so kind!

entry 27

Mom's wallet is old and falling apart. She has it stuffed with all kinds of expired cards, clothing tags and receipts. I told her we were going wallet shopping. We went to TJ Maxx (it's close). We found several wallets that she liked. Great, right? Not that easy. She wanted to arrange the wallets all over the counter so she could see which ones would fit all her stuff. Then She started taking things out of her old wallet and placing them in the new wallets. All the "new wallet inerds" were getting mixed up. She wouldn't, I should say couldn't make a decision. After about 30 minutes I said "this is making me crazy", we'll get a brown one for your brown purse and a black wallet for your black purse... In fact we can take them all home you can try them all . We can take back the wallets you don't like. With that settled we waited in line to pay.

The next morning we were getting ready to leave and I noticed that mom had all three wallets in her purse. They each had a couple of items in them. I quickly took out her old wallet. Made sure that she had what she needed in her Brown wallet and placed the black wallet in her black purse. She didn't even notice.

Next we went to Jiffy lube. She insisted on paying for my oil change since I drive her around everyday. She proudly took out her new wallet. Inside was the packaging material and little Crystal bag that keeps moisture out. I quickly took out the items and threw them in the garbage as she was taking out her AMEX card. With a pouty face she looked at me and then the kid helping us and said "she's throwing away all my GOODIES" .

We laughed!

Next... new purse

entry 26 { mom-isms }

Today is one of those I NEED TO SCREAM days. I made the mistake of telling mom about conference yesterday and I have been asked over and over when, what, where, how, etc. ever since. This morning it started up again only she couldn't remember what it was she was supposed to remember (conference). She couldn't grasped that she would watch conference, take a bath, watch conference again and then go get her hair done. PATIENCE!!!! BREATH!!!!!

{MOM} isms...

I should just go back to eclipse.

I should just learn to do my own hair like you and Jackie.

You mean I will miss conference to get my hair done?

I need to write this down so I remember. What does Oct 4th mean?

What does 4:15 mean?

Where do I go to watch conference?

How do I turn on the TV? John messed with it.

I finally typed this up for her:

She only asked be about the schedule a few more times and then settled down to watch conference.

entry 25 { mom-isms }

We have a great view of the mountains from our backyard. Right now they are literally covered with spots of red, yellow and orange. The leaves turning on the mountains has always been my confirmation that summer is really over and fall is fast approaching. Denial!

Yesterday mom and I were taking in the view and I was taking pics as well.

Mom asked me: What are all those different colored spots on those hills?

I answered: The leaves are changing color. Then I added: I smell smoke (in the distance), there must be a fire somewhere.

With that she asked, concerned: What, you mean those spots on the mountains are on fire?

MOM-isms! What's a caregiver to do?

entry 24

So the last few days have been interesting. My mom has been very confused. She wakes up early in the morning and mostly before sunrise. Apparently her waking up when still dark freaks her out. She told Katie and me that John told her about a phenomenon that happens. We were so confused! As she tried to explain this strange occurrence it dawned on me that she was talking about waking up when it's still dark outside, morning.

I said mom: Are you talking about waking up early before it's light?

she said: yes.

I said: that's called MORNING and we all laughed. (sad)

Yesterday Natalie, Jeremy and Jaxon came for a visit. Mom told Natalie the same strange tale. This time however, she added how scary it is for her. I made a joke and told her to stop waking up so early. We laughed but I don't think she know where she is and between the darkness, John leaving for work and her failing memory this "phenomenon" is very disturbing for her.

entry 23

jackie, mom ,dad

Today, so far (8:30 AM) is the opposite of mom's good mood yesterday. She just figured out that my dad has gone back to VA and she feels duped. She's still with it enough to know that she should be with her husband (although she says she doesn't want to live with him) and wants to live in her home in VA. She didn't bring this subject up at all when he was here. The problem is that she can't really care for herself. She is crying and upset. When she gets this way you can't reason with her. Her biggest fear is that the stuff in her room , at home, (mainly her WATCHES) will be stolen. If you ask her why she wants to go back to VA it's because she has her big TVS and her watches. She doesn't know how much she forgets. She says it' s not fair to me and John for her to be put upon us. I told her that years ago when she asked me "who will care for me when I get old", I promised her I would.

Mom is so sensitive to this because her mother was put in a nursing home in Canada with dementia. It gets increasing difficult to see her be so sad and depressed.

entry 22

Today my mom is really confused. She woke up early and it was still dark outside. She didn't know where she was, what she was doing there and what day and time it was. The "DARK" really scares her - makes her anxious and nervous. I was trying to explain how everyone was related to her. I could tell it wasn't registering. So I had to draw out for her on paper how we were all related. She doesn't remember Jon and Quinn being here this past weekend.

Mom couldn't understand how dad knew the "the people" (grand kids, great grand kids) that came to visit him. She would say "I wondered how he knew those kids". She hasn't said anything about dad leaving except for "when is your dad leaving ". That I have answered over and over! I'm surprised how up beat she has been the past few days.

entry 21

I have to say my last post sounded frantic. Thankfully things are a calmer today. The pow wow is over and mom is staying here with us. I need to post more often to have a record of the progression of my mother's disease.

This week mom has been really confused. There is the usual - asking the same questions over but she is mixing the past and the present. Mom is progressing into another stage of the disease. Mom has a terrible time verbalizing what she wants to say. She paces around the house off and on during the day. She opens and closes the garage door over and over checking to see if my car is there.

Recent things she has said:

Who are we picking up at the airport? "Dad, your husband". Blank stare...What is his name?

I need to get cash from your dad so I can pay payroll.
(She is talking about paying Alicia to do her hair)

What is Ken's first name? "Ken, mom".

Where does your dad live, in Phoenix or Utah? "VA, mom". Now where is he going?

What does he do for his profession? "Oral surgeon". Oh that's right I do the books.

I need to get my important stuff out of the house before your dad sells it.
"What stuff do you need to get"? My watches, I need my watches!

At this point in time it is worse to tell her anything in advance because she can't remember what I just told her and she obsesses about what she's forgotten anyway.

She rarely knows what day or time it is even though she has a calendar and clock in her room that displays all the info. (Mostly she thinks Sunday is the next day).

I typed up a very simple schedule for her right before my dad arrived and placed it in several areas around the house. That confused her even more.

It has come down to rationing her "Boost and Ensure". That's all she wants to eat/drink. 4 to 5 is plenty in a day!

Dad and I bought her a "muscle" protein drink at the gas station. "I won't like this-yuk!" "trust me you'll like it" - Forced her to drink it, "oh this is really good"! "HMMMM, mom"!

I am trying to repeat positive affirmations to myself to keep calm and patient. Keep up the good work cher :) .

entry 20 (OMH)

You know that old saying that if you can't say something nice then don't say anything at all?

Well, can I scream instead????

My dad and brothers are coming to Utah for a big pow wow this weekend. I bet my mom's asked me at least 2-4 times (per hour) if she's getting her hair done tomorrow, who it is we are picking up from the airport, is the time 12:30AM or 1AM and what are we doing again? What day is it today ? What day is it tonmorrow? Is it 1991? REPEAT... She has written down all this info but still can't seem to understaind-I know because she made me sit there with her shile she wrote it down. If I sound like a MAD (crazy) caregiver, today I am . If it's this hard for me I can only how hard it is for her. She's got to know that part of her is slipping away. I have to keep repeating positive affirmation and reminding myself that it's the disease and not her.

Oh... She sat on her night stand this morning thinking it was a stool and it shattered underneath her. I was doing some touch up painting and suggested she stay in a different area. As soon as I left she walked into the pan of paint. I need to say this...oh my hell!

Remember all of you out there in normal land...that it's karma. Whatever hell you put your mother through as a kid, it comes back to bite you a 1000 times worse!

entry 19 (the poop report)

My mom gets up and walks Bear in the mornings. She usually goes after she sees John leave for work. When mom gets back I get the poop and pee report (whether I want it or not). Well...I got the poop report first hand, so to speak. I was cleaning off the kitchen table and picked up a crumpled paper towel. I was going to throw it in the recycle bin when I felt something inside. It was poop! And, my finger went right into the middle of the mushy, cucky ____ . I gag just thinking about it. Yuk!!!

entry 18 (early riser)

When I get up in the morning my mom 's awake and has been for a couple of hours. She gets up on her own and takes Bear for a walk up and down the sidewalk. She tells everyone about her routine "But, I don't take him on Sunday". After hearing this story for the millionth time I said "mom you know that Bear doesn't stop pooping and peeing just 'cause it's Sunday. We both laughed.

On Sundays when I get up mom is already dressed for church . This morning I awoke after a terrible nights sleep and was sitting on the porch to wake up. John appeared in the doorway and asked where my mom was. He said that he was up at 1:30 AM when my mom came into the room fully dressed for church - 1:30 AM and announced she was ready to go. When I went to bed she was in her PJ's and that was about 11PM. He told her it was 1:30 AM and she should change and go back to bed. "Nope, I'll just stay dressed and that way I'll be ready to go in the morning" .Hmmmmm, this can only get....more interesting?!

entry 17 (that's alzheimer's for ya)

So much has happened since I last posted. Really I have about lost my mind (but that's another post). I thought it was funny yesterday when I was at the car wash with my mom. I stopped to get some gas and decided my poor car needed a shower. As we headed into the car wash my mom made her usual off the wall comments but.... what was really weird was her comment as we were about to pull out of the tunnel. There was a light... yellow for hold and green to go. My mom just couldn't figure out what was under that yellow light. "Is that a hat under that light she asked? A hat, what in the world???

If you look at the picture below you can see how she might possibly confuse the "green light" as a hat but it's kind of a stretch.

OK, is it me or is there a strange resemblance to the shoe box lady?

entry 16

I have written 2 long posts. Mozilla has locked up twice and I've lost both. Suffice it to say...MOM is nuts, I am nuts.

entry 15

It's been too long since I've written about mom. Situations change daily. I should have named this blog "riding the waves of life". One good thing (for her and Bear)is she has been taking Bear for morning walks . Then she gives me the "poop" report.

Here in these pics mom is showing Bear the ducks. Mom talks to Bear like he's her child. I find it so interesting how animals can either bring joy and comfort into a person's life or they can drive you NUTS . Nature is amazing, though. Mom loves watching our feathered friends waddle onto our yard. She will ask "what are those two things that keep coming onto the yard"? She has a difficult time understanding that both are ducks because they look so different. We truly have a critter farm going ! Cats, dogs, ducks, oh my!

entry 14

I have this picture on my desktop slide show. It popped up when Jackie was here the other day after spending several hours with mom. "THAT'S EXACTLY HOW I FEEL RIGHT NOW". she said exasperated. I laughed. That's exactly why it's on my desktop. Hence the pic to go with the title of this blog.

Try it 24/7

entry13

This is a post from my sister Jackie:

Cherilyn brought Mom down to the DAR mtg w/ me yesterday. Of all things, I was given the assignment of reporting the Nat'l Defense message which happened to be on Gold/Blue Star Mothers and music/bands in the military. I mentioned Mom was there; that Dad had a 5 or 6 star Grandmother; and that Mom's Mother was married to a man who played the trumpet and died en-route to WW1 a yr before Pres. Wilson started this program honoring war mothers. Someone else reported on Constitution Hall w/ pic's. She enjoyed all of this and interacting with the women who were very kind, honoring, and friendly towards her (all about her age). She was dressed in her white suit. She made statements that jumbled things up (like my performing at Constitution Hall the time I got that white dress, "Do you want to tell them about that?" I told her I didn't perform at that the time I was a page for the DAR Convention, but that I performed at my H.S. Graduation there. She told women there she was from Wash, D.C. and does this everywhere I take her and introduce people to her.

Afterwards, we went to Sizzler to get something to eat. I said I was going in to get something and she says, "Well, what if I don't like what you get?" She says this to everything I try to feed her, but then ends up liking it (like she did this ~ Malibu Chicken Platter, they charge $2.56 for a measly side of broccoli, btw, now).

We went back to my place where Br. Lefevre (our Lee relative) was connecting my electrical outlet near my TV (that blew out my 5 yr old DVD/VCR recorder recently). She kept getting him confused w/ a real electrician and him being someone I know well w/ comments about paying him and other such she would if she had someone in her house.

Immediately after he left she wanted to go back home (to Cherilyn's). I was trying to get her to go to the Temple w/ me and she said, "Well, let's schedule something like that for next week or something b/c I've been up since 6 a.m. and have had a busy day!" Part of that actually did sound normal as she said it.

We had to run by the Police Station b/c as we were waiting for Br. Lefevre to do the socket, I found a "Fraud Alert" letter from Discover Card in the pile. Someone was trying to get a credit card thru my name, using my SS#, but with a different address. Discover Card said that's what triggered their sending me the alert and asked if I had recently applied for one to which, of course, I told them, "No." I had to pick up a packet in down-town Provo. Mom thought it looked really ratty down there and would not sit in the car b/c she was scared. I told her, "This is Provo?!!" but she still felt uncomfortable and went in with me.

We tried to call Cherilyn to bring her home (this was about 6:30 p.m.), but no answer. Mom said, "She won't answer. She'll just leave me here and I have no clean clothes to wear or anything for church tomorrow!" Frankly, it reminds me of Di where she is able to "remember" and verbalize some things correctly, but not others.

Cherilyn called soon-after and I took her back. Cherilyn said she noticed something different about Mom. She did almost start crying as we were leaving about my having to live there alone and feeling guilty for leaving. Before we left I managed to capture a little bit of us conversing on video. She was very ornary and sarcastic in her answers. When we talked about McLean she got antsy and didn't want to talk about certain things very long saying how she was going to be able to drive and have to take a taxi everywhere!

When we got back to Cherilyn's she immediately went to greet the dog and stayed in her room the whole night watching TV. I invited her to watch, "Goodbye Mr. Chips," with me (we did that song during one of our latest Broadcasts she attended). She said, "No, I'm not interested in that," but occasionally came into the room and asked if it were good. The dog stayed w/ me on the couch. ;-)

As I left she was asleep sitting up on her bed. I had a feeling to go kiss her goodbye, but just let her sleep. A few min's later she called me nearly crying as if she wasn't going to see me for a long time. Whenever we have been on the phone these past 2 weeks she has talked to me as if she were going to be flying home any min. saying, "I need to get home. It's time." She's made these sorts of statements since she came last Sept. Jackie

entry 12

I seem to have a bit more patience since my meltdown last Saturday. It's amazing how writing things down can literally calm you down when you're in a craze.

I worked in the yard all day long and was dead tired. I paid for it Sunday but I needed to work the body and the mind. I've never liked dirt or bugs or spiders, bees, yellow jackets, wasps, black widows, earwigs, anything flying up your nose or into your ears, eyes and face. Over the years I've grown to have an appreciation for nature. I am finding the insects and other critters {extra}ordinary these days.

Back to mom. The "critters" seem to help her as well. The day the ducks waddled on to our yard she ran into the house, got some bread and chased them down the street. There is a natural serenity one feels when standing in the midst of nature. A respect for all that has been created.

On a sadder note...I helped mom buy some thank you notes . She's had them for over two weeks. She wanted to thank everyone for her birthday and mother's day gifts. She literally was unable to start the task of writing the notes. I typed a list of whom to thank and what to thank them for. I let her go as long as possible to see the outcome. I hate to say it but I had to stand by her and tell her every word to write. She struggled through the entire process until mailed. Then directly after and through the the evening she had no idea why we went to the post office, what we mailed and why and who we mailed "whatever" to.

entry 11

Packed and ready to go 4 hours in advance

Two weeks ago Jackie called me and asked if I thought mom would like to go to a dinner that the "Mayflower" (genealogy group) was having. Sure, great. The dinner was going to be at the JSMB downtown. They always have great food. There would also be an "artist" of some kind. Yesterday, mom called Jackie and left her a message (she calls her everyday a couple times a day stating that she hasn't spoken with her for a long time. (Try an hour or two). Jackie had forgotten about the dinner and so had I but we both told mom about the evening in advance . The time was 1:30 pm (dinners' at 6:30pm). So mom immediately started to get dressed. Now, mom thinks she's going home and she thinks she's all packed and she can't find anything to wear. I told her she could wear her white suit but she brought out her black skirt that doesn't fit anymore. "I can't find my white suit". "It must be at the cleaners". I thought she probably packed it but found it folded up in her drawer. By 2pm she was dressed and ready to go except her hair. Mom has widow's peak in the back of her head where the hair swirls and can flip out. She called me to help her with this flipped out hair. "Just take some scissors and cut that flip off", she said. Of course I wasn't going to cut off the hair . Instead I sprayed it with hair spray and suggested she not to mess with it. She's subborn. She wouldn't, couldn't leave it alone. I heard her spraying and spraying, it sounded like running water. By the time she was done she had so much hair spray in her hair it looked wet! Finally, that ended and she said with a very disgusted tone in her voice "when in the world is Jackie going to be here"? "She can't call and give me an hours notice and expect me to get ready, where in the world is she"? I stated Jackie would be there in about 4 hours. "Mom, we told you the time". Repeat this whole conversation over and over until 6pm except add hours of pacing as well.

Bottom line? Jackie arrived on time, mom had a great dinner and lovely evening, away!

entry 10

Mother's day for mom started out with Jackie picking her up at 7:15 AM on her way to "Spoken Word" at the Tabernacle. Mom wore her favorite white suit and we gave her a corsage to wear that she thought was beautiful-Jackie's idea. We gave her a new bracelet type watch that is easier for her to put on her wrist. With her broken elbow it's very difficult for her to clasp the watch she has now. Then Jackie took her to church at her ward in Provo. Later, the family got together for dinner at Alicia's. It's interesting to me because 2 weeks ago Jackie and I forced mom to go to the Temple one night. Since then she has seemed clearer about some things. She has also started talking about going home again this week. Someone said to her that when the weather became nicer in VA she could go home. Somehow that stuck in her mind. Everyday mom asks " is this the day I'm going home "? Mom has even kind of packed her things . She obsesses about not being able to drive and how she will get to the bank to make the deposits. While it would be so much easier for me if she went home I adamantly believe it would be to her detriment. Mom has had to come out of seclusion and be social whether she's wanted to or not. I know she wants her own space but I believe the daily stimulation has helped her. If mom goes home she will dwindle away both phsically and mentally (as was the case last year). She will say "I can't wait to leave this earth". Maybe I'm keeping her from what she really wants, to go home. Do we give her that choice?

entry 9

This Alzheimer's thing is very confusing. This past week it seems as if my mom's memory has been better. The weather here has been great and so she walks Bear more often. Mom gets dragged around everywhere I go. She wants to go with me but will sit in the car when we get to our destination. Yesterday Alicia, Chaia, mom and me went to run a few errands. Chaia is such a character. She kept calling grandma over and over. I answered her over and over until I figured out she was calling my mom. We all laughed. I said to Chaia lets call grandma "BABS" that's what Uncle Quinny calls her. She laughed and laughed and repeated "BABS" over and over. Let's go to "Bab's" house. I think the whole shopping experience drove my mom nuts. Chaia never stops talking (unless asleep). While we were at Ikea Chaia's shoe rubbed a blister on her foot. She is very dramatic! "My booboo, my owee". This went on for a some time while we waited for Alicia. When we got back in the truck to leave Chaia said "Weesha, my booboo hurts".

We got home, patched up Chaia, Natalie and Jaxon arrived, my mom went in her room, shut the door and waited until everyone was gone.

entry 8

I'm really not sure what prompted this comment but, last night we got home and my mom said "that was a great day"! (WOW tell me what it was so I can repeat it). I asked her what made it a great day and she didn't remember. "It was just really fun"! Going back through the day...

Bears little girlfriend Roxy came to play and mom got a kick out of that
Mason and I pulled weeds outside and dragged dirt around
Mom took Bear for a walk
I forced all my kids to take the gkids to the park for a group picture.

We went to the ball park for the picture and mom kept saying how she had been there many times for Clays games. Mom loves to watch baseball. Seriously though, taking the pictures was a CIRCUS and after 1600 pics I didn't get one GREAT pic of all the kids. On the other hand I did get all the gkids together - that's more than a Gma could ask for.

So what made it a GREAT DAY? I'm not sure but for now I'll take it!