Life's Curveball's

Why does life have to throw us so many curveballs? There are always struggles and ups and downs along the way. But those major curveball's of life, the ones that knock you off your feet, well, frankly, they just suck! Betsy, as most of you know, had a tumor in her spine removed on Dec. 18th. Since then everything has changed. She cannot get out of bed without help, she cannot shower without help, she cannot go to the bathroom without help, she cannot brush her own hair, or walk by herself. Her whole life has changed. I spoke with her this morning and tried to listen through her tears of grief and frustration, as she told of the occupational therapy session this morning. They had her in the O.T. kitchen and wanted her to make pancakes. I can't imagine how nearly impossible that was for Betsy. She said she couldn't hold the measuring cup and put in the pancake mix because her right hand is so weak, just standing at the counter was near impossible. I believe it will get better, I have to believe that. She says how she cannot believe this has happened to her, it seems like an out of body experience in a sense. How one day she could make pancakes and then she can't. She didn't give up on her assignment and held off the tears until she spoke with Mom. She is determined and tough through it all. She doesn't want to seem like a baby to the therapists, but I have no doubt she wishes she could curl up in a ball(which she can't even physically do) and sob. My heart is breaking for her. I think I will go curl up in a ball and sob for both of us, it's long overdue.

In Jesus' Arms
Lori

Twenty Four years and counting...

Twenty four years ago I married the one God chose for me. How blessed am I? I am blessed to have been given the gift of a kind and compassionate man of God. One with great integrity, patience, a faith that I admire and a wonderful father. I couldn't ask for anything greater.

We celebrated with a day spent at the Vatican Splendors exhibit at the MN History Museum and a wonderful meal at Fogo De Chao in Minneapolis. It's been a long time since we just did something together, just the two of us. It was nice to realize that when the kids all grow up an move out, and they will(right?)that we will still have 'us' and will enjoy eachother in that stage of our life. I pray that the Lord will bless you with a beautiful life partner as well.

Joy in the little things

Finding joy around us can be quite a task at times. We get in ruts where negativity and grumpiness overshadows the joy. The enemy is so good at hounding us and we are so good at allowing him to enter in. But, no more! Move out of here! The little things around us are sometimes the best things. For instance, yesterday when Grace decided she needed a pet frog, like Kalie has. She bundled up in snowpants and such, filled a covered container with water and headed out on a frog hunt. She didn't care that Mom said there are no frogs when it's cold outside, she didn't care that it was COLD outside, and she didn't care that her little friends weren't around to help her in her search. She just wanted that frog. Off and on all day, she went in search of the elusive frog. Guess what? No frogs. She moved on. No negativity, no grumpiness. Joy. May you find the same!

Perserverence

Why is it that the most fulfilling of vocations are also the toughest? I believe that being a Mom is what God has called me to, but I wonder why sometimes. I find it so hard. We all love our kids so much and would never leave them or forsake them, no matter what, just as our Father will never leave or forsake us. But lately, I have been searching for strength to perservere like never before. The Bible speaks of perserving through our trials, "Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perserverence. Perserverence must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything." (James 1) I keep trying to find joy in the fear and worry that accompanies parenting a child who struggles. I am ready for the 'perserverence to finish its work', anytime now. I must replace the worry with trust, the anxiety with peace and the doubt with hope. I ask you to pray for me. I ask you to pray for Sara...she is on her way out of the darkest of holes, addiction and mental illness, she says she can see the light, even if it's just one little ray, she can see it now. Our family will perservere and win this race with God's grace.

The "Great Hunter", Ben, came home last night empty handed and chilled to the bone. Apparently northern MN got 2 inches of snow and 60 mph winds on Sunday morning. Arrows don't hit their targets very well in windy conditions(so he says). It was an adventure every young man should have, a right of passage, to go hunting without Dad and grill steaks in the Walmart parking lot, rather than in the woods in the middle of bear country! Ben had a great time and Sady was happy to see him return home safely as well.

Sunday 16 October 2008

The Gout has reared its ugly head at the Elsen household once again. Poor Larry has had a tough day. An early morning visit to urgent care to get some relief from the pain and then resting the hugely swollen knee for the remainder of this blustery Sunday. It takes alot to bring the big guy down, but the gout will do it every time. You know what they say about what baby's men can be when they don't feel good, well Larry is the exception. He really doesn't complain when he gets a flare up.
Hopefully by tomorrow there will be some relief, but maybe a sick day too. Grace and I would love to have him home with us!

We had Grandma and Jeannie, Larry's sister from across the pond, over for lasagna dinner tonight. It was a very nice evening. We rounded out the lasagna with vanilla ice cream and homemade hot fudge! Yum-O!

Grace loved her first sleepover at Nani and Papa's. She was not ready to leave and come home with me. I did well too. I told Larry how liberating it felt to know she enjoyed it and did well. It actually almost brought tears to my eyes when I thought of how good it felt to know she was fine without me. Silly, huh?

I can hear Larry SNORING from upstairs! I guess the vicoden is working. Goodnight and God bless.

Weekends

Larry and I left Grace with Nani and Papa today for her first ever sleep-over with grandma and grandpa. She's only three and a half, after all. No sense in rushing these things. I think it was the thirteen months of breastfeeding, I am having a tough time letting go of this one! Anyway, Larry and I headed to Becker to watch the Tigers, and our nephew Jake, play the Bobcats(?) in Becker. We lost, but what a nice day to be outdoors and with friends. We then headed to the American Grill and Brewhouse in Waverly where my younger brother, Jeff and his wife Cathy bought us dinner! We had a great time with them. They don't have kids, but sure love ours and we really enjoy their company. Tomorrow we head to Loretto for mass with Grandma to honor and remember Grandpa Johnnie's birthday. We still miss him so much.

Anna is at a Halloween party, dressed as Daisy Duke or something like that. I wasn't here when she got ready for the party, so I hope it's not inappropriate!
Ben is off deer hunting in Ulen with a buddy from school. I hope he is okay, he won't answer his cell phone. Probably trying to gain some independence from mom! Sara is sober cab for another friends 21st birthday tonight, so of course I worry about that. I worry alot. I try to remember that the Lord tells us not to be annxious for anything, but I am only human after all, and a mom!
Betsy called and wanted my recipe for guacamole for a get together she is going to tonight. Praise God, she is feeling healthy again following her illness with meningitis.

I feel so blessed and fortunate to be where I am in life. I like to complain a bit too much about certain things that shall remain nameless, but ignore me....I love my life and I love all of you!