Sunday, February 11, 2007

Gary's Home (yay!!) & a little update
& a (kinda long) photo post . . .


Well, the best news of the weekend was that Gary came home yesterday (Saturday) evening and he actually went to church this morning and took Delaney to practice (although I really didn't want him to do that). He's trying to get back into the swing of things, but he's still VERY tired!!

The doctor finished all of the tests they wanted to do on him Friday, so they were able to send him home yesterday. Gary was excited to leave the hospital--to say the least!

He's very tired today, though, and is still having some trouble speaking. Sometimes he's able to put together a few sentences in a row and then at other times he just gets completely blocked and has to stop and think about what he's trying to say. We're hoping that this side effect will soon get back to normal, but we're not sure about how long that will be.

We have an appointment with the neurologist on Tuesday and I hope that he'll be able to give us some insight into why he has now had three strokes--when he is apparently in "perfect shape"! That's the worst part of it all--not knowing WHY he's having these problems.

We trust, though, that he's going to be just fine and that God will continue to watch over him! Gary and I both have very strong faith and we know that God has gotten us through many more difficult times in both of our pasts. He is here with us right now, there is no doubt about that to either of us. So, don't worry about us--we are FINE (actually, MORE than fine because we are so blessed with a wonderful marriage, amazing families, and beautiful friendships!!!).

He will take off work for a few days and get some well-needed rest and I will get to be his Constant Nurse Who Dispenses Aspirin EveryDay!!! LOL

Now, even before Gary had his stoke and just disrupted our plans (ha!!!), I knew this weekend would be VERY busy. We had our Scrapbook Day at church yesterday to benefit the youth's Student Leadership University trip this summer to Europe. We didn't have as many people as I'd hoped for, but we had SO much fun and I think that everyone who came just had a blast (so much, that they all want us to do it again!!). McKenna was amazing at helping all day long (she is super-organized and loves to plan things, so she was very much in her element!) and everyone else really helped pick up the slack for me (since I was so tired that I'm sure I looked like a Zombie most of the day!)

A few pictures of the day for those of you interested . . .

McKenna getting ready to go . . .


Sydney hung out most of the day with us, since Gary couldn't babysit until later in the evening, and she was a trooper! I think she entertained everyone . . .



Sydney especially liked drawing the names for the door prizes . . .



I wanted to win this cute scrapping bag (but for some reason they said I couldn't!! LOl) . . .



Adrienne came up later in the day and taught a really cute "Love is" Mini Tag Album. It was so cute. ..




The only picture taken of me during the day was this one, taken by McKenna. I say THANK GOODNESS it came out totally blurry. You can't really see the dark circles under my red eyes (and I did actually get three pages done; I might share one or two of them later on this week) . . .


It's always fun to just share our albums with one another (McKenna was checking it all out and getting great ideas) . . .



There was paper, and albums, and glue, and supplies, and everything else everywhere . . .



Delaney showed up to pose for a picture . . .



We even had a few kids come by and do some scrappin...



And a boy who was fascinated by the Sizzix (well, it IS a tool! lol) . . .



McKenna was proud of getting some pages done . . .



(Speaking of scrapbook stuff, I did want to mention to Telah that my calendar class you are thinking about coming to is not this Tuesday but next Tuesday the 20th! So, let me know if you gals might still be interested in that! We are gonna have to meet up one day or another for something!!)

Well, now it's time to get ready a for a week full of red & pink, hearts, love, and lots of candy!! I'm not sure what we'll do for Valentine's Day--it really just depends on how Gary is feeling. Do any of you have big plans? I do have a few fun Valentine's Day-themed posts for this week, so we'll see how that goes.

I do think that it's a good day to get started thinking of those people and things you have in your life that are special and make you feel loved. Sometimes it's just a small thing--in the last few days it's been something as simple as a hot bath to rest my weary body, a special hymn, an unexpected hug from a daughter, a sweet call from an old friend, a husband to bug--but we ALL have things that we can be grateful for this week and every week!

Have a great Sunday and I hope your week starts out well. Feel loved today--because you deserve it (if I haven't told you so already!!!)

(For some reason, I don't watch Awards shows like I used to. I used to be ALL ABOUT the Academy Awards and the Grammys and such, but not so much now! But I did see that Christina Aguilera won a Grammy for this song tonight. One of my faves from the past year!)

24 comments:

Heather said...

So glad that Gary got to come home! It looks lie you all had a blast yesterday scrapbooking! I saw where Telah and Leah might be coming to your class....that would be cool! I might like to come adn if it works out and I can swing it....and those crazy friends of mine wouldn't care if I caught a ride with them.....well, I just might!!! :) Got some things going on and a crazy schedule...so I will have to wait and see. It sounds so fun! I love to make calendars....have only done one before....and love new ideas!!!
No big Valentine's day plans here....just staying home with my hubby and the kiddos...Parker is having an outpatient procedure done that morning...so we will be home for the day!
Have a great evening! So glad your hubby is home and things are looking up for you and your family!

Anonymous said...

I hope you saw my post about my Mom going thru the same thing with the "mini strokes" aka TIA's.
Her last 2 messed up her speech but in time it came back.
I'm not trying to be rude or sound pushy but your DH sounds so like my Mom and it ended up being her heart.

Adrienne said...

So glad Gary is home!I was glad to see him Saturday !I had a blast Saturday!! Can't wait to do it again!

CyndiAKADisneyqueen said...

I am soo glad he is back home, I tried to post yesterday but was having issues with blogger. I will continue to keep you guys in my prayers. Tell Gary to take it easy ( I know that can be hard for guys ). And you take care of yourself also ( no more circles under those eyes ).

Jeff said...

Great news that Gary is home! Take care, have a great week & happy Valentine's Day!

Anonymous said...

I hate that I had to miss the Saturday crop. I'm glad you had fun and VERY happy that Gary came home! Looking forward to the Maniac Madness! Happy Valentine's Day!

Linda said...

It is good to hear that Gary is home. I know how happy you all must be. I'm praying the doctor will be able to answer all the questions. In the meantime, I think you should all just get a good rest!!
The scrap booking looks like such fun. It's something I've never tried.
Praying for you.

Bare said...

Bless Gary's sweet heart! I had no idea he has had 3 strokes! He and your family are most definitely in my prayers. God has definitely watched out for him in the past, and will continue to do so!

I'm sorry that you didn't have as many people at your scrapbook thing, but it looked like everyone who was there, had a great time! Thanks so much for sharing with us! *hugs*

Cheryl Wray said...

So good to see all of you today!!!

Heather-- I would LOVE for all of you to make it to the calendar class. That would be SO fun!!! I hate to hear that Parker is having to have a procedure done tomorrow. He'll be in my prayers tonight!

Jen--Yes, I did want to thank you for that information! I will definitely mention it to the doctor and see if he knows about it! Thanks!!

Adrienne--THANK you for the class. They all loved the project!!

Disney S--Yes, guys sometimes don't take it easy like they should. But I'm really going to try and help him do so!!

Jeff--We are excited he's home!! I hope you and Will have a great Valentine's Day too!!

Jennifer--We may try and do another all-day crop since it won't over so well. Maybe you can make that one!!

Linda--Yes, we are going to try and get some rest. That will work wonders for everyone!! You should try scrapbooking. it's SO much fun!!

Miss-- Yes, God will take care of him; no doubt about it!! We had a good crowd (around 22), but were hoping to have at least 30! But it was still fun!!

Cheryl Wray said...

So good to see all of you today!!!

Heather-- I would LOVE for all of you to make it to the calendar class. That would be SO fun!!! I hate to hear that Parker is having to have a procedure done tomorrow. He'll be in my prayers tonight!

Jen--Yes, I did want to thank you for that information! I will definitely mention it to the doctor and see if he knows about it! Thanks!!

Adrienne--THANK you for the class. They all loved the project!!

Disney S--Yes, guys sometimes don't take it easy like they should. But I'm really going to try and help him do so!!

Jeff--We are excited he's home!! I hope you and Will have a great Valentine's Day too!!

Jennifer--We may try and do another all-day crop since it won't over so well. Maybe you can make that one!!

Linda--Yes, we are going to try and get some rest. That will work wonders for everyone!! You should try scrapbooking. it's SO much fun!!

Miss-- Yes, God will take care of him; no doubt about it!! We had a good crowd (around 22), but were hoping to have at least 30! But it was still fun!!

Mississippi Songbird said...

I'm so glad he's home and that you all are doing good. I'm going to still be praying for you all. .God be with you..
The scrapbooking looks like you had a lot of fun..

**hugs***

Anonymous said...

Welcome Home Gary!!! What great news Cheryl! I will continue to keep you in prayer as you visit the doctor and such this week.
Looks like you had sooo much fun at the event!
And you are so right...we do deserve to be loved, and sometimes we forget that we are. Thanks for the reminder.
What an appropriate song! Loved it!! Hugs gf, you are in my thoughts always.

Cinderella said...

You go girl!!! The scrapping event looked like a lot of fun. I really have to get into that. I want to make a book for my daughter's first year of Kindergarten. I will do it, I am pumped lol

I am so happy that Gary is home with you guys. Hopefully Tuesday you will get some answers. Make sure he gets his asprin and that he relaxes. Men!! They never wanna chill....*Grumble*

I am not doing anything for Valentines Day (That I am aware of). I never wanna go out to eat b/c everything is booked and crowded. I can't go away anywhere b/c my daughter has school. Plus we are getting tons of snow this Valentines Day, so that should be fun!! lol

Stay well!!!

the not so "new" mom on the blog said...

(I posted a comment earlier - think blogger was hungry again). anyway's, I am Glad to hear your DH is home and recovering! I know it is not easy for him but he must take it easy - he will eventually be back to doing the things he did but for now his strength and health is more important!!!

Take Care and enjoy your week ahead and knowing you, it is going to be one heck of a week!!!!! xox

Anonymous said...

Oh I'm so happy to read Gary was sent home over the weekend! So happy for you and for him. I will continue to keep him in prayer for a complete and total recovery soon! :) Your class on Sunday must have been tons of fun! Many hugs to you.

Unknown said...

I'm glad I came home too...

I hate that you get to finish my sentences for me cause I can't.

At least on here you can't finish it for me....blah...

scrapperjen said...

Glad he is home!

Anonymous said...

I'm glad your hubby got to come home. I will continue to keep yall in my prayers.

Wish I could come to the card class. I want to move to Alabama!

Theresa Tyree said...

Hello, sweet girl.
I've been a blogging slackard lately and feel really bad since I'm just now finding out about Gary's condition. Prayers will be sent on his behalf. There's comfort in knowing that Jesus will be there to make sure everything is going to be just fine, as you said.
Looks like you girls (and one boy?) had a good time at your crop. Wish I could've been there. How far away are you from Missouri??
I'll try to check in more often!
XOXOX

Phats said...

So glad that Gary is home, now you are waiting on him hand and foot correct? HAHA :)

Michelle said...

so glad to hear he's home now! Hope he's able to get some much-needed rest!

Glad your scrappin event turned out so well too!

aimee said...

I'm so glad that Gary came home. I pray that the doctor's can figure out why now.

I have a question: You said that the scrapbooking was a fundraiser? How exactly did you do it? Did you sell tickets to get into a crop? I am very interested because it is such a different, fun, great idea!

Anonymous said...

Heh there Cheryl! So glad to hear your news and am so impressed by your good and positive attitude. Keeping your family in my prayers - modern meds. can do amazing things - keep seeing the end of the tunnel as only good...xo

Lara Neves said...

Oh wow! I am glad that things seem to be okay. I hope that the doctors are able to figure out what's going on with him. You have such a good attitude. So scary!