Wow. We are finally getting our feet back on the ground. Ever since our relaxing trip to Florida (thank goodness it was relaxing!), life has been rolling full force. Let me recap.
While in Florida, this little dude got a haircut, and this little lady went to Kindergarten Round-Up. Everyone is growing up!!
After our Florida trip, I was hit with a horrible ear infection. No good. Moms can't be sick! Dallas was in the field full force, and I was back to reality of full time, single at the moment, Mommy.
About a week after being home, we were shocked with the news of my Grandpa Charlton passing away. Of course he hadn't been
well for some time now, but he was nowhere near death, or so we thought. Thankfully, he had a great day, teasing and smiling with the nurses, walked back to his room after supper, laid in his bed, and slipped into the arms of Jesus. No suffering. No pain. No fear. For this, we were so thankful!
The siblings and a few grandchildren gathered that night in his room. It seems as though every time we experience death, I have this profound realization, usually always something different. Death is so weird, isn't it? It's so great, but so sad. So relieving, yet a little bit unsettling. But this time, after seeing my grandpa's body after he had passed, I realized: The absolute only thing you bring with you to eternity is your soul. He was gone, but his body lay. We won't present even our bodies to the Lord! So what are we making rich? Our lives, our homes, our jobs, or even our bodies "skinny" and perfect? Because the only thing that matters is our soul. Of course our body is a temple of the Lord and I believe completely in taking good care of it. I like fitness and enjoy good, healthy food. But where are we putting our time? Into our bodies or into our heart and soul? I want to focus more on eternal things, because all the things of this world will pass away. And for my grandpa, they did.
The morning of the funeral, Maleah said, "We get to see Grandpa just one
more time, right?" I said, "Yes, you are right." Layla goes, "And we
only get to see his bones, because he has a new body in heaven!" They
even "get it." It's so rewarding to hear.
Our Charlton family is extremely close. It makes the joyful times super joyful and the sad times really sad. Seeing my grandma grieve over the love of her life was absolutely heart breaking. They had almost 60 years together, and she is the most faithful, loving, person I have ever known. She misses her husband dearly, as we all will. There is no doubt we are all grateful for him and his new body rejoicing in heaven, but it's sad for us left behind.
The days of being together were so fun. We laughed and laughed about grandpa stories, hugged my grandma when she would get weepy, played cards, ate food, all the things families do together. It was great.
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| The cousins with my dear grandma. |
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The day after the funeral, Layla had an appointment and hearing test in Iowa City. To say we were exhausted after the week is an understatement. Dallas was back at planting and the kids and I were shot! We loaded up before 7am and trekked to Iowa City. Timing was horrible, but getting in there is even worse, so we went with it.
To my surprise, Layla did terrible on her hearing test. I knew she wasn't hearing up to par, but she's always been "that" kid, too. Always sarcastic or joking, pretending like she hasn't a clue what's going on, or so we thought. She did awesome at cooperating and paying attention. We learned it's not certain ranges or volumes, just simply poor hearing. Watching the test and seeing Layla not respond made my heart sink to the bottom of my toes. At the same time, so thankful it's "only" ears we are dealing with.
The doctor scheduled surgery #5 for Layla a week later, and onward we went. Layla got t-tubes put in this time. It was our worst surgery to date, as Layla woke up absolutely screaming in ear pain. Her left ear was incredibly infected, and the t-tube incision is a bit bigger, so it hurt...bad. It was also my worst experience to date as I went back with her when they put her under. She didn't go back until 3:00, and had not eaten since supper the night before, so they were trying to keep her as happy as possible...that meant Mommy going into the OR! It wasn't as bad as I thought it would be, as they let me hold her in a chair. But boy did I cry, feeling so sad for her. It is weird and scary, and I feel so sad she's had to do it so many times. We go back May 30 for another hearing test, and will continue to monitor frequently. I am beyond grateful that Layla is an absolute champ! She never complains and always cooperates at her appointments.
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| Stinkin' cute!! |
In between Florida, funeral, and surgery, life kept happening. All good things, some bad things, but busy. I missed the last two weeks of bible study and MOPS, but so goes sometimes, right? We are now into our summer of
nothing scheduled, and it is so very welcomed.
Between everything going on, I have realized how blessed I am to be home. I can't imagine trying to maneuver everything and everyone daily. It was so nice to nap and catch up when needed, be able to be with family during the funeral time, and feel like I could give Layla as much time and attention as she needed. I won't get these days back. I want them to count.
