Sunday Smiles from Mother’s Day

Yes, I know that Mother’s Day was 3 weeks ago.

I know that I should have posted this long ago..but…

Better Late Than Never…

That is my motto these days…. so bear with me. These memories are too precious for me not to document them. There are more than 6 but I couldn’t leave any of them out.

However, before I get started l want to tell you that Holly is having a give-away for her 1000 blog post. Click HERE if you want to enter.

Now... on with my belated Mother's Day smiles....

In spite of me spending much of the day in bed, I was happy to be out of the hospital and back in my own home for Mother’s Day …. surrounded by …. loved ones…. flowers…. gifts…. and good food.

It really is a miracle that John and I both survived that awful accident. At first I thought I had lost him. It was the worst experience of my life… and then, here I was 6 weeks later getting Mother’s day flowers from him. What a blessing… my heart overflows with thankfulness and smiles.

The previous day, ProFlowers had delivered beautiful roses from Erin and Patrick and Lynell and Dathan. (I may be a tiny bit biased… but I think my precious girls and grand-girls are the most beautiful flowers in my life’s garden.)

The Young Women from our ward, Marie and Sil also sent me flowers. My family room looked like a flower shop. Smile… Smile….

I think my Son and grandsons are beautiful too… but since they are men I guess I’m suppose to say handsome even though they are gorgeous. David gave me his gift 3 days earlier when I flew home from Utah. John carried it on the plane without even 1 complaint. Smile… Smile.

Ernie loaded up his smoker and all the supplies for dinner and brought them to our house since I could not travel to their home. All of his efforts made me smile.

Lynell and Johnny drove out from Long Beach where Johnny had been competing in the National Gymnastic Meet the past few days. I was thrilled to get to spend a few hours with them before they had to drive to LA to catch their flight home.

Johnny was pooped exhausted after his week of competing…. but we were all thrilled that all of his years of hard work had paid off and out of the 1000s of boys who competed this year, he was one of the 14 who made the National USA team.

That made us all smile.

Here he is showing me the National Team rules book he got.

I was sorry that sweet Lynell had to hurry off to the airport before she got any Mother’s Day dinner but we all appreciated her making the effort to drive out so she and Johnny could spend some time with us… and we were glad that she could get home to her own family just in time to get a call from her Justin who is serving on an LDS mission in Guatemala for 2 years. Smile… Smile

(Notice the basket full of supplies and all the food they brought from home to make dinner for us. What a big job for them.)

While Mindy and Ernie worked making dinner…

…E.J. played piano and Claire sang for me. We had not been able to attend the talent show they were in the day before. It is the first time we’ve ever missed their talent show. That made me sad but having my own special concert made me smile.

Ernie’s smoker produced the best chicken ever made. We were all smiling when our delicious dinner was ready.

I got the invalid treatment royal treatment and was served dinner in bed. Just when I thought all the festivities were over I was presented with one last gift… more charms for my Brighton bracelet. Smile… smile

What a wonderful day!

However, even though the flowers, gifts, phone calls and dinner were very nice and very much appreciated….. they were not the best part of Mother’s Day.

The best part of Mother’s Day is having a precious family…. every one of them…. who love the Lord and love me, as I love them.

I have dear friends who do not have this blessing in their lives. My heart goes out to them. I am so sorry. I do not take my loving family for granted. I realize it is my life’s greatest blessing… and greatest joy. I thank God for them every day…. and I am thankful I am still here with them.

A few weeks ago, after the accident, I prayed that God would call me home to release me from pain I was experiencing. I felt it was more than I could bear for even one more minute….. then I would think of my family. I thought about how sad they would be without me. I thought about how sad I would be to leave them.

I am glad that God didn’t listen to my pleas to bring me back to my heavenly home. Instead, He gave me the strength to go on. He knew my family still needs me and even though I feel rather worthless just lying in bed waiting for these darn ribs to get better, I know that eventually they will heal. One day I will be able to be of service to my family and friends again. I am thankful for that.

I am thankful for you readers too. I know that this is a very long post. Thank you for letting me express these heartfelt feelings.

I hope that each of you have a great week that is full of smiles.

Sunday Smiles

Here it is Sunday and time for my Sunday Six Smiles.

Buttercup is having a purple giveaway. You can enter if you visit her blog

I have lots to smile about. I planned to show you my smiles from Mother’s day but I haven’t got the pictures organized yet. You would think that since all I do is lie in bed that I would be up to date…. but I’m not. I just don’t feel like doing much. However, I plan to get Mother’s Day posted before the end of May the 4th of July…. will that work?

1. The good food I’m getting makes me smile.

John is going all out cooking for me. In this breakfast he made me a pork chop, potatoes, fried egg and fruit. Deb made me a strawberry tart.

Several friends have made us meals or brought us fast food. If I ate all the food I’ve been given I’m afraid I’d gain 50 pounds…. but it is surely delish… and makes me smile.

2. Nice visits make me smile too.

Kris and Jan.................................................. Meryse

Carolyn.......................................................... Karen

Melinda, Sheryl and our Bishop

So many friends have come to visit. I can’t list all of them but I appreciate each one, They have done so many sweet things to help me and make me smile. I am so thankful for them.

3. Sil spending her birthday with me makes me smile.

Ron took the day off so he could celebrate his wife’s birthday with her. I think it was so nice of them to drive 80 miles to spend Sil’s special day with us. They provided us with dinner and Sil brought the birthday cake her daughter made her to share with us. I don’t think it was a very exciting birthday for Sil…… but it was great for me.

4. Getting flowers make me smile

Thanks to all of you. I love them.

5. Getting these clever tee shirts made me smile

My sister-in-law love had these shirts made for me. If you can’t read the pink one it says “My heart is not broke…my ribs are… no hugs please.” Aren’t they funny!!! Thank you RoLayne and happy belated birthday to you.

6. Having this hospital bed makes me smile.

This bed is a great help to me. It is making my transition to home comfortable for me since I can't lie flat on our regular bed.

However, I miss being back in our bedroom with John. I look forward to the day when I can move back into our bedroom with my sweety again,

I hope that you all have had a good week. Tell me about your smiles.

Hearing from each of you who leave comments makes me smile.

Have a great week. Hugs, Lura

A funny Story

I think this story is so funny. It just cracks me up….upps… I am already cracked up …. maybe it would be better to say … it makes me laugh…. which is not easy with a chest full of broken ribs…. but it makes me laugh anyway. I hope that it brings you a smile too.

I told you about the warm welcome we received last week when I got home from being in the hospital for 6 weeks. We were greeted with friends cheering, banners, ...and...balloons ...and a welcome home sign which was put up by my considerate friend Alicia from WIC (Women's Improvement Club).

The only problem was the sign at the front door said

“Welcome home Lura and Bob”

John and I wondered why it said “Lura and Bob” but we smiled and came inside.

The next day my neighbor from across the street came over to visit me. As she came up to the porch I heard her say….”Oh, No!” …. “Oh No!”

I wondered what was wrong??? She came in and said “ Lura…. I’m so sorry.” I couldn’t imagine what she was sorry about…. was it because we were home???? No, that couldn’t be it I think she was glad to see us again. Was it because of the accident???….. I didn’t think that was it because she was laughing too much. She said she was sorry because she ruined my sign. Ruined my sign……How????

She said that when she drove out of her driveway the day before she saw my WIC sister, Alicia, putting up the balloons. My neighbor rolled down the window of her car and called out to Alicia how cheerful the balloons looked and how nice it was for WIC to do that for me. Then my neighbor thought Alicia asked “What is your husband’s name?” She answered “Bob” and drove off thinking what business it that to you? wondering why in the world Alicia wanted to know her husband’s name???

When she saw the sign at our front door she realized that Alicia had actually asked “What is her (meaning me) husband’s name?”……not “What is your husband’s name?”

I have laughed about that so hard it hurts each time a new friend has come to visit and asked “Who the heck is Bob?”

However all is well now.

Sweet Alicia came back over and cleared up the error.. The sign now says “Welcome home Lura and John. Bob lives across the street.” Good…… I’m glad that is all settled.

So I just want you to know that Bob John and I are glad to be home.

I hope this story makes you smile….it surely does me.

Have a great week.

Hugs, Lura

The long trip home...Sunday Smiles a day early

(Note..I tried to post this yesterday but I couldn't until today. Since it is now Saturday afternoon I am going to let this post count as my Sunday Six Smiles.... a day early. I've put in more than 6 reasons to smile in this post.... but I had to list them all for my record of coming home....and they are too dear to me to leave them out.)

When we started our trip to Utah on March 24th, 2011 we were full of excitement . We make that 700 mile trip often to visit family and attend the special events our grandchildren are involved in.

• We had been there after Christmas and celebrated New years with them in Jan.
• We made the trip in Feb. to attend a gymnastic meet with Johnny and to go to court with Erin and Patrick to finalize the adoption of little Ellie Mae.
• However, this trip in March was really special. All of our family was coming together from across the USA to celebrate and rejoice with Erin and Patrick as they took their little Elizabeth Mae to the temple and then had her blessed.

It was with great anticipation that I finished the temple/blessing dress I was making for Ellie to wear on her special day and we packed up the Prius, our wonderful car we so loved to travel in, and headed to Utah on what we thought would be a fabulous 10 day trip…..

…never dreaming that it would be a life changing event and at about 40 miles from our destination, our nightmare would begin. I had just called Erin, telling her that we would arrive at their new home in a few minutes…. but it was not to be. In fact, even though I was in Utah 6 weeks, I never got to go to their beautiful new home...or see the new home David bought either.

After having 3 collisions going 75 miles per hour on the freeway, our precious Prius died in the crash but she saved our lives…. which we are told is a miracle… and then….. at last….after 6 agonizing weeks in the hospital,

I was on my way home! Smile...Smile

My 42nd day in the hospital started out as usual with Barbara bringing me my morning meds and Chantel bringing my breakfast. These gals greeted me with a smile every morning…. but Thursday May 5th was special….It was my last day in the hospital! Smile...

John and Erin came and packed me up. It is amazing how much stuff I’d accumulated in 6 weeks. (Thanks to all of you family & friends.)

Eric, my head physical therapist came in with my graduation mortarboard, a certificate, a tee shirt and a card from all my therapists. My head occupational therapist, Tammy, gave me a hug goodbye. Each therapist gave me love and support as well as therapy. Smile...Smile

Notice that the balloons behind me and Tammy are the same balloons that Erin, Gracie and Emma brought me my first week in the hospital. I was amazed that they lasted so long and gave me smiles every day.

We left the hospital, climbed in our friend, Vickie’s car and said goodbye. Believe it or not, it was hard to leave this hospital and my dear Utah family….Goodbyes are always hard for me…both Erin and I had tears flowing as little Cal waved goodbye....even though I was excited to be heading home.

We so appreciated Vickie driving us all the way to Salt Lake City to the airport where we were met by our dear son, David.....smile..smile

David presented me with darling pictures of his kiddos as an early Mother’s Day gift before we boarded our plane. John arranged for me to sit in the first seat to make it easier for me.

At 512 mph we made our 1 1/2 hour flight home .

With 15 broken ribs it wasn’t an easy trip for me but I was supported by love and prayers. That really made me smile.

Our neighbor and sweet friend, Carolyn, picked us up in Long Beach and drove us the 40 miles home. When we drove up into our drive way we were greeted with banners and cheers from our friends Nancy, Chelsea and Kris…

…and balloons at the front door put up by Alicia, one of my WIC (Women’s Improvement Club) sisters. This brought us all smiles. There is a really funny story about this sign I will share with you in another post.

Once inside I found my hospital bed made up and waiting for me with all sorts of gifts and goodies.

My sweet friends presented me with a book of “We will help you” coupons and a tray of darling welcome home flowers and gifts. Smile...smile..

After hours of being up and traveling I was tucked in bed by dear family and loving friends. In all of their lives, I had never been away from Mindy and her family for that long. What a joy it was to be back with them again... even though I already missed our dear ones we left in Utah.

I may have a 15 shattered ribs and a fractured sternum.

I may take months to heal….. but…

I AM SO VERY BLESSED!

I have much to smile about!

It is good to be home.

I am so thankful to have such a loving family and friends.

What would I do without them????

What would I do without you blog friends???

In the midst of this terrible experience, I can see that I am loved and blessed.

My heart is full of gratitude and smiles

I thank God daily for all of you and for all my blessings.

Thanks once again for your cards, calls, comments and prayers.

I feel the support and it is helping me through this difficult time.

I hope all is well with you and yours and you are smiling too.

Love, Lura