The Mommies that made me....

I have just been too busy to post anything lately. Last week was a long and rough one. Things were just settling down and then early Wednesday morning I got a phone call that my Grandma Dolly (my Mom's mom) was in the hospital. She was having a very hard time breathing and when she got to the hospital she had to be intubated (a breathing tube placed) and put on a ventilator. Grandma has pneumonia and has been in the ICU on a vent for 7 days now. That first day was long and I was exhausted. Just before going to bed, Ella's bipap machine, that she uses to help her breathe while sleeping, broke! Uhhh! I called the agency and after several hours they called back to say that they didn't have a backup machine! I was furious. Eventually at 12:40am they found one and brought it over. But, it was ancient and she just couldn't breathe well with it. She was fine overnight but it made for a long night, especially because I was so mad that I couldn't sleep. Anyways, all fixed now. We have all been visiting Grandma up at the hospital. The kids made her a banner with me. It was all decorated with hearts and glitter. Ella kept trying to eat the glitter, she thought it was sprinkles :) They keep asking to see her but I told them that they had to wait until she was a litle bit better. Everyone feels so helpless, there is nothing that we can do other than hold her hand and wait. Hoping and praying that she gets well. She has been opening her eyes and nodding yes and no to questions, which makes us all so happy. Grandpa is so sweet and has been singing to her. Eventually she told him that was enough :) She still has some spunk in there! I try my best to get there as often as possible and to do what I can to help. Grandpa yells at me to take it easy. I was holding Grandma's hand and he says to me, "How the hell do you fit 48 hours into a 24 hour day?!"
Well, I looked down at Grandma, who had just opened her eyes, and I said, "Because Grandma is the best Mommy, and taught my Mom to be the best, and now I can be the best Mommy. Right Grandma?" She slowly blinked, almost like a sly smile, and nodded her head yes :) The best thing about my Grandma and my Mom is that there is NOTHING that they wouldn't do for their babies. My Grandma (and Grandpa) were at every single game we ever had, were there to pick us up from school if we were sick, hosted Sunday dinners, taught me and all the girls how to make plum dumplings, sauerkraut & dumplings, and banana cake, played kickball with us, and always had hugs and kisses for us. And they still do. Every time I take the kids over there they are offering up everything they have. Grandma is weaker but as soon as she sees these great-grandbabies she jumps right up! Getting them cookies and milk (even before they have had lunch), going to the pool with them, and making them feel special. My mom learned from the best. My mom goes out of her way to make my life easier. Without even asking she will do my dishes or run to the grocery store just so I might have a few minutes rest. She has learned to run a cough assist, suction machine, and a feeding pump so that I feel comfortable leaving Ella for work. She gets down on her knees and wears Kaleb out playing football so that I might get an extra hour of rest at night. If I am on my way to the store and Ella or Kaleb falls asleep she will insist on meeting me there so she can sit with them in the parking lot so I don't have to wake them. Seriously, who does that? She does. And they DO NOT take "no" for an answer. They will help you dang it, whether you want it or not :) I could write a book about them both. Brandon says that sometimes I do too much, that I need to tell people no. But, I wasn't raised that way. I was raised to love and to give...and give...and give :) If I am half of the Mommies that my Grandma and Mom (and aunties) are I will be happy :)
Tonight, as I have every night, I am going to pray that I get to keep my Grandma for now. She is amazing and wonderful and I am selfish and want to keep her as long as possible. Please say a little prayer for her too. A special Happy Valentine's Day to Grandma and my Mom, and all of the special Mommies that I know <3.