Saturday, April 22, 2017
Junior Prom 2017
Monday, April 3, 2017
Butch is like a cat... He has nine lives... for real!
The last time I wrote, we were waiting on Daddy to get over the flu. Week two into his stay in the hospital, he had a colonoscopy. There was a mass found on his colon, and he had to have surgery. He had to wait a few days because he was still too weak from getting over the flu and prepping for the procedure. The doctors removed the mass, and the pathology reports confirmed it was cancer. We found out during week three of being in the hospital that it was a stage 2 and no treatment was necessary. The following little blurbs contain all my thoughts in my prayer journal over the last few weeks.
1. The doctors at MCG... (I know that's not the name, but if I still answer to Britt Mattison, then I can still call that hospital MCG...) are WONDERFUL. I love that his cardiologist could look at him and tell something was wrong... He set all this in motion! I love that the doctors spend a very long time talking to patients and family... and I can't leave out his nurses. I can't imagine the stress they deal with on a daily basis. They are right up there on my most admired list with teachers. They put up with a lot of "you know"! ;)
2. I learned that my inability to take pain medicine doesn't come from just Mama. It's Daddy... he is absolutely CRAZY when he takes something. If I hadn't laughed, I would have cried. One of the many crazy things he did was call me at work and tell me he had dropped his phone in the toilet and it didn't work. Keep in mind that cell phones are a big no no in my school! I asked him how he was calling me and he told me "on my phone". I asked him which phone he dropped in the toilet... "my phone-- it doesn't work anymore... and I need you to call Jim and tell him to call me... I need to talk to him"... I asked him why he needed Jim and he said to tell him I don't have a phone that works. I was laughing and he got mad. He said he knew he was talking crazy and he couldn't help it. I often thought he was playing with a tongue depressor because he was so thick-tongued! No more pain meds for the cat! He can't handle them.
3. All that really matters is family! When faced with the reality of the C word, it kind of hits you in the chest. The many people I have known to face illness were called immediately. I'm sure I was a little "too much" in asking all my questions, but I sure did feel better after hearing all the people who had confidence that Daddy would be okay.
4. I have never prayed so much in my life. Each morning I write in my prayer journal asking God to place a hedge of protection around my family. Honestly, I never prayed for Daddy to live... I never prayed for Daddy to be healed... I never prayed for him to grow to be 100. My faith has taught me that God's plan is perfect. He will take care of things... and he will take care of my family and me. Last Saturday as we were visiting Daddy, he told us to look at the door and the woodwork. He said it looked like Jesus looking at him. It was Jesus... He was looking over you... because I asked him to do so. I have to deal with another C word during all this too... CONTROL... I have no control over any of this... It's sinful to worry... I have to let it go... let it go.... let it go!
5. Many have asked me if it's hard to be gone from Lincolnton with all this going on... honestly... it's not easy anywhere... I will say that it's been fun riding back and forth to the hospital with different people. Last Sunday Jim, Guille, Mama, and I all went to see Daddy... the car just happened to pull into the S&S for a little "snack". Jim hadn't been in years. He and Guille went back this past week and stopped again. It's just something about people being in the hospital in Augusta and having to stop at the S&S for a little comfort food.
6. Daddy is improving... he has moved to the Washington hospital so he is closer to home. He says he will be there in rehab for about three weeks. I love that he is closer to home. It's Spring Break for me, so I plan on running up and down the road several times this week to see him! And... it's Masters week... poor thing... all Daddy wants is to be able to see a big screen tv to watch it! I'm not sure that will happen!
7. Thank you to everyone who has called, texted, facebooked, and prayed. The prayers are working! He is getting better every day! :) Who knows... his wishes of being back on the golf course may come true... never doubt that a cat won't land on his feet when thrown! Butchie is definitely a cat! We joke and say he is going to outlive us all! :)
Monday, March 13, 2017
I can't even think of a title for this one! #ihavehotwater
The short version~
1. We prayed for our house to sell. Minutes later, the hot water heater at our house crashed. IT was under warranty, so it should have been a quick fix ~ if you aren't a McKinney.
2. Butch went to the doctor Wednesday and they admitted him Thursday to the hospital for a blood transfusion because of his hemoglobin being a 6.
3. Mama got sick and couldn't drive home. She refused to go to the emergency room, and her fever ended up being 102.6. Jim finally got her to go Friday morning. She has the flu. The bad kind of flu... the kind that she has been in the bed. Jane doesn't go anywhere without taking a shower and putting on makeup... she has been very sick.
4. Daddy needed someone at the hospital with him Friday for a procedure... I left work and headed toward home... Mayonnaise rode with me and we got him settled. After we got back home, Guille said he would bring me a hamburger for supper. He was going right home to cook it around 6... at 8:30... I still didn't have a burger... HE FORGOT.
5. Mama stayed up until about 4 AM with an allergic reaction to the Tamiflu. She finally settled and we slept until about 8:00 AM.
6. Jim, Guille, and I headed to the hospital Saturday morning to check on Daddy again. I drove those two to Augusta... every minute being criticized for my driving, every minute begin told what to do, every minute treating me like the "baby". We stopped at Rhinehart's on the way home for lunch... I can't ever remember a time that just the three of us sat together and chatted.... other than eating too much... it wasn't that bad. They really are good boys... you can ask them for help if you need it! The best part was them sleeping (snoring) the entire way home, while I drove in the peace and quiet.
7. Mama and I settled in for bed about 10:00... 11:00 new time... and slept. About 6ish... Mama woke up hurting again... about 7ish... the nurse called and told me Daddy had tested positive for the flu. I called Jim and Guille... and decided that I would go back down there again. He wanted a Butterfinger... how could I not take him one????
8. Mayonnaise, Veve, and I headed back to Augusta. I took him Butterfingers and Toastcheez crackers...he was happy, but he was very sick. I told him he better get his heart right with God if he thought he was dying... he told me he had already talked to HIM.
9. I took Mama a few things back to Lincolnton and headed back to Greer. I felt so good about leaving Mama... she was looking better... and Daddy was doing well. Just as I was about to carry hot water upstairs because WE STILL DIDN'T HAVE ANY... the nurse called and said Daddy had taken a turn for the worse... he was talking out of his head, his oxygen was low, and his blood pressure was high... I had a small mental, emotional breakdown as I tried to be strong calling Jim and Mama... and then... when they decided to go back down there I was better.
I called my sounding board, BC, and she talked me through my stupid idea of driving in the night to get back to the hospital. She said Daddy wouldn't have wanted that... Jim and Guil called back and said he was in ICU and they were getting him settled... the nurses have been great... they don't care how many times I call. I held my phone in my hand during the night because I wanted to hear it if anyone called.
10. This morning I was at my limit of understanding why I still didn't have hot water... so I started calling... and the really short version of the story is HOME WARRANTY COMPANIES SUCK! I have managed to make it through this entire ordeal and never curse... I have wanted to, but I want both of you to see that you can go through hard times and not have to say a word! The straw that broke the camel's back was that the lady told me it would be 6 weeks.... yes SIX weeks before we could get a hot water heater... I mean we don't live in the Biltmore... our house is not anything special... I don't care about brand names... I just want hot water... I know I was extra emotional because of daddy, but that was a little ridiculous! Mark handled from that point on because I lost it and probably made one of the supervisors scared to step foot in South Carolina.
11. On the way home today I passed McDonalds and didn't stop... from the time I started student teaching, if I had a bad day... I would get a quarter pounder... I wanted one... I wanted it badly... but I didn't... I didn't stop... I zoomed on by... kind of like the woman in Fried Green Tomatoes when she hits the lady in the parking lot.
12. I cooked supper when I got home because WE HAVE HOT WATER NOW.... and as I was about to sit down... my phone rang...it was Daddy.... I could hardly understand him, but he called me. I asked him did he see Heaven... he said he might have... he saw a lot... I'm thinking it was the high fever that caused the crazy dreams.
13. Jane is better, but she is still at home. I wish she had come back up here with us! She isn't used to sitting all day long. I know her Words with Friends peeps thinks something bad has happened to her. Hopefully, she will be up and playing soon!
I could really write a book about this entire week... I have so many blessings even with all these hard things going on... so... don't be an emotional eater... just pray.... that's all you can do! And remember, if I'm in the hospital one day... bring me a Butterfinger! I would have written a really long version to this story with lots more details, but I am so excited about finally taking a long, hot bath!
1. We prayed for our house to sell. Minutes later, the hot water heater at our house crashed. IT was under warranty, so it should have been a quick fix ~ if you aren't a McKinney.
2. Butch went to the doctor Wednesday and they admitted him Thursday to the hospital for a blood transfusion because of his hemoglobin being a 6.
3. Mama got sick and couldn't drive home. She refused to go to the emergency room, and her fever ended up being 102.6. Jim finally got her to go Friday morning. She has the flu. The bad kind of flu... the kind that she has been in the bed. Jane doesn't go anywhere without taking a shower and putting on makeup... she has been very sick.
4. Daddy needed someone at the hospital with him Friday for a procedure... I left work and headed toward home... Mayonnaise rode with me and we got him settled. After we got back home, Guille said he would bring me a hamburger for supper. He was going right home to cook it around 6... at 8:30... I still didn't have a burger... HE FORGOT.
5. Mama stayed up until about 4 AM with an allergic reaction to the Tamiflu. She finally settled and we slept until about 8:00 AM.
6. Jim, Guille, and I headed to the hospital Saturday morning to check on Daddy again. I drove those two to Augusta... every minute being criticized for my driving, every minute begin told what to do, every minute treating me like the "baby". We stopped at Rhinehart's on the way home for lunch... I can't ever remember a time that just the three of us sat together and chatted.... other than eating too much... it wasn't that bad. They really are good boys... you can ask them for help if you need it! The best part was them sleeping (snoring) the entire way home, while I drove in the peace and quiet.
7. Mama and I settled in for bed about 10:00... 11:00 new time... and slept. About 6ish... Mama woke up hurting again... about 7ish... the nurse called and told me Daddy had tested positive for the flu. I called Jim and Guille... and decided that I would go back down there again. He wanted a Butterfinger... how could I not take him one????
8. Mayonnaise, Veve, and I headed back to Augusta. I took him Butterfingers and Toastcheez crackers...he was happy, but he was very sick. I told him he better get his heart right with God if he thought he was dying... he told me he had already talked to HIM.
9. I took Mama a few things back to Lincolnton and headed back to Greer. I felt so good about leaving Mama... she was looking better... and Daddy was doing well. Just as I was about to carry hot water upstairs because WE STILL DIDN'T HAVE ANY... the nurse called and said Daddy had taken a turn for the worse... he was talking out of his head, his oxygen was low, and his blood pressure was high... I had a small mental, emotional breakdown as I tried to be strong calling Jim and Mama... and then... when they decided to go back down there I was better.
I called my sounding board, BC, and she talked me through my stupid idea of driving in the night to get back to the hospital. She said Daddy wouldn't have wanted that... Jim and Guil called back and said he was in ICU and they were getting him settled... the nurses have been great... they don't care how many times I call. I held my phone in my hand during the night because I wanted to hear it if anyone called.
10. This morning I was at my limit of understanding why I still didn't have hot water... so I started calling... and the really short version of the story is HOME WARRANTY COMPANIES SUCK! I have managed to make it through this entire ordeal and never curse... I have wanted to, but I want both of you to see that you can go through hard times and not have to say a word! The straw that broke the camel's back was that the lady told me it would be 6 weeks.... yes SIX weeks before we could get a hot water heater... I mean we don't live in the Biltmore... our house is not anything special... I don't care about brand names... I just want hot water... I know I was extra emotional because of daddy, but that was a little ridiculous! Mark handled from that point on because I lost it and probably made one of the supervisors scared to step foot in South Carolina.
11. On the way home today I passed McDonalds and didn't stop... from the time I started student teaching, if I had a bad day... I would get a quarter pounder... I wanted one... I wanted it badly... but I didn't... I didn't stop... I zoomed on by... kind of like the woman in Fried Green Tomatoes when she hits the lady in the parking lot.
12. I cooked supper when I got home because WE HAVE HOT WATER NOW.... and as I was about to sit down... my phone rang...it was Daddy.... I could hardly understand him, but he called me. I asked him did he see Heaven... he said he might have... he saw a lot... I'm thinking it was the high fever that caused the crazy dreams.
13. Jane is better, but she is still at home. I wish she had come back up here with us! She isn't used to sitting all day long. I know her Words with Friends peeps thinks something bad has happened to her. Hopefully, she will be up and playing soon!
I could really write a book about this entire week... I have so many blessings even with all these hard things going on... so... don't be an emotional eater... just pray.... that's all you can do! And remember, if I'm in the hospital one day... bring me a Butterfinger! I would have written a really long version to this story with lots more details, but I am so excited about finally taking a long, hot bath!
Saturday, February 11, 2017
I can't believe you are 13!
Dear Ben,
What a year it has been... what a whirlwind of up and down changes in your life... and oh what fun!
I really can't remember parts of this time last year. I just remember riding in the car after you visited a private school and you being so excited to start something new. I had hoped it wouldn't be just the newness of somewhere else, or the fact there were lots more things to do, or the idea that you would be closer to Clemson... and then we visited Woodruff... and it was the same thing. The ride home in the car with you and Sis made my heart smile more than ever. Sure, we were sad, but we were so excited to be starting over too!
You were such a big help moving us. You and Daddy took care of so many things that KB and I couldn't do. You packed, unpacked, organized, and "ordered" us around~ your wife will be happy about that one day. You showed us how to fix the sprinkler system, mow the grass with lines, fix the light under the microwave, and many more things.
The first day of school you were nervous, but I knew you would do just fine. It's your personality... you walk into a room and hide all those fears. I'm proud you have that trait. As I watched you play football, I was so proud you were part of a program that values and morals are promoted over football skills. You learned those skills, but your coaches were phenomenal in teaching you how to be a man. I'm happy for the friends you made, and I'm happy that your coach led you back to the Bible devotionals. I'm also happy about his choice of music!
We have also been graced this year with "health" class.... Your daddy will never be the same after our supper conversations... You make me laugh...and when you make Daddy speechless...it's even better! KB and I laughed until we cried listening to you explain the facts of life.
You have done great in school so far! I'm glad you care about your grades... I'm glad you study... and I'm glad you know how important it is to do well in school.
This morning we are rushing out the door to see you play basketball. I would love to say that you got those athletic abilities from me... but I know better. I can't help but think the PaPa is watching you from above. He loved you so much! Last weekend you had all the grandparents here to see you, and you made me proud. I know they were happy too!
For your birthday this year, you chose to go to Arizona Steakhouse. I'm glad you let Sis and me be a part of the celebration... I shouldn't remind you that you really didn't want us girls going. In the car on the way home you said two things I want to remember...
1. As we rode by the vet's office, I reminded you and KB that it was at that vet's office that Suki got her "heater" taken out... and as soon as I said it, I knew I was going to have to explain what it was. BUT... I didn't it... You said, "Do you mean she had her uterus taken out?"... and I told you yes... you said, "That's just a part of life, Mama"... Yep, Buddy, it is...
2. The other thing that I'm giggling about is you asking KB and Matt about how to hold hands in the car... there was a brief demonstration and a few questions about should you ask the girl to hold her hand or just grab her hand... Oh my goodness. I'm not sure I'm ready for all this.
You have always had a heart of gold... you love the girls, but I'm thinking now that you are a teenager I need to lock you up in your room.
I love you Benny Boo Boo... you are precious... and still as beautiful as the day you were born. I hope this first year of being a teenager is great for you! You are adorable with your short hair, braces, and even some beginning acne. As you said last night, "That's just part of life".
I'm so glad you call me Mama... I'm so glad you are part of me... I'm so glad to share this birthday with you.
Love,
Mama
What a year it has been... what a whirlwind of up and down changes in your life... and oh what fun!
I really can't remember parts of this time last year. I just remember riding in the car after you visited a private school and you being so excited to start something new. I had hoped it wouldn't be just the newness of somewhere else, or the fact there were lots more things to do, or the idea that you would be closer to Clemson... and then we visited Woodruff... and it was the same thing. The ride home in the car with you and Sis made my heart smile more than ever. Sure, we were sad, but we were so excited to be starting over too!
You were such a big help moving us. You and Daddy took care of so many things that KB and I couldn't do. You packed, unpacked, organized, and "ordered" us around~ your wife will be happy about that one day. You showed us how to fix the sprinkler system, mow the grass with lines, fix the light under the microwave, and many more things.
The first day of school you were nervous, but I knew you would do just fine. It's your personality... you walk into a room and hide all those fears. I'm proud you have that trait. As I watched you play football, I was so proud you were part of a program that values and morals are promoted over football skills. You learned those skills, but your coaches were phenomenal in teaching you how to be a man. I'm happy for the friends you made, and I'm happy that your coach led you back to the Bible devotionals. I'm also happy about his choice of music!
We have also been graced this year with "health" class.... Your daddy will never be the same after our supper conversations... You make me laugh...and when you make Daddy speechless...it's even better! KB and I laughed until we cried listening to you explain the facts of life.
You have done great in school so far! I'm glad you care about your grades... I'm glad you study... and I'm glad you know how important it is to do well in school.
This morning we are rushing out the door to see you play basketball. I would love to say that you got those athletic abilities from me... but I know better. I can't help but think the PaPa is watching you from above. He loved you so much! Last weekend you had all the grandparents here to see you, and you made me proud. I know they were happy too!
For your birthday this year, you chose to go to Arizona Steakhouse. I'm glad you let Sis and me be a part of the celebration... I shouldn't remind you that you really didn't want us girls going. In the car on the way home you said two things I want to remember...
1. As we rode by the vet's office, I reminded you and KB that it was at that vet's office that Suki got her "heater" taken out... and as soon as I said it, I knew I was going to have to explain what it was. BUT... I didn't it... You said, "Do you mean she had her uterus taken out?"... and I told you yes... you said, "That's just a part of life, Mama"... Yep, Buddy, it is...
2. The other thing that I'm giggling about is you asking KB and Matt about how to hold hands in the car... there was a brief demonstration and a few questions about should you ask the girl to hold her hand or just grab her hand... Oh my goodness. I'm not sure I'm ready for all this.
You have always had a heart of gold... you love the girls, but I'm thinking now that you are a teenager I need to lock you up in your room.
I love you Benny Boo Boo... you are precious... and still as beautiful as the day you were born. I hope this first year of being a teenager is great for you! You are adorable with your short hair, braces, and even some beginning acne. As you said last night, "That's just part of life".
I'm so glad you call me Mama... I'm so glad you are part of me... I'm so glad to share this birthday with you.
Love,
Mama
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