Update on Dad

It's been a little crazy around here and I haven't had a chance to update anyone who might read this on my dad's status. I have been home with two sicks kiddos for the last two days. Fever, cough, runny nose, and now Miles has a nice ear infection. Preluded of course by a night with NO sleep for Miles or myself. Fingers crossed, I will make it back to work tomorrow.

I had the chance to video-chat with my parents yesterday evening. They both are in great spirits and my dad says that he feels better than he has in a very long time. He has decided to stay at the center longer and allow my mom to travel to St. Maarten to visit her friend Arna on her own. He feels that he wants to stay more at the center to gain everything he can and he is concerned that it will be difficult to carry on the diet in St. Maarten. (He already has plans for where to get his diet needs as soon as they get back here, use that outlet, and then Bradley will start growing what they need in our greenhouse).

I am pleased with their attitude and with his spirits. Please keep the prayers and healing energy coming!

Birthdays, heaven, a king, and some detox. . .

In a week where we have celebrated many birthdays, including that of baby Paul who we visited as a family, came this conversation tonight:

Bradley comes downstairs from bedtime and says, "I may have confused our son".

The conversation started as Carter asking what he was doing tomorrow. Bradley replied that "It's a holiday and you get to stay home and go to Medford with mom".

"Oh, a holiday?"

Bradley replied, "Not like Christmas holiday, but a different kind of holiday". He continued to explain that it was a holiday to remember a very special person. Bradley stated, "It's Martin Luther King Jr.'s Birthday tomorrow".

"Ooooh, a King?"

"Well, kind of."

"How do I get to the birthday?"

"Well, he is in heaven and so we just remember his birthday and momma doesn't have to go to work."

"How do I get to heaven?"

"Angels come down and carry you to heaven"

"Angel (cousin Shelby's new dog) is going to take me there?"

"Not, Angel, different angels."

"Oh???"

Bradley ended the conversation by promising him a trip to Target and some popcorn and that seemed to satisfy his interest in the King's birthday.

In other news my dad has made it to Puerto Rico with my mom. I talked with him today and he stated that he is tired, and going through a pretty strong diet detox, but his attitude was great.

The trip there was very tiring on both of them, but they remain in good spirits.

I love you Dad!

It's a typical Sunday afternoon in the Isbell Home: drying running non-stop, one kid napping, husband working on projects, me paying bills, all normal except that Mama Isbell is sitting with tears that won't stop flowing.

We have watched concerned as my dad's health has remained unsteady over the last year. He has had a lot of GI issues and has gone to a homeopathic doctor for several months. Recently his weight loss has been severe, he has turned yellow, and does not look like the vibrant soul he usually is. Super-concerned we all convinced him to have some bloodwork and an ultrasound done. The ultra sound found several lesions both on his liver and his gallbladder. My dad does not wish to further investigate and pinpoint the exact diagnosis of these lesions with either an MRI or a biopsy. He and my mom have decided to turn to the Ann Wigmore institute to try to holistically cleanse his system and help his body heal itself.

Although I would not choose this method of treatment for myself I have chosen to abide by his wishes, by remaining positive and supporting him. Truth is, my dad and I have not had the most wonderful relationship over the course of my life until the birth of Carter. Since Carter has been in our lives my dad and I are closer than ever and instead of feeling embarassed or mad at him, I feel more than anything that I need him by my side forever.

My parents are leaving this Friday and won't be back until the first week of February. I am so scared that something is going to happen to him while he is gone, but I just keep reminding myself of his wishes and put my faith into the higher workings of God and the universe. I just want to see him back to his old self, for me, for my family, but mostly for my boys. If you read this blog please take a moment to send out some positive vibes, prayers, whatever you choose.

I love you Dad!

Hello 2012!

Over the last year I have tried to be a more dutiful blogger and have since learned that I rather enjoy it. I appreciate being able to look back over the memories and I do truly like sitting and getting my thoughts out on "paper". That being said, I hope that 2012 is full of many blogposts as well. (At least my mother, sister, and a few stragglers here and there can still enjoy it right?)

To recap the holidays, I must focus on how absolutely beautiful Christmas seems to a child. Although Miles is still just mirroring his brother's every move, Carter is INTO Christmas 110%. Watching him "live" the magic of Christmas was better than any gift (including the Ninja 5000-I returned, thanks honey), I could ever have received. His favorite gifts this year were a space station "Just what I've always wanted!" and a new red, big kids bike, with pedals, from Santa, "Just what I've always wanted!". Miles also received oodles of gifts but his favorite things were the boxes and ribbon. However, we enjoyed the formula and diapers the most.

At Christmas Eve service during one of the last hymns, Carter leaned over to me and whispered, " I would like to eat lunch at Bob's now". Those of you who are traditional Etna United Methodist Church goers, get this joke, but those who are virgin EUMCer's should know that no trip to church is complete without lunch at Bob's Ranch House. Even though it was way past lunch time and Christmas eve, Carter still wanted a trip to Bob's.

I thought all of the fun was to be had after Christmas, but I had yet to experience New Year's Eve through the eyes of a two year old. I took down the Christmas decorations and Carter was quite sad, so I chose to make an elaborate New Year's display on the table. This got him very excited and it made Bradley and I want to stay home with our kids even more. I decided that we would be spending quite a few New Year's at home and that I better start our own traditions. I decided that homemade pizza, including homemade beer dough, was a must. I also thought it would be fun to look at a slideshow of our pictures throughout the year. Along with the pizza I served champagne and "special juice/sparkling cider". I found a onesie with a bowtie sewn on it for Miles and Carter wore a nice red bowtie along with the pj's I had indulgently allowed him to wear all day. (Insert Mother of the Year Award here). As the boys enjoyed pizza and "special juice" they also enjoyed playing with the noisemakers. I enjoyed my champagne and Bradley and our friend Steve partook in their culinary efforts that had produced some homemade "apple pie" earlier that day. Carter really enjoyed the photos and his daddy capped off the year with some nice illegal fireworks. The beauty of New Year's through the eyes of a child is that they don't know the difference between the ball dropping on TV at 9pm or at 12am. I'll let you guess as to which time we went to bed.

As I look towards 2012, I can't help but feel extremely fortunate for being blessed with my beautiful little family. I feel grateful to have a wonderful job, a loving husband, an exceptional network of family and friends, and to live in Scott Valley. This next year I am excited having a three year old and a one year old (God please help them get along), season two of Oak Hill Gardens and Pumpkin Patch, watching Ness graduate with a Masters in Texas, and running the NYC marathon in November.