Happy Christmas Eve

Our 'traditional' Christmas Eve was changed up a bit this year.

We usually go to my parents house BUT because of Elizabeth and her BIG wheelchair we needed to change things up.

Our children were not entirely happy about it :)  

SO, we did the entire evening the same BUT at our house instead of nanny and pa's.

Nanny and Pa arrived with EVERYTHING!!! 

The tradition is everyone makes their OWN personal pan pizza's. 

Nanny made homemade dough and brought all the toppings.

Everyone rolled out their dough.

 BaJabs rolling out her pizza crust.

Elizabeth getting some help from Nanny in the background.

Pa and MD getting their pizza's started. 

Everyone added their own, favorite toppings.

 BaJabs adding some pepperoni to her pizza.

My Darling is almost done.

JM's is ready for the oven -- even gluten-free!

Finally, everyone ate their own pizza.

YUMMY!

We did have a time of opening gifts -- nanny and pa brought some along!

Elizabeth is so excited she can open the presents on her own.  She holds with her 'hurt' hand and rips with the other!

It is tradition for nanny to give each of the kids new pj's to sleep in for Christmas.

 Cute snowman pj's

 She LOVES her long nightgown.

JM's pj's!

The girls LOVED that there was matching pj's for their dolls!

The girls were thrilled with their new password journals!

We got nanny and pa a much needed new camera.  Nanny loves to take pictures but really had a terribly OLD camera.  She was so excited about it she even shed a few tears!

The boys were very happy with their gifts as well!

JM with his new pj's, new MICHIGAN hat, basketball and new card game.

Unfortunately, my sister and her family was not able to be with us for the evening.  BUT they did stop early in the day to play for a bit.  The girls had lots of fun!

M. and BaJabs all fancied up!

The girls were ready for bed.

The boys played cards with Uncle Josh for hours.

Matt and I did lots of wrapping and finishing up for Christmas morning.

I just did not get everything wrapped ahead of time with all that was going on with our family.

Oh, well -- I was blessed with lots of enjoyable energy!

Matt helped -- lots AND MD did some of the Christmas breakfast prep.

I finally shut off the lights at 3:30 am.

Oh, the surprises and fun that are coming!!!!

Post Op visit

10 days since surgery 

AND

 We are off to GR for a check-up.

We had an early apt. in GR.  I am amazed how much effort it takes to get Elizabeth ready and out the door :)

She cannot help AT ALL!  

Getting her dressed, taking her to the bathroom, putting the harness on, wheel chair and pillows to the car, getting her buckled in and remembering 'stuff' for her to eat and do while we are gone

Thankfully, she just gives us big smiles as we are all working.

When we arrived at the office there was SOOOO many people.

We waited almost an hour in the waiting room.

BUT

We had the best news when we were called back.

"Dr. M wants the cast off of Elizabeth's arm."

WOW!!!!  

We were NOT prepared for that!

Yes, sooooo very excited -- 

AND a little bit nervous

BUT this was great news.

They started immediately taking the cast off.

She looks concerned but it is really the noise of the saw that bothers her.  We decided that when she has the full body cast taken off we will bring ear plugs!

Elizabeth was a bit concerned.

Her hand is still a bit tender.

SO, she would NOT let the nurse/tech take off all of the covering.  She wanted Dr. M to do it :)

 Working to get the hard and glittery green cast OFF!

 I love this face!  She did NOT think it would separate easily!

 Watching the tech. take off ALL of the padding.

It's off -- 

She also had to have x-rays of her hip area.

We had to wait some more in the room.

I did lots of massaging on her arm.  It was so very stiff.

Thankfully, the hip is healing exactly as planned.

They did some trimming of the cast in the back as it was a bit confining when trying to go to the bathroom.

Dr. M did an awesome job taking the remainder of the bandage off.  Her hand is still a bit swollen and the stitches have not fallen out -- but it looks pretty good.

There are LOTS of stitches.  The thumb still looks a bit rough BUT it is very swollen.

The last thing she said before we left the office, 'I can open my own Christmas presents!'

The appointment -- all good -- took 2 1/2 hours from the time we arrived until the time we left.

We had a VERY tired little girl!

Please continue to pray for her!  The cast is still very challenging as well as going to the bathroom.  Her attitude still amazes us!

Family Cookie Night

The Annual Woller Family Cookie Making Night!

We make gingerbread men and classic Christmas cut-out cookies.  We share them between our 5 families AND make them to deliver to some of the neighbors.

Tonight was Elizabeth's first time out of the house.

She was actually a bit nervous about it BUT did well.

She was so joyful while we were out.

Elizabeth decorating cookies.

All 13 grandkids were in attendance tonight!

The kids are all growing up so much --

They did the rolling out

The cookie cutting

AND

The decorating!

 Decorating the Christmas cut-out cookies in the kitchen.

Decorating the gingerbread men in the dining room.

It was a bit of a mess -- but yummy and fun!

Lots of hands make the job easy!

1 Week DOWN!!!

1 Week DOWN!!!

We've been home 4 days, now

and it's been OK.

Elizabeth, thankfully, is so easy going.  

She quit taking any pain medicine Saturday evening, she sleeps well at night, she smiles away and really just wants to relax.

She is not eating much.  She has not GONE to the bathroom.  She is VERY concerned about how I am doing.  

I just LOVE this girl to pieces.  She loves to feel like a princess and we have done lots of pampering the last few days so she feels that way!

The two of us are Hallmark Christmas Junkies!!!

She is all made up to be a princess -- yes, even make-up ;)

I have to be honest that I look at her at times -- like when she is sleeping -- and I get tears.  She looks so very uncomfortable.  

BUT yet, it does NOT matter to her.  She constantly tells me, 'Ma, I OK.'

She cares more about the 'look' of her finger/toe nails AND the style of her hair for the day!

Here she is laying on the beanbag.

There is just one thing she misses ---

TEARS here ..............

'Momma, I miss our cuddles.'

Oh, I try.  We rub cheeks.  I rub her back and kiss her BUT we cannot cuddle.

She told me I HAVE to take time off of work when she is better, too.

'Ma, what fun is it to take time off of work if you cannot cuddle with me?'  

Hmmmm...... she does have a point!  BUT unfortunately, my work doesn't work that way.  BUT we will still have cuddles!

I found the two together in bed DURING rest time.  There were lots of giggles and stuff!

Yes, my back is still bad.  Thankfully, when I have to lift or move her it holds out.  I am VERY careful.  BUT it works each and every time.  I go to bed with it sore, wake up a bit sore BUT then it feels better during the day.

All I can say is ..... 'THANK-YOU, LORD!'

Please continue to pray for her and our family!

Our Princess -- Choosing JOY

Violin Recital

Another night of music!

Tonight was My Darlings violin recital.

This group has really grown.  AND the talent is growing as well!

My Darling has taken violin for 2 years.  She is very blessed to have a good ear for the music.  She plays by ear most of the time BUT can also read the music.  

All music has to be memorized, anyway!

She enjoys private lessons -- she loves her teacher.

BUT

When it comes to the recital ----

Well, she is SOOOOO serious!

She tells me that she shakes in her seat.

Right before the recital -- she said she is shaking here :)

The group played some fun music!  They even played some of the fiddling music they learned as a group back in November.

Very focused!

She had a solo -- Minuet #1 by Bach

She played well --

She was angled towards the pianist so we could not see her face.

Although, she missed 2 notes in the middle BUT was able to find her spot and get right back on.  

Well, she was a bit disappointed with herself 

AND 

it took her a little bit to get over it -- after the recital ended!

After the recital.

She did great!  Each time it gets easier.  

We got her a violin necklace with her birthstone.  She LOVED it!

We were very thankful that Lauren was able to come and stay with Elizabeth and BaJabs so that Matt and I could go to the recital.

AND our new normal begins!

Our NEW and temporary normal has begun!!

EVERYONE is happy to be home.  

The girls are very close and having two at home and one at the hospital -- well, it was hard on all of them.

My Darling is such a caretaker.  She wants to help Elizabeth do anything and everything.  She is into entertaining her -- legos, reading a book to her, kindle time, movies, games, etc.

My Darling and Elizabeth playing Legos during 'tummy time.'

The boys -- they are happy we are all home. 

They are willing to help if needed 

BUT

you know -- they are boys and they have other things going on -- 

LIFE -- well, for them it just keeps going.  They take all of this in stride.

Yes, we still have other children AND we still have things to do with them.  Yes, they will still do their activities.  AND yes, this mommy has to be organized because I have to find people to come here.  Thankfully, this is doable!!

Are we prepared???

We do have all the equipment that is needed -- even though we had to exchange the wheelchair for a bigger one, we have it, NOW.

Clothing was all ready -- and EVERYTHING fits!!!

My mom just finished the rest of the leg warmers.  

Thanks, mom!

Our home I thought was pretty handicap accessible -- well, it's NOT!

We will make due BUT if this was a LONG or FOREVER way of life -- well, things would have to change.

Our physical and mental well being :)

Matt and I knew this would be work.  We tried to prepare for the worst case scenario.  

I think it IS hard.  Not terrible -- or impossible BUT it is hard.

BECAUSE ----

Elizabeth is totally immobile.  She does need to have her position changed every few hours.  She cannot lift herself at all.  She cannot go to the bathroom on her own.  She cannot dress herself or even help.  She cannot wash herself OR even get in the bath -- washing hair is even an issue (although we have solved for a bit with spray in shampoo for DRY hair!)

Elizabeth is 50 pounds with a 10 pound cast.  Yes, I can lift it -- 

BUT

She is awkward.  The legs are spread and one is up and over.  It is just hard to maneuver.  

YET, each time she needs something it works.  Either Matt is here OR I have the strength to do it.  

All in all though -- this girl SMILES!!  She jokes with us most of the time.

She bops Matt on the head with her cast almost every time he picks her up AND giggles.

Yes, there has been some tears -- more out of fear or a wrong movement to the hip.  BUT few!

Laying in the beanbag -- watching Christmas movies with mom.

More Legos during tummy time!

She was off of pain medicine by Saturday evening. 

She is really AMAZING!!!

Bedtime -- She LOVES that her bed is in our room.  She loves her new panda -- thanks Kayla.  

Sunday the girls had their Christmas program at church.

I had a sweet friend and her daughter come and stay with Elizabeth.

They came early and helped me get the girls ready, brought dinner and entertained Elizabeth.

Patty curling Elizabeth's hair!  This was VERY important to Elizabeth -- to have curly hair.

They painted nails, curled her hair, played games, watched a movie and snacked.

Elizabeth did fine -- BUT she really wanted me to be home to go to the bathroom ;)

The girls did GREAT in their program.  

 My Darling and BaJabs at the beginning of the program titled -- We Three Spies

 My Darling during her solo -- she sang loud and perfectly.

 My Darling with her host of angels -- singing.

BaJabs singing in the choir.

This was a fun musical!

Matt and I were so thankful that Patty and her daughter blessed our family with their gift of time (and thoughtful gifts).

Today -- This was a RELAX day!!

Daddy even brought Elizabeth a donut after he dropped the girls off at school

She has figured a way to eat a bit on her own.

Yes, we do help her!  

  She loves my iPAD and her kindle.

We watched Hallmark Christmas movies.

At lunch today we listed things we are thankful for -- 

Elizabeth's thankful list:

'Daddy got me a donut'

'Patty and Kayla came to our house a played games'

'Patty curled my hair'

'I'm at home!'

'We don't have to go to school' --- mommy agreed with this one!

She has not asked ONE time --- 'How much longer?' When considering her full body cast.  She just accepts it.  

She did ask about the time for the hand/arm cast.  She's thrilled it is only 2-3 weeks.  When the arm cast comes off it will allow for more flexibility and freedom.

I think it is obvious all the Blessings that have occurred!

Ultimately, after reading this entry a BIG blessing is Elizabeth's attitude.  

It really has been AMAZING!

Just a GREAT picture of our AMAZING Elizabeth -- BEFORE surgery :)

PRAYER REQUESTS:

1.  She needs to go to the bathroom -- REALLY GO! and SOON!

2.  Continued good and flexible attitude for ALL of us!

3.  My back -- it is VERY sore.  She knows it -- and asks me every time I pick her up.  BUT each time it holds.  

4.  Her body to heal properly!

5.  There is one thing BOTH her and I miss --- CUDDLES!  This is very hard in the cast she is in.  We rub our cheeks together and I rub her back or her stub BUT a good cuddle is impossible.  She MISSES it already.  Pray that she can feel loved through this ordeal.  She informed me we need weeks off together when this cast comes off JUST TO CUDDLE :)

Thank-you for praying!!!

AND

Thank-you to all my students and friends at SMS --

The card is great and both Elizabeth and I felt special.  

We were amazed at how many signed and wrote notes!!

Elizabeth with the card from all of the students at SMS.

SO -- our NEW and TEMPORARY normal --

Well, it's not horrible.  Yep, it's a change and yep, it's been difficult at times 

BUT

With God's help and all YOUR prayers our family will rise to the occasion and DO THIS while trying to CHOOSE JOY!