Our family had planned to stay home this year for Christmas and celebrate it with Kyle's parents. However, upon my Granddad's health becoming weaker, some of our family encouraged us that it would be a good time to come down and see him. Kyle's parents graciously gave up "their turn" to have us for Christmas and let us go be a blessing to my family during this time.
Upon arriving in Texas, we enjoyed a wonderful Saturday at my parent's home with my brother and his family and my grandparents (who now live with my parents). Sunday morning we got up and headed to church to visit some sweet friends. After church I called to check in and my Dad told me that my Granddad had a severe stroke that morning while we were gone and they were at the hospital with him. We headed right up to the hospital to see how he was doing. Sadly, at that time he had lost the use of his right side, his speech, his vision had been affected, and he was not passing their swallow test.
My parents, Grandmother, and Uncle and Aunt were all there with him, watching over him and caring for him as they could.
At age 91, my Granddad is not a quitter though and he quickly showed them that he could still take care of himself. The next day, he was feeding himself food and swallowing! Praise God! As the last couple of weeks have gone on, he has regained more movement in his right side and can even walk a little! He can say a few things but most words are still mumbles. He recognizes us and communicates the best he can.
Our Christmas plans were immediately changed when all of this happened! Our week turned into loving on and visiting Granddad as much as we could. Christmas day we all went up to see him and take him his gifts.
Many of our family gathered in this room with our beloved Granddad!
Kaitlin getting to talk with Granddad
I will never forget the tears of joy that welled up in his eyes when he saw the boys open their gifts with excitement from Grandmother and Granddad! He loves all his great-grands so much!
Kaitlin opening her gift with Uncie.
Abigail opening her gift. (She, of course, had to dress as a princess to go see Granddad!)
Grandmother and Granddad with their great-grands (minus 4 who were not there).
Sweet Christmas kisses! I love my grandparents SO much!
For my entire life, 29 years, my Granddad has faithfully read the Christmas story to us EVERY YEAR on Christmas Day, as cousins and siblings gather around him. This year, since he could not talk, my brother read the Christmas story to him. I cry just remembering this moment! There are no words for the emotions and memories that go into this picture. My brother, as all of us, has such great respect and admiration for this man of God!
My amazing, faithful, and strong Grandparents. They have lived a beautiful, God-fearing life together that three generations after them are now living to see. So blessed by their testimony during this time!
On New Years Day 2014, my Granddad celebrated his 92nd birthday with family gathered around him in the hospital. He is now in a rehab facility to do some physical therapy in hopes of helping him regain strength.
