Not My Mommy 4!

My Mommy did not put her cell phone in the same stroller pocket with the water bottles on our morning hike, not MY Mommy!

My Mommy's cellphone is not currently sitting in a bag of rice drying out for my Mommy, not MY Mommy!

My Mommy did not spend part of her day hosing down a pee soaked rug and hanging it out to dry, not MY Mommy!

My Mommy did not forget one child's eyedrops dose and decide, "oh well, three doses a day, four doses a day, same difference, " not MY Mommy!

My Mommy did not put her littlest angel to bed with two bruises in almost the exact same spot on her forehead due to accidents today, not MY Mommy!

My Mommy did not stay up late planning school lessons for the month when she had all summer to get ready, not MY Mommy!

My Mommy did not look at her sons shoes and notice great big holes and realize she forgot to buy one of her children new shoes for a new school year, not MY Mommy!

My Mommy didn't just stick a piece of pizza in her daughter's lunchbox for tomorrow instead of a healthy lunch, not MY Mommy!

My Mommy is not feeling sentimental about her children starting 7th, 5th, and 3rd grades tomorrow or her baby quickly approaching 1, not MY Mommy!

Remembering Grandpa - Walter Louis Coats

Grandpa Walter Louis Coats with Elizabeth - 2000

Last Tuesday Melody and I flew to Idaho for my Grandfather's memorial service. Grandpa went to be with his savior after 97 years of life. He had lived at home until just a month before his death. It was such a blessing to be there to celebrate Grandpa's life.

The Memorial services were Thursday, Aug. 12th. The graveside was first and we drove down from Midvale with my parents for that. As we drove into the cemetary and I saw the casket adorned with flowers, I got a sick feeling in my stomach. Though I already knew Grandpa was gone, that sight somehow made it a reality. The casket was simple and seemed very fitting for Grandpa. The service was short and fitting as well. We sang Amazing Grace and Grandpa's pastor gave a short message. The pastor made a comment about Grandpa's use of Absorbine Jr. to heal his body both inside and out, which received much laughter. Grandpa was known for his Absorbine.

Melody and I at Grandpa's Graveside

A Memorial service was held later that afternoon at Grandpa's church. My parents had put together a slide show of Grandpa's life and it was fun to see those many years of memories before the service began. We sang "Mansion Over the Hilltop," "How Great Thou Art," and the Pastor sang "Life's Railway to Heaven." I love to hear the hymns that were beloved by my Grandfather.

There was quite a number of people there to remember Grandpa. It was a tribute to the many lives he touched. Grandpa didn't just love his family, he and Grandma loved on others as well. I enjoyed seeing cousins I haven't seen in over 10 years. 7 of the 10 Grandchildren were in attendance and 14 of the 36 great-grandchildren were there. We were also blessed by the many family friends that came to remember Grandpa with us.

At the close of the service was a sharing time which was one of the sweetest memories of my time there. To hear people share their memories of Grandpa. One story was told of some men in Grandpa's church going to Grandpa's house to deliver wood. They thought Grandpa was standing too close to where the trailer was driving by and knew Grandpa couldn't see well. However, as the trailer drove by, Grandpa grabbed the back of the trailer, stepped on, cane and all and rode to the shop where they would unload the wood. Yes, he was just that spry, even in his 90's.

Many shared of how Grandma and Grandpa were always together, "you never saw one without the other." Someone even shared that Grandma went to Men's breakfasts with Grandpa and then went out to breakfast with several other ladies. They shared how they taught Sunday School into their 80's and several former students and parents of former students shared. Grandpa was remember for how knowledgeable he was, his strength and ability to work with his hands. Someone shared how he carried 2 x 4's around the edge of the church building when it was being built. Grandpa was well-known for his story-telling and for his playfulness.

I remember my Uncle Roy talking with me and saying, "Grandpa has a doctor appointment next week. I don't suppose he'll make it!" That is the kind of humor Grandpa would have had, too. Though we laughed at how he blamed Uncle Roy for all the power tools that have gone missing from his house over the past few years. My Dad said Grandpa was playful to the very end. When the physical therapist would throw a ball to him, he would throw it off into the corner!

Walter and Mary Coats - at our wedding - July 1994

Especially emotional times during the sharing were when my Father talked about his Dad and my mother read my brother Steve's rememberances of Grandpa. The most powerful memory for me of Grandpa was how he always asked about Melody. Though had never met her and had a tendency to forget some things, he never forgot "the little one." His youngest Great-Grandchild somehow captured his heart. How I wish she could have sat on his lap just once. I believe that he remembered her often in his prayers.

I am so thankful that Grandpa now resides in heaven with Grandma. He is no longer in pain. He is rejoicing with the Lord. It is hard to imagine life without him. He has always been there in his little house in Emmett, ID. As I watched my Dad and his siblings I realized that no matter how old you are it is never easy to lose your Father. We are abundantly blessed by the heritage passed down to us by my Grandparents.

Melody and I outside Grandma and Grandpa's House

On our way home from the Memorial service we stopped by my Grandparents home. It was a bit surreal to walk into their home where little had changed. To feel like they should be there, but know they are not. To know I'll never return to the house looking that way again. To realize it is the end of an era. I was glad to be able to visit there one last time with Melody. Though she never met her Grandparents I was able to take a few special pictures.

Melody sitting in her Great-Grandpa's Chair - his when he was a little boy

Welcome to Grandma and Grandpa's

Sitting on Great-Grandpa's saddle - Made in Pueblo, CO in the 1920's

We love you Grandpa and Great-Grandpa. We miss you so much. Goodbye until we meet again.

A Life Well Lived

Saturday evening we received a phone call that my Grandfather, Walter Louis Coats, had passed away. He was 97 years old and had just moved into a care facility in the last month. Other than debilitating back pain, he was in good health. Then one day, he was gone. Faster than we expected, but we find ourselves thankful he is free from pain.

After 97 years of life, there really isn't much to complain about. Grandpa lived life well. He loved and served the Lord. He was a hard worker and this might be the first year he didn't put in a garden! If I'm gardening at 96, I'll consider that a monumental achievement.

I remember the twinkle in his eye he would get when telling a funny story or joking. He had fun little "toys," an accordian, or stuffed birds that made noise. Grandpa loved birds. What wonderful memories I have of visits to my Grandparents home in Emmett, Idaho.

I'm so thankful for a heritage of faith. It is an incredible blessing to have Godly grandparents who were faithful to each other and the Lord for so many years. I will be heading to Idaho this week to celebrate Grandpa's life. What a blessing to celebrate a life well lived. May the same be said of me someday.

Sitting Up

One of the skills we're working with Melody on is sitting up. She can sit for about 10 seconds, but isn't sitting fully on her own, yet. She is really wobbly and we are working on getting her legs in a good sitting position. She likes them sticking out to the side like the brace kept them.

She has learned to put her hands down when falling forward, so that is good. She used to just go right onto her nose. She is very flexible and I'm not sure that helps her stay up. She can put her left let almost flat against her body and suck on her toes.

Elizabeth took this video of Melody working on sitting up. Enjoy.

My Braceless Life

Melody & Mommy on the 4th of July

The last few weeks have flown by. We are enjoying our summer and Melody is loving life without her brace. She has always been a happy baby, but she is even more content and happy without the brace. In the last week she has even started sleeping through the night. That is a very welcomed change for me.

Enjoy the pictures of Melody without her brace!

4th of July!

Melody is learning to sit up without her brace. She is getting better everyday. She started out pretty wobbly as the brace used to give her support. As you can see, her legs still naturally stick out to the side like they did in the brace, however, we are working with them and noticing a lot of improvement already.

I like to play in the chair. I can lean forward now and grab toys. The brace used to hold me back. I work on my tummy strength while I'm playing.

Sweet Sisters! I can wear JEANS now and anything else I want to.

Melody, Hannah and Elizabeth

I can play in my super saucer now! I love it.

Hip Hip HOORAY!!!

Melody no longer needs her hip brace!!!! Her hip is in place. I can't tell you how exciting this is. I was shocked as this was not the news I was expecting. We were just sure that barring a miracle we would be deciding whether to try hip surgery or not.

I cried tears of joy as I drove home. Life with spina bifida means many disappointments and staying positive when you want to weep for your child and the challenges they face. But, some days you get to weep tears, not of sorrow, but of extreme joy. For, on days like today, God grants you a miracle.

I really like the Ortho doctor that we saw this morning. He added a whole day to his week to accomodate all the patients of the doctor who moved.

He spent a few minutes getting up to speed on Melody's hip and then sent us for x-rays of her hip. After returning from x-ray he examined her hip for a few moments and then said he needed to go look at her x-ray again. When he returned to the room he said she didn't need the brace anymore. That her hip is in the socket!

I'm so thankful we got to see him as early as we did. Melody's legs are already kind of stuck in the position the brace held them. The doctor said to keep them there when they no longer need to be would just make that problem worse. So, now we get to begin training her legs to go into a more "normal" position.

We will return to see the Ortho in 4 months. It is possible that Melody's hip will move out of the socket again. The Dr. said not to worry, it would not be something we do, but would be a result of the spina bifida. I was told to keep her brace as she will go back into it if needed. We will be praying that will not be necessary.

The Dr. also gave her the PT release as well as a referral for PT. I'll be following up with that as soon as her nurse case worker returns from vacation on Tuesday.

Melody was also given a RX for AFO's (ankle foot orthodics). She will need to be fitted for those soon as well.

I'm so excited. She can wear ANY type of clothing for a little bit until the AFO's dictate more of her wardrobe. We are already planning to buy her a pair of jeans and a float for the pool. Can't wait to put her in her supersaucer and change her car seat back. Diaper changes have become much easier and she is so much lighter. My back, neck and shoulders are grateful already. But the best part is cuddling her without the brace in the way.

What a wonderful day!

Counting Our Blessings, Again

Tomorrow I will take Melody to our much awaited visit with the Pediatric Orthopedic Doctor.

Tonight I was doing a bit of research on the internet to have my questions for tomorrow's visit. As always, doing research on spina bifida can be depressing.

Tonight I will count my blessings instead of my worries. Here I go:

1- We have the privilege of having Melody Annalise in our family. The alternative of not having her at all is too painful to contemplate. We are so thankful to have her, just the way she is.

2- Melody continues to be our miracle.

3- Melody has had NO urinary track infections, NO shunt malfunctions, NO emergency room visits, and NO constipation. These are all pretty amazing for our first year with SB.

4 - Our house sold quickly at a wonderful price and we have an amazing real estate agent :) who is helping us look for our new single story home.

5 - We have some amazing friends who are letting us enjoy their home, and more importantly their pool, while we look for our new house.

6- David, Elizabeth, Hannah and Joel, our other amazing kids who bring us joy each day and love on their baby sister like crazy. Watching them love on Melody is such a wonderful delight.

7- An abundance of friends and family who bless, encourage and love us.

8- Most of all God's love. What a wonderful priviledge to carry "everything to God in prayer." There is no greater place to lay my worries and fears about SB than at the feet of Jesus.