Life Is Good

Quick update on mom and dad. . . not much new to share but that is really a good thing in their case! Both mom and dad had blood work done this week and all is good for them both. Dad continues to be his jolly ole self and my mom continues to be an amazing hero who takes care of his every need. We enjoyed the Christmas holidays and dad was so blessed on his 75th birthday January 9th to have his grandson Matt speak an incredible message at our church - The Living Room. Matt has left for Australia to Hillsong Bible College for his last year of school. . .dad did much better this time when Matt left.

Every day is a gift. . . and the more time we enjoy with our parents, the less I see what dad can't do anymore and the more i see how blessed we are to have so much with what he still has. . .i thank God for this beautiful season of life we are in.

In this picture, my daughter Lexy enjoys a kiss from her pap-pap after she danced during kids week at church in July 2010. He looks great doesn't he! He looks forward to going to church all week long - it's great to still get them out every week! I really appreciate my brothers who take turns going to their house on sundays to get him ready and load him in the van and bring him to church for breakfast in the cafe and then greeting at the door, then enjoying second service - it's the highligh tof his week!

Life In The Kisner Lane

Hey friends and family - sorry I don't get on here as much lately. . . seems like as soon as I get away from blogging and updating - someone sends me an email asking about dad or how he is doing cuz i haven't updated in so long - so here goes the update!

Dad and mom are well. They both had bronchitus last month so that kind of put a damper on their October. . . but they have survived and are feeling much better. It was 3 years in October on the 16th that we remembered the day dad had his stroke and our lives changed forever! Some may look at the stroke as a tragedy and in some ways it was, but we have chosen as a family to look at all of the wonderful positive experiences that we have had because of dad's stroke. We are all so blessed with our very close relationships with our parents, as we care for them on a daily basis. We don't feel burdened we feel blessed. It is our extreme honor and privilege to give back just a small dose of what they showered us with all of our lives.

We are in the process of getting dad a new wheelchair and hoping it helps to keep him more comfortable to get out for longer periods of time. We are also in the process of dealing with the new road that will be going very close to mom and dads house and working with the state highway department to ensure their safety and property value is taken very seriously by those putting the new bypass road in place.

All - in - all the word on the street is - SHUG has never had a bad day in his life. . . that's what he continues to tell people when they ask him how he is. . . or if asked how he feels. . . he will still give his "with my right hand" line and that reminds us all that his body may not be working and mobile, but his sharp mind still is in tact. . .

love to all,

Ready for Fall & Football

Well the hot summer is still burning us up and I think my mom and dad are ready for some fall weather so they can enjoy sitting out front again! Was so thrilled that my brother Tim was able to drive my mom and dad out to see my brother Tommy's son JT play in his season opener football game for Musselman High School. They only stayed for one half of play but in that time they got to see JT play so well, including running the ball a Touchdown! What a special evening that was for them! Dad and mom are both feeling good these days - not much new to report in the area of their health. Dad continues to be such a positive force to be reckoned with - seriously I didn't know the man could laugh as much as he does now. And for what he has been thru these past 3 years, that's a great thing to be able to say! Dad has really enjoyed some recent visits of his long-time best buddies (you know who you are!) Our family really appreciates each of you who takes time out of your busy lives to stop in for a quick visit - it means so very much to our parents. Dad talks about the visits for days.

Thank you for your continued prayers! love to all, mbb

Luvn Summer!

Holy Smokes I can't believe i haven't blogged here in so long. Just a good sign that mom and dad are doing well! Dad is as happy as can be and mom has been great these days too! She still gets some muscles aches from the condition she was down with over the winter, but in all, she manages so well - she amazes us all! Dad and mom are enjoying summer - they have been sitting outside enjoying watching and waving at passersby, they have done a few picnics with family and of course, they look forward to every Sunday getting out to church. They are anxiously awaiting the arrival of their grand daughter Michelle's first child. . . Michelle and Colt Kinder are expecting little Caroline to arrive very soon! Michelle is my brother David's oldest daughter. That will make great grandchild number seven for mom and dad!

It's a great time to stop in for a visit with them during the summer time - so please feel free anytime to slip by and say hello!

First Outing in 3 weeks!

Yippee! Mom & Dad were able to safely & successfully make it to church yesterday! They had been cooped up in their house for 3 weeks because of this weather! They both loved the service and seeing everyone - but it sure did wear my dad out, he went home and took a 4 hour nap! lol! Today we went and get his shower done and enjoyed some dad & grandfather time as 2 of my kids were with me since no school again. Overall - a great day and dad is doing fabulous - his left leg which has been so swollen has returned to normal - we are so glad for that - wondering if this new "rotating air mattress" is helping him with blood circulation in that leg and thus reducing the swelling?

Have a great week everyone!!

Snuggled In & Ready for the Snow!

In case any of you are wondering. . . dad & mom are doing just fine so far in this snow storm. I went by this morning around 10 am and got him in his chair and my brother Timmy will get him back into his bed later today before the worst of the snow begins. Tomorrow my brother Tommy has 4-wheel drive so he will go in and help mom with any hygiene needs - thank God mom and Dad live on an important road that always stays open & pretty well cleared. With the hospital being right up the road, it is a road of high importance to the state when clearing. I'll keep you posted - enjoy the snowy weekend!

Special treatment

Pappy is getting the "special" treatment here in this photo from his great-granddaughter Brynna. . . (Sarah's daughter/Pam's granddaughter). They go into mom & dad's pretty much every week when Pam does and help take care of him. . . Brynna and her little brother Trey usually climb right up in bed with dad and play with him and take care of him. It is so very cute. They love their pappy kisner for sure! Dad asked me to post this so you all could see what great care he is getting.

An update since from dads doctors appointment. . .since I haven't posted recently. All of dad's bloodwork and vitals were great. However, he gave dad a lecture on his weight. He was encouraging him to really try to loose weight and watch his diet because he doesn't want to endanger his health or make it more difficult for us to care for him. Dad received it very well and he is working very hard to keep his diet in check - he has cut off sweets and is limiting his breads & starchy foods. . . the doctor wants him to stick with meat and a few fruits - water and of course vegetables - which dad doesn't like. So any of you out there who like to "treat" dad with his favorites. . . just know that he is on a restricted diet right now so find another way to make him feel special! ha ha The doctor also ordered some home health for him to care for his bed sore and we have already had that first appointment and it went very well. They said we were doing an excellent job taking care of dad & the wound. . . they trained us on how to care for it in the future. . . he also has a new rotating air pressure mattress that we requested at the doctors appointment and that should also help prevent future sores. The doctor also is going to request as a preventative for future strokes. . . physical therapy for dad. Since it has been over a year since he was involved in any - they are putting in a request for it to his insurance. . . so please pray that we get a positive answer - I think that will really help him with simple things like "endurance" to sit up in his wheelchair longer and just the range of motion exercises to keep his blood flowing!

Guess that's about it for now. . . we are doing great overall and dad has seemed to overcome the "melancholy" of his grandson Matt leaving for Australia a few weeks ago. He does talk about Australia a lot - asks what time it is over there every day and if we've heard from him. So I know it's on his mind, but he isn't so weepy about it now. . .just anxious for every detail of Matt's journey at Hillsong Bible College.

We love you all! Take care!