Hot Springs, AR

Darrin has a client in Hot Springs, and we decided that we still had the travel bug. Chase invited his friend Dalton we loaded up the van for our first road trip in it.



We took off early Wednesday, drove about 3 hours, and went to the dealership which was adjoining the mall via a parking lot. While Darrin worked a few hours that first day, we went to the local mall and picked Deke up some new shoes, which were a necessary procurement since I had picked up the same shoe, literally giving Deke two left feet. While we were at the mall the power cut off. Unfortunately, when it went out I was getting my wedding rings cleaned and the policy of the store was to have the customers leave, while they locked down the store. Talk about feeling uneasy! Fortunately, after a few more on-offs the lights stayed on and I was able to get my rings. So we high-tailed it out of there and went to check into the hotel and get some food. The boys thought they were the coolest kids ever, because they had their own room. We thought we were the coolest parents because we got two rooms!

One evening, Karen the business manager, took the boys out on the lake in her boat and let them tube. Chase hung on forever. They also rode jet skis and Darrin put Deke between him and Chase. Just the thought of that made my heart flip. Of course Deke loved it!



Thursday I took the kids to the water park. Chase and Dalton stayed with Deke and I in the baby pool for a couple hours (only 12 yr olds can float on their back that long and talk of nothing of real importance. Deke and I played on the steps of the 1/2 ft deep round about (water circulates at a slow rate) baby pool. I met other parents around the pool and after awhile they realized my limitations and offered to help watch Deke so the boys could feel ok about going to ride some of the rides. Other parents even took Deke into the round about, but he was most happy sitting with me on the steps. Before the day was out he dove into the baby pool. First time he scared himself and me too. I grabbed him quick! Second time he dove and kicked! I still got to him, but the fear was gone! He had a buoy suit on and never went under water.

Friday evening, after Darrin got off work we went to Magic Springs amusement park. Just to watch the guys was enough for me. Dalton rode hi first roller coaster and won his first prize from the arcade.

We enjoyed ourselves immensely!

Yoder Reunion

The week after we went to Maui, we flew to PA f or the 3rd tri-annual Yoder reunion. It was held at Sam and Carol Yoder's property. To access the field where the reunion would be held, you drove down from the back of their property, crossing a bridge that lead to a picturesque meadow. On one side of the bridge, creek water flowed over rocks in a dammed area where there was a rope swing that the kids were using to see who could go out the furthest. On the opposite side of the bridge, the creek the water ran freely. You could see crawdads and different fish swimming by.

In the meadow there was a massive tent, and Amish ice cream wagon. We held all the events within the tent. We prayed, played and ATE. On Sunday there was a surprise. An airplane flew over the field possibly 5 times and dropped candy. It was hysterical. Children, teenagers, adults at least one in a wheel chair) and the older adults were chasing after the candy, barely taking the time to pick up the candy, whereas the kids where sliding in and snatching grass and dirt instead of picking up just candy.

During our visit we managed to get a good group of Darrin's friend (about 30 people) at a local place called Richie's................ummmmmmmmmmmummmmmmmmmmmmmm. All I have to say is garlic knots.......heavenly!

It was such a short trip. We didn't see much of Stella and Brad, but what we did was special. While the candy drop was going on, Darrin and his nephews Zach and Mitch were fishing. That evening we went to Stella's for ice cream. While we're there he decides he has to clean the fish..................................barf and was still to eat ice cream. Stella and Brad stopped by the reunion on Sunday. Everyone was happy to see her. I was happy we were be able to say goodbye.

It was time to hit the road. We had stayed at Ray and Nancy, who had son-in-law (brother-in-law) Kurt, install a shower down stairs and made their home accessible for me, I had felt at home there before this, but I can take the hint. ...sniff, sniff stinky. Seriously, for them to do this touched my heart.

Love
Ami


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Maui

We spent the past week in paradise! We arrived at the Ritz and were pleasantly surprised that our room was upgraded to a suite, because it was the only disabled room available. We felt like real VIP's. There was a foyer, living room area that was massive and had a king-size sofa bed, 60 ft. plasma screen; separate bedroom with a king-size bed and a spacious bathroom with a walk-in shower. There was access to a private patio with a sofa and table. The view was of the ocean and had direct access to the pathways that lead to the beach and pools.

Our first night we met up with my brother and my parents at the Pineapple Grill and ate the first of many fabulous meals, with great company!

We were able to spend every day with each other. We hung out in the cabana by the baby pool where Rudy (my nephew) and Deke played in the water. Each of the couples enjoyed a date night. Mom and Lewis were the first couple to have a night. Mickey, Val and Rudy stayed with us at the hotel, while the kids watched a movie. The adults played Dutch Blitz. Tuesday night we went to a luau that was awesome. The food was scrumptious and the performance was memorable. Darrin and I spent our date night at the Swan restaurant in the Hyatt and were seated in a front table, which had a spectacular view of a waterfall and swan's floating in the water. It was a delicious meal. After dinner we "walked" on a path that was along the ocean. On our last day we enjoyed taking the Sugar Cane train, which was a steam engine train that ran along the ocean side of the island.

May 30, 2008

It's been a crazy busy month at Yoder's. We had both of our bulldog's go into labor on the same day. Out of both litters we had 7 pups. All are beautiful bullies. They are now 4 weeks old and are wobbling around and playing with each other. Their for all rolly-pollies. Vannah's litter is all about eating and drinking water. Jilda's pups have NO interest in anything else other than mommy's milk.

Darrin's mom and step-father came down and stayed with us for a week. They were a huge help and we enjoyed their stay. Darrin, Chase, myself and I'm sure one day Deke will love Stella's cooking. She was cooking all week and spending time with her grand babies. I have a feeling that they went home and collapsed! We managed to do something almost every night. We went shopping, had Maggie Mo ice cream and spent one day at the zoo.

Deke is my little pistol. He has had a cold/ear infection two weeks, but typically his mood is still mischievous and happy. He has so many teeth that I can't keep up with them, He's been extremely affectionate this week and I LOVE it.

Chase is out of school and loving his freedom and the ability to sleep in. He also earned back his cell phone and has been talking non-stop. I've already see that he will probably go over his minutes. He's been warned. He is loving spending time with Deke. They were out there playing under the sprinkler, Of course, Chase was suppose to be rinsing off the floor covers for the pups whelping box. Chase being Chase, turned it into a "water event".

Darrin's travel will stop at the end of July. We are all looking forward to that! Between now and then, we're going to spend a week in Hawaii with my family and then a long weekend in PA for the Yoder reunion. Chase will stay an additional week in PA so that he can attend a christian music festival.

ALS wise my right hand is weakening and beginning to curl. I'm wearing a brace every night, which keeps my finger from curling during my sleep and helps with cramping during the day. I have more severe cramping in my feet and legs. At this point I hesitate taking anything new, so I'm just dealing with it, My power chair has come in, but the paperwork wasn't completed correctly, which means they can't deliver it. Hopefully, that will be worked out shortly.

That's all I have for now. I'll try to do better in updating the blog :)_

Switzerland trip

Switzerland was gorgeous. It was everything I thought it would be and more. The snow, alps, architecture. We didn't realize that they celebrated Easter from Friday to Monday, so most of the shops and restaurants were closed. Oddly enough there were many Italian (go figure) restaurants to choose from. We ate fondue at one of the Italian restaurants, so we're able to say we ate Swiss food, in Switzerland, This same restaurant had horse on the menu. We had eaten at a posh French restaurant the night before, and Darrin was teasing his dad and told him that we could have been eating horse at the French restaurant and not have known it!

We were going to one of our destinations, and were traveling over the alps in a snow storm. We eventually turned around and found a different route. We had rented a handicap van and were able to see the scenery and travel at ease. Air travel with the electric chair proved to be much simpler than we had thought. We did have to ride up a platform to board the plane home, but we couldn't blame them for using this method because the chair weighs approx. 300 lbs. I wouldn't want to lift it!

Ray and Nancy were great traveling companions. We complimented each other and were able to enjoy each others company and share this experience.

Home at last!

Hidee hoo there everyone!

I'm HOME and thrilled about it. It's hard to describe what it's like to go nuts, but I did it. I would like for others to remember this experience. If your loved one starts talking out of their head, get them to the doctor. If Darrin hadn't done this for me I don't know where I'd be. Nobody would think a urinary track infection could cause delirium, yet it does.

Now, I have to point out that this isn't something typical for people my age (37). Of course, it has to happen to me. It's times like this when I wonder if this is a reason that things like this happen to me............a learning experience for ourselves and/or others? Whatever reason it happened, I'd like a break!!!

Deke cut his first lower molar today. My little feller grew longer, lost some of his pot-belly, but he still remembers his mama. Chase is watching me like a hawk, but is starting to relax. Darrin caught up on much needed sleep.

Love to all!

On the way home

I talked to Ami and her and Shirley were on their way home. I am sure that they were going to stop to pick up the little critter! The doctor's are going to continue the antibiotic and they have given Ami something different to help her sleep at night. A lot of her fatigue comes from not sleeping well at night.

I am sure that this weekend will be spent getting ready for the big trip, as well as just spending time together outside of a hospital setting. Ami will probably take over the blogging again 0nce she feels 100%, although I might chime in with something every now and then.

Have a good weekend and make sure to keep in touch with Ami, she will let you know if she is too tired to talk.