CAUTION: Do not read if you have a weak stomach :)

The last few weeks have been exhausting. Just in time for the holidays:) I started coaching Isaiah's basketball team last week. I did this last year and must of forgot how much patience it takes because I volunteered again. I figured if I was going to be driving him back and forth I might as well just stay and coach, besides how hard can it be? These kids have the attention span of a blink. We had practice on Tuesday night. I decided with games coming up I should teach the kids different ways to get open. I first taught them the basic v-cut. This went ok. I then attempted to teach them how to set a screen. This was a disaster. What was I thinking? Way over their heads. After about ten minutes of explaining and having them practice one of the kids raised his hand and said, "I don't get it." I then asked, "How many of you don't understand what your doing?" All eight hands shot in the air. Needless to say we will be playing games and doing relays tonight.

I also organized freezer meals with my mom, sisters, and one of my sisters friend. My sister was pregnant with her fifth child and instead of having a baby shower we all got together and made 11 dinners for her to have on hand once the baby comes. Of course we all made dinners for our families as well so it was a win win situation. We couldn't have picked a better weekend to do it. My sister had a doctor's appointment on Friday where she found out they wanted to induce her on Sunday. I drove up on Friday and we started cooking at about 4:30pm and didn't finish until 2:00am! It was a loooong night but I am already enjoying the fruits of that labor this busy week. (side note:My sister delivered her beautiful baby girl Isabelle on Sunday night). The next day after the freezer meals I threw a baby shower for my little sister Monica. Her baby is due in January. I was a little tired but I love throwing parties so it was fun. I was looking forward to coming home and going back to my normal pace. Not so. My older sister Debora has an 18 month old that has been really sick for the last two months. He has been in and out of the hospital and every time we think is getting better, he has a relapse. Needless to say Debora is emotionally and physically exhausted and in need of as much help as she can get. My dad and mom have been taking turns driving over to Bend and helping for the last three weeks. My dad's mom lives with my parents so when my dad leaves he has to find someone to care for my grandmother. He usually asks my sisters that live up in Hillsboro but none were available so Nana came home with me on Monday. My grandmother has dementia and she is actually quite weak so it can be a little mentally and physically draining. I haven't taken care of her for about a year now and I am a little surprised at how weak she has become. She has a hard time just getting out of bed. Once I get her up and going it's fine, it's just the getting her up and going part that can be tiring. She came with Isaiah and I to our dentist appointments and basketball practice on Tuesday. I brought a comfortable chair into the gym for her to sit on during the hour long practice. I felt bad about how much she had to sit around and wait for us but with work and Daniel's new calling, he hasn't been home much in the evenings. I looked up about a half hour into practice and didn't see my Nana sitting in her chair. My heart jumped. Luckily she had only made it a few steps outside of the gym. I asked a parent to take over and I ran out to get her. She said she was looking for something to eat. I don't think she knew where she was or why she was there but she knew she was hungry and decided to try and do something about it. I purchased some chips from the vending machine and got her back in her chair.

Yesterday was EXHAUSTING! I scheduled her for a shampoo and style at the salon I go to. She likes to be pampered. I got her up, fed, and dressed in 45 minutes. I was pretty surprised because it usually takes longer than that. We pulled up to the salon with just enough time to slowly make our way to the door. Just as I turned off the car my Nana said she needed to go to the bathroom. She struggles with incontinence so I knew I needed to hurry. Too late. She started to go and she was mortified. I felt so bad because there was nothing I could do. I told her I was going to run in and let them know that we had to reschedule. I took her home and did what I thought was the impossible for me. I apologize if this grosses anyone out. I honestly did not think I would be able to clean up this mess. I have the weakest stomach when it comes to these things, but I guess when there is no other option, you do what you have to do. An hour later all was well. I was so tired when my head hit my pillow last night and continued to stay tired even when my feet hit the floor this morning.

I have a new appreciation for a young, working body. I just keep thinking about how life really does come full circle. We come into this life with people needing to care for us and we leave this life the same way.