The Power of Prayer

"Where two or more are gathered in my name, there I am in the midst of thee."

During the past several months, we have watched my mother decline. Loss of appetite, signs of dementia, severe weight loss, forgetfulness, the list goes on. When she ended up in the hospital this time, we prepared ourselves for the inevitable. Mom would be in a nursing home. How would we get through this? Every morning, hoping the nurses could revive her after having her blood sugar dip seriously into danger, even after pumping her full of glucose, and high carb foods. The frailty that became part of her. My feeling was of no hope.
Then, this afternoon, life changed for Mom. Her endocrinologist came in, to reveal the results of her blood work up. "We have an answer!" Words that we longed to hear, but thought were just a dream. Mom has a small non- cancerous tumor on her pancreas, causing insulin to pump constantly into her bloodstream. All the other complications she has been experiencing are the effects of this tumor. And, there is a surgery to correct it! Medication to prepare her for this surgery will be started as soon as it arrives, then to either Mayo Clinic or U of M to one of the few drs. who preform this surgery. Recovery is short, and then? Mom will be perfectly fine and will be able to go home to her apartment!!!
God has truly answered our prayers. And I want to thank each and every one of you, my dear dear friends for your words of encouragement and your prayers. We have our Mom back. Praise God!

Eggstatic!

First, thank all of you for your kind words and encouragement for our family and my mother. We are in for a hard couple months, and all the prayers we can receive are so much appreciated.

Yesterday, in all the confusion of the day, I didn't post that my buff orpington, Bella, laid her first egg!

She was quite restless for some time, she wanted me by her. Whenever I'd walk away from the coop, she'd come to the door clucking at me. I guess her first "birth" was a little frightening to her?

So this is her first triumph! Much smaller than the picture makes it appear, but a nice size for her very first. She was more relaxed today, just went in her nest, deposited her egg, and went about her business. So, two down, eleven to go.

Time: A Friend, and an Enemy

Time changes so quickly. Circumstances you know one day may come, rear their ugly heads and force your hand. On October 9th, we celebrated Mom's 85th birthday. Now in the hospital, we are faced with the fact she can no longer live on her own, and because of health problems that force our hand, my sisters and I will be meeting with the hospital social worker to determine where she will go. Whether assisted living, or adult foster care, the realization that yes our mother is declining, and because of the care she needs, living with one of us is no longer an option. She seems fine with assisted living, and hopefully that will be the solution. We love our Mom. This new turn in the road is hard to face, but necessary. I know there are more of you that have faced this situation. How have you or do you cope? Right now, I don't know how.

Everyday Italian!!

I won! I won! Victoria, of "Things I Learn From Bear" had a give away of this fantastic Italian cook book. What I love about it, it's everyday ingredients and awesome recipes! Thank-you Victoria, first I think will be the turkey stuffing recipe, I'm going to use it with my chicken. Just for starters!! Pop on over to Victoria's blog if you haven't already. Love it!!

In The Shadows

I saw Andy keeping warm in the sun behind a curtain, and had to take some photos.

This one reminded me of a chocolate bunny!

Finally got It!

For some time now, I haven't been satisfied with the name of my blog. I have another blog for my needlework and crafts, none of which I talk about here. I tried Blue Waters, but it just didn't speak to me. My life is basically made up of my family, which is made so interesting by my furry and feathered kids, of which I talk of often here. So, I changed to a name that I finally like. Tails From The Hen House! This is inclusive of all that I love about my life. So I hope you continue to stick with me, and the daily adventures I call living.

Enough Said