Moving

Come visit me at B-mom-moments
I may be back, but I couldn't remember my old blog so....changed it. That's what happens when old age sets in.

I Believe In Miracles

You hear a lot today about miracles, but as I once heard Charles Swindoll say, "A miracle is not finding a parking place at the front door of the local shopping center." However, as I've had opportunity of late of think about miracles, I believe I've witnessed a few.

I believe in the miracle of birth. How can you look into the eyes of a precious newborn baby and not believe in the miracle of creation by an almighty God? Holding my own children right after birth was a reason to celebrate, but then to hold my precious two granddaughters soon after their birth reminded me of that wonderful miracle.

I've seen the miracle of changed lives through Jesus Christ.

And, this past 70 days I believe our family has witnessed another miracle. Just as a short recap: my uncle traveled to Branson with 4 of his "old" coaching buddies the last of October. While there they all became ill. Their respective physicians sent them prescriptions and all got well except my uncle. They took him back to Houston where he was admitted immediately into ICU with double pneumonia. The infectious disease specialists determined that they had contracted Type A Influenza on their trip. (Bird flu is a strain of Type A...but not what they had, though highly contagious and critical). He then had kidney failure and was placed on dialysis, a ventillator and was in a drug induced coma. Thanksgiving the doctors told us there was no hope and that if he did live, he would be a vegetable. After about 45 days we thought he was making progress and he was moved into progressive care at a rehab hospital. He was off the vent but still receiving oxygen. We were still encouraged...by the way the doctor with the "vegetative state" diagnosis was dismissed from his care. BUT then the week after Christmas he went backwards and we honestly didn't think he would pull through. Back to the hospital, back to ICU, then back to the CCU at the rehab hospital. The prayers continued but we had come to the point to realize maybe God had allowed us to see him suffer so that we would be willing to give him up. Our prayers became, "God, your will be done...whatever it is." Thus the miracle. He began to improve again, to walk, to then be off oxygen and now, has been moved into a "regular" hospital room. He walked 400 steps unassisted on Wednesday, continued to be able to walk even more the end of the week and NOW, the doctor says he may be able to go home the end of next week. He sent an email to family and friends today saying that he has lived a miracle.

How many times do we take each breath of life for granted? I don't want this blog to be a downer...it isn't. It is a praise to a God that is bigger than you and me! He has a purpose in what has happened these last 70 days. Will we know it? I don't know, but it doesn't matter. I believe it to be so. What I do know is that our prayers were answered. Yes, they would have been answered either way, but in His loving mercy, he has brought my uncle back to us. Praise be to Him!

Grands

Soon after your children are "out of the nest" it is perfectly normal to start thinking about having grandchildren "someday." You hear all the stories about how wonderful it is and how "if I'd known it was this great, I'd have had 'em first." So, when Brad, LaShay & Jason all got married within 11 months of each other, we knew that our time would come!

But nothing you dream about prepares you for that moment. One of my friends, Beth Moret, told me once to "...remember the way you felt when you first held your child. Now multiply it by thousands..." And, so it was. First with little Julia (affectionately known then as "Jelbie") we were overwhelmed. To hold that precious child of your child...oh, my goodness! Then, just 5 months later to once again experience the birth of our second precious grand daughter, Mallory. It is beyond words. Now, granted, it makes you feel old, but then you are reminded of scriptures that foretell the blessings of grandchildren. So, we are perfectly content with having a quiver full! Not sure our kids agree, but, hey, this is MY blog!

It's fun to watch all the changes and to be able to actually sit back and enjoy them. As a parent each change represents a change in your routine, your finances, your time...but as a grandparent, you can just sit back and think of each change as the cutest thing ever! So, getting old isn't so bad!

Watching Julia as she learns what "No" means and having to hold in the giggle when she turns and looks at you with those big eyes as if to say, "Do you really mean to tell me I can't do this? I think I'll just see if you mean it." And, then see her smile that big grin and show those new teeth! How do you say "No" to that? I was a first grandchild so I guess I now understand how my grandparents felt watching my "firsts" and then anticipating the second grandchild's "firsts." One of the most precious being the first time Julia took my face in her hands and gave me a kiss....oh, my! Now, I can hardly wait for Mallory to do the same thing! It just melts your heart! And, even now, watching Mallory as she discovers her hands/feet/favorite toys, brings such delight!

And, then...there are those who are hurting because they haven't been blessed yet with grandchildren. My sister and her husband are in that boat and struggling with the feelings of anger, depression and "whys." That's a time you can only lean on God and know that He KNOWs your hurt and loves you. It is trusting His heart when you can't see His plan. It is waiting to see the whole plan unfold, enjoying the blessings of your children and knowing He is there.

But as I look at Julia & Mallory I know there is a reason these precious children are called "Grand." It is because they are!

End of an Era

Isn't it funny how much we want something new, but then as we pour through the pages of memories of the "something old," we are somewhat saddened to move on?

That's how it feels today. We lived in our house on Wigham in Burkburnett for over 20 years. Our children were aged 8, 7 and 6 when we moved in so that alone will attest to a lot of memories. Today I walked through the house and each room I was reminded of special memories:

Like the pantry door where we measured their heights for all those years...even into adulthood. We found that Brad grew over an inch from his high school senior year to freshman year in college. And, then Dad just wouldn't believe it when the boys got taller than him so we had to measure him as well just to prove it. OF course, by that time everyone was taller than me. Fortunately, the pantry door was something we could take to the new house with us.

Then, in LaShay's room we are reminded of all those nights that Dad would go into her room to say her prayers with her as he put her to bed (he did this with the boys too, but keep reading and you'll see why it is special). Upon arriving to those teen years when it is difficult to even know WHEN they go to bed much less PUT them to bed, his tradition kinda phases out. One night when she was about 18 she asked her dad, "Why did you quit praying with me when I went to bed?" He started again until she left for college. And, how well I remember first the white canopy bed with the pink & white checked canopy with matching bedding. She was so proud! I remembered all the times of listening to you practice your music with those volumes of accompaniment tapes you had in the room! I could almost hear you sing, "The Warrior is a Child."

For all their lives you boys had to share a room. First with bunk beds, then even a trundle to allow more floor space in that little room. And, lining the walls were shelves of trophies each a testiment to the many hours spent on the baseball, basketball and mostly soccer fields. So, as I went into their room today I was reminded of all those precious moments watching our boys compete, but also of the discipline and commitment they learned. We prayed for good coaches and God blessed us. It also reminded me of the times discipline had to be administered and Dad would send you to your rooms and tell you to lay across the bed to meet the wooden paddle or spoon. (which of you hid the paddle...and where is it?)

Next, in the living room where we spent so many family holidays and just times together. Watching you grow from those little kids into bringing home your future mates. Wow! Remember the time we put sheets all on the floor, then 8 ft. tables and had all the youth over to make a giant ice cream sundae in a gutter!?

The kitchen and dining rooms served as reminders of family time at the dinner table, chore lists posted on the refrigerator and scriptures like "Do All Things Without Grumbling and Murmuring." Still unclear about who did the chores!

Of course, outside is the basketball goal where you all spent many hours playing with each other and the neighbor kids. And, who can forget the famous garage sale where Brad sold his keyboard for $1? Remember when Max first appeared in our yard on a Friday night and by Monday she became a part of our family. Brad named "her" Max before he checked to be sure "she" was a "he." The name stuck anyway. And, Kaiser had a friend for years to come.

We love our new house and I know that the Lord will bless us with many new memories especially with our grandchildren, but none will surpass those precious years in that little house. God brought us through struggles, strengthened and blessed our family and then gave us a special gift to carry on the memories in another location. Memories are built in the heart and not a building, but as I walked through those rooms today I could hear the voices of the Bankhead family and rejoiced to know that God had given us so many precious memories.

Wonderfully Made

After attending the Women of Faith Conference in OKC this weekend (I wore my Longhorn gear!), I was reminded of being "...fearfully and wonderfully made." A young lady with Down Syndrome signed for Sandy Patti, Avalon and the WOF Praise Team. She makes music literally come alive before your eyes. But, even more than that, she made me realize that God never makes a mistake! The world would have us believe that these precious children aren't perfect so therefore why not "take care of it" while in the womb. But God assures us that each and every child is "fearfully and wonderfully made."

With that I thought of our two precious granddaughters, Julia and Mallory. I remembered the first time we saw them, held them, saw them smile....words can't express the joy! And, now as we watch them do all of their "firsts" it is such a blessing to know that they are being raised by godly parents who love them and will nurture them in the Lord. THAT, my friends, makes parenting all worthwhile!

Have a blessed day!

Moments with B-Mom

Moments with B-Mom

B-Mom Blogging...a new sporting event

So, here I am trying to cut down on time demands, so I start "blogging." Finally there is a sporting event I can actually be a participant in rather than an "athletic supporter!"

But, with the new journey in our lives as grandparents, I thought I could at least share some thoughts. Don't get me wrong, this is not an outlet to give advice to my kids! They are doing a great job!

Julia: Our 9-month old granddaughter, daughter of Jason & Jennifer. What a delight as we've watched her grow. She is a people person deluxe and it shows! It is fun to watch each new stage of her little life. As parents, we forget all those cute little things ...and we can enjoy them more from our grandchildren. So, you have a lot to look forward to.

Mallory: That precious little 4 month old granddaughter, daughter of Brad & Shannon. She lives too far away now! Temple is 4.5 hours away so can't get there as fast She is changing everyday and it was great to spend some B-Mom time with her Monday & Tuesday.

But, this is supposed to be Moments with B-Mom. So, I want to say that it is a blessing to be a grandmother! To see God at work in the lives of our children and now blessing them with children is just too much to comprehend.

The hardest thing about being a grandmother is keeping your opinions to yourself! Things have changed since we raised 3 babies just a year apart! Doctors' instructions change, all the little "things" available like bouncie chairs, big rubber chairs (whatever they are called), car seats! It is amazing that our children even lived past puberty to give us grandchildren! They used to bounce around in the back of a station wagon and then a Pinto wagon! I guess no permanent damage was done!

OK...enough for a first blog! I'll try to make it more interesting next time!