We gave my mom a big surprise for Christmas this year. We planned a trip to see her without her knowing we were coming. It was really hard to keep the secret, but it was so worth it. We stayed with her for a couple of weeks and R had some good bonding time with all the family out there. She got to go to the Kohls Children's Museum in Glenview, IL and I honestly think it was the most fun I had ever seen her have in one day. It is similar to the children's museum in where we live but it was bigger with more to do. There was a music center where she got to play instruments and dance and I think that was her favorite part. She was so infatuated with one of the bongos that she tried to sneak it out with her. There was a fake restaurant where kids could pretend to make food and serve people, a whole fake grocery store, veterinarian office, and more than I can remember right now.
We have also had a recent medical emergency with my poor dad. He suffered what they originally called a major stroke, now they say it was just the symptoms of a stroke, but he did have a brain hemorrhage (I think on the left side, I keep mixing it up). They were planning a brain surgery and then cancelled it and then they were watching to see if they needed to drain any of the fluid but it looks like the fluid is going away on it's own for now. He is fairly alert from what I have been told (I haven't been able to talk to him). He is even cracking jokes and told everyone that my sister (who found him) pushed him down the stairs. They say that he has passed neurological testing which is great. But he does have numbness on one side. Please keep him in your prayers, if you are reading this, as he continues to recover.
Oh, and for anyone that we haven't told...J passed the last of his CPA exams and now just needs to rack up enough hours to become a full fledged CPA. That is a huge relief.
