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A few of you who've been around PPP for awhile have prayed with me through this one, and I'm so thankful for each of your thoughts and prayers! Â
Two and a half years ago, my father-in-law became ill with West Nile Encephalitis.  He was  a completely healthy man; in fact, in August of 2009 at the age of 70 he road 17 miles on a bike trail with my son.  But in September he became ill (much of the reason I started PPP),  and for the last two years he's lost movement in much of his body and is confined to a wheelchair. He has a trach to assist with breathing, and needless to say it's been a rough . . . sad. . . . frustrating-difficult-overwhelming . . . few years for our family.
Four weeks ago though, after numerous hospitalizations, rehab visits, and nursing home stays, Don returned home with the help of some amazing nurses and one incredibly supportive wife.  (WOOHOO!)  And for the first time in almost three years, he and my mother-in-law along with a nurse are coming to Alabama today to watch my Reagan's preschool graduation.  (She's the baby of all the grandbabies, so I'm just thrilled that he'll be here to see it!) Â
I had planned on keeping up PPP while they were here, but last night as I was scrubbing our home and planning our menu, it occurred to me that this is the first time in almost three years that Don and Jennie have traveled anywhere other than to a new rehab facility, hospital or nursing home. I decided that (while I soooooo love you guys!) you'd be just fine without me typing away all day while they're here. So I'll be slowing down a bit to enjoy this a long-awaited visit, while getting our house wheelchair ready, baking his favorite cookies, and of course fighting back a few tears as I watch my last baby on her preschool “graduation” day. 🙂
All the regular store ads here on PPP will go up on their normal schedule, and I'm planning to take a little time to keep up with just the very best deals that I see. (Plus my fantastic friend Shannon will also share a few deals as well!) I'm also hoping to try out a new recipe to post, but other than that I feel like I need to take a little break to do something more important that sharing a shout out for a freebie or hot deal alert over the next few days.
Thank you so very much for your thoughts, prayers, and understanding. (As a blogger I live in daily fear that you all won't come back if I slow down, so hopefully when things are back to normal this Thursday you'll be ready for a new deal or two . . . I feel so fortunate that you take the time to read this each day!)
- Print all the great coupons at Coupons.com, Smart Source, Coupon Network & Red Plum.
- Order your free customized Tote Bag from Ink Garden
- Check out all the great Amazon Steals.
- Catch up on a few freebies.
- Try a new recipe (this Cherry Cheese Cobbler has been calling my name lately!)
- Or, take a day off from penny pinching and enjoy your family too.
I know this is an old post, but I had to comment because my youngest (2.5 yrs) has had a trach since she was 2 months old. She wears the same purple valve. It's not often I come across other trachies, so I have to speak up when I do.
Thanks so much for sharing Donna! I cannot imagine how much work the trach is to deal with for your little one – I had no idea they were so difficult and him getting an infection or not being able to cough correctly is so hard to watch. (I’m assuming you clean out the trach at home? Such a huge job!)
Thank you so much for taking the time to comment – going through this experience has definitely made me realize there’s a whole other situation out there for these folks and goodness we can’t take normal breathing and swallowing for granted. Prayers and hugs sent to you and your family 🙂
Nothing is more important than family! I am glad you all are blessed with this opportunity to be together. I love the picture of your daughter and her grandfather. You definitely need to frame it and display it in your home. It’s just too sweet.
Taking this hiatus is a no-brainer! I applaud your prioritizing and it would never deter this reader from visiting your site, so no worries. 🙂 I hope you have a wonderful visit, that picture of your son and father-in-law is great.
You all are soooooo sweet and I can’t even tell you how much I appreciate your encouragement. As I worked throughout the day to get everything cooked and our house ready for them, I read through your comments and they just meant so much to me. Thank you all for understanding! Don and Jennie got here early this afternoon and it was so good to be able to enjoy them and not worry over PPP while they are here.
Thank you for all your precious comments ~ I’m so fortunate to do this job each day!!!! 🙂
I love your site and will totally understand your brief time away. Enjoy it all and we will be here when you get back! Family time is so hard to schedule enough of!
God is SO good! Enjoy your family 🙂
Laurie,
you hide your laptop and cover your computers if you have to. Thank you for all you do here and I hope you enjoy your time with the family.
(Don’t worry, we’ll still be here when you come back.)
Enjoy your visit ! We will still be here when you get back !
Enjoy your time with family. I have not been coming here regularly very long but I have enjoyed it. I have made waaaaayyyyyy too much Cheesy Baked Spaghetti in the past 2 months;-} and now I will have to try those Best Ever Chocolate Chip Cookies. Thank you.
I just cried looking at the precious pictures. Enjoy your visit and treasure every moment. 🙂
Leave you?! Are you nuts! I am in awe of everything you are able to accomplish on a daily basis (make the rest of us feel like losers). I don’t know how you find the time or energy, and with kids! You deserve the time off. We’ll be here waiting until you get back! Enjoy and God bless!
Will keep you and your family in my thoughts and prayers. Enjoy your time with your family- we will all still be here when you get back!
Enjoy your time!!! We’ll still be here when you get back. I lost my Dad 16 years ago, when I was 12, so cherish every moment.
I have been visiting your site for about a year and a half now and I just want to say thank you for all you do!
I think it is great that you are taking time off for family. You are an inspiration and the light of the Lord definitely shines through you! God bless!
Amen!
Enjoy those moments, I’m sure they will be ones to cherish!
You are doing the thing that’s important. You won’t lose folks…promise!
Enjoy your family and we’ll be here when you come back! Family is #1!!!
Enoy your time with family………I have lost both of my parents, and there is not a day that goes by that I dont wish and dream of having just 1 more day with them, it’s hard to have kids growing up that never will know their grandparents:( Family IS THE MOST IMPORTANT THING IN LIFE!!!
Go relax and soak up this precious time! We’ll still be here!!
Enjoy every second of their visit, we will still be here when you get back. I am thrilled to know that family still comes first as they always should! So glad he is well enough to travel and see her graduate from preschool! I am sure it means a lot to them both!
Glad you are putting your family first this week. They deserve it! Treasure the moments and make wonderful memories. I will look forward to the updates when all the dust settles, I will not be bothered by lack of posts. Don’t worry. We all have to take a break from our jobs, whatever our title, so you are entitled to a few days off. Enjoy!
You’re doing the right thing! One thing I have learned while blogging (ok I haven’t been blogging THAT long, but I have learned a lot in a short period!) is that people will come and go. Right now, your family needs you and that is the most important thing. Take care of your family and your father in law, and we will all be here on the flip side!
I think this is AWESOME! We will miss you but you deserve the time with your family! Wish I could
see The little ones program! She is extremely entertaining! Love that kid! Enjoy my friend!
Enjoy the time with your family there is nothing more important! I will be here when you get back you have a wonderful site and have been a huge blessing to my family! I am glad that he is well enough to travel that is wonderful news! Take care and enjoy your time with them!
Laurie,
Enjoy your time with your family… it is most definitely more important than penny pinching any day! God has gifted you with this time, and I pray that your family enjoys every minute. These are the reasons why we pinch pennies throughout the years is to be able to take off a couple of days and enjoy the time with people we love. Many blessings on you, your daughter and the rest of your family!
I’ve used your site weekly for over two years. I’d never stop reading just because you take a well-deserved break! Enjoy your visit 🙂
Enjoy your visit! My dad died suddenly almost 4 years ago and I am so thankful that I was able to spend a week visiting with him only 2 weeks before he passed away. I did not know it was the last time I would spend with him but I’m sure God knew. I am so thankful for that visit.