My 24th Birthday!

On Monday I turned 24! It's not hard to realize that you're getting older. Birthday celebrations used to last the entire month. This year it lasted 5 days. I'm sure by the time I'm 70 it will be down to 5 minutes haha.

When I was working Friday, my coworkers surprised me, and by surprised I mean, I was totally expecting it! They got me a strawberry filled cake from Anne's Donuts. It was yummy! We had already eaten chicken plates for lunch, so I was stuffed!

Sunday we celebrated with Matthew's family. My dessert of choice was Hershey creme pie! Mmmmm! I got some cards with money inside and a lily to plant in the yard. Sunday night we went out with my parents to eat at La Perla Tapatia, my absolute favorite Mexican food!

 

 On my actual birthday, I went to school for an optional review class. I finally left school at 12:15, went through the Wendy's drive-thru, and came home to eat my healthy lunch of side salad, baked potato, and a small chili while I watched TBS. I spent the afternoon lounging around with spurts of studying for my final exam. Sounds like a fun birthday, huh? For dinner we cooked buitoni pasta, frozen garlic bread, caesar salad, and a quick tiramisu with store bought pound cake haha. But really these are some of my favorite foods, so I didn't mind. Mexican and Italian food for my birthday? I'd say that's a win! Matthew gave me a few gifts including cute navy canvas shoes, acrylic cups, a Brita water bottle, popsicle molds, and tervis lids. I loved everything!!

Yesterday was my sister's birthday! She came home to see my grandma, so we went to Outback afterwards to celebrate our birthdays together. They were out of my favorite, prime rib, so I settled for Alice Springs Chicken. Everything was good and we both got free ice cream with hot fudge syrup! We went back to my parents' house to open gifts. I got some really good stuff! I can't wait to start using it all! My sister gave me some cute tshirts and tanks from Target, chalk labels, decorative paper tape, an iphone cover, an ipod armband, and initial stickers. My parents got me a new planner for school, money for my trip, face wash, a blouse from Target, and cute sandals.

Overall, I had a great birthday! And the countdown is already on for the next birthday!

My Grandma

One year ago tomorrow, my grandma suffered a stroke on Mother's Day. The stroke affected her swallowing, and it took months of rehab and recovery for her to be able to eat again and come back home. Since then she has had daily care, although not 24 hours a day. As my grandmother approaches her 90th birthday this weekend, we decided to throw her a birthday party. Not everyone reaches such a milestone, so it is worth celebrating!
As you may know, my grandma suffered a heart attack last week on April 27. She was admitted to the hospital to recover and for decisions to be made on her care. Ultimately, the family decided to transport her to a larger hospital to undergo a heart catheterization. She was transported that Sunday and underwent the catheterization on Monday afternoon. She was released to come home on Tuesday, May 1st. By the time she arrived home, a mere 45 minute drive, something was wrong. We are not sure at what point all of this happened, but my grandma suffered another stroke. Unfortunately, this time it has affected her mind. The past few days have been very touch and go. There have been good days and bad days, moments where we have laughed and moments where we have cried. She has returned to her old self for the most part, but there are still a few hallucinations, strange dreams, and off the wall comments. At moments, we weren't sure if she would ever recover because it almost seemed as if she had an instant onset of the worst case of Alzheimer's. She is being released from the hospital today and being transferred to a rehab facility for at least the next 100 days.

I ask that everyone please pray as we continue to pray for her and the rest of the family as this will be a big adjustment for us all. At this point in time, she will probably not be coming back home. We are not sure that we can care for her in the way that she needs. God has truly blessed this woman by giving her the strength and the willpower to overcome these obstacles that have been put before her. She is not ready to leave this world, and she won't go out without a fight. And you better believe she has not forgotten about that birthday party!

Menu Plan Monday 4/30-5/6

Monday: Bible study
Tuesday: Steak Bites with Sauteed Mushrooms, Potatoes, and Tossed Salad
Wednesday: Sloppy Joes, Corn, and Sweet Potato Fries
Thursday: Buitoni Pasta, Garlic Bread, and Tossed Salad
Friday: Shrimp Lettuce Wraps, Brown Rice, and Pineapple
Saturday: Leftovers
Sunday: Leftovers