For those of you that don't know (sorry if you already know the story)... Yvetta is my "mother-in-law". She and her husband were Zach's biological great-grandparents. They adopted Zach when he was 2 months old. She was 63 when they adopted him. Can you imagine adopting a 2 month old in your 60's? That shows you how much love this amazing woman has in her heart!
She has not had the easiest life and yet her smile can light up a room. I'm not sure how Zach's life would have turned out if hadn't had been for Yvetta. Zach's dad, Yvetta's husband, passed away when he was 13 years old. After that, it was just her and Zach. They have such a special bond. She gave him a loving, stable home and raised a wonderful, caring man!
In 2005, Yvetta fell and broke her hip. We had to make the heart-wrenching decision to place her in a nursing home in her hometown of Spearman. She needed round-the-clock nursing care and her dementia/Alzheimer's was starting to set in. In 2008, we decided to move Yvetta to a nursing home here in town so we could see her more often (once a month up to Spearman wasn't going to possible after Kendall was born) and Zach could handle her medical issues easier. And I don't know about you, but I never got to meet any of my great-great-grandparents. How lucky are my kids that have the unique opportunity to know and love their great-great-grandma?
Currently, Yvetta has her good and bad days. On her good days, she knows that Zach is someone that she loves, although his name is long forgotten. On her bad days, I don't think she realizes that we are there to see her. But God in His amazing glory blessed us with two beautiful, caring children who always bring a smile to her face - good day or bad!
Happy Birthday, Yvetta! I admire your loving heart, caring spirit, steadfast fortitude and strong constitution. You are a virtuous woman with many jewels in your crown! We love you!!!
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| We started the Birthday festivities on Thursday evening with a Thanksgiving meal. |
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| Kendall loves Gee-Gee's soft hands! Neither of these young ladies would look at the camera, must be in the genes ;) |
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| The food was delicious! |
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| Jackson picked out a plant for Gee-Gee's room |
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| Sorry for the blur - Thought this was a really sweet moment between Gee-Gee and Kendall |
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| An attempt to hit two moving targets - Can you guess which two? |
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| Jackson wanted red candles to match the red icing - I think he got close, but no cigar! |
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| Singing Happy Birthday |
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| YUM! |
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| A red-icing smile and teeth! |
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| Jackson playing the piano for Gee-Gee. He played a rousing rendition of "Old McDonald". |
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| "I love you forever, I like you for always, As long as I'm living my baby you'll be!" |
Blessings,
Kelli
Isn't life funny? Zach was so lucky to have her and now she is so lucky to have you and Zach. Glad you got to celebrate together.
ReplyDeleteSuch great pictures. Thanks for sharing them. Such a sweet smile for such a sweet lady. We are all blessed by the seeds that she has sown in her life!!! God bless her and all of your family! Love ya, Betty
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