The Shafferland Shuffle

It's been a very different kind of week around here. We are grateful for God's grace and His strength, because we needed both this week! Ryan's mom lived here with us most of the week, and while she is a very loving house guest, it's always an adjustment to have a change in schedule! Here's a peek at how this week looked for us:

* Well, last Sunday morning, we woke up in Fort Wayne, preparing for the last day of the Connect retreat. We had about a half hour to spare between the retreat and coming home, so we made a quick stop at DeBrand Chocolates for a dessert date. (We had a gift card! Woot woot!) Then we stopped at our nephew's birthday party so I could take pictures, and then we came home to prepare for Ryan's mom to move in. She came late that evening and got all settled in our guest room.

* Monday morning began my new part-time job as a cook. I was in charge of meals and doing my best to keep them flavorful and healthy. Nita had a few visitors on Monday, so I tried to be a good greeter when they came to visit. Ryan took care of all her medical needs. Even on the first day, we started to figure out our groove as a team, and that was exciting for us.

* Tuesday morning, our doorbell rang, and I fully expected to find a visitor for Nita on the other side, but it was actually one of my friends stopping by with coffee for me and cupcakes for Ryan and me. I cried right there at the door! Allen came to get Nita so she could vote, which meant Ryan and I had just enough time to go vote too! I led Bible study by myself that night so Ryan could watch his mom, and after she went to bed, we had the contraband cupcakes! We felt like parents. She's in bed! Eat the cupcakes!

* Wednesday morning I attended a meeting that was already on my calendar before any of this began, and it was a good morning. I enjoyed getting dressed in real clothes and going out for a bit! That afternoon, Ryan's grandpa came to sit with Nita so we could record announcements at our church, and that night, Ryan sat at the table and had a good talk with her while I baked cookies at the stove. It was a sweet night...one I think I'll always remember. Calm and memorable. Well. Except for that one part where I cried over spilled chocolate chips.

* We had to get up super super super early Thursday morning to get Nita back to her house so she could get to Indianapolis for an appointment with her oncologist. Ryan thought that deserved Starbucks, so we stopped on our way home. It was a long day for everyone, and by that night, I was ready for some baby snuggles - which I got, since I watched our nephew for an hour. We both kicked back to rest, and many props to Ryan for grabbing this picture!

* Friday was our first snow of the season! Nothing monumental, really, other than documentation-worthy because it was the first one. I did lots of chores around the house, greeted Nita's visitors, and had a great run at the end of the day. Ryan's aunt came to sit with Nita so he and I could run to the grocery store. Kokomo is getting a brand spankin' new Aldi next week, so this was our last time in the old store. We are probably the only people who documented that.

* Ryan's mom left our house yesterday (just for a couple of days) to spend time with her husband on his days off work. I was determined to catch up on the work I'd not gotten to cross off my to-do list this week, so I did that, and Ryan worked at work. He spent a couple of hours helping his dad and step-mom move some furniture to their new home, and while he was gone, I baked his favorite pie. (NOTE: I did not make the pie. Marie Callender did that for me. I just baked it.) He came home to find a new guest awaiting him. Miss Pheebs spent a few hours at our house!