The Anniversary Quiz

Our 25th Anniversary was this past week.  Because it was Spring Break, both Tanner and Aubrey were home in the middle of the day.  (I think Bri was home for lunch.)  I saved this Valentine's quiz I saw online last month and printed four copies out.  I also sent a picture of it to Brinley so she could join in the fun.  Because I had bought a couple of candy prizes, it was high stakes in the Gwilliam household.

Brian, Tanner, Aubrey and I gathered around the kitchen table and took the quiz.  It was kind of hilarious and a lot of fun.  Brian and I didn't have exactly the same answers, and we allowed a lot of leeway in points as well.  

I was really impressed with what the kids, especially the girls, knew about our relationship.  Tanner was pretty good about figuring out dates so that kept him in the competition.  There was a lot of laughing and joking around the table.  I thought the best answers centered around our first kiss and what we liked most about each other.

Question #4 was "Name three things you know about Mom and Dad's first kiss."  

Here is Brinley's summary.  (Aubrey guessed the same thing but listed fewer details.) 

"Dad used sign language to say "you kiss me."  Mom was shocked.  Dad signed, "I'm waiting."  Then they kissed.

This wasn't our first kiss, but it was cute that the girls remembered.  It was a pretty epic event in our early dating days.  I was floored when he signed that to me.  It was even funnier when he calmly signed, "I'm waiting."  Brian still keeps me laughing and on my toes for sure.

Tanner's answer to three things he knew about our first kiss was hilarious.  

"it was gross, dad leaned in, it was awkward"

He earned two points for it because he had us all laughing so hard.  ___________________________________________________________________________________

I also thought it was sweet to read what the kids thought we liked best about each other.  They definitely had great answers.

What is Dad's favorite thing about Mom?

Dad's answer: serves others

Brinley: shows love (with cute gifts/notes) and organized?

Tanner: personality

Aubrey: good mothering skills

Mom: faith

___________________________________________________________________________________

What is Mom's favorite thing about Dad?

Mom's answer: funny

Brinley: hard working? funny?

Tanner: peacemaker

Aubrey: how hard working and independent he is

Dad: funny (looking I think)

                       See ↑↑↑, he's being funny right there.  He keeps me smiling and laughing everyday.  And I absolutely do love that he is a peacemaker, hardworking and independent as well.

Below are our answers to the big anniversary quiz.  All three kids got five correct, I think, but Tanner's two point funny first kiss answer bumped him to six points for the win!

Dad's answers↑

Mom's answers↑

Aubrey's answers↑

Tanner's answers↑

Aub and Tanner comparing answers to make sure who won the big prize.  (skittles and sour airhead strips)

Bryn's answers.  She texted them in. ↑

I love Brian, our children and this life we have created.  Happy Anniversary to us.  It was a good one.

 

Gram's Surgery

In February, Gram and Grandpa, with the help of Kerry, headed to Dallas for surgery.  Because of her sharp decline from November to December, the doctors thought in addition to Alzheimer's she might have Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus (NPH) as well.  Honestly, it seemed more like a guess.  They did some initial testing, and then they basically put the ball in my dad's court to decide if he wanted to try the shunt to see if it might help.

He did a lot of research and spoke with a couple of  people who had the surgery.  He sent us (the kids and spouses) articles and asked our opinions.  They traveled up to Dallas in January and did some initial tests.  The results where inconclusive.  My dad decided it was worth a shot, and I am so glad he did.  It hasn't been the easiest road, but my mom has improved a ton!  It's a huge blessing.

She had to stay in Dallas for several weeks.  First she stayed about five days at the hospital recovering and getting some therapy, and then she moved to a rehab hospital where she had intense physical, occupational and speech therapy for about two weeks.  Here are some pictures of those adventures.

They stayed at my sister Becky's house before they went in for surgery.  My mom hasn't been sleeping well for weeks, so Beck gave my dad a break.  This is the girls the next day after a rough night.

Brian and I were in Mexico, and my mom face timed me to let me know they were heading in for surgery that morning.  To be honest, most of the conversation didn't make much sense, but Becky was helping to interpret it for me.  

Of course, my dad is always clowning around.  He had to pop in and out of the video to say hello.

My cute parents.

Beck and my brother Nate were amazing to go up to the hospital and help.  Their spouses were very helpful and supportive as well.   Nate and Beck would visit my parents or tag team with my dad so he could leave the hospital for a bit.  Sometimes they would stay the night and send my dad "home."  (He stayed at Nate's house.)  I'm so grateful Nate and Beck were willing/able and close enough to help out so much.

My Dad trying to get some rest in the waiting room.  He's had an exhausting few months.  Looking at this tiny bench thing, I don't think he got much.

She had a lot of intense therapy.  She worked really hard and got so much better.

Nathan taking care of Gram.

About a week before she came home, her brother Alan (from Odessa) and sister Wendy (from Utah) drove out to visit her for an afternoon.  They had a great time together.

See me in the corner of this picture?  Facetiming with Gram again...and Grandpa just can't help himself.  I love them both so much.  

I offered to fly up and help them drive home.  On the trip up three weeks before, Kerry was essential.  It would have been very difficult for  my dad to drive and help my mom on the 350 mile drive up.  She was so much improved they didn't need me at all for the drive home!  

However, once she caught wind of my offer, she wanted to have me there.  My dad booked a ticket.  I flew up to Dallas in the morning and Ubered to the hospital.  Just as I got there, she was released and we headed downstairs to the car and started the 5 hour drive home.  It was wonderful to be able to give them both a big hug.  It was especially amazing to have a normal conversation with my mom!  She looked great, spoke great, walked great....truly a miracle for her and our family.

  

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