Ziplining Fun

We finally got to redeem our family zip line pass the last week in June. It sure seems like it has been a rainy summer here in Arkansas. We have had to keep putting things off for a later date because of the weather, but have managed to get some fun in.

 

We zipped at Adventureworks in Hot Springs, which is about a 30 minute drive. They just opened earlier in the year and still have construction going on, but it was still a great experience with lots of zips. Twelve total. The staff were all very friendly and safety minded. We had to go through a tutorial before going to the first zip. During the zips, they were very interactive, patient and made sure we all had a great time. We zipped with a group of nine total, which included 4 kids, two of which were mine. I think they had to have more patience with some of the adults, me included, rather than the kiddos. My little man had absolutely no problem stepping off any of the platforms at any time. The little lady was a bit more cautious, but they were both going off backwards near the end of the trip.

I never went off the platform backwards, but had a great time! The zips are designed so that they start you out slow and gradually get higher and longer. Not going to lie, I was shaking in my shoes for the first half. It took every ounce of "want to" that I had to step off those platforms.

 The scariest part of the adventure for me was walking across the sky bridge. I don't really like things that sway from side to side that are suspended mid air. I was harnessed but, I still didn't feel safe on that thing!

I would definitely do it again, though! In fact, I can't wait to schedule another tour.  Little man wants to zip for his birthday next year- sounds good to me! It was a great family outing! I quickly realized mid way in that the only thing I had to fear was fear itself. So awesome that we experienced this "first" together as a family. It taught us a whole lot about trust, encouragement, faith in each other, team work and was a great bonding experience as a family!

 

Losing A Loved One Twice

My mother in law was diagnosed with Alzheimers disease a few years back. She lost her battle with that horrible disease Febuary 28. It was a long, hard journey for her and our family. Being a woman of faith, I know I will see her again. This is just a temporary loss of communication. She has simply changed her address to our permanent home. Below is a guest post written by my brother in law, Eric Moore. He is the Sports Editor for our local paper where this article was first published.


Losing someone close to you is the hardest thing you will ever go through, but with Alzheimer's Disease you lose that person twice.

My mother, Jo Ann, recently lost her bout with that horrible disease, but I lost my mom well before she passed away. In the months preceding her death, you could see her mind start to go. The worst part about that part of the disease is that she noticed it too.

There would be days where she would be light-hearted and laughing, and there would be days when she knew the disease was destroying her memory, causing her to burst into tears. Watching her go through this and knowing there was nothing I could do to help her put a pain in me that still exists. 
My mother was my inspiration for a lot of things in life. She nurtured my love of learning and did everything she could to make sure I was always taken care of.

Because of her, I became quite the movie buff. There are few movies made after 1939 that I haven't seen. I had heard how devastating Alzheimer's Disease was, but until you witness it first-hand affecting someone you hold dear, words cannot accurately convey how truly awful it is.

I still remember when I finally allowed myself to believe it was Alzheimer's Disease and not just a case of old age forgetfulness. We were watching one of her favorite movies (we had probably watched it a dozen times before) and I saw this confused look on her face. She asked me what we were watching and when I told her the name of the movie and how it was one of her favorites, she said, "I've never seen this before."

She was adamant in her denial and, in retrospect, she was right. The disease had stripped away all her memories of seeing that movie.

Luckily the one thing the disease did not take from her was the knowledge of her loved ones. In the weeks preceding her death, we received several visitors daily. Our entire family came out to see her one last time and tell her goodbye.

By this point, she had forgotten how to eat, and drinking was difficult for her.But each time someone would walk in to say "hello," she would shine the world's biggest smile and attempt to say something back. There were no words, however. Sounds would come out, but she couldn't form the words she was searching for. You could see in her eyes how happy she was to see all of her family members one last time.

Alzheimer's Disease can cause a lot of damage, and not just to the ones suffering from the disease. My father, brother and I were with her almost constantly up until the end and saw her disappear before our eyes.

She was more than just a mother to me. She was also one of my best friends, and I will miss her terribly. Let your loved ones know how much they mean to you on a daily basis because tomorrow is never promised.