Ieva is very blessed to have 5 wonderful great-grandparents. 4 are on Andrew's side, and the only one left on mine is my mom's mom, Grandma Mlejnek (pronounced Mel-en-nick). Soon after we moved to Lithuania in 2002, she was diagnosed with a bone-attacking cancer called multiple myloma, but over the past 3 years has been able to keep it under control with meds. She's stayed in fairly decent health & has still been able to live independantly. In the past month, however, negative effects of the cancer have started piling up on Grandma, and at the moment she isn't doing too well. Thankfully, all 3 of her daughters (my mom & 2 aunts) are currently in Michigan with her now, taking care of her & helping to make decisions with doctors.
Ieva hasn't met any of her great grandparents yet. In fact, the only extended family members she has met are her Grandma Cliffe (my mom) and her Grandaunt Shelley (my mom's sister) when they came to visit after her birth. I am Grandma Mlejnek's only granddaughter, and Ieva is her only great granddaughter. She's actually the only grandparent I've ever been close to as an adult, and that has given us a special bond.
It's very important to me that Grandma meets her great granddaughter, and because of this, we are discussing Ieva & I flying back to Michigan in the near future to see her. It's a little frightening to think about making my first ocean-crossing flight with a baby alone, and not a pleasant thought for Andrew to be without his two favorite girls for a chunk of time, but we think it's pretty important for Ieva & I to go see Grandma while we can.
Will you please join us in praying for wisdom about this decision? We know that God is in control of all things & trust Grandma's future to Him, but also want to make the most of the time we've been given with her. Flying back comes with the stress of traveling alone with a 4-month old baby, the expenses of a last-minute flight, and making adjustments in my schedule here. Please also pray for my mom & her sisters as they talk with doctors, support & love their mother, and make decisions. This isn't an easy time for them.
I don't know who exactly reads this blog and what relationship you have to us, but if you know my parents especially, please pray for them. If you know my dad & have the ability to call & check in or write an encouraging note, I'm sure he'd appreciate it as he's been doing a lot of bachelor time lately since my mom has had to be with Grandma in Lansing a lot (a 1.5 hour drive from their home). I'm sure he's surving just fine on oatmeal and the frozen stuffed green peppers my mom left for him, but I can't help but be concerned for him, too.
Thank you for your love & support of our family! These are the times when it's difficult to live on the other side of the ocean from them, but also make us thankful to have such an incredible community of family & friends. You are a blessing to us!
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