Week 11 August 27th - September 2nd
Day 71
Day 71
Wednesday August 27th
9:30 pm
Chase Update:
Day 36 at Craig Hospital
Day 36 at Craig Hospital
Big day! Huge day! Epic Day! Chase was able to say the word NO! I recorded him kind of saying it, but missed the 1st really clear moment. His mouth is definitely waking up!
He practiced his mouth movements and vowel sounds today, everyday is just a little better
In PT Chase practiced walking with a more normal gait instead of like a robot. he also practiced balancing on one leg, and walking sideways.
Chase had vision clinic today. They tested his eyesight, and unfortunately a normal side effect of TBI is impaired vision and we were did not escape it. Chases glasses before the accident were relegated to the classroom and driving at night, but his vision is a lot more impaired. He will have to wear them continually now. He gets a new pair on wed, but the doctor is picking them out, so we may be getting some new frames when we get home.
Chase is so excited to see his Dad. He has been grinning all day, and anytime someone asks him why he's so happy he signs or writes Dad.
He practiced his mouth movements and vowel sounds today, everyday is just a little better
In PT Chase practiced walking with a more normal gait instead of like a robot. he also practiced balancing on one leg, and walking sideways.
Chase had vision clinic today. They tested his eyesight, and unfortunately a normal side effect of TBI is impaired vision and we were did not escape it. Chases glasses before the accident were relegated to the classroom and driving at night, but his vision is a lot more impaired. He will have to wear them continually now. He gets a new pair on wed, but the doctor is picking them out, so we may be getting some new frames when we get home.
Chase is so excited to see his Dad. He has been grinning all day, and anytime someone asks him why he's so happy he signs or writes Dad.
It's been a fabulous day full of laughter, and fun. We finished off the day with a concert in the garden. Great music and singing, was the perfect way to end the day.
Today I have been thinking about blessings.
Neil A. Maxwell said " We should certainly count our blessings, but we should also make our blessings count." I think that's along the same lines as "Where much is given, much is required." Tonight I pray that I can live my life in a way that reflects the gratitude I feel for the miracles and blessings that I have been entrusted with. I pray that we all recognize the multitude of blessing we have poured upon us. I am so very grateful for the most basic freedoms we take for granted. That I can express my love for my Heavenly father. That I have food, shelter, clothing, family, friends, and freedom. So tonight I pray for comfort for those who are not blessed with the basic comforts or freedom that we take for granted everyday, and I especially pray for the men and women who fight to keep us free. I pray that we take a moment to reflect on how richly we are blessed. May the lord bless you and keep you until we meet again. We are legion!
Neil A. Maxwell said " We should certainly count our blessings, but we should also make our blessings count." I think that's along the same lines as "Where much is given, much is required." Tonight I pray that I can live my life in a way that reflects the gratitude I feel for the miracles and blessings that I have been entrusted with. I pray that we all recognize the multitude of blessing we have poured upon us. I am so very grateful for the most basic freedoms we take for granted. That I can express my love for my Heavenly father. That I have food, shelter, clothing, family, friends, and freedom. So tonight I pray for comfort for those who are not blessed with the basic comforts or freedom that we take for granted everyday, and I especially pray for the men and women who fight to keep us free. I pray that we take a moment to reflect on how richly we are blessed. May the lord bless you and keep you until we meet again. We are legion!
** Video Links **
Joyfully Trying so hard to make Words
Haha! He celebrated to early!
Day 72
Thursday August 28th
11:00 pm
Chase Update:
Day 37 at Craig Hospital
Day 37 at Craig Hospital
Today was full of great moments. Chase learned to say Mom in speech today. Wahooooo! Phil took him to class, but Chase came and found me so he could surprise me. It was awesome! There will be no stopping him now. Chase was excited to show off how well he is walking for his dad and siblings, and he showed them how well he can shoot the basketball. We moved rooms again today, but this time to a suite. When Phil and the kids leave I will be moving in with him. The couch in his room pulls out into a bed for me. This will help him start to transition into home life a bit more. My mom and dad arrived tonight, and they are rooming with chase for a few nights. It is so fun to have everyone here to celebrate Chases progress, and to be a family.
We have 4 weeks left as of today, and we sure marked The day with some memorable moments. I love having my family here. Its funny how things that are tedious at home are a privilege when I am away from home. I love cooking for the kids, and even doing laundry.
Chase had another chiropractic appointment today, and he walked out of there almost square in his shoulders, 2 weeks ago he was leaning so far to the left side it was scary.
I'm excited to see what amazing things the Lord had in store for us tomorrow. Thank you for the continued prayers that have helped Chase reach his goals to walk and talk. The Little improvements everyday are adding up to huge accomplishments, just like constant little prayers add up to giant miracles. Thank you for being part of our legion.
May The Lord bless you and keep you until we meet again. We are Legion!
We have 4 weeks left as of today, and we sure marked The day with some memorable moments. I love having my family here. Its funny how things that are tedious at home are a privilege when I am away from home. I love cooking for the kids, and even doing laundry.
Chase had another chiropractic appointment today, and he walked out of there almost square in his shoulders, 2 weeks ago he was leaning so far to the left side it was scary.
I'm excited to see what amazing things the Lord had in store for us tomorrow. Thank you for the continued prayers that have helped Chase reach his goals to walk and talk. The Little improvements everyday are adding up to huge accomplishments, just like constant little prayers add up to giant miracles. Thank you for being part of our legion.
May The Lord bless you and keep you until we meet again. We are Legion!
** Video Links **
Day 73
Friday August 29th
10:00 pm
Chase Update: Day 73
Day 38 at Craig hospital
Day 38 at Craig hospital
Today We added another member to our family. After almost a year we finally got the dog we wanted. His name is priest (he came with the name), and he is a vizsla. He is gorgeous, and so sweet. We got him too late to meet Chase tonight, but I am looking forward to that introduction tomorrow. Chase is sure he is going to be the dogs favorite person
Chase took his grandparents, and siblings to some of his classes today so they could see what he does all day. Chase just keeps adding more letter sounds, getting a little clearer in his sounds he can already say, and basically being more awesome everyday. He got clearance to walk around the hospital with us this weekend. We are really excited to have Saturday and Sunday to just hang out as a family. It so was good to see our friend Ryan Nilsson, thanks for making time to see us. We love you.
We hope this holiday weekend is full of love and laughter for you and your family. May The Lord bless you and keep you until we meet again. We are legion!
Chase took his grandparents, and siblings to some of his classes today so they could see what he does all day. Chase just keeps adding more letter sounds, getting a little clearer in his sounds he can already say, and basically being more awesome everyday. He got clearance to walk around the hospital with us this weekend. We are really excited to have Saturday and Sunday to just hang out as a family. It so was good to see our friend Ryan Nilsson, thanks for making time to see us. We love you.
We hope this holiday weekend is full of love and laughter for you and your family. May The Lord bless you and keep you until we meet again. We are legion!
Electric Stimulation to help his walking
Our new family Member Priest the Vizsla
Siblings!
Day 74
Saturday August 30th
10:30 pm
Chase Update :
Day 39 at Craig Rehab
Day 39 at Craig Rehab
Today was another fun lazy day. Chase was able to eat all 3 meals with us today. We just chopped it up really well for him. It takes him a along time to chew and swallow so he doesn't eat much and has to have a can of supplemental food via his feeding tube after each meal still.
Chase got to meet the new dog this morning. I will post pictures. He loves him already.
We went to the park today, and Chase and the kids practiced crawling and rolling together. It's supposed to create new neuropathways in his brain like it does when we are babies. There is a reason roll before we crawl, and crawl before We walk.
We napped, and tried watching a movie tonight, but this mom dropped the ball, and accidentally picked a PG-13 movie. Whoops. My children informed me the movie was inappropriate for them. Lol. Love them.
I love having the kids here and love being the mom, but 7-9 of us crammed into a studio apartment is a little overwhelming. For such a Loud person, I really like the quiet. Too soon, it will be back to being too quiet, and I will be wishing for the chaotic happy sounds of my babies.
Tomorrow is going to be another family day. It has been So great to have my Mom and Dad here, and it's going to be hard to say goodbye tomorrow. I have been so blessed to have such an amazing family, both the one I was born into and the one I was blessed enough to be married into.
I hope your holiday weekend is spent recharging, and full of love and laughter. May the Lord bless you and keep you until we meet again. We are Legion.
Chase got to meet the new dog this morning. I will post pictures. He loves him already.
We went to the park today, and Chase and the kids practiced crawling and rolling together. It's supposed to create new neuropathways in his brain like it does when we are babies. There is a reason roll before we crawl, and crawl before We walk.
We napped, and tried watching a movie tonight, but this mom dropped the ball, and accidentally picked a PG-13 movie. Whoops. My children informed me the movie was inappropriate for them. Lol. Love them.
I love having the kids here and love being the mom, but 7-9 of us crammed into a studio apartment is a little overwhelming. For such a Loud person, I really like the quiet. Too soon, it will be back to being too quiet, and I will be wishing for the chaotic happy sounds of my babies.
Tomorrow is going to be another family day. It has been So great to have my Mom and Dad here, and it's going to be hard to say goodbye tomorrow. I have been so blessed to have such an amazing family, both the one I was born into and the one I was blessed enough to be married into.
I hope your holiday weekend is spent recharging, and full of love and laughter. May the Lord bless you and keep you until we meet again. We are Legion.
Chase meeting Priest for the first time
Chase meeting Priest for the first time.
Crawling to create new neuropathways.
Napping in the Sun!
Day 75
Crawling to create new neuropathways.
Napping in the Sun!
Day 75
Sunday August 31st
11:00 pm
Chase update: Day 75
Sun. August 31st 11:00pm
Day 40 at Craig hospital
Sun. August 31st 11:00pm
Day 40 at Craig hospital
We had a great family day today. Church, and time together in the garden. Banana splits, naps, lots of giggles, and some sibling disputes. It almost felt like a normal Sunday. My Mom and Dad are back home now, and Phil and the kids are heading home in a few hours. Brooklyn and Alora had a sleep over in chases room tonight, and tomorrow I move in with him. He thinks it's going to be awesome, but he will probably be sick of me soon.
Tonight as we gathered together in a circle and joined hands, Phil asked Chase to say our family prayers. We didn't have to be able to understand anything he said to feel spirit of that prayer, it was a very emotional moment for me to hear him give thanks to The Lord.
I hope your sabbath day was wonderful, and I hope you have an amazing Labor Day! May The Lord bless you and keep you until we meet again. We are legion.
Tonight as we gathered together in a circle and joined hands, Phil asked Chase to say our family prayers. We didn't have to be able to understand anything he said to feel spirit of that prayer, it was a very emotional moment for me to hear him give thanks to The Lord.
I hope your sabbath day was wonderful, and I hope you have an amazing Labor Day! May The Lord bless you and keep you until we meet again. We are legion.
Day 76
Monday September 1st
3:15 pm
Kami Update:
Day 41 at Craig Hospital
Day 41 at Craig Hospital
I have been pondering why our story has stirred so many hearts into action. Why it has moved so many strangers to reach out, and so many friends to rally around us. So many people around us are struggling with much more, and you don't see the support that we are receiving.
My answer came in a silent moment. It's because we threw open the doors and invited everyone in. We invited all to celebrate with us, to cry with us, to worry, to pray, to plead, to serve, and to hope with us.
In a society where we try to present ourselves in the best light and to hide away our weakness, we laid it all out there. We didn't try to do it on our own. We didn't vaguely ask for prayers or support. We didn't give you the basic information, and hope that someone would step up. We let you in! We allowed you the opportunity to serve us if you felt inspired to do so.
My answer came in a silent moment. It's because we threw open the doors and invited everyone in. We invited all to celebrate with us, to cry with us, to worry, to pray, to plead, to serve, and to hope with us.
In a society where we try to present ourselves in the best light and to hide away our weakness, we laid it all out there. We didn't try to do it on our own. We didn't vaguely ask for prayers or support. We didn't give you the basic information, and hope that someone would step up. We let you in! We allowed you the opportunity to serve us if you felt inspired to do so.
I battle depression, and in the past there were times I pretended not to be home when someone knocked at my door because of the state of my home. I didn't answer the phone because I didn't want to pretend to be okay to one more person. I knew how much I needed help, but refused to allow anyone in because of my pride and shame. Then came the friend who pushed her way through the doorway when I refused her entry from the barely opened door. Who ignored my protests, and grabbed a broom. She didn't ask to help, she just showed up and went to work.
Most of us truly want to help, but don't want to Intrude or bother, so we wait anxiously for the opportunity to serve that never comes. I wanted to present some ideas on how to help those you know need help.
Most of us truly want to help, but don't want to Intrude or bother, so we wait anxiously for the opportunity to serve that never comes. I wanted to present some ideas on how to help those you know need help.
1. Don't give them your phone number and expect them to call. They won't unless they are beyond desperate. Get their number, and call them.
2. Don't ask to bring a meal, ask what day you can bring a meal.
3. Don't ask if they need help with kids, make plans to do it.
4. Roll up your sleeves and pretend you love to do it. I had a friend who convinced me she loved folding laundry ( I learned the truth years later) she would pick a day to come over to fold laundry, she requested I spend the days prior, washing as much laundry as I could so she could fold it. I washed and washed no matter how depressed I was, because I knew I didn't have to fold it, and I didn't want to disappoint her. Lol
5. Don't wait to be asked, The Lord will inspire you if have the desire to serve. He can also give you the courage to step out of your comfort zone. He can give you the right words, or inspire you to ask the right questions.
Since Chase's accident I have been served so many times, and in so many ways without ever having to ask for it. I'm pretty vocal about my needs, but I still have to force myself to call and ask for something even if it was previously offered. The opportunity to serve isn't for those we serve alone. We are uplifted, our own burdens seem lighter, and our ability to love increases. I mourn the opportunies I have lost to bless someone like I have been blessed, because I waited to be asked to serve.
Today I pray that we can all ask The Lord to use our hands as his. That he will guide us to those who need us, and we will take a deep breath and serve without a personal invitation. Thank you for serving us, thank you for continuing to pray for us. If you don't believe in God, that's okay, He believes in you. You can send it out to universe for us. May The Lord bless you and keep you until we meet again. We are legion.
Today I pray that we can all ask The Lord to use our hands as his. That he will guide us to those who need us, and we will take a deep breath and serve without a personal invitation. Thank you for serving us, thank you for continuing to pray for us. If you don't believe in God, that's okay, He believes in you. You can send it out to universe for us. May The Lord bless you and keep you until we meet again. We are legion.
8:45 pm
Chase Update: Day 74
Day 41at Craig Rehab
Day 41at Craig Rehab
Happy Labor Day!
I moved in with chase today. We spent the day packing and transferring my stuff, doing laundry, reading, and watching tv together. It was a pretty rough day lol. We are both ready to be back in class tomorrow. Chase is rejuvenated from the long weekend, and ready to work hard.
We already miss our family and we are counting down the days until we are together again.
As we start the new work week we pray for rapid speech progression, we pray he will improve his walking exponentially, and that he continues to be a walking, talking miracle. We pray tonight that tomorrow we can be someone's sunshine, and that The Lord will help us to ease someone's burdens. Tonight we pray that this week is full of amazing moments, and that you have the clarity to recognize them no matter how small. May The Lord bless you and keep you until we meet again. We are legion.
I moved in with chase today. We spent the day packing and transferring my stuff, doing laundry, reading, and watching tv together. It was a pretty rough day lol. We are both ready to be back in class tomorrow. Chase is rejuvenated from the long weekend, and ready to work hard.
We already miss our family and we are counting down the days until we are together again.
As we start the new work week we pray for rapid speech progression, we pray he will improve his walking exponentially, and that he continues to be a walking, talking miracle. We pray tonight that tomorrow we can be someone's sunshine, and that The Lord will help us to ease someone's burdens. Tonight we pray that this week is full of amazing moments, and that you have the clarity to recognize them no matter how small. May The Lord bless you and keep you until we meet again. We are legion.
Day 77
Tuesday September 2nd
11:00 pm
Chase Update:
Day 42 at Craig Hospital
Chase got clearance to move around his room using a cane and with someone present to keep him from falling. Wahoo. He is excited. He can do pretty much everything himself to get ready for the day except tie his shoes and shave. His memory is amazing. He reminds the medical staff and myself of things we forget all the time. What a miracle.
He is walking a little better everyday, now they are working on his left arm when he walks. He kind of curls it up when he walks from a sensory overload from his brain. It will be interesting to see how they fix that.
In speech today Chase worked on learning to say say L's, N's, B's and improving his M's. B's are especially hard because he can't shut his soft pallet. He can say them if he plugs his nose. It will come with practice and time.
We read for hours today, and watched a movie together. I love sharing a room. It's great to be a family during the day, and at night.
Tonight we prayed for continual accelerated progress to best prepare us for our limited outpatient resources. We prayed for the strength to joyfully go through each day when all we want to do is go home. We expressed our gratitude to The Lord for all the blessings he has given us, and asked for the strength to accept his will. We know without a shadow of a doubt that your prayers are the reason we are flying through this recovery. Thank you for being a part to our legion. Now take some of the faith and prayers you have given us and have the courage to apply it to your life. Why is it so much easier to apply that faith in behalf of others? We pray for you to have the strength to celebrate life rather than simply endure it. May God bless you and keep you until we meet again. We are legion!
He is walking a little better everyday, now they are working on his left arm when he walks. He kind of curls it up when he walks from a sensory overload from his brain. It will be interesting to see how they fix that.
In speech today Chase worked on learning to say say L's, N's, B's and improving his M's. B's are especially hard because he can't shut his soft pallet. He can say them if he plugs his nose. It will come with practice and time.
We read for hours today, and watched a movie together. I love sharing a room. It's great to be a family during the day, and at night.
Tonight we prayed for continual accelerated progress to best prepare us for our limited outpatient resources. We prayed for the strength to joyfully go through each day when all we want to do is go home. We expressed our gratitude to The Lord for all the blessings he has given us, and asked for the strength to accept his will. We know without a shadow of a doubt that your prayers are the reason we are flying through this recovery. Thank you for being a part to our legion. Now take some of the faith and prayers you have given us and have the courage to apply it to your life. Why is it so much easier to apply that faith in behalf of others? We pray for you to have the strength to celebrate life rather than simply endure it. May God bless you and keep you until we meet again. We are legion!
** Video Links **
Next ----------> Week 12
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