A Full Weekend

Well, I think we’re starting to get settled here…again! I was able to take some time today and finish organizing the stuff we have. It’s a pretty cute little apartment. I can’t post pictures with this internet, but as soon as I can get some up, I will! :)

I knew that choosing to bring Cale home was going to be a lot for me, and take a lot of time, but I’m not sure that anything can quite prepare for what it’s actually going to be like! This apartment is still part of the hospital, but it’s not the same as just being able to leave if I need to go to the store. Now, I’m responsible for him. I’m not sure how it’s all going to work out while we’re here, but it’s a good way to help me realize that home is going to be very different.

We spent a little time this morning working on writing. I was trying to put together some stuff that I watched Patty do with him. He wasn’t the biggest fan, but he at least did what I asked, even if he stomped his feet a little. He also helped me unload the dishwasher, and make his lunch. It was fun having him help! I was impressed with how willing he was to do whatever needed to be done (while we were actually doing something other than book stuff). I must say, I was a little afraid for the dishes that the hospital provided. I wanted him to unload the dishwasher, which meant that I couldn’t step in and help him do every dish. I also didn’t want any of them to drop and break! He did great though!

On Friday, Terri and Brandi (Friends I’ve known for years) came to visit and even helped us get some groceries and move our stuff out of Cale’s first room and into the apartment. When we went grocery shopping, I had Cale help make the list and then push the cart around. It was a lot of walking and he did it all with out a rest break! He picked out a few things (including ice cream!) that was on the list and helped put the bags in the cart after we checked out. When all of our stuff was in the apartment, they left for the night…

…and Joe and Beth came not too long after! They were also put to work the next day! I really needed to get to a store and get some of the basic stuff like toothpaste, mouth wash, and a few other things. We ended up running a few places (one of them was checking into internet), and finally back to the apartment. Beth cooked dinner, I put stuff away, and the boys played Xbox. I’m not sure how easily I would have gotten everything done if they wouldn’t have helped. They left Saturday night after Cale started to shut down and made it very clear that it was time for bed.

This afternoon when we were finishing up lunch, Terri and Brandi stopped back by before they headed home. They brought a really nice gift! It’s a hand blender thing, so I can make smoothies packed with healthy stuff for Cale’s breakfast! I’m excited to whip it out tomorrow!! While we were talking with them, Cale decided he was hearing too much girl talk, so he went to the room to lay down.

While they were still visiting, September and Mel arrived…more visitors! Can I just say, I’m loving living close enough to home that I get to have so many visitors?! It’s great! We all visited for a little while, and during that time, Cale asked me who the boy was. I told him there were no boys, just girls. “Oh, just girls?” he replied with a bummed out voice. Poor guy! He liked so much having Joe here and then all of a sudden, he was outnumbered by girls! Wahaha! ;)
We didn’t make him sit in the room for too long! Terri and Brandi had to get on the road and the rest of us decided to take on Seattle. This adventure included: funny socks, umbrella bags, the Space Needle, Pizza, getting lost, and a trip to Krispy Kreme!

I was so proud of Cale because even after a full weekend, and all the walking we did today, he did so great the whole time! I had decided to bring his walker instead of his wheelchair because it’s a lot easier! Once we had parked, I realized, I probably messed up because he’s not going to last too long walking around. I still think it might have been a better idea to have the chair in case we had wanted to do some more walking around, but he did awesome! We even gave him a few opportunities to rest while the car was brought to him, or he was dropped off and both times he was willing to just walk. He also used the men’s bathroom all by himself for the first time today! I was really nervous and even sent two guys in, just to make sure he hadn’t fallen, but he did great!

I think after a few days here, we’ll be able to get our routine down a little better! It hasn’t made much of a difference being in the apartment as far as his mood…at least not yet. It may come though!

You go before me and follow me. You place Your hand of blessing upon my head. Such knowledge is too wonderful for me, too great for me to understand! Psalm 139:5-6

It’s amazing to me how everyday I’m seeing the ways the Lord is going before us unfold. I ask myself, “Who am I to have this blessing?” There is more and more every day that has been taking place that leaves me speechless for the love the Lord is pouring on us. My heart is full and I’m so thankful! It’s far too great and wonderful for me to understand! There’s no way that I can wrap my mind around what’s beginning to happen as our journey continues.

I see it so clear and it encourages me so much! Cale is not able yet to see it all around him, but I can’t wait for the day that he can and for the day that people have no other choice but to see God’s glory through our story…

Cale’s prayer requests tonight:
1) A house
2) Living here
3) A way for us to go home

Can you tell what’s on his mind? ;)