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Monday, July 2, 2012

Wow Oh Wow!!!

Oh how I've missed you friends! The days get away from me so quickly...

I have a TON to update on...like, really, a TON!!!

So, here goes.

The day after I last (really) updated, we had special visitors! Do you remember Adam and Amy? I had met them in NC when Cale was still in a coma. The day Amy and I said good bye to each other we cried and hugged prayed and giggled...and then Cale and I hopped on a plane and left for CA. During that time we've kept in contact, but with both of our lives being full we haven't been able to talk and connect as much as we would like.

Adam is doing very well! It was amazing for me to see him walking and talking! The boys were able to play Xbox for a short time together which I had day dreamed about! For part of the night, Amy and I made ourselves comfy on the couch and just talked. It was a beautiful time for us, but what made it even more special was listening to Adam and Cale talk! It was such a simple conversation, but neither of them normally initiates in conversation like that at least I know Cale doesn't.

I so badly wanted to lock them in our home and not let them ever leave! Well...you know...in a less creepy way. ;)

Amy, you bless me girl. Love you!

 I don't have permission yet to post pictures but I'll post if I can!

Our time with them was only a few short hours before it was time we had to go to sleep! I had a big event early the next morning...

I joined in with some of our friends to do the Tough Rhino Mud Run.

I was nervous...not gonna lie.

It was actually a blast! I had fun, one just being with everyone, but also the experience. Afterwards, they were excited to plan and take on a more difficult one, but I can't say that I'm totally game. We'll see though!


Cale told me he did Basic Training so I was silly for being tired! haha! He has a point...

After I cleaned my muddy self up, this is what I did...


The very next day with all of my cuts and bruises, we hopped on a plane and went to Colorado! Yikes! Yes, again... :)

This time was for some summer fun, but it was in the same place we had gone to for the Winter Sports Clinic. Cale wasn't too thrilled with the whole idea and neither of us were sure of what to expect. It was interesting for sure. Cale is in a weird stage where things are either too much stimulation or not enough. In either direction it causes boredom and boredom is a trigger for anger.

There were some hard points but we both had fun as well!

Cale snapped this one of me at the airport. I think the way it was taken my head looks large, but I love how the light is in my eyes :)


We went rafting...




We  he rode a horse...






We met Paul Dallenbach the race car guy...


Look closely...I'm wearing Cale's name tag and his free hat...oh yes.


We be us...


We he went fishing...



We saw a moose...


We went on a scary ride...



and survived...


We had fun with friends...



Like I said, we had some good times and some bad times. Most days like with rafting, Cale was happy when we had some rapids, but the slow relaxing parts that everyone else loved...he was bored. And fishing...yeah...nope.
Riding horses was on and off how he felt. He did get really bored just walking around going slow, but the time spent with the horses he loved.
The day we went on the ride was because everyone was going to the hot springs and Cale hates being in water. The leaders came to me asking how an amusement park would be. Normally, I would say not a good idea, but they said it was still pretty empty so I thought why not?
Hmm...Cale was really bored and part of the time it was too much, but since we only stayed for a short time, I was able to get him to go on a couple rides with me.
We had a blast while on them! Off...was a different story, but at least I know now he can do it!
The entire time on the scary one, I was screaming and Cale was yelling, "weeeeee!" haha!
I don't regret going!

The next trip we went on was to CA! We have a family reunion there every year in Redding. Friday morning when we were up and getting ready to hit the road, Cale had a meltdown. A pretty bad one. My nephew was going to be house sitting for us, so Cale stayed a night with him and then stayed a night with his mom. I had to make the decision to stay behind or go and leave him. I didn't know what to do and of course since its me, there were tears involved, but I had to think about what would be the best...and so I left on the trip.

I talked to him often and he didn't remember getting upset but was very sad that I wasn't at home with him. I missed him being with me and all my family also! I think we're just going to have to continue to learn those times and expect them.

I ended up having a blast with my family. Mama, my sister and I loaded into my CRV and on our way through Oregon we picked up my brother. The three of us finished the long drive to Redding...

and ate some good food...


had a good time with family...


enjoyed the scenery...


Since I've been back, things with Cale have been sooooooo much better. He still has his anger and mood swings like before, but they've gotten back to what our "normal" was. There haven't been any more nasty explosions. Thank you Jesus!

As for the house...

Wow Oh Wow!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

We didn't get the last one. Did I tell you about that already? One too many things showed up on the inspection. Frank took a look at the final report and basically was completely honest with me about my situation, Cale's disability, and how much work an older house would be. This was so sad for me to hear just because I love older homes. They have character and are just so much more personal. Call me crazy, but I'd much rather live in an oldy.

About the same time that we had found that home, a friend of ours told us about some builders that she had talked to about us and they were wanting to talk with me and possibly help us out...ok...

So, I went. I honestly didn't have the best attitude. Eh, my usual when it comes to things like this. I kind of kick and pout my way there letting the Lord know that I'm going to be obedient, but I don't really want to...

Well, the builders aren't doing any kind of special help for us. In fact what they offered is something the offer as an incentive to everyone, but it didn't matter. Frank came to the meeting and after grilling the guy about all the materials and the process of building, I knew this was it.

We're building a home.

And, even though it's not everything I want in a house, I know it's going to make a perfect home for us. And, it'll be new and under warranty. No worries.

And, I can't believe it. It's happening. We're actually getting a home of our own. Is it true?!

Blessed.

I was going to drive by it today and take a picture of the land, but maybe that's silly?

Anyways...YAY!!!!!!!!!

I'm so happy.
and thankful.

There were a few things we took off the plan instead of adding it to our mortgage. The hope is that you, in whatever way you can, will help.

I'm going to be planning a prayer time that if you're in the area we'll invite anyone that wants to come to pray over the land before we start building...and if you're too far to join us, maybe you'll pray wherever you're at?

Now for some randoms...

Names are a big thing for Cale. He may not remember a person but he'll remember names. He also focuses on names. Recently he realized that the first three letters of my name spells k-a-t. Now, no matter where we're at, he'll start petting me and then adds, "Meow" if I try to stop him at all he hisses at me! He's so funny! He does it until I give him a meow back...

In exactly one month I'm leaving for Ecuador for 10 days. Oh.my.word.
I've been praying about this trip since last summer and the time came in March that I had to give my final answer. Am I willing to go to another country leaving my husband with brain injury back home in the states where if something happens I can't just quickly get back to him? Leave him for 10 days?! Am I willing?
If God calls me to go I am.

So, I'm going. We've, as a team; along with others have been praying for this specific thing and honestly, I feel so much peace about it! I know as I've said before that God is with Cale even when I'm not. Is it scary? Yes. Will it be ok? Yes.

I'm so excited about this trip! The elevation is crazy so my friend Zita and I hiked Badger this morning and will be hiking several more times before we leave! We have to get in shape! :)


Here's my brother and my youngest niece...


and me with another niece...


Cale came out of the room last Monday holding up his patches on his shirt and with a huge smile said, "I'm still a soldier!"


Our silly dog...


I was sick for a couple days last week...no fun. Me and tissues...we were tight.


When we went on Thursday to sign papers for the house, we also had to choose colors for everything. I will be the first to tell you...I am NO good at this! I can't picture things and I don't know colors. I knew what I would pick if I had my choice to pick anything, but since I couldn't do that, I was at a loss. Mel and September came and basically saved me from misery and Cale is the one that chose what color the outside of the house is going to be!


We have decided that a service dog is the way we need to go for Cale. With his new level of independece, I've been told it would be very beneficial for him. Since we already have Basil and Mama's dog Noah, we're going to have to give them away. It's going to be super hard to get rid of Basil, but Cale isn't able to make the switch between them. There is already a lot of frustration with Basil not understanding Cale or being obedient with him...so, it's just one of those things. I've applied to a few and to one of the organizations you apply and then do another lengthy application. I finished that one up today! It's a long wait, but we're willing!

On Saturday Mama and I went to storage. All of our stuff has been packed since 2008 and to raise money for the new home we're doing a yard sale. This means we needed to look through everything in our boxes and take out what we're getting rid of. We made it about half way before being done. It's all still packed and as soon as we get our new home we'll finally be able to unpack everything! The whole time was filled with laughter and tears, but we got a lot done!

In one of the boxes I found these two. Haven't seen them in a long time...


My pig hung out while we worked...


Cale is silly...


...and we play cribbage.






2 comments:

  1. OHHHH...I was so excited to hear that Adam and Amy visited with you on their trip and I would LOVE to see some photos of all of you together! My family and I pray for them too and they don't live far from us! Ummmm...the ride looked really scary and I could feel my stomach rising to my throat just looking at the picture! LOL! That is wonderful that Cale could do that. It was great to hear from you. Blessings and prayers,
    EMily Jordan
    Sanford, NC

    ReplyDelete
  2. Dear One!! I am so blessed to read your blog today. I knew Father had a wonderful home planned for you. It's going to be GOOD. As for the ride, well, When I was in Germany we had to go up a moving ski-lift to get to a certain resturant we were going to. I was scared spitless. I took one look and said NO-WAY am I going up there. My cousin, bless his heart, saw I was really scared, and talked to the opperator. He had him stop it so I could get on. The fellow radioed to the opperator at the top so he would stop it for me. That worked both ways. So much for me and heights. :) I love you and rejoice in ALL Father is doing in your life, Marion

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