Prayer

It was such a good day! I can't say everything that happened because I want to surprise his mom on Friday, but it was definitely a good day! I will explain later ;)

RT and PT were combined today. Cale played the Wii again but this time standing up! First they had him get on the balance board and played the game that has soccer balls, cleats, and panda heads coming at him. The special thing about the Wii is that for my birthday (Jan 2), Cale surprised me with a Wii! We played so much the whole month of January and had so much fun with it! It was in the Toyota when the accident happened so I'm not sure if we have all the pieces still, but it's so great watching him play it now and we still are having so much fun with it! After the balance game, we played baseball again and Pat had Cale stand the whole game! His legs are getting so much stronger-woot!

One of the big things today was that Cale was officially put on the list for meal trays! He gets pureed food and they will adjust his tube feeding with whatever amount he ate. Out of the three trays, he took three bites of a jello fruit thing. He's not wanting anything to do with it. I don't blame him at all! For dinner I was trying to get him to eat even a tiny bit so I took a bite of the mashed potatoes, and boy were they yucky! I did get him a few jars of baby food because that's all pureed, but we didn't have a good start with it this morning. He did eat some mango puree and loved it! :) This whole food thing is tough unless it's a bowl of ice cream! He always manages to dig and destroy whatever amount given! He loves it! I'm going to try to get an ice cream cake for his birthday!

Grow flowers of gratitude in the soil of prayer. ~Terri Guillemets



There were so many blessings today! My heart is so full of thankfulness for ALL the Lord is doing! I'm asking Cale to think of one thing he is thankful for every night when we're praying together. Tonight he said "you". Awe! So sweet :)

Thank you so much, everyone that continues to pray for us and ask how we're doing. The power of prayer is not a small thing and I don't take it as a small thing when I hear people say they're praying for us! So many miracles are happening every day in Cale and me! I was able to talk to him about (the surprise!) and how it's a miracle...so amazing! Thank you for praying!!!!

Played Baseball Today...On The Wii!

Everyday Cale is taking a step farther. He really is at a point right now, that everyday he's doing something new; something better than the day before. I asked him the other day, "Cale, who is proud of you?" and he said "Kathleen" :)

In RT today we played on the Wii! It was really fun! Cale was enjoying himself so much! He was smiling through the whole game. He made it very clear when he was done, but he did play for a while. Rebecca (RT) seemed pretty impressed that he did so good!

Here are a few pictures of our fun!




I want to say a HUGE THANK YOU to everyone that has sent a birthday card (or package!) to Cale! I can't wait for him to see all the cards! There are some exciting plans in motion, we just have to get them all figured out. The therapists are working with me on things I'll need to know how to do away from the hospital. All the staff here have been so supportive of all that I'm planning which has been such a blessing! It's going to be such a special day for Cale! He deserves it!!

On top of all the cards I've already received for him, here's what was waiting in my room this afternoon...


Such a blessing! Thank you!!!

You made all the delicate, inner parts of my (Cale's) body and knit me (him) together in my (his) mother’s womb. Thank you for making me (him) so wonderfully complex! Your workmanship is marvelous—how well I know it. You watched me (him) as I (he) was being formed in utter seclusion, as I (he) was woven together in the dark of the womb. You saw me (him) before I (he) was born. Every day of my (his) life was recorded in your book. Every moment was laid out before a single day had passed. Psalm 139:13-16

I asked Cale today who loves him more than I do, and he said "Jesus". I love Cale so much. I can't imagine loving him anymore than I do...how much more the Fathers love for him? The Creator of the Universe, designed Cale's body, put every part of him together when he was in Kathy's womb. He connected every neuron in his brain, hooked (funny word to use) everything together and knows every little detail about Cale's body and brain. He saw Cale before he was born! As I read the verses and was getting so worked up in picturing a sweet infant...I read the last verse.

Every day of my (his) life was recorded in your book. Every moment was laid out before a single day had passed.

Lord, you knew. The day Cale and I met ice skating, the moment I started to get butterflies in my tummy when I saw him, when I said "yes" when he asked me to date him, our first kiss, the sweet (and crazy!) moment when we decided to get married, when we said "I do", the pain I felt when I watched him leave for Basic Training and Afghanistan (and every other good bye), during all of our times of sharing dreams for a family, the morning of February 10th-You knew.

When I read that last verse, I can feel in the pit of my stomach, the feeling of betrayal. Until I reread the previous verses and remind myself-Cale doesn't belong to me. He belongs to the Lord. The same God that created me, created Him and loves him even more than I do. As quick as the yucky feeling came in, it went right back out with awe and amazement for my precious Jesus. How wonderful are all the works he's doing in my beloved.

So Incredibly Blessed!

In church this morning, we sang "Count Your Blessings". It's an older song and I just love it. I remember growing up singing it a long with so many other hymns. After we were done singing I started thinking about all the blessings in my life and I ran out of fingers and toes! God has blessed us so much I can't even keep count! Cale seemed to be more focused in church today which was really neat to see! We also sang "Amazing Grace" and I heard a little voice! On the way back to his room we sang it again and with out all the people around he sang the whole song with me! :)

Count Your Blessings
When upon life’s billows you are tempest tossed,When you are discouraged, thinking all is lost,Count your many blessings, name them one by one,And it will surprise you what the Lord hath done.

Count your blessings, name them one by one, Count your blessings,
see what God hath done! Count your blessings, name them one by one,
And it will surprise you what the Lord hath done.

Are you ever burdened with a load of care? Does the cross seem heavy you are called to bear? Count your many blessings, every doubt will fly, And you will keep singing as the days go by.

When you look at others with their lands and gold,Think that Christ has promised you His wealth untold; Count your many blessings. Wealth can never buy your reward in heaven, nor your home on high.

So, amid the conflict whether great or small, Do not be discouraged, God is over all; Count your many blessings, angels will attend, Help and comfort give you to your journey’s end.

Good song! Speaking of blessings...today was another day that I felt like blessings were being poured out! After church, I brought Cale to Fisher House so he could lay down while I organized a few things in my room. It was so nice to be able to get things done and have him there with me! It's such a big deal that I get to have him in my room! Life isn't anything like what we had thought it was going to be like, or that we would have planned it to be, but right now, it's amazing to me that Cale and I still get to be us. He's very different, BUT so much the same. For those of you that knew Cale and I before the accident, you know that we always are laughing together! We're always playful with each other and very cuddly...it's still like that! Cale and I are always laughing, and being playful! He's starting to do it a lot more lately. It's so much fun! How blessed I am!! I remember the days when that's what my heart desired most was for us to be playful again, and we are! Even though it's not quite what I had in mind yet, it's happening! I wish you could all see my face and hear me as I write this...big smiles with lots of giggles and squeals-a few happy sighs too! :)

We had another outing today. We went to a plaza with a few shops to work on transferring in public bathrooms. First we went to Best Buy, which I thought Cale was going to love, but he wasn't the biggest fan. I realized while we were there and I looked around, that Cale used to love this store but he can't really use any of the things that he used to love going there for. That was probably really frustrating to him and it made my heart incredibly sad for my husband. Next we went to Petsmart and until he got really tired, Cale was loving it! He got to see some dogs (which he said "hi" to each one!), a snake and lizard things (that he waved hi to), and a couple guinea pigs. We were going to pick out a treat for Basil, but by that point Cale was done with the whole shopping thing...he's a guy ;)



Later today, I was messing with my cell phone and Cale started to tap his chest and move his hands around. "What do you want?" I asked. Cale said "you!" It was so great! I dropped that phone in less than a second! He knows how to get my attention! Haha! Just a tiny bit after that, Cale was pointing to the door and said something I didn't understand. I asked him if he wanted to leave and he said yes. Katie and I ordered pizza (because we've been working out so much! ha!) tonight, so I grabbed my wallet and we headed out of his room. We didn't get very far and Cale stopped going and was grabbing at me and pointing behind us. I had no idea what he was trying to tell me and i asked him to use his voice, but I'm not sure what was coming out of his mouth! When I asked him to show me, he turned around, went back in his room and grabbed my purse! It was so crazy! "Oh! My purse...I forgot it!" He smiled and said "yes". After I put it on, he headed back out the door! This is huge! That shows problem solving! He's still taking care of me!

ALSO, I was doing devotions with him tonight. I started to read and decided to ask him to read a little (totally not thinking he was going to!). Well, He read the title!! "Guard Your Heart" he says, like it's not a big deal. "What?" "Are you joking me?" I ask, as I'm pretty much jumping out of the bed! He smiled and shrugged his shoulders. Oh my goodness! I ran over and grabbed the birthday board, erased our goals, and started to write words. He read so many! He had trouble with some, but he read more than not! I ran to get a nurse and showed two of them. Amazing. I kept saying, "Caleb Michael, you're an amazing man!" Afterwards, I started thinking about when Patty writes two words and has him choose the right answer, he's reading, but this just seemed so different. He was saying the word out loud-with voice! I reminded Cale that last night when we prayed together, I specifically prayed that big and amazing things would happen today, and they did. Such a blessing!

Fun with some hot rods!

Please pray for...

Perseverance- Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us. Romans 5:3-5

God didn't allow this in our lives for us to come out unchanged-what we're going through everyday is building character in both of us! Perseverance isn't just given, it's learned.

Strength-He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Isaiah 40:29

Cale is tired. He's been in a hospital for so long and they are always coming in to do something with him. There are so many noises and other things that wake him up all through the night, and he still has to get up every morning and do therapy's! Even when he gets a nap during the day, he always gets woken up for something! His body is so weak and tired.

Motivation-It is easier to go down a hill than up, but the view is best from the top. ~Arnold Bennett

It would be a lot easier for me to just take him home as soon as he can and take care of him for the rest of our lives-I would do it. I also know that after working really hard, it's going to be so much more of a beautiful life, if we can make it to the top of the hill!

As I was trying to fall asleep last night, God put on my heart these specific things. I always have a note pad and pen right by my bed, which is a good thing! Please continue to join me in praying for Cale!

It's been a good Saturday. Sleepy, but good :) There was a car show in the hospital parking lot today. It's put on every year by Reveille, which is also one of the groups that help with Friday night dinners. It was fun! Cale went out during ST and even though he didn't last long, he seemed to enjoy it. At the end there was a parade and all the cars drove by! There were some cool cars! :)


Basil also got to come for a little today. He's getting so big! Cale fed him some treats too :) We've been cuddling at the Fisher House for a while now, perfect end to the day!

* I think made it confusing when Cale's birthday is. Sorry! It's September 18th! So soon!

A Special Phone Call, Mashed Potatoes, and Peanut :)

Wow! I am officially wiped out. I've been trying several different things, and sleep just isn't coming easily. Today I think I hit the really bad day, so I'm praying for good sleep tonight and that I would wake up in the morning refreshed! :) I had to say sorry to Cale this afternoon, right before lunch. He has also been really tired (no sleep for the Darlings!) and wanting to skip out on therapy's and sleep all day. I was talking to him about needing to work hard through the therapy's and then he would have time to rest. He wasn't wanting to use his voice either because he was tired. As I was talking, I could feel myself getting frustrated with him. After getting him in bed, I made sure to pray with him and tell him how sorry I was. He's the sweetest man...right after I said sorry, he reached up and grabbed my face, pulled me down, and kissed me. I'm a very blessed girl!

They've been doing some filming here at the hospital because its the 50th anniversary for the Palo Alto VA Hospital. One of the ladies came in to see if they could film some of Cale's therapy. It was kind of fun! Not a big deal as far as what we had to do, but thinking about them taking pictures and filming felt kind of cool :) The lady was very sweet, when she walked in Cale's room, I was right next to his chair talking to him and she said "Well look at how cute you two are!" :) She took a couple pictures of us, which was fun!


After the filming was over, we went to the gym and Cale finished up OT with some balancing. Usually, my phone is on silent when I'm at the hospital, but I was expecting a very special call today. While Cale was working on his balance, my phone rang and it was Ty! His brother called from Afghanistan today! It was so great to see the smile on Cale's face!! I know it was good for Ty too! He got to see Cale a week before we left NC, but so much has changed since then! It was a very special moment. I can't wait for Ty to actually see Cale in person!

In ST, Patty has been wanting to try new textures of food with Cale. So far, he only wants ice cream. Everything else, is a no go. Everything must feel so weird to him since it's been so long, but I keep thinking that since he's understanding more that maybe it'll click for food...nothin' yet. We have asked him if it hurts or if he's scared, and his responses seem to be inconsistent so far. On Friday nights they have family dinners and tonight was the first one that Cale was able to go to and actually eat something. Mashed potatoes were on the menu, so I was so excited for him to eat some. Well, he took one bite and spit them out. As for ice cream, he ate a whole cup of it! That turkey! We'll keep trying! Another one of those things that just takes time...

Here's us at the beginning of dinner with his plate of mashed potatoes! :)


The Vision Therapist has been coming to see Cale the last week. One of the new things we're trying is a pair of glasses that have a slight tint for him to wear inside. His eyes hurt outside, but the light inside bothers him a lot too. When we ask him if they help he says yes pretty consistently so we'll see if this helps with the headaches. I did notice he was opening his right eye a lot more with them on! Also, I know it was mentioned to get modeling clay for him, but the worry from the therapist, is that he might eat it...of course, he's not wanting to eat anything right now! His mom is bringing some of his old skate videos when she comes next week, and we're still trying to come up with ideas. It's not an easy thing when there are so many safety issues! One thing that has been suggested a few times is that I get him a stuff animal for when I'm gone. I've been hesitant about doing this, knowing that Cale is not a child and I've tried to be careful about the things I've gotten for him. Finally, I thought maybe if I got him a dog animal, he'd love it because he loves dogs. Katie and I made a Target run today, and I found a doggy! When i showed Cale at first, he seemed to like him, but when I was running to my room for something and showed him to Cale, he hit him away. When I got back it seemed better and after me saying a bazillion names, Cale decided the dogs name is Peanut. :)

"These older women must train the younger women to love their husbands and their children, to live wisely and be pure, to work in their homes, to do good, and to be submissive to their husbands. Then they will not bring shame on the word of God." Titus 2:4-5

I read this verse this morning and was immediately filled with so much gratitude for all the "older" women that have been in my life and have poured out so much wisdom on me. When I think about the kind of wife I am, the things that have helped shape me, and my passion for being the best wife for Cale that I can be, I think about all the women that God has placed in my life that were willing to be His tools and share so much insight into what a wife is supposed to be like. I hope and pray you know who you are! There are so many! Thank you so much! You truly are a blessing.

Tricky Little Duck!

This is what I posted last night on my Facebook status, after leaving the hospital for the night:
"I always pray with Cale at night before I leave. Tonight I was praying about what I'm so thankful for. I asked Cale if he wanted to pray too, and he said yes. "What are you thankful for?" I asked and he said "Jesus". "You're thankful for Jesus?" I asked just to make sure that's what he meant, and he said "yes!"...oh goodness. What a sweet moment! I LOVE voice!"

:)! Makes my heart so happy and turns me into mush...God is good.

This morning in Psych, Dr. Howe asked Cale "What's one positive thing in your life right now?" Cale pointed right at me! Awe! It was so great! Of course it made me smile SO big and he smiled back and then we started laughing! He's such a sweet husband! Dr. Howe is so amazed by how well he's doing and all of the leaps and bounds in progress he's making. She said at the end of the session that Cale is going to become the star patient! Go Cale!!

He's starting to talk quite a bit, but gets so frustrated when we don't understand what he's saying. I feel bad, and try to remind him that we're really trying our hardest to understand and it's a good thing for him to keep trying. He still forgets he has voice so we have to start singing with him to get his voice to come out, but for the most part he's using words to talk a lot!

Yesterday in OT they worked on these weird picture things. They've done it with him before and normally he tolerates doing 3-4 before he gets overwhelmed and decides to be done. He was doing so great with them! He did 14 and even got one of them right, that OT said everyone that she has do that one gets it wrong, but Cale got it right! I even got it wrong! When Cale answered it, in my head I was thinking "bummer"...until she said "good job Cale!"...hmm...he's still smarter than me. It was a tricky little duck picture. He did a couple things today too for the first time! One of the things was, I've been working with him a lot on washing his hands. He never knows the next step. Sometimes he's able to wet his hands and get soap on his own, but he never remembers to find the paper towels and dry them. I usually point to the paper towel holder and then he'll get one. I didn't have to point today! I just said "your hands are wet so what do you do?" and he reached right over on his own. This might seem like such a small simple thing, but it's actually huge! He's did it!


Well, today was the family meeting. It was actually very good. It was so great to listen to all the therapist go around the table and hear all the progress he's making. I see it, and I talk with them about it everyday, but hearing it in the meeting felt so good! We talked about a few more goals and things we might need to track a little better. He's been having some more trouble with his left ear. We're not sure if it's a hearing thing, headache thing, over stimulation thing, or just all of it mixed together. All of them are possibilities and common with TBI.

Cale's birthday is next Saturday! On Tuesday, his mom bought a ticket to fly down for the weekend! I'm really excited because he's already changed so much since she saw him last! My goodness, Rachel has only been gone for a few days, and he's changed already! It's so amazing! TJ, his best friend is also coming, so Cale is going to have a very special birthday! I'm so excited for him. This wasn't exactly how we thought he'd be spending his birthday this year...last year he spent it in Afghanistan and had this...instead of cake...


Cale has been really slouching in his wheel chair and while standing up. His muscles in his neck are tired and so it's a lot easier if he hunches over. Our new thing to get him using good posture is me asking him "Are you a soldier?" and he says "yes" then I say "then sit(or stand) like one!" Now we've added that he needs to sit like a soldier and I'll sit like a princess :) I can't expect him to sit up good if I'm not! :)

“Yes, I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing." John 15:5

I was reading in John today and thought about how sometimes when I really sit and think about what has happened and all that we're facing-I can't believe it. Lord, how am I making it? Really? Even from the beginning, I have been so amazed at the grace that God has poured on me. I honestly haven't felt like I'm falling apart. I've been able to have so much joy through all of it. There have been tough days, but hmm...I don't know. When I think about what's happened, shouldn't I be miserable and have some kind of depression? Shouldn't I be sad all the time and not taking care of myself? The Lord is so faithful in carrying me, hearing my heart, and being my breath-apart from Him, I can do nothing.

Caterpillar to Butterfly

In 2008, Mama helped her best friend decorate her daughter, Carly's room. On one of the walls they put up a quote that has stuck with me ever since Mama called and told me about it.

"Just when the caterpillar thought the world was over, it became a butterfly."
-unknown

How beautiful! I love it so much! I think every time it pops in my head I smile :) One of the reasons might be because the way it's up on Carly's wall (so pretty!). This morning as I was getting ready to go on a run (with my soreness from yesterday...), that quote is what was on my heart. When I read it, it fills me with so much hope and fits along so well with the journey that Cale and I are on. I've always really loved butterflies and Mama for years, will find little things that have butterflies on them to give me. They're just so happy!

He's making so many big, great, wonderful, super duper, huge, crazy, amazing and unforgettable steps of progress. It's such a change from so many days of seeing nothing, and from so many times of going to God on my knees asking when it was going to be Cale's turn...well, the road isn't over, but we're dancing and singing through it! Last night I was talking with Cale about our future and getting to go home (of course...that is when we get one!) one day and start a family... :)

It was a packed day! Cale had Psych Therapy 9:30-10am, OT 10-11am, RT 11-11:30, ST 11:30-12 and again from 12:30-1pm, PT from 1-2pm and last was vision therapy from 2:30-3...yikes! FULL day! We are now at the Fisher House, in my room, and he's taking a nap!

Dr. Howe asked Cale "If there was one thing that would make things better right now, what would it be?" Cale replied with putting his hands by his head for sleep...poor guy! haha! She was excited to hear his voice! He seemed a little overwhelmed or something in the session today, but that's ok :)

For ST we tried Broccoli and Cheese soup for lunch, which, before the accident Cale loved! He made a horrible face and spit it out today! Patty said that we can try again tomorrow. He made the same face when we first tried pudding, so...maybe?

Tomorrow is the family meeting. I'm actually not nervous or worked up about it at all! Cale has been doing so great and making so much progress! I did tell Sly (the social worker) that I'm avoiding him like a plague...I don't want him to talk about us going any where else! haha! It gave him a good laugh :)

The Dish-

This morning, Katie and I walked "The Dish". It's 3.7 miles of walking up hill. When you reach the top of a hill, it will be flat for a tiny bit, and then you walk up another hill. Every now and then we'd get to go down hill...it just didn't seem to happen often! All around us, we could see God's glory. It was beautiful out! I couldn't help but think of this journey that Cale and I are on. It's hard. It takes time. We get tired, and wish we were at the end of it. While we're going though it, every step is unfolding, and we're making progress-we can see God's glory all around us. There will be a time of victory and we will conquer every hill that comes in our path, because God is giving us the strength to make it to the end! After Katie and I were done walking (we even ran the last bit!), I felt SO good! Good enough that we even talked about the next walk! I can't say that after Cale and I get through all of this that I'm going to be excited about making plans with God about the next crazy journey we'll have to face like this, but...that's okay! I hear having kids is a crazy journey, and I'm up for that! ;)

I really liked this version of Eph 6:10! After reading it, I felt so encouraged and ready to fight! We are in this battle to win!
"And that about wraps it up. God is strong, and he wants you strong. So take everything the Master has set out for you, well-made weapons of the best materials. And put them to use so you will be able to stand up to everything the Devil throws your way. This is no afternoon athletic contest that we'll walk away from and forget about in a couple of hours. This is for keeps, a life-or-death fight to the finish against the Devil and all his angels."

Cale worked very hard today! I always am telling Cale that I'm so proud of him, but I feel like it was coming out non-stop today! In OT, Monica had Cale working on bending and picking things up off the ground. I did the squat motion right along with him (yes, this would be after the crazy walk! My legs were jello!), and he did so many! His balance is getting so much better.

In RT we went to Michaels as an outing and picked out some things for Cale to work on. He did so well with the picture frame he had made for me, Rebecca wants to continue his interest in projects. It was fun picking out stickers because any of them that we showed him that were girly, he would shake his head no and push them away! We ended up picking a bunch and we'll have him choose when he's actually working on something :)

ST was amazing today! Cale did soooooo great! One of the other therapists had told Patty that Cale had started singing, but she was still so surprised to hear his voice! She asked him a bunch of questions and had him answer yes or no with his voice. His answers are a lot more reliable with his voice because his coordination with head nods doesn't get all confused. She also would start a riddle and have him finish it, or she would say something like, "Salt and..." and have him finish it. She's tried this so many times, but he would always shrug his shoulders. Awe! I love his voice!!!

There are SO many things happening right now! It's been such a big week! I can hardly stop smiling! There are so many things to be thankful for, so many things to praise God for! There's a verse in Exodus that says "The Lord is my strength and my song!" yes He is!!

Thank you for all the emails that I keep getting. I love every one of them! I don't get them answered very quickly, but I read each one and am encouraged. Also, THANK YOU for all the birthday cards for Cale so far! I was just telling Rachel the other day, that I thought there would have been a lot more, and she reminded me that it was still early. Well, I walked in my room earlier and I had a delivery! He's going to LOVE opening them! Thank you!

I'm thanking you, God, from a full heart!

Today is very mixed with emotions. Even as I'm writing this, I'm thinking about how great the day was and how special it was that Rachel was here to be a part of it. I dropped her off at the airport today. Sigh. On the way to the airport, I let my mind run through all that has happened in the last week and all we've gotten to share. It's been great! God is so good and his timing is perfect! I just love her being here and miss her so much already!

When we got to the hospital this morning, Cale was actually able to say a few words with voice, rather than just singing. I was thinking this morning how I can't wait for him to get to the point that he can share his thoughts, instead of just being told what to say. Well...after dropping Rach off, I went straight to the hospital to cuddle :) and asked Cale to think of something he wanted to tell me and use his voice. At first he shrugged his shoulders and opened his mouth but nothing came out. I started singing with him so he could hear his voice and then asked him to say what he was thinking. When he said it, I didn't understand, but he said it lots for me and I kept guessing...finally I heard it better. "Kiss me?" I asked. He raised his hand in the air and nodded yes! Woohoo! I shouted! Awe! So sweet! I love him!

There are so many things the Lord is doing and I love getting to watch and be excited for every step! I'm so thankful for how far God has brought Cale and I know He's got so much more planned!

Today we conquered another mountain (on top of all the others we're conquering!). Cale, Rachel, and I hopped in the Honda and headed for ice cream! This is the first outing with out a therapist! Yikes! the whole drive there, I felt so overwhelmed with joy! Can you believe it?! Yesterday we have our first ice cream at the hospital with out a therapist and today we have our first outing to get ice cream with out a therapist!! Not to mention we're singing while doing it!

We're in the car and ready to take off! Ice cream here we come!!!


Mmm! Cale loved his so much, he wanted more!



The only words to describe what my heart is feeling...
I'm thanking you, God, from a full heart, I'm writing the book on your wonders. I'm whistling, laughing, and jumping for joy; I'm singing your song, High God. Psalm 9:2 (The Message)

Here's another video!!!!!!! This one is Cale singing "Happy Birthday". He's getting ready for his birthday coming up! :)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ONkpq4E1LFc

There are no words...yet SO many!

With the last few days being so full and busy, Rachel and I had decided that today we were just going to stay at the hospital, relax, and enjoy Cale. The day started off with PT at 9am. The first part of the session, we went to the parking lot and I'm now clear for transferring Cale to the Honda! This in itself opens up so many new things! I was a little nervous because when I transfer him to the recreation van, the seats are so much higher, and the Honda seats are so low, but it was fine. The excitement continued in PT with Cale standing by himself for 8 minutes! A new record! Woohoo! Not only was he standing by himself, he was moving around so much! There was some music with a fun beat in the back ground so when I was standing in front of him, I was dancing silly, well, Cale danced back!! It was the greatest! I wish there was video of it to show the whole picture...Cale standing alone (no help), and dancing! It was a slight sway, but very much moving! Also, Mitch (PT) had me move around Cale, putting my hands out, and having Cale reach out and try to touch them. He did great! I'm so proud of how hard he worked today.

After PT, we headed to the chapel here at the hospital. During one of the songs, Cale actually held the bulletin and was trying to follow along with his finger. Usually he looks at me through the whole service and shrugs his shoulders...haha. On the first Sunday of every month they do communion. Cale still can't eat food (unless pudding-like) so, when the cracker and juice was offered to him, I reminded him that he wasn't able to have that yet and then the chaplain asked if I would dip the cracker in the juice, and put a tiny bit on his lip to taste. How amazing to experience the Lord's Supper with Cale! It was such a special moment, and I really believe that he knew what was going on. Thank you Lord!

Isaiah 40:31 was read for the message "But those who wait on the Lord will find new strength. They will soar high on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary.
They will walk and not faint." which is another verse that I've clung to since the first few ICU days. God used it this morning to bring a few things together for me. Through all of this I feel like it's all about waiting. I've been waiting for answers, progress, test results, voice, reaction, healing, and so many more things. In all of the waiting I have to make a choice to surrender it all to Christ (like I've said, all my dreams, desires, wants...) and choose to be joyful through all of the waiting. I'm not just waiting in a long line to purchase my items, I'm waiting on God to continue to reveal Himself through this journey! I'm not sure I can make all the thoughts come out clear, but it was powerful and what my heart needed :)

A lot of the afternoon was spent playing board games! I always have a blast playing with Cale, and having company to play with makes it even more enjoyable! :) Cale won both games...which happens most of the time! It's with out any help as far as "letting" him win and only a few cues (I just realized the other day that I have been spelling this word wrong!) to remind him how to start his turn. SO fun!


We also had ice cream for the first time today with out Patricia (ST)! Cale does so well with it. I had bought him a yummy kind with out chunks that we'll be eating lots :)

Another milestone!


It just keeps getting better! After the ice cream was gone and we were done with the games, we headed back to his room. Rachel was asking Cale who people were in all the pictures around his room. Cale was starting to say his words very clear so after a little bit, I asked Cale to start singing "Happy Birthday" with me. As I was singing...suddenly...Cale was too! WITH VOICE!!!!!!!!!!!! Yes! No joke! He is still saying words with his breath/whisper, but he sure is singing! :)!!! Amazing. This is a start to what I know is going to be a beautiful season.

Here is a video that I took, but tomorrow we'll have a better one! He was getting so tired because we had him singing so much! haha! If you listen closely you can hear him though!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VsG6fGZ-1EQ