Spring is here!

I have decided I am going to let go of my storage unit, so I have been purging stuff.  Feels so good to get stuff out of here!  They have cut my hours at work, so the timing is perfect.  I am doing about 7 hours a week.  Not sure how long the limited hours will be, but hopefully I can complete most of my projects.

Jacob continues with physical therapy.  He is going twice a week and probably still has 8-10 weeks left.  I asked him recently if while he was laying on the mountain waiting for ski patrol, if he had any idea what the next few months would hold for him.  Of course his answer was no.  He does pretty well with one crutch but still tends to use two.  The therapist said that his quad is not strong enough yet to walk without one.  It is just crazy to see how hard he has to work to do a leg extension when he is sitting down.  His right foot at times is colder than the left one.  The therapist said it seems that the pulse is a little weaker on the right side.  Something we are definitely watching.  Not sure what could be causing it, but not an urgent matter yet.  We go back to the surgeon early April, so will see what he has to say.

Benjamin took the ACT today.  Sounds like it was required for all juniors, which sounds odd, but that is what he said.  Tonight is his first night off in 34 days.  He was been working every night.  Between his restaurant job and his Jersey Mike's job, he is seeing two very different sides to the food industry.  He gets to do a lot more grill work at Jersey Mike's, which he enjoys.  JR and he are considering a trip in April to either Florida or North Carolina to see family.  Benjamin is just itching to do some traveling but the places he really wants to go, aren't fully open yet (New York City and Chicago).

Joseph has been out enjoying the nice weather, playing hoops and just running around with neighborhood kids.  He has also been on some bike rides with JR.  Sure hope they can log a lot of miles this summer.  He recently ended up at the Chiropractor for some foot issues.  Still trying to get to the bottom of it.  He is also wanting contacts, instead of glasses.  He has done a great job of taking care of his glasses, so it just might happen.

JR is wrapping up the season quickly.  I believe there are 3 weeks left then things drop off.  He is meeting with several new clients, so he could be looking at a busy summer, come June.  He has been back to his fort a few times.  It appears that it has stayed untouched and no one has discovered it.  Sure would be nice if it stays that way.

I am just in my element, puttering around the house.  Still trying to hit the gym a few times a week.  Also staying plugged in teaching Sunday School (3-5th grade) and attending a weekly small group.  

Headed down tomorrow to Texas for a quick three nights!  Will be nice for warm weather and to see the family.

 Happy 14th Birthday Jacob!. Growing up I always referred to you as my Texas Tornado, because it seemed you always left a wake of destruction where ever you had been. As you got older, it was difficult to keep up with you, always on the move and blowing and going. Well, that came to an abrupt halt 4 weeks ago, when you broke your femur as you overshot a ski jump landing. Going through all the pain, ambulance ride, a rod that runs from hip to knee, an overnight hospital stay and countless hours of laying in bed, unable to do simple tasks, you have prevailed! The memories you unintentionally created as you soared through the air that day! I can say without a doubt, that the last few weeks have been one of the SWEETEST seasons of my life, as I have had the privilege of serving you and meeting the most basic of needs. The crutches have temporarily slowed you down, but I know it won't last long. You are crushing PT and on schedule to hit the football field late summer! So looking forward to the return of my tornado and all God has in store for you this next year. Happy Birthday Jbird!

 The last three weeks have been all things Jacob!  

On Thursday we saw the orthopedic surgeon at the 2 week mark.  The staples were removed and two of the incisions have healed up nicely.  The third one doesn't look bad, just not as far along in the healing process.  The bone is healing nicely and we are looking at least 3 months before full recovery.

On Friday he had first PT appointment.  The therapist are all really impressed, given how bad the fracture was, as to how far he has come.  He had PT again today and I took two videos (posted below).  One of the hardest things for him is to get his right quad firing.  So weird to see how such a simple movement is so difficult for him.

I have had several conversations with the school and the goal is for him to go back half days on Wednesday.  That will be just under three weeks since the accident.  They have moved his schedule around so he will be there for his four core classes.

Aside from struggling to carry plates, etc while using the crutches, he is self sufficient.  He has figured out how to put on socks and shoes and get himself in and out of the shower. He still has not tried to sleep in his bed.  It sits on the floor and getting on and off his bed is still too difficult.

I know he is ready to get back to school and I am ready for him to get back to the classroom, but am sure gonna miss him being around 24/7

(If you can't see videos below, click on this link  www.welcomeatmyfire.blogspot.com)

Here he is walking and putting a little weight on right foot.

If you look closely at the beginning of the video, you can see his right quad twitching as he is trying to engage it.

Here are two of his three incisions, before the staples were removed.