Day 1220 - Oct 2, 2011

Today we went to the South Texas Maize in Hondo. It's a cornfield maze and pumpkin patch and we all had a really good time. I have to thank the owners there as I called yesterday and asked if you could get through it on a scooter and I then explained our situation. Well when we arrived today they treated Kevin like royalty! Honestly, these folks were just awesome to the whole group of us!

I also have to thank the VA because without that scooter - we could never do things like this!

Anyway, as you can all guess - I took a ton of photos. I am going to just upload a whole bunch of them and sign off early. They have all been edited for print so I can scrap them this week.





Hehe. Christian just wasn't sure at first about the swings. He screamed bloody murder until I got down on his level and started saying "weeee". After that he loved it!








This next picture blows me away because that is the same look my mom gets on her face. I have never seen my mom in Christian before!















I'd say we plum tuckered this little guy out, eh? LOL!



This was just such a nice place and we can't wait to go back next year!

Day 1219 - Oct 1, 2011

We had a pretty lazy day today. I still haven't felt up to par, but I did manage to get some scrapping done this afternoon.

I am going to cut it short tonight as there isn't really anything to say. We have fun plans tomorrow if I feel up to it. Wish us luck!

Day 1217 - Sep 29, 2011

Still not feeling so well so I am going to skip both tonight and I might as well tomorrow night too since the garage sale is the next day. Truthfully, I'll be amazed if I can get this all done by then as all I am doing is sleeping.

Day 1216 - Sep 28, 2011

I am going to skip tonight as I still just don't feel well.

Day 1215 - Sep 27, 2011

Out little guy came through his surgery with flying colors! Breezy called me at about 8:30 this morning and said they were already on their way home. He did fantastic! YAY!

Kev is doing well. He downloaded some new game on his iPad yesterday and he's quite addicted. He played ALL NIGHT LONG last night and I had to force him to put it away for dinner tonight.

And now I am heading to bed. I started getting congested last night and I am just all stuffed up tonight. I want to just get some sleep and see if it works itself out of my system overnight. Man, I hope so! I have too much to get done this week...

Day 1214 - Sept 26, 2011

Today I just spent the day organizing and unpacking. We had a few folks come today too to set things up (the ramp guy, the lights/fan remote guy, the lawn care guy, etc). The community we now live in is having a town garage sale this Saturday and I am working my butt off trying to get the whole house unpacked by then so that I can sell the things we just don't need. I'm really not sure I can get it all done by the weekend, but I am determined to give it my best shot.

And our little guy Christian has his surgery tomorrow morning. I sure hope the tubes in his ears work and makes him all better. It's hard though for me not to be at the hospital with Breezy tomorrow because I know how scary it is, but it would just be too difficult to get Kevin moving that early. I think they have to be at the hospital by 6:30. It's those kind of days that Kevin gets overstimulated and it's painful to see him like that, so we are staying home by the phone.

Anyway, please keep our baby in your thoughts tomorrow. Thanks!

Day 1213 - Sep 25, 2011

We had a pretty good day today. Kevin and I went to Walmart as I hadn't made it there yet to get all the necessities after being gone so long (milk, bread, etc).

After that we came home and Breezy and family came over. Chris made a huge pot of chili and I made some loaded baked potatoes and we all ate out on the patio for dinner. It was really tasty.

That's pretty much it tonight. I'm kinda tired so I think I'll go to bed early. Kev's sitting here next to me though wide awake so I doubt he'll let me sleep, lol. He's sure laughing at me cause I keep nodding off while writing this...

Day 1212 - Sep 24, 2011

We pretty much hung around the house today. I continued to unpack and Kevin just watched movies all day. Breezy, Chris and the baby came over for most of the day too and while unpacking Breezy found a bunch of home movies on video tape. We took a nice, long break and watched a few. Aunt Mona - I wish there was a way to show you the videos. The one reminded me of how we always thought Elizabeth and Breezy shared a brain, lol.

Such fun seeing the kids when they were real little. I think Kevin was maybe 2 and Breezy was maybe 6.

Anyway, that's all for today so I will sign off now.

Day 1211 - Sep 23, 2011

So obviously we made it home yesterday. Our flight was delayed for quite a lengthy amount of time, but Kevin handled it really well. We just snacked and shopped at the little store at the airport.

When we got home, Johnnie was already here and had the bulk of the truck unloaded. He had called some of his family to get the job done and I can't tell you how much I appreciated that!

We worked hard for hours trying to get some of the furniture in place and we got a bunch of the boxes unpacked as well. We still have a LONG way to go, but we'll do it.

Since we don't really have any food here, we then all went to a little pizza place down the road where you sit outside and there is live music. It was a really fun time, with some new friends.

And then we came home and I worked for hours at my business until I crawled into bed. Kevin slept exceedingly well last night - he even commented on it this morning. I think he missed his own bed (And I don't blame him. His mattress is the most comfortable I have ever felt!).

Today we didn't really do much except continue to unpack. I obviously was on the phone a good bit after not being on it much for the last week or so, which was kinda a drag. I can't tell you how wonderful it was to not hear my phone ring one time for a whole 6 days! (I never turned it on).

But we are getting things scheduled that needed to be so it's a necessary evil. LOL.

And now it's off to an early night for me. It was REALLY late last night and I am whooped.

Day 1210 - Sep 22, 2011

I was already in bed and heard my email ding notification and it reminded me that I hadn't written the blog yet! At this point, I am just going to skip and get back to bed. I'll catch y'all up tomorrow!

Day 1209 - Sep 21, 2011

Kevin and I went and visited JT (a wounded marine) and his mom, Chris, today. It was so great seeing them again and JT is just doing so well!

After visiting with them, we came back and the whole family went out to dinner tonight. I took some pics, but stupidly I packed the camera before snagging them so it will have to wait a couple of days.

And our poor baby is really sick again. He is supposed to go have tubes put in his ears on Tuesday, but he's been running a fever for days and they won't do it if he still is by then. Please send all the vibes you can his way so we can get him feeling well enough to go through with the procedure. He has just had a constant ear infection (or two) for months now.

That's pretty much it for today, so I guess I'll call it quits for the night.

Day 1208 - Sep 20, 2011

Well...we had a great vacation! Honestly, the food was horrible, there was way too much seaweed and the service wasn't up to par either, but we still had a great time! Oh and I forgot to mention that after we paid for the hotel, neither mine nor Moe's credit cards would work down there. It's kinda funny now (because we saved so much money, lol), but it was a little worrisome trying to come home with just the cash we had on hand.

But still...like I said...it was super wonderful just sleeping on the beach. Heck, I probably slept more the past week that I did all last year, lol. Honestly, the first night I was snoring by 8:30 and slept for 13 hours! Heaven!

So here are a bunch of pics:




We went snorkeling and then we went swimming with the sharks!







And after we ate our meal and had our drinks is when we were informed our credit cards wouldn't work. Yikes! We had to scrounge money in our purses to pay for our meals, lol.






It really was a good time! I don't think I'll ever go back there, but it was still fun!

And from what I gathered - Kevin won $150 playing poker at the casino this week (so he splurged and bought himself a cigar - which promptly made him sick) and other than that he didn't really do too much. The kids went running around though and I'm glad.

And today we loaded up a huge truck with all our things and Johnnie and Ness will be driving it back to TX. They are leaving in the morning and Kevin and I will be going home on Thursday.

It's been a good vacation - for all of us. I'm glad to see the family, but it will be nice to go home too and finally get everything unpacked and maybe start to live like normal folks...

PS - I read on FB that Joel came through his surgery (I believe it was a 20 hour surgery), but that the next 72 hours were the most critical. They took him off the vent though and he is squeezing hands so I feel confident he will do great! Love you, Joel!

Day 1201 - Sep 13, 2011

It turns out that my mom has a UTI and she is already feeling just a little bit better. Once she gets another day or so of meds in her she should feel close to being well.

We did get some company today; Janet and her daughter, Cammie, came for a visit. We met Janet at BAMC way back in the beginning as her son, Matt, was wounded shortly after Kevin was. They are from this area and we have yet to get together every time we come here to visit. Here is a pic of all of us:



Janet - it was wonderful to see you today and dang! were those cookies great!!

After that Kev and I ran to the airport and picked up Moe who made it in safe and sound today. Tomorrow morning, unbelievably, her and I are going away for 6 whole days to the Dominican Republic! We got a fantastic deal on an all-inclusive and decided to really splurge and get away. (and yes, I am having just a few panic attacks now that it's time to go)

So, Kevin will be staying here in FL with my folks and Johnnie and his girlfriend, Ness are coming on Thursday to 'take care' of Kevin as well. Love him that I do, Kevin is still quite a bit of work and I worried that my parents couldn't handle it all. I'm glad that I have J & N coming now that my mom is sick, for sure.

And...I have decided to not write the blog while I am away. From what I am gathering, the internet connections are spotty at best so I think I will just take this time, be completely unplugged, and lie on the beach and drink pina coladas. I sure hope there's some hot guy waiting on me hand and foot...

I'll be back next Tuesday night!!

Not sure...

I am sitting here at the hospital with my mom as she is pretty sick. We are hoping it's just kidney stones and nothing major.

I am going to skip tonight and I will be back tomorrow night. Moe Is coming in tomorrow afternoon and then her and I are going on a real vacation Wednesday for 6 whole days!!! I will fill y'all in tomorrow night!

Day 1199 - Sep 11, 2011

On the 10th anniversary of the attacks on Sept 11, I would like to thank all those in the past and present military. I salute you!

We didn't really do much again today although Christian did get his haircut! I don't have much to say so I am just going to share some photos.

Day 1198 - Sep 10, 2011

We had some wonderful visitors today; Maritza, Jose and Joel all came over to visit for a couple of hours! I didn't take one photo, but boy was it great to see them!!

They all look fantastic and I honestly couldn't believe how fabulous Joel looks! He is heading to Bethesda next week for a 20 hour surgery so please keep them all in your thoughts too!

Other than this, we pretty much just lay around the house today. We swam and we ate and we swam some more, lol.

A good day, all in all.

Day 1197 - Sep 9, 2011

We kinda had a lazy day today. We got up and Christian and I went swimming. That boy is a natural - you should see him try to swim, lol! He LOVES it!

After that we all putzed around and then we loaded up and went to Walmart. Kevin just had to buy the new X-Men movie that was released today and mentioned it as soon as he woke up this morning.

We also played some cards tonight. My family is real big on playing cards every night, lol. We are all pretty competitive too so it gets a bit rowdy here sometimes.

That's pretty much it for today, but I did want to answer a question that came through - someone asked if Kevin remembered Jeremy and sadly, no, he did not. It's strange really, as he mostly remembers things like that.

And to end, here is a video of Christian eating his first piece of pizza. My did he love it! LOL! (and excuse all of us talking in the background)

Day 1196 - Sep 8, 2011

First I want to send a great big shout out to Southwest Airlines for taking such great care of Kevin! They had everyone stay in their seats until Kevin got off first and had the whole plane cheering for Kev - thank you Southwest! It was so much easier getting Kevin and Breezy and the baby off without being jostled around and pushed and bumped.

So obviously we made it to Florida! It was a great trip and even Christian was an excellent flier (sp). He slept in my arms the whole way up and the whole way down, only waking up and eating somewhere over the gulf.

So back to last weekend. On Saturday night we got company! Jeremy (Major Reigel) and his wonderful wife Dana came to visit - Jeremy was with Kevin in Afghanistan and he hasn't seen him since Kevin was still in a coma! What a difference, eh? We really had a fantastic night with them! We went to a BBQ place called Rudy's that's pretty close to the house and then we came back and played Kinect for a bit and just hung out together. We honestly had a great time and I hope they come back soon!! Here are a few photos:





(notice I am now a redhead, lol)

And then on Sunday we saw Anne (another member of the Herd) that came down for lunch from Houston. We met her and her friend Theo who is also in the Army and will be stationed here at Ft Sam. We had so much fun with these two as well!! I think we all played off each other very well and lunch was quite hilarious! Here is a photo of the kids:



It was a really great weekend all in all - until Kev's ears started hurting again. He has done really well today though and had no issues flying. Thankfully!

Day 1195 - Sep 7, 2011

I have no choice but to bail on you guys again. The internet is not working barely at all. We had a large wildfire in the area earlier today and it's caused intermittent service issues. Actually, I'm not even sure if it's been put out as I haven't had time to watch tv all evening.

So I guess I will share the pics tomorrow! We are heading to Florida in the morning so it will be late (like always, lol).

Day 1194 - Sep 6, 2011

It's been a very long day. Kevin had extreme pain again last night in his ear and his head. When he woke up this morning he had crazy shivers and was very nauseous. I called the neurosurgeon and we ran over to BAMC and ended up being there all day.

Kev got blood work done and a CT Scan with Contrast. The doc told us that everything looks good, but just in case they gave us another antibiotic.

I was so so worried!

So I keep falling asleep while writing this so I am going to sign off and continue tomorrow night. We had some company this week and I want to share pics with you guys.

Day 1190 - Sep 2, 2011

Kevin is feeling much better each and every day. I feel confident that this will all just go away.

I have decided to take the weekend off from the blog. I have to work tomorrow, Monday and Tuesday so I will be pretty busy with that.

I will be back on Tuesday night.

Happy Labor Day everyone!!

Day 1189 - Sep 1, 2011

I did talk to the neurosurgeon today and an ear infection could be a potential problem if left go long enough. Because Kevin doesn't feel pain or typically show any signs of an infection early on, who can really say how long it's been. The doc is on call this weekend so we are just going to wait and see.

One good thing is that Kevin's pain level is already decreasing so I am thinking it's getting better. Man, I hope so. The thought of having to remove that plate scares the heck outta me!

Day 1188 - Aug 31, 2011

Kevin's ear started hurting last night and I wondered if he might have an ear infection. I called his primary doc this morning to get an appointment and it turns out there aren't any appts available until October. I then called the polytrauma doc that we usually see and she couldn't get him in until Friday. That left either the ER or a walk-in clinic. We opted for the clinic.

It turns out his ear is infected and it's been (and still is) a real struggle to maintain pain control. He is really hurting.

One impressive thing that did happen though is that his primary doc from the VA satellite office called late tonight to see if we were able to get an appointment somewhere else. She expressed concern about it being the ear next to his plate that's in his head and got me all worried. I intend to call the neurosurgeon in the morning and see what he has to say. Maybe it's something I don't have to give another thought to but just having any sort of infection is alarming to me. The last thing we need is to have to have that plate removed!

And speaking of surgeries, our little man Christian is going to be getting tubes in his ears at the end of September. He has just had constant ear infections and they can't figure out what's been going on. They did run all kinds of tests thinking it might be something serious (cystic fibrosis, etc) and they just don't know so the ENT doc wants to put the tubes in as a 'maybe it will work' plan. Poor baby.

And now I am off to bed. It was a long night with Kevin last night and I'm kinda tired.

Day 1187 - Aug 30, 2011

The inspection went really well considering everything was done in halves today - I had half my makeup on, half the kitchen was swept and I was still in half my pajamas (shorts), lol. Luckily they were cool with it and were very understanding that we were just moving in too.

I spent the last 2 days with repairmen of all kinds. Obviously I am having water problems here too so the plumber was here working on that yesterday. We also had an electrician here, the garage door openers were installed, and my internet was down again so the cable guy was here for almost 4 hours trying to get it fixed.

And Kevin and I went and bought a grill over the weekend and it was delivered today and we had a nice cookout for dinner tonight. Johnny and Ness were here as was Breezy and Christian. Our little man got his first taste of asparagus tonight and LOVED IT! To end, here are some photos of him chowing down, as well as a bunch of other ones from the last couple of days.

Day 1186 - Aug 29, 2011

I am going to skip tonight. I have an inspection tomorrow by the VA to make sure Kevin's being taken care of (one of those every 90 days things) and really this house is not as clean as I'd like it to be. It's just hard with me still unpacking and working as much as it's turning out that I am.

So I will check back in tomorrow night.

Day 1185 - Aug 28, 2011

We had a good day today. I was determined to stay home all day and we did it! I stuffed a chicken and Breezy, Chris and little man come over for dinner. I tell ya' - that baby is just all over the place. He crawls everywhere and won't stop climbing up any wall or object he comes to. This baby is another Kevin in a nutshell! Kev was crawling out of his crib at 9 months and since Christian is already standing and trying to get out of his, I think it's safe to say that he probably will too. That boy is just so darn cute!!

Other than that we didn't do much today. I scrapped a good part of the day as it's necessary for both my job and my business. Can't beat that, huh?

And Chris and I also got my bed put together. I've been sleeping on the floor and if I'd known it was that simple I would have done it myself this past week.

And now I'm heading to bed. I didn't sleep well at all last night and it's caught up to me. It's way early, but I think I can sleep...

Day 1184 - Aug 27, 2011

So Kevin and Efren went out last night while I went to work. One of Efren's friends is in a band and he called some of his friends and they all went to see them play. Kevin had a really great time! It is so great to have Kevin doing things that he would normally do, kwim?

Today Kev and I went shopping. His whole one wall in his bedroom is nothing but windows and we need curtains. He wants black ones though and they are just sold out everywhere! I have to do something soon though because his room is very bright and he just doesn't like that.

So anyway, I am scrapping tonight and going to sign off early. Please - anyone being affected by hurricane Irene - please stay safe! Bernice, Rene, Chalkie...and everyone else! You are all in my thoughts!!

Day 1182 - Aug 25, 2011

Today was a rather hectic day and I'm glad it's over with. We did hand in the keys and are now completely moved. Still have some unpacking to do, but I am determined to get it done because we will be moving everything from Florida in a few weeks.

I did have a meeting at work today and had to take Kevin as it was after the store closed and he did really well. He had all the girls laughing hysterically. He is just so darn funny - especially now as he's talking more.

So about the moving...I hired a moving company and they said they would come on Sunday evening. They were way late and when they finally arrived they had me sign the contract and they started putting things in the truck. From what I gather they thought they were done for the day when the previous job ended and were then dispatched to our home. So they were putting stuff on the truck and must have had a little chat because next thing I know they came in and said they weren't doing it. I told them yes they were because I already signed the contract. The problem? You don't get a copy of the contract until they put the 'end' time on it so I didn't have it. They proceeded to unload everything they packed and just kept arguing with us and lying and then Kevin got involved and then we called the cops and as soon as that happened they hurried up and got in the truck and tried to leave (turns out this company does no background checks and hires some not so upstanding people).

Well Kevin was so mad at what was going on that he was standing in the middle of the driveway so they couldn't get past him and both Chris and I had to physically move Kevin and let me tell you - it was not easy! I didn't trust these jerks and was worried they would try to run him down. It was such a mess!

Anyway, we had no choice but to sleep at the new house that night because the cable company was coming first thing in the morning so Chris and I loaded a mattress on top of the van and Kevin slept on it and I slept on the floor. No fridge, no furniture, nothing. Boy was I mad.

We did call another company the next day and they came and took care of it straight away with no problems though. Wish I'd called them first...

Tomorrow will be another very busy day. The garage door opener folks are coming in a few hours and then I have a few other appts and errands before working from 5pm to about 1am. I am going to skip writing because it will be pretty late by the time I get home and I'm sure I'll be beat.

Talk to y'all on Saturday night!

Day 1181 - Aug 24, 2011

Yay! We finally have internet!

So we are all moved in. Tomorrow I hand in the keys to the old house and I am meeting the water filtration guy there so he can transfer our filter to the new house. That will be it!

Kevin's loving his new bedroom and I am loving having a nice big scraproom! I was in the hallway before and it was difficult. With my new business I need the space so this is perfect!

I will have to tell you guys the story about the moving company we hired tomorrow night. It's kinda lengthy and I am just too tired tonight.

That being said, I now it's been a week since I really posted, but this moving is rough on this old body. I am still unpacking and organizing and I am just beat. This, of course, is in between all the normal stuff that we have to do too.

So hopefully I'm not so tired tomorrow and can at least get that story in! Nothing like leaving ya hangin', huh? LOL!

Still not fixed!

I am dying without my Internet! Hopefully they come tomorrow, but I'm not holding my breath! Will write more when it's fixed.

No Internet

I am hoping it can be fixed in the morning!

Day 1176 - Aug 19, 2011

I am going to take the weekend off and get us moved. We made quite a dent in it today, and we plan to have ALL of the little stuff moved by tomorrow night. Sunday is furniture day and then we will be all in.

Thank goodness too. I have been smelling sewage coming up from the shower drain the last few days or so.

Anyway, I will be back Monday night as we won't have cable on Sunday.

Day 1175 - Aug 18, 2011

We are moving this weekend. After months and months of going back and forth - Kevin decided he wanted to live here in SA permanently. I agreed with him wanting to from the getgo, but there are factors that held me back from just letting him make that decision.

But a couple of months ago while out for a Sunday drive, we found the perfect house for sale outside of San Antonio (kinda out in the country) in a small town called Boerne (sounds like Bernie). I admit that I didn't take any of the things the doctor said a couple of years ago into consideration this time. This house is much smaller - only 3 bedrooms and I didn't worry about ramps and things like that. I did see the docs point back then as Kevin was nowhere near able to handle things like he can now, but he really is doing well at this time so we are just going to go for it and change things if we ever have to.

So the house is on the market in Florida and today we closed on the new house here. I think this is a good move for us as we are both getting settled. Kevin has Jonnie and Efren and I have a job now and we are making new friends. We even just got invited to a Labor Day BBQ!

One super great thing is that the people in this neighborhood are all very 'close'. Tonight all the neighbors got together and met at a cafe for dinner. Kevin and I went and got to meet a bunch of people. I think we are going to fit in well here as everyone was so accepting of Kevin. He was even invited fishing by the man next door (whose wife is a speech therapist too)!

So yet another chapter in our lives has begun. I am feeling good about things lately and I think Kevin is starting to feel more positive as well. We will be going to FL in a few weeks and moving the rest of our things to TX too. It sure will be nice having ALL of our belongings in one state - something that hasn't happened since this all started!

Day 1174 - Aug 17, 2011

I just looked at the clock and realized I hadn't written anything yet. Yikes! Honestly, I don't have anything to say so I am going to just skip tonight. Catch ya tomorrow!

Day 1173 - Aug 16, 2011

Kevin had just one therapy today - PT - and Johnnie took him because I had to go to work. I guess the kids all went to the movies afterward and saw The Smurfs. Kevin's been waiting a while to see that one.

There isn't really anything else to say tonight so I think I'll just go to bed. Goodnight all!

Day 1172 - Aug 15, 2011

So on Saturday, Efren came and picked Kevin up and took him to a party! It was the first Kevin really went "out" for the night since we have been here in TX! He was so excited all day to go and I guess he had a great time. I went and picked him up at about 1am and he said he had fun. YAY!

We really didn't do much for the rest of the weekend. Breezy came for dinner on Sunday and that's about it. The baby is sick again, but his first tooth is just about here so hopefully he feels better once it pops through. Poor thing.

And today I started my job. It was fun and I got to meet a few people. I have to work again tomorrow and again on Friday. It's way more hours than I can handle truthfully, but I think it's just because they need to get me trained. I really can only do about 10 a week though as there is still so much to do with Kevin. I am struggling with not knowing the things I need to know from the therapists too. I might have to set up weekly calls or something. Kev still requires a lot of work at home and if they aren't telling me what they are doing it's not being reinforced, kwim?

Honestly, I am almost feeling like I am neglecting him because I'm not there for everything (doesn't this sound like the new mother? LOL)! It's just hard though. It would be different if he was 100% cognitively better, but he still does have just a few issues and when he can't come home and tell me what goes on, I struggle.

I guess I'll just have to figure it out though. I need some 'me' time and there has to be some sort of balance, right?

PS - Jessica, can you pop me an email, please?

Day 1169 - Aug 12, 2011

Today I got a job! Yep - I did. It's just very part time, but it's at a scrapbook store so I can play in paper all day.

Honestly, it's kind of funny, because I applied months ago and when I never heard anything I decided to start my own scrapbook business. For about a month or so I have been working on a website and finally got it up and running. I owned a kit club many, many years ago and it's pretty much based off of that - the same premise anyway.

So now I will really be playing with scrap goodies all day long. And so will Kevin, lol. He tells me he'll help if I pay him!

But, I am still taking the job because I need to get out and meet people. I think it will do me some good and probably Kevin too.

And sadly, Karen and Jared went home today. We really had such a wonderful week and it was very hard to let them go home. I sure hope they come back soon!

And today was our most wonderful FRC Mary's birthday so we all went out to dinner to celebrate. It was a great time - we haven't seen her in soooo long! Breezy and Christian met us there and Kevin's new aide Efren went too.

All in all a really good day. I think I'm going to take the weekend off though. We have absolutely no plans so I will just come back on Monday night.

Day 1168 - Aug 11, 2011

Today Johnnie and Jared took Kevin to therapy and then they came home, ate dinner and played on the Kinect. Karen and I went to the outlet mall, but we didn't really buy anything. We did stop in the little town of Gruene and had dinner though and it was just such a quaint little place. I want to go back another day and explore some more.

That's pretty much it so I'm going to cut this one short.

Day 1167 - Aug 10, 2011

Today I had a therapist's appt and Kevin stayed home with Jared and Efren. After Karen and I got back we all piled in the car and went to Dave & Buster's. We have never went on a Wed before (it's always half price) and I clearly see why...man was that place busy! We didn't stay nearly as long as we always have and I'm not sure if we'll ever go back on a Wed - although once school starts again it might be ok.

Jessica - you asked what the mysterious docs appt was from Monday and I'm still not sure, lol. The doc told me it was made in error, but then the physical therapist called and left a voicemail wondering where we were? Not sure if we should have been there or not, but we weren't. He got his therapy though, right? Jumping off a tower and even better, climbing all those stairs, was most definitely therapy.

Oh - and it wasn't a tough climb for him at all. He made it up those stairs faster than I made it to where I stood. I was actually shocked he went up so effortlessly. Apparently he was pretty excited, lol.

Day 1166 - Aug 9, 2011

I barely saw Kevin all day today! Johnny took him to therapy by himself for the first time and Karen and I putzed around all day. After the guys left the hospital they went first to an early dinner and then Ness joined them and the four of them went to a movie. It was like so awesome! For both of us, I'm sure!

That being said - I don't really have much to say so I'm going to sign off early.

Before I do though - can you all keep our good friend Chalkie in your thoughts? He has been VERY ill for some time now. He was in the hospital, but has since returned home and is just taking it easy. Love you Chalkie!! And Carol too!

Day 1165 - Aug 8, 2011

Today we did something so out of the ordinary. Kevin, Karen, Jared and Johnnie all went zip-lining. Karen's family had went last weekend and they decided to go back and when we mentioned it to Kevin he was excited to go too. (there ya go Moe - Kevin will go with you!)

So we all piled into the van and took off. When we got there everyone got geared up and I took off to the other end with my trusty camera. You can be rest assured that I would not be brave enough to take that step off. Nope. Nosiree.

Anyway, here are all the photos. I already got them ready for print so some of them are different colors, are textured, etc.













You can just tell what a blast he's having, huh? I have to admit to having severe heart palpitations when he was getting ready to jump though. It's so hard letting him do things that I think you have to be crazy to do. But he needs to be as much of the person as he was before the attack and this is who he was - one crazy kid with no fear whatsoever!

Day 1164 - Aug 7, 2011

We didn't do too much today either. Karen and I went to Ross's and the boys went to Game Stop and bought a couple of Kinect games. Kevin is really working out playing on that thing and I am quite sure it will make such a difference to his therapies as it really is quite a workout. He is always soaked with sweat while playing.

Breezy and Christian then came over for dinner as we decided to make homemade Stromboli. Breezy's friend Morgan went back to PA yesterday - bummer! The girls had a great time though.

I got a phone call yesterday that Kevin has an appointment at the VA hospital tomorrow, but I don't have anything in my calendar. I have no clue where we are supposed to be and can only assume it's one of those appointments that is made without talking to anyone first. I emailed the doc and hopefully she emails me back and tells me where to take him. Strange, huh?

And that's pretty much it for today. We always try to relax on the weekends because the weekdays are just so hectic.

Day 1163 - Aug 6, 2011

We didn't do a whole lot today. Kevin, Mark and Jared went to Outdoor World and just ran around for a while. Karen and I went to Target for some groceries. Yipee, lol.

We had planned to go to Sea World today, but ended up not. It's just too dang hot here (about 107) and none of us wanted to deal with that kind of heat all day. Kevin most definitely couldn't have handled it and the sun doesn't help matters any.

Breezy and Chris came over tonight and we all just ordered pizza and BS'd. A good day all in all!

Day 1162 - Aug 5, 2011

Today my friend Karen came to visit from PA, along with her husband, Mark, and their son, Jared. We picked them up at the airport this morning and then we kinda all went our separate ways come mid-afternoon.

Kevin and Efren went to the movies to see Captain America and I stayed home and worked. Efren wasn't here early enough (or long enough) for me to go out with Karen, but I didn't mind. I got a lot done today that I needed to do.

Karen and family went to Natural Bridge Caverns and then on to the Riverwalk. They are must sees, but Kevin just can't do it.

Right now Kevin and Jared are in there playing Wipe Out on the Kinect and they are having a blast. What a fun game!

We also have Christian here spending the night as Breezy's friend is leaving tomorrow and they all wanted to go out to a club tonight. He is just learning so much. He now opens his arms for you when he wants picked up and he plays with his bottle more than drinks it. He also is sitting so well, but he isn't 'really' crawling yet. He does get around though!

And now this girl is heading to bed. It is so early but my eyes are so tired.

Day 1161 - Aug 4, 2011

We went to both speech and OT today. I am really thinking that we may have to change speech therapists and go outside the VA.

I was told that there was a meeting about Kevin yesterday and the speech therapist told the physical therapist that Kevin doesn't understand very much and that the PT needs to find a way around it. The PT told her that she didn't agree and the ST I guess was adamant that he doesn't know as much as we all think he does so the PT just gave up assuming that the ST knew more (even though he always understands everything the PT asks him to do).

Honestly, it just can't be this way and I just don't see this working out. She is now setting limits in his other therapies. I have tried for weeks to be cool with her 'inside the box, analytical type of thinking' and it's not how we need to be to help Kevin. Especially as he most certainly doesn't fit into any box that I know of.

So I just sent an email to his doctor and we'll go from there.

OT was good. We got a Bioness splint for his arm/hand (we jokingly call him Iron Man now as he has all these electronics hooked up to his body, lol). To my way of thinking this is our last ditch effort to get any use out of his upper limb. They are already worried that bone has grown and may need to be surgically removed from his fingers, wrist and elbow as he's been contracted for so long. It is just so hard to open his fist so I agree it's possible.

After that he and Johnnie just hung out for a while and then we putzed around the house. He ordered some movies from his wish list at Amazon.com and is into watching them. He is so addicted to that site (and the iTunes store), lol.

That's pretty much it for today so I guess I'll sign off.

Day 1160 - Aug 3, 2011

Kevin had physical therapy today and it was a little frustrating. The other day I had to talk to the therapist because she was just being too nice and Kevin was taking advantage. She was always 'asking' if he wanted to do something and he was always saying 'no'. So I pulled her aside and told her to just tell him what she needed him to do and he had a rough time with the change today.

I think he's just tired of therapy and I can totally understand that - it has been over three years already. But if he doesn't get some therapy on a regular basis he will start crippling up and we just can't have that.

So hopefully he does better next week when he goes back to PT.

And tonight the new aide "Efren" came and he and Kevin got along really well. He's a super kid and he even talked about taking Kev to meet his friends. It would be so great if Kev could get to meet more people his own age!

We also babysat Christian tonight. Breezy's friend came down from Pennsylvania for a few days so the two of them went to Sea World. I picked the baby up from day care in the late afternoon and he was here until about 10pm or so. What a joy - for both Kevin and myself!

Day 1159 - Aug 2, 2011

We had a good day today. Kevin had physical therapy and Johnnie went with us so that he can learn the ropes in taking Kevin to his various therapies. Truthfully I hope it works out, but I'm not so sure. It's just the norm that I am scheduling more appts each day and discussing all the many facets of Kevin's therapy with so many people. I am sure determined to try though - it would be such a nice break to be able to stay home every now and again.

Tomorrow we have a new aide coming as Johnnie can't work the full 41 hours a week for us. Kevin and I are both anxious to meet him as it would mean someone new in Kev's life. I don't really know anything about him yet, but we'll find it all out tomorrow.

And the kids all went to a movie tonight - I think they saw Cowboys and Aliens or something like that. I don't think Kevin loved it as much as Johnnie and Ness, but he said it was good.

Day 1158 - Aug 1, 2011

We had an incredibly laid back weekend and it was wonderful. I got so much done around the house and with a project I'm working on and Kevin got well rested for the upcoming week.

I wish I had more to tell you, but nothing really happened worth talking about. Today Breezy and Christian came over and had dinner with me, Kev, Johnnie and Ness and that's about it.

I guess I'll check back tomorrow night...