Mom's Surgery Update...

My mom went in for her back surgery today with high hopes of correcting the problems that have developed since the last surgery. My Dad called me this morning about 10:30 and said unfortunately, when they opened her up, they found that she has a "pocket" of infection in the area that was to be operated on. So, long story short, they had to close her up and must clear up the infection before they can proceed. Obviously, very disappointing news. If the infection is able to be cleared up, she may still have the surgery done later on in the week - but time will tell on that! Keep her in your prayers as I know when she wakes and learns that she has not been "repaired", she will be terribly disappointed. PS...Any well wishes to her would sure be appreciated. She is at St. Vincents in Portland.

Christmas Tree Hunting

Today, Mike, James, Grandpa Roger, and I headed out into the Beautiful Deschutes Wilderness area to find that O-So-Important symbol of Christmas - our tree! Mike could spend a lifetime looking for the "perfect" tree, but we managed to find a great Noble Fir tree in a few hours time! We scaled it down a bit this year - only about 10 feet or so instead of the 15 foot monster of last year!! The tradition of picking a Christmas Tree is extra special here in Bend where we are so close to the wilderness!

Friday night was family night to see Santa at the Alyce Hatch Center. It was very crowded, so we only got to see Santa from a distance, but Kelsey thoroughly enjoyed the cupcake walk in her classroom!

It's hard to believe we are almost into December with this very clear and warm weather we are having! The "Men" - James, Mike, and Grandpa Roger took advantage of the Spring-like weather today and went out fishing at Lake Billy Chinook. Catch of the day - 14 Kokanee! They had a very pleasant, uneventful day until they got home...Poor Grandpa hooked his thumb with barbed fishing hook! Ouch! A quick trip to the urgent care center took care of it.

James has become quite the little fisherman! He had a struggle with one fish today, but handled the pole and reeling the fish in all on his own. It's so fun to watch him grow more independent and develop into a young man!

Healing Reins...

Finally!! Kelsey had her first "Hippo" therapy session today at Healing Reins, and it went FANTASTIC! She had not an ounce of fear to leave me and go off with Kristen (her physical therapist) and the other 2 horse handlers. The children get onto the horses by way of a ramp, so Kelsey happily climbed right on "PEACHES" and was so happy! I was amazed at the Healing Reins riding facility - it's a beautiful ranch and arena. I was also pleasantly surprised at how hard Kelsey worked riding the horse. She is supported at the hips by a belt, but the rest is all her! She had to use lots of core muscles to keep herself sitting tall and steady on Peaches. They played a bunch of reaching games with Peaches assistance like basketball, ring games, and riding at different speeds and over obstacles - all in the name of working that Kelsey's muscles (without her realizing how hard she was working!). My apologies for the picture quality...The arena does not have great lighting for pictures and I had to take them from a distance as no parents are allowed in the riding arena! When it was time to put Peaches away and Kristen asked Kelsey, "Are you ready to get off?" Kelsey had a firm answer of "NO!!"

Happy Thanksgiving to you all -

Small blessings...

Wow what a week!! I have been reminded of a very important lesson this week...We only have so much control of our lives, the rest is in Gods hands! Monday, Kelsey had her pool therapy - went fabulous! She loves Kristen (her p/t at Healing Bridge). We will have Hippo therapy this upcoming Tuesday, and I will be sure to post pictures! Tuesday, Kelsey had group and did great - I left her once again in the loving hands of her teachers - and she never fussed or looked for me! A great thing!

Tuesday afternoon I fulfilled my promise to James to put the garland up on our staircase at home - very fun and sure helps get us all in the Holiday spirit!
Wednesday, James had an early wake up call when he fell out of bed and bonked his head. We took him in late to school that day and on the way home from dropping him off, I figured out that I had a screw poked in my rear tire on the Expedition and it was going flat - so my planned morning of getting "Tons Done" was cancelled and replaced with an hour and a half of sitting at Les Schwab eating popcorn. Today, I had 2 extra children at our house - and lets just say that it was a rough afternoon! What do all the bumps in the road mean? I believe that it is God's way of keeping us on track! This week especially, I could have easily been steered off course with worrying about some other family issues at hand. Instead, the bumpy week has kept my focus on my first and foremost priorities - my family!
Blessings...I had a very close friend say to me this week, "Blessings are coming in all the time, you just have to look for them." Correct you are my friend! $1.99 per gallon of gas this week when I filled up, James was not injured when he bonked his head, Kelsey was happy at group, I got in touch with an old friend from high school, etc., etc., etc.! You just have to look!

Uncoming dates...

Friends and Family...
Times they are a busy!!! Here are a few important dates we have coming up that I want to pass along...
*Yesterday - Kelsey had her yearly evaluation to set goals for the upcoming year. Comparing her progress from last year to now was AMAZING! She is almost right in line with a "typical" child. Her goals we set for the upcoming year are mostly balance items. Yeah for her!
*November 25th - Kelsey starts Hippo Therapy at Healing Reins (Finally). We are sooooo excited for her to begin working with a horse, and her therapist is a wonderful woman who I know will ensure that Kelsey thrives in this new venture!
November 27th - We will travel to Portland and spend Thanksgiving dinner with my parents and also make a few other family visits while in Portland, then will will return to Bend on Friday.
December 8th - My Mom (Laurie) will have another back surgery. Mike and I and the kids will travel to Portland on Sunday the 7th and stay at my parents home for a few days to help with John and free my Dad up to spend time at the hospital with my Mom. (Would you please keep this date in your thoughts and prayers?).
"LIFE...a miracle of love, a journey of joy"

Weekly Update

We had a very busy week this week! We saw some of our first snow flakes flying in Bend! With the snow came some cold temperatures - and a broken furnace! Thankfully, we found someone to quickly fix it!

Kelsey was scheduled to have her first "pool" therapy this week, but that was cancelled due to a cold she is getting over. Doing some swimming pool therapy is part of her preparation for Hippo (Horse) therapy. We will try again Monday. Kelsey also had her "Pre-Pre-School" this week at the Alyce Hatch center. I left her for the first time in the hands of the teachers (I was just down the hall in a parents room :-), and she did great! The ratio of the teaches to kids is usually about 4 to 6!!! I actually got very choked up peeking in on the class. Those women that are teachers for these special needs kids are just amazing human beings! They genuinely care for these kids, and maximize every second they have in the classroom to work with the children. I feel so incredibly grateful for them!

We had James's first parent teacher conference of the year this week as well - both teachers sung his praises (always great to hear!). He so enjoys school and is learning so much! He is still very quiet at school, but that is okay - it is probably why he is absorbing so much information - he is not chit chatting!

James's best little pal Colby, lost his precious Dog Jake to doggy Heaven this week. The other night at dinner, Mike and I were asking James where he thought Jake was. Keeping in mind the recent passing of our fish "Mo", he looked up at us and said, "Flushed down the toilet?"