Happy New Year 2010

Christmas was filled with family, friends, and now standing up next to the tree!! Our parents have this ledge that Jay grabs onto and stands against/on. He puts most of his weight on his right leg but he is standing!! His left foot is straightening out much better due to wearing his braces daily. At the end of the day his foot looks really good. Just got news that he walked across the pool by himself yesterday! The kids love to look on my laptop at pictures and we ran across some old footage of Jason. It reminds me of how all these little steps are helping him make a recovery. After Jason's accident, we were told many scenarios could happen. No one knew for sure anything. How frustrating and devastating for my parents. No answer. No diagnosis. Then you see people who have had brain injuries and see how they have/are recovering. You see the good, bad and ugly. It has been a year and a half of not knowing what Jason's outcome is going to be. Still, this remains the case. But, we have something to work with! He has been blessed with a sharp mind, the ability to communicate, and a body that is making progress. Brain injured or not that is our purpose in life, right?! To make progress so that we can become the best we can be. If we continue to progress physically and spiritually our lives will be blessed.

On his way

Our brother and his wife Lisa were able to come out for a week and have an early Christmas with everyone. We went to Whitney's grad party! Wohoo way to go Whit! It was at Catalina in Monterey and everyone had a great time. We took some family pics on Catalina's campus. We snapped a few before, during and after the rain. Good times! We always have a good laugh with Jay. Our brother Michael can get us all going too! I love how my brother's have such good sense of humors, even if it is making fun of each other!

Just a quick update on Jason's progress this visit: I noticed his speech has improved, to the point where I don't need him to spell his words out as much. His hands are opening up more and becoming more "usable". He can swim under water with assistance for about 10 seconds. He can hold his breath under water for 20+ seconds. He ate steak for the first time since his accident, blended somewhat, but hey, no problems swallowing! He likes to sit in a "real chair" at dinner versus his wheelchair. He likes to sit on the couch or recliner while in the living room. His transfers are easier and more often because of this. He is getting out more. We went to see blindside with Michael & Lisa and Jay came too! Great movie by the way! So, all these little things are helping Jay get back on track. His road to recovery 2010 shall be interesting. He is on his way.

Mr. January?!

Today at Jay's P.E. Class they were talking about making a calendar and Jason can be "Mr. January!" In a speedo!!! ha ha! He is the cutest one there and everyone likes to joke with Jay. I got to go watch him for a little bit and it was cool to see him do the bike and stand in the "stand frame." We even got a night out for our friend Shaun's B-day! Jay ate halibut with shrimp and ate every bite. Jay and I are excited once again for Michael & Lisa to come out in a week!!! Can't wait for Jay to show off his skills and just hang out. Happy Thanksgiving everyone!

Thumb war?!!

Look how cute these two are?! Playing thumb war, great game, but also great exercise for Jay's fingers. I am so thankful for Whitney's friendship with Jason. I did not know Whitney before Jay's accident but right after Jay's accident she called me. She wanted to come and see Jason in the hospital and said she used to work with him at R.G Burgers. After talking with her, she let me know how Jason had left an impression on her and how she loved his kindness and how he treated her. Whitney has been a part of Jason's recovery from the beginning and it all had to do with Jason being nice to her at work. We can all make impressions that last a lifetime. I am glad Jason chose to be kind at work and give respect to those around him. People remember. Keep the thumb wars up Jay! You look great!!

I love how Jay sits on the couch now! He looks so good in this pic. He looks like he might have Whitney in a neck hold but who wouldn't she is a babe! ha ha just kidding Jay! I love how he can put his arm around you now. He starts physical therapy 3 times a week so can't wait to see how he does with that. My mom attended a seminar this week by a lady named Jill Taylor who is a doctor who had a stroke/brain injury. She has been on Oprah, wrote a book, etc and talks about how she recovered from her brain injury. Interestingly, she studies the brain for her profession, so to actually experience a brain injury was crazy! She is recovered and I have heard her speak of her stroke and how our brains are the most complex organ. I am excited for next month when our older brother Michael comes to visit! I think Jay will enjoy this holiday season much better than last year.

Jay is out of town?!!

Jay comes to Clovis! He is out of town!! Wohoo! Jason has not been out of Monterey in a while so we were so excited when he arrived at my house with my parents! Whitney even came too! It was great to have him here. It has almost been a year since he has been to my house. We ate ribs, yummy food, and sat in the sun all day sunday. Jason always liked to sit in the sun and soak up the rays! We didn't use Jay's spell board once the whole trip! This is the first time I have not had to use it with him. Every time I see him something is better and his speech definitely has improved! Still muffles some words and talks really high when he gets adamant or excited about something...we say "Tone it down!" ha ha. Jason got more botox in his wrists and the right one is opening up more. The left one is still a challenge. Jay needs motivation and pushing! It is not time to get comfortable, which he has done a little bit. He is scared of falling when standing and always states a "What if" statement. He says he needs to change his way of thinking and I know some of it he can't control. He has big goals for himself. With your encouragement and support I know he can obtain them!

More family visits!

Our cousin Aimee came to visit Jason last weekend. She brought her darling baby who just turned 1! Jay got to visit with family and enjoy the little ones! Jacob went with the twins for an overnighter trip. It means a lot to Jay to have family come and visit. Once again we are amongst the holiday season and I hope we can enjoy having Jason home and family around. It is still difficult at times but this is the season of hope and faith and I know Jason is trying and has a lot of people behind him who believe in him.