Visiting

When Nathan was in the hospital, and then once he was home, his twin cousins, Karlie and Kenadi, came to visit him and bring him pictures! It was so sweet and it was really a time for Nathan to get to know them a little better - they are 17 years apart!! (not the twins - Nathan and the twins are 17 yrs apart :-)

Last week Karlie had her tonsils out - not fun! So Nathan bought her a toy, and we took it to her house yesterday.

(sidenote: I had already posted this blog and went back to read it again, and noticed karlie's shirt in the picture - how cute is that?!?!?)

Hand surgery is set for tomorrow at 11:30 in Bellingham. We're not sure at all what they are going to do, except remove the 4 pins in his right hand. It doesn't sound like they plan on doing anything else. I guess we'll know after surgery and they get in there to see what is going on.

My sweet SIL Kim is going to sit with me - you will all remember how I love surgery days - no matter how small.

Today just work, physical therapy and to Bellingham to do pre-op stuff - BUT WE HAVE SUNSHINE, and that helps the spirits SO MUCH!!!

"For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come (God is holding on to us :-), nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor ANYTHING ELSE(insert here:motorcycle accidents, surgeries....) in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord" Romans 8:38-39

2 months down..............

On June 23rd, it was 2 months since Nathan's accident. In some ways time has flown, and in other ways, it has seemed to drag on!

Yesterday, Nathan decided to try out crutches, and he likes them better than using the walker............so this is progress. It looks pretty cool to see him standing up tall instead of leaning over a walker.

Small, but new happenings:
1. Nathan has gone to hang out with friends a couple times (he even went out for Mexican food with Blake last night).

2. Nathan wore jeans for the first time yesterday - just one of the very little things that puts a smile on mom's face!

3. He is down to 1/10th of the meds he came home on from the hospital, and we hope to be off them in the next week or so.

4. Last week we saw Dr. Gary Bergman in Bellingham in regards to Nathan's hand. He has agreed to take over the hand portion of Nathan's case since he needs to be seen more frequently for this. It looks like Nathan may be having surgery on his hand this Wednesday to remove pins and to get in and look at the tendon.

5. The knee is not bending great - it's at 65 degrees out of what ultimately should end up at 120+. When we were at Harborview they mentioned that they might have to do a manipulation surgery on it. The sound of this is horrid - and at first Nathan said "no way". Last night he said "let's do it and get it done". What they do is put Nathan under, and then go in and "reef" on his leg and break up the muscles and scar tissue that are adhering and MAKE the knee bend. :-0

6. Nathan is gaining weight- about 25 pounds more to go.....................

Continue to pray as Nathan is struggling with some depression. His friends are leaving on July 1st for 10 days in Cancun - a trip he had booked to go on too! This is hard for him..................

We still have PT 4 times a week, and I try to fit in work where I can. Emily is working in the berries. Brandon is working in Bellingham at DIS, my brother's business. Randy is full time in Seattle. Life is busy. Friends are faithful. God is good!

"Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go." Joshua 1:9

This verse is such an encouragement...........and I rest in it's promise!

How does your garden grow?

A couple weeks ago on a Saturday - when the sun was actually shining, Randy and Emily planted the garden. Now, when Randy told me he wanted a garden this year I had flashbacks to the last garden we had - the rows were about 100 ft long (no joke) and it was GINORMOUS!! I figured he would go small this time. Once again - I've decided Randy's life motto must be, "go big, or go home" :-). The rows are only about 40 ft long, and there are 12 rows and then mounds of potatoes, cukes, pumpkins etc.




We have 6 rows of corn, so if you drive by and see me sitting by the road with a little table of corn - please stop and buy some from farmer Randy! Just kidding - I'll give it away - so call and come by and pick some in August!! At least I hope August - if summer doesn't show up pretty soon, we may be eating fresh corn in October!!

Tonight - a rehearsal dinner for 40 here with our faithful friends coming to help! We did another one in November and it was great so we're going to have a run at it again!

Thanks Aunt Lisa!!

My sister came up from Portland with my brother Mike, his wife and my birth mom to visit Nathan while he was at Harborview. They came on Saturday, May 1st. The reason the date is important you ask? Well, that's because she decided after her visit to knit Nathan a blanket - long and skinny just like him :-)!! Well, 1 1/2 weeks ago Nathan got a box in the mail and lo and behold............she got it done!!

Now, just so you all understand why I am so amazed by this..............I started to crochet a blanket for Nathan 4 years ago.............I'm almost done............:-)
So obviously I am amazed at her production rate!!!

It's gorgeous, well made, and the colors are awesome! It's the only blanket LONG enough for Nathan, and the best part (as you can see) is Max likes it too!!

Nathan says thank you Aunt Lisa - you're the best!

Drum Roll Please.......................

Well - obviously we got the green light!

Last night when we got home Ben and Cory came and helped get Nathan back in the house and then they visited for a little bit. When they left I was in the living room and Nathan said "hey mom, come here" (like he does about 25 times a day), so I sauntered back to his room and when I came through the door - THERE HE WAS STANDING UP AT THE EDGE OF THE BED!!!! YIKES!! Tears - panic - fear - elation - all in one big bubble! I said "Nathan you can't do that without me here" and he replies with a smirk "Well I think I just did". I told him I needed to hug him and he said I would have to stabalize him - so obviously - I did and I got a hug - 8 weeks in the waiting for this! I forgot how TALL he is!! I went and got Thai food to celebrate!

I figured when they gave us the green light that he would stand up and start walking with Uncle Steve tomorrow in Physical Torture, but he was not going to wait!! Then I helped him and he walked over to the recliner to give it a sit.

A neighbor had told us she had some walkers if we wanted to borrow them, so when Kathi came by for a visit we went and got the walkers. (Don't worry the walker is just out of the picture - it's within arms reach, he's really wobbly and weak obviously).

THEN - he decided he needed to try and drive!!!! THIS POOR MOMMA IS HAVING TO BURST OPEN THE PROTECTIVE BUBBLE MORE QUICKLY THAN SHE EXPECTED AND IT IS VERY HARD!!!! I said "no driving" and of course he had an arsenal of "whys", so I told him to call his dad, knowing that the wise man would back me up! Ya - No - he didn't back me up!! He told him he could drive the van but he had to stay on the wiser lake rd. (of course Randy is in Seattle so he doesn't have to have the heart attack). So, Kathi and I jumped in the van with Nathan and we drove down to my moms, 1 mile away, and called her and my SIL Sue (who is visiting) to come outside, and BEHOLD - there's Nathan behind the wheel!

Without getting into all the technical stuff, here's the what they said...........
* Full weight bearing on his right leg
* Weight bearing on his left leg starting at 25% of his body weight and working up to 100% in 4 weeks.
* Left arm good to go

Here are the things that are of some concern (not a huge concern, but a concern)
*we OBVIOUSLY had too many people praying :-) as he grew too much bone in his femur and his hip (who would've thought that was possible) They say it could straighten itself out, but they may have to go in and shave it off the hip if it doesn't correct itself (this really upset Nathan - and we all tried to focus on the positive)

*they think that the pinky issue on the right hand could be the pins in his hand and they would like to take those out and MAYBE break up some scar tissue in that hand

So today he goes to physical therapy and I think Uncle Steve has a little more ( ok a lot more) license to inflict pain now since the paperwork from Harborview has the word "aggressive" written all over it!!

We go back down to Harborview Monday for the Hand clinic to check him out and then possibly down the next Tues for surgery.

Pray about the excess bone in the femur and the hip, and for the right hand. Also, if you would say a prayer for this momma! I am so scared and don't know what "letting go" is going to look like. I did tell him last night before we drove, "Nathan, I just spent the last 8 weeks fighting for you and putting you back together, give me a little grace as this is so scary for me!" This is harder then ever without Randy here. Sorry for the long post - so much to say!!!

Praise be to God for his healing power and mercy!!!

Today.......

Today we head down to Harborview.
Today I am nervous about driving Nathan down by myself instead of an ambulance.
Today we hope to find out if Nathan can start the long process of beginning to walk.
Today we find out if they are concerned about his hand - we are.
Today we hope to hear news of progress.

SO......................

Pray for my nerves as I drive by myself with him.
Pray for Nathan to be comfortable and that the ride will go quickly.
Pray for traffic - that there will be no snags (this would be a miracle in Seattle).
Pray for Nathan to have an encouraging day.
Pray that Randy and I will ask the right questions and understand with clarity.
Pray for wisdom for the Doctors.
Pray for us - it will be a LONG day.

Here's a picture to make you smile....Nathan and Max are pretty inseparable......
(Nathan looks like a grump - he doesn't like his picture taken!)

"And those who know Your name put their trust in You, for You, O LORD, have not forsaken those who seek You." Psalm 9:10

3 more days.......

It's Sunday morning and Randy, Brandon and Emily have headed to church, so I thought I would post a blog update.

Again, not much to post about "progress", except he does continue to cut back on meds and this means more appetite (which he DESPERATELY needs to gain weight) and more of Nathan being Nathan :-) !!

We head to Harborview in 3 days. I anticipate this being a BIG day, and would ask that you pray for positive reports and a day of encouragement! I think we are a little hesitant and a little nervous to hear news of more surgeries or being told that he can't start trying to walk yet. PRAY!

Yesterday I had the privilege of meeting 2 phenomenal people!! I've been wanting to stop and thank the people who live in the house right where the accident happened. We had been told their names and that they were at Nathan's side working with him. I just wanted to introduce myself and give them the opportunity to come see Nathan if they would like......and, they would like, so this evening they are coming down to visit with us.

After meeting them and talking with them, having them walk me through the accident site, showing me where Nathan landed, where the bike landed, etc. it was yet ANOTHER confirmation of how God was so in control of EVERY circumstance in that situation. Gary has training and knew what to do, and really connected with Nathan. He told me that as he was helping Nathan he just kept thinking that God had obviously spared this boys life and was going to use this in a mighty way to make him who he is supposed to be. Lord, I thank you for Gary and Terri and allowing them to be the hands and feet of Christ to our son!

I can't wait for them to meet Nathan and Randy tonight. Just a sidenote, but Gary was on Ski Patrol up at Mt. Baker years ago - what a coincidence since both Randy and Nathan have been patrollers!!

"Have I not commanded you? Be strong, and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go." Joshua 1:9

To God be the glory for his great and mighty works and for the grace and mercy he has bestowed on our family!!

Is it a baby or a Pterodactyl?!?!

Yesterday Molly and Macy came to visit - WHAT A TREAT! Macy is such a doll and loves to laugh and squeal with delight (Molly says she sounds like a pterodactyl and I had to look up how to spell that one!!) - Nathan took advantage of this. Molly laid Macy on Nathan's bed and he had her squealing non-stop. I don't think that baby girl could open her mouth any wider - it's SO ADORABLE!!

We could have a visit from them everyday!! Nathan has always loved babies and children and it so fun to see him back to being "normal" Nathan in a sense.

Wednesday is our only day without any appointments, so I decided to start wading through the ocean of paperwork I've been avoiding. Then, yesterday our friends Judy, Spencer and Hailey arrived. They came for a nephew's graduation and are going to stay here for a couple days - YIPEE for me!

Hoping to get Nathan back outside for walks once the weather straightens out - we haven't gone for a walk in forever (can you believe we don't want to walk in the rain!??!).

In less than a week we head back down to Harborview for the next step - literally - we hope! Keep praying! There is a hard lump on his leg where the femur is and Nathan is concerned about it - I choose to believe that it is bone growing/scar tissue and since he is so thin and laying down there is no fat around it. The pinky finger is still a concern too.

So Pray for -
* Continued healing of his femur
* His right pinky finger
* Weight gain
* He's doing awesome at cutting down on his meds, pray for continued low pain
* Continued peace and patience/God has sustained him, and he hasn't gone stir crazy yet - pray that this will continue!

Isaiah 26:3
You will keep in perfect peace
him whose mind is steadfast,
because he trusts in you.

The birthday party

Last Thursday was Nathan's birthday. The day started with a visit to the physical torturist (Thanks Amy for the "name"), and then as soon as we got home Ethan and Tanya were waiting with maple bars for us (and a little cartoon watching time!).


Then, in the evening a bunch of Nathan's friends came by to say "Happy Birthday". They had called me a couple weeks ago and wanted to do something for Nathan's birthday so he would know they hadn't forgotten him. I think there were about 13 in all................

Taryn and Trisha brought some chips, salsa and vegies, and after they dug into that I put out the casserole that had been brought to us for dinner that night. My friend Tammy had made a 9x13 chicken enchilada casserole so I thought I'd put it out and see if anyone would take some and it was GONE in about 5 min. So, then I pulled out some homemade rolls and ham and cheese - GONE! I forget how a herd of boys eat!! I made the traditional Oreo Dessert that we have on birthdays. Here's the family picture minus Randy who was working in Seattle.

Mike and Susan came by too. When Nathan and Taryn were little, Susan and I would walk with the strollers EVERY day in town(oh to have time like that now!!), and we went on a few vacations together. It was so good to catch up with them!!

All in all, it was a good day! My boy celebrated turning 22 and the new beginning that God has in store for him. This momma just teared up every time she thought of it - because as weary as I am at times - I wouldn't change this job for anything right now!!
"And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to HIS purpose" Rom. 8:28
(I just need to remember that HIS good, is OFTEN different than what I think is good for me - or my children! But God knows - and HE will get the glory!)

Until we meet again Bev.............

On Monday, my precious friend went home to be with the Lord! She has been battling cancer for years! She has been longing to be with the Lord and on Monday she got to sit at the feet of her Savior!




I have had the privilege of having Bev in my life for the last couple decades - one of those women that you just know to go to for parenting/wifing advice :-). She was a phenomenal lady - just like the Proverbs 31 women in every sense!

Sing for me Bev, I know you are basking in the Glory of our Heavenly Father...............and someday, I will join you.........but for now..........until we meet again.........I love you and miss you!

Happy Birthday Nathan!

Today Nathan turns 22!(this picture is from this weekend with his friend Heidi). My heart sings when I say this as I am reminded that we almost lost him and had it not been for the miracle (actually multiple ones) God gave us, we would not be celebrating today.

Nathan was our first. I was 22. Randy was 25. WE HAD NO IDEA WHAT WE WERE SIGNING UP FOR WHEN WE WANTED TO HAVE CHILDREN - does anybody? :-) Nathan's birth was kind of like Nathan is - he was early (does it when he feels like it), really easy labor until the end when he got STUCK on my tailbone (Nathan's life has been relatively easy and now he's kind of STUCK :-).

Nathan was an easy child that people loved to be around. He's always had a ton of friends and he is a loyal friend. Here are some of his favorite things.
* t-shirts
* SHOES
* traveling
* tropical places
* good food
* laughing
* he has always been great with kids, he will be an awesome father
* did I mention t-shirts and shoes?

I am so grateful to have my boy here - especially today. No big parties planned - except in my heart all day. Randy is working in Seattle and I am singing at my friend Bev's graveside service this evening.

I will be making Oreo Dessert - our family birthday dessert and don't tell, but a few of Nathan's friends made phone calls and are planning on dropping in with appetizers between 7:30-9. I look forward to hearing Nathan laugh.

Sorry my post is kind of rambling randomly - but the gist of it all?
God spared Nathan and he is here with us today to turn 22!

I know God has something great planned for Nathan................
Philippians 1:6 "And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ."