Grandma's Here!

Grandma Jackie has come to live with us for awhile! She has diabetes and is struggling with her health and can't live on her own anymore.  Chase is getting really good at poking her finger and checking her blood sugar levels!

Grandma & Kailan

New Wheels

On July 18th, the evening before we were planning on going to Phoenix for Dr.'s appointments and then onto our family reunion on the 20th, Mark was driving part way to Kingman to meet the Hagler's to bring Kailan back home when he ran over a rock in a rainstorm and put a hole in our oil pan.  The oil quickly drained and the engine froze.  Our insurance company fortunately covered a portion of our van after declaring it totaled.  I was worried about our transportation to our reunion and Abi's surgery along with the financial stress it could bring, but everything worked out really well.  Our insurance company covered the cost of a small car, so we were able to drive two vehicles everywhere we needed to go.  One evening while I was in the hospital, I remembered that the Gardner family in our ward still hadn't sold their Suburban when they moved from Flagstaff the beginning of this summer.  I emailed her and she said they hadn't listed it since they moved, but were getting ready to put it on Craig's list.  We were able to purchase it for almost the same amount of money that we're receiving from our Insurance company.  Mark had to drive to Mesa yesterday and was able to turn in our rental (which was the last day our Insurance company was covering it) and pick up the Suburban.  Can't get much better timing than that! We're thankful for the minimum stress this inconvenience ended up causing.

1999 with 85,000 miles on it.

Incision

Here's a picture of Abi's incision.  It's 11 inches long.

Our Last Day!

Abi had a rough night as far as pain goes, but she is doing great today! This is a craft she made this morning that the hospital provided.

Chase & Brooklyn came to hang out with us for the day prior to going home!

We had a visitor!

Abi and the therapy dog.

Brooklyn

Chase doing one of the tricks the owner taught.

At the end, he was able to push down the 'bone' lever and retrieve his own treats! The kids sure had a lot of fun! It's a great program.

Measuring Abi - she grew 1 1/2 inches! She is now 5' 2 1/2"! She and Jordynn are now looking eye to eye! And she's towering over Chase - much to his dismay.  She's almost as tall as me now now!  At the hospital, after helping her out of bed and standing next to her, she started laughing when she saw we were almost eye level!

We visited the teen room this afternoon and the girls painted a fan.  We didn't end up lasting too long there.  Sitting is probably the hardest for her.

Chase is enjoying the hospital food! Lots of cool whip on his pumpkin pie!

We were released and left for home at 4:00!!!

Monday

Last night Cindy stayed at the hospital with Abi, and I drove to Cari's house for a good night sleep.  This morning, Cari gave me a haircut, I showered, got to see Brooklyn and then headed back up here to the hospital feeling nice and refreshed! Thank you so much Cindy and Cari!

Grandma took really good care of Abi.  This morning, during physical therapy they were able to walk all the way down the hall and back! Then Grandma was able to help Abi take a shower.  She is rapidly improving!

This afternoon, we walked down two different hallways!

She's doing great with her walking!

She is currently in bed taking a nap. They hooked her back up to her IV and gave her some more morphine, along with her IV fluids.  She was a little extra sore after all of her walking. She is doing a little better with her eating.  For lunch she had some fish.  It's wonderful to see her progress!

Sunday

Today was an extra nice day for me.  Grandma Cindy drove over and spent the day here at the hospital with me and Abi.  I've been wanting to do some family history for Abi, and Cindy was a great help teaching me how to look up census records and other official documents online.  Thanks for the tutorial! Plus it was really nice having such great company.  Then for dinner, my brother Steven, his wife Cyndi, their son Tillman and Chase came to the hospital and ate with Cindy and I.  I'm definitely blessed with a great family! 

Sitting up for her physical therapy! Sitting for 10 minutes feels like forever to Abi.

She's walking for the first time after surgery! Notice her super cute PJ's from Grandpa Randy and Grandma Cindy!

Steven, Tillman and Cyndi

Tillman was the 1st person to make Abi laugh since her operation!

I feel bad, both Chase and Taige have been to visit as well.  Chase a couple of times, and I don't have pictures of either of them!

My Latest & Newest Motto

Early this morning, when I was walking down to get Abi some more juice, I saw on a white board, handwritten by one of the staff, "I feel too blessed to be stressed".  Immediately I thought of how many different ways we are being blessed through these latest challenges and felt for a moment an extra assurance and outpouring of love.  It's so comforting to me to know that my family and I are being watched over, guided and directed by a loving Heavenly Father.  And it's a great relief to know that my life is not just in my own hands!