Sledding

I have LOTS of Christmas pictures to post but it will take days to upload them all so here is a quick one for today.  The boys got new snow boots and snow pants and couldn't wait to get out into the white stuff.  They had soooooo much fun!

 The Three Amigos

 Jeremy and Lucas heading down the hill

I couldn't convince Ian to get on the sled but he thoroughly loved watching his brothers!

I'll have Christmas pictures up soon, but head on over to Lindsay's blog to see a picture of our new grandSON! 

Help Needed!

A friend of ours that is a physical therapist with ATI physical therapy is in need of recipes for a cookbook they are putting together.  This company is pretty special to us because their relatively new foundation granted $2000 to Ian for his power chair or the van that we will have to buy to haul him and the chair.  Ian has contributed a recipe and a painting to be included in the book.  Will you join Ian by sending a favorite recipe (or 2) to Robert.williams@atipt.com?

Big News!!!!!

No pictures today - just awesome news!  Three months ago, we started the process to get a new wheelchair for Ian.  He's on the last adjustment for his current one because he's grown so much AND everyone (therapists, doctors, teachers, parents, etc) believes that he will benefit from a power chair.  Of course, the insurance denied it.  We appealed with more documentation.  They denied.  We appealed again with even more documentation.  They granted approval!!!!!!  We got the letter today!

Woooooohooooooo!  Watch out, World!!!  

Humphreytown

I'm so woefully behind on blogging with no hope of catching up so we'll just move forward from here and perhaps have some reflections later on.  In a nutshell, it's been a crazy few months, beginning with a rough start to the school year for Lucas, followed by Ian's surgery on Sept. 6.  We thought the worst was over when Ian was finally out of the serial casts but it seems, the worst was yet to come.  He had, and sometimes still has, terrible muscle spasms that cause lots of discomfort and keep him (and us) awake at night.  

However, God is merciful and Lucas is doing better on most days and Ian continues to make improvement, thanks to massive amounts of physical therapy.  Jeremy is doing very well, too.  

So, we are enjoying this time of year when we especially celebrate Jesus and we might have even started a new tradition - gingerbread village building!  Everyone loved it but we had to do it as fast as possible to keep the boys from eating all the candy before it was on the buildings!

Teenager!

Ian's 13th birthday was last Friday, but thanks to some crazy schedules, we aren't celebrating until this Saturday.  However, since he and the other boys had a day off (fall break) on his birthday, we took advantage and went to visit a dear friend who invited us over to meet her new dog.  All 3 boys love dogs (and beg regularly for one) so they loved meeting Owen!

Not only did they get to meet and play with Owen, Lynn also had cupcakes for them......even on a cake stand that plays "Happy Birthday!"  

They all had to push the button and couldn't wait to dive into those delicious treats.

And not only was there a dog and cupcakes (and hot chocolate) but a new DVD as well!  

This same dear friend accompanied Ian and me to every doctor appointment he's had since surgery (each week) and he loves her dearly.  In fact, he always "asks" if she's going with us when we get in the van by pointing to her seat.  Not only that, but she brought dinner most every time she went with us!  I regret not getting a picture of her with the boys but I will do that next time.  Thank you, Lynn Collicott for your love and friendship and nourishment and time and for Ian's birthday surprise!

We love you!!

Good News and Bad

The good news is that Ian got his casts off this afternoon.  The bad news is that he's been having horrific spasms ever since.  Apparently, this is not uncommon because of his high tone and the muscles being stretched and in casts for 5 weeks.  However, he was in so much pain that the surgeon had us get x-rays to make sure he hadn't broken a bone.  They made his night casts and after 5 hours of being at the doctor's office, we headed  home.  He's had 2 doses of valium (sp?) and 3 hours of changing positions, but he's still crying softly from the pain and can't get to sleep.  I never dreamed that getting the casts OFF would be a problem!  We are praying that the spasms will subside quickly and he'll be back to his perky, happy self!

Happy 2nd Birthday, Brenna!

Two years ago today, Tom and I had secured a sitter and were planning to have a quiet, early anniversary dinner.  Instead, we spent the evening at the hospital waiting for our granddaughter to make her appearance.  We couldn't think of a better way to spend our date night!!!!  I can't believe that has been 2 years ago.  Time seems to be racing by all too quickly!  

Brenna Noelle is growing up and her personality continues to emerge.  She is spunky and determined and sweet and funny and is definitely going to be a leader!  She bosses her 3 uncles (at this house) around and gets them to do pretty much whatever she wants.  

Happy 2nd Birthday, Brenna!  We love you and are so thankful for you!!!

 Opening a very interesting gift from cousin Olivia (and her mommy and daddy.)

 Bring on the rain

Ready to jam!

 Mommy will never have to clean again!

 If you need anything squirted and wiped down (your face, a window, anything at all), this is your girl!

 Blowing out the candles on a yummy ice cream cake

The whole family (she would not turn loose of the squirt bottle and sponge.)

Today we celebrate Brenna!

Personal Concert

Last spring, some good friends held an adoption auction to raise funds for their upcoming adoption and among other things, we purchased our very own Joel Brovont concert.  Since we like hanging out with the college kids at our church, we decided to have the concert outside and invite them, too.  Tyler Daugherty played with Joel and they came 90 minutes early to set up and warm up, so our boys got their own personal concert while waiting for the big kids to show up.  Needless to say, they LOVED it!!  

It was a beautiful evening with good friends, great music, an awesome bonfire (thanks to my pyromaniac husband), s'mores and hot chocolate.

Showing off his missing tooth and the new one that's coming in (which looks like it will take up his entire, tiny mouth.)  I think major orthodontia is in our future!  Pretty cute though!

Unfortunately, I waited until it was too dark to get good pictures of Joel, Tyler and the college kids.  However, you can check Joel out here: http://www.shoutlife.com/joelbrovont

Thanks so much Joel and Tyler!  

Fall Outing

This Humphrey family didn't really have any plans for today so when Drew called and said their first choice of friends to hang out with got sick and they wondered if we wanted to meet them at a nearby orchard, we decided to take them up on it.  Ian hasn't really been out except to get his casts on, so we thought it would be good for him and of course, we never turn down a chance to see the granddaughters!

The orchard was young and not producing yet but we took a wagon ride (which thrilled Ian) and brought home some gourds.

 Ian has never met a dog he didn't like.

 Family photo (Felicia needs her shades!)

 Brenna signing Ian's cast

 Pops making Felicia laugh

Now, tilt your head to the right....

 (This picture was not sideways when I loaded it, so I'm not sure what happened but I can't seem to fix it.)

Again, no clue why it's like this.

Cast Signing

Ian got his casts yesterday and it turned out to be more of an ordeal than we were prepared for.  They stretched his legs a bunch and he was in more pain than after the surgery, even with meds to help.  After a traumatic ride home and some rest in his favorite recliner, he finally felt like getting in his wheelchair and having everyone sign his neon green casts.

 Dad got to go first with a giant marker

 Lucas was next

 Then Jeremy (and mom, too!)  In this picture, you can kind of see the stretch that they got.  His legs used to only stretch to about a 90 degree angle, so he's already made progress.  We are praying that the pain and discomfort will be worth the end result.

 Jeremy always wants his picture taken whenever a camera is present and if Ian was going to have his picture taken with Jeremy, then he certainly insisted on having one with his favorite person in all the world......Dad!

We are so thankful for our good friend, Lynn, who came with me to have the casts put on and brought dinner, too!  I can lift Ian with the casts on but he was in so much pain and it was a huge help to have someone there to help get him in the van and hold on to him on the trip home.

Before bed last night, Ian was trying to tell me something that I didn't understand so I got his talker and he said he wants to go back to school!  The plan is for him to go on Monday for part of the day.  I think he's tired of mom.  ;-)

Simple Joys

One thing I've learned in the last 3 years is that those of us with functional legs cannot even begin to imagine how important a wheelchair is to someone who doesn't have the ability to walk.  Because of a miscommunication with the surgeon's office, Ian ended up with a non functional wheelchair after his surgery.  In other words, we are paying a month's rental for a chair that he can't even sit in.  Anyway, our incredibly wonderful OT and PT were on it immediately  and managed to get the parts (which had to be painted and shipped from CA) here in record time, so Ian could have his chair back.  Lenard came this morning and attached them and we wasted no time!  We headed out into this beautiful weather and Ian directed me to his favorite corner.  He still LOVES watching semis roll by and tries to get them to honk.  

It all reminded me of how often we used to do this when he first came home and before he started school.  If you care to see what he looked like 3 years ago, you can go here. Some things never change. 

Not only did he get to see lots of semi trucks, but we had a caravan of large vehicles pull onto our road due to a problem.  I asked if they minded an audience while they figured it out because they were making Ian's day!  So, he got to see everything up close and personal until they pulled out again.  

You can see by the above picture, that he still has splints on, but gets the casts tomorrow.  He's doing really well but frequently asks me to take those things off his legs.  

To everyone who has been praying, thank you!  What was supposed to be a one day hospital stay turned into a 3 day visit because something made Ian very sick (anesthesia, narcotics, flu bug???) and it took awhile before he could keep anything down.  He is back to his normal happy self and boy, are we thankful!!!  Now we begin the serial casting process.

Another Surgery

Yes, I am once again woefully behind on blogging and I continue to blame it on our pitiful excuse of a computer.  However, feel free to go to Lindsay's blog to see what I was up to last week:  http://lindsayandtroy.blogspot.com/2012/09/a-week-with-grammy.html  It would take me weeks to upload all of those pictures.  

On a different note, we would appreciate your prayers for our sweet Ian as he will be undergoing bilateral hamstring lengthening on Thursday morning at 8:00 a.m. at Peyton Manning Children's Hospital.  Ian's hamstrings are very short due to the cerebral palsy and also, the fact that he has learned to use them to help hold himself up while in his chair.  They will be lengthened as much as possible and he will have full casts on both legs that will be changed every week for 6-8 weeks, as they stretch further and further, we hope.  There is no way to know if his legs will be completely straight (probably not) but our hope is that they will be straight enough that he will be able to bear weight more effectively.  This would help with transfers as he continues to grow.  We are dreading the next few weeks because we can't stand to see him in any discomfort and know it won't be pleasant.  However, if anyone can get through it with a smile, it will be Ian!  Thank you for praying!  

Field Day and Horses

I know I say it all the time, but we are so thankful for the kids' schools and teachers.  Ian's class does amazing stuff all year long that give him fantastic opportunities.  In May, he was able to participate in Field Day with all the area schools and his class also did several days of horseback riding. 

Here is part of his class as at the opening ceremony for Field Day:

Let the games begin!  Everyone had a balloon to release.

Watching the balloons fly!

Ian participated in the Bike Race.  Do you think he enjoyed it? (That is his para, Miss Becky, who is a huge help and support for him!)

 Go Ian, Go!!!

It's been 2 years since Ian has been on a horse and he's gotten so much stronger in that time! 

Of course, he LOVED riding horses......but, there isn't much that Ian doesn't love.  :-)

He even got to go on a trail ride, instead of staying in the arena.

We are blessed to have people in Ian's life (besides family) that want to see him reach his potential and love him in the process! 

Camp WACK - Year 2

On Tuesday, Ian had the opportunity to attend Camp WACK again this year.  I'm sure I said the same thing last year but it is certainly worth repeating.  What an awesome activity for kids with disabilities who will never be able to ski like the rest of us.  Ian eats it up!  The folks who founded and run the camp are amazing and the number of volunteers that it takes is phenomenal.  There are people who donate their boats, time and gas, people who give up vacation days to help get these kids in and out of the water, fitted for life jackets and skis, ride jet skis alongside, take pictures, man the activities, etc. Organizations donate lunch and make it possible to have many other fun activities while the participants wait or for siblings.  I could go on and on but the pictures tell it all.....

Here is the ham bone getting ready for take off

Telling the boat driver to "go!" 

Not a great picture, but it shows how they rig these things up for kids like Ian and the jet ski that isn't far away in case he tips over

Coming into the dock after his first "run"

 After they pulled him out of the water

Everyone receives a "medal" which was a sheriff necklace this year (western theme.)

Because Ian has grown so much and is so long, they had trouble getting him to stay in the chair when they took off.  He kept popping out (which he loved, by the way, while mom was having a coronary!)  They worked and worked until they had him safely in the seat (notice all the extra padding to keep him in.)  The staff goes above and beyond to make sure that the kids have a fun and safe day of "skiing."  We are just humbled that so many people go to so much trouble for Ian and the others to have FUN!!!  Thank you CAMP WACK!  You're all AWESOME!!!!