Boys' Weekend and a trip to Memphis

Since this Grammy has been missing Miss O so badly and since we actually had a free weekend, Pops gave me the blessing and go-ahead to plan a quick trip to Memphis!  (He's the BEST!!!!)  We were worried about how the boys would take it but by the time he got done telling them that I was leaving, they were ready for me to be gone so they could start their BOYS' WEEKEND!   

Olivia was sick with a stomach bug, off and on, all weekend and was kind enough to share it with her mommy, but we still had lots of cuddle time, craft time and just fun play time. She is such a sweetheart and when she cried to go home with me, I thought I would die.  Thanks for playing with Grammy, Olivia!  I love and miss you!!!!  (And thanks, Mommy and Daddy for letting me come on such late notice!)  

Grandchildren are such a blessing and joy!!!!!!!!!  

The BIG Day!!!!

Ian's power chair has been at our therapist's clinic for 3 weeks and he's been learning to drive it.  He still has a long way to go (it's a powerful chair with 2 motors and 4 drives) but we got to bring it home today!!!  Before coming home, we stopped at our church multi-purpose room for a practice run.  We were there for almost 3 hours and Ian got progressively better at learning to maneuver during that time.  He is one excited young man!!!  The independence that this will give him is not even explainable.  Research shows that independence mobility is necessary for social and cognitive learning, so we are excited to see how having his own wheels will change life for all of us (not that Ian could be any more social than he already is!)  

 And because this chair weighs more than 200 lb, we have to have a way to transport it.  Thus, the new ('03) bus!  

 The lift folds up on itself to allow for passenger entry.

 Here is the lift as it unfolds.  There are tie downs on all 4 corners as well as a shoulder harness to keep him safe.  (The restraint expert/Dad made sure of that!)

And here is Ian, ready to go!

I'll try to post videos soon!