and then there's this

i came across this little jewel during one of the countless hours at the hospital. it's just one of those things that make me laugh each and every time i see it.



heh

what i got for christmas

i received this link from another friend. it was a great gift and i'm re-gifting it to you:

http://sports.espn.go.com/espnmag/story?section=magazine&id=3789373

i also got my son home from rehab in time to celebrate this season with our family.

i got to see the looks on the grandchildren's faces when they opened their gifts.

i got to ride my motorcycle on christmas day with my husband.

i got to share baked goods with someone that had none.

i got to make a new friend.

and i haven't even eaten our holiday meal yet.

unbelievably gifted this year, i am. special thanks go out to the Lord my God.

i wish the same for you.

Christmas Letter from Jesus

i received this from a good friend of mine. although it's not from the Word, it contains the spirit and i liked it a lot, so i'm posting it here.


Christmas Letter from Jesus
==================


Dear Children,

It has come to my attention that many you are upset that folks are taking My
name out of the season. Maybe you've forgotten that I wasn't actually born
during this time of the year and that it was some of your predecessors who
decided to celebrate My birthday on what was actually a time of pagan
festival. Although I do appreciate being remembered anytime.

How I personally feel about this celebration can probably be most easily
understood by those of you who have been blessed with children of your own.

I don't care what you call the day. If you want to celebrate My birth, just
GET ALONG AND LOVE ONE ANOTHER.

Now, having said that let Me go on. If it bothers you that the town in which
you live doesn't allow a scene depicting My birth, then just get rid of a
couple of Santa's and snowmen and put in a small Nativity scene on your own
front lawn. If all My followers did that there wouldn't be any need for such
a scene on the town square because there would be many of them all around
town.

Stop worrying about the fact that people are calling the tree a holiday
tree, instead of a Christmas tree. It was I who made all trees. You can
remember Me anytime you see any tree. Decorate a grape vine if you wish: I
actually spoke of that one in a teaching, explaining who I am in relation to
you and what each of our tasks were. If you have forgotten that one, look up
John 15: 1 - 8.

If you want to give Me a present in remembrance of My birth here is my wish
list. Choose something from it:

1. Instead of writing protest letters objecting to the way My birthday is
being celebrated, write letters of love and hope to soldiers away from home.
They are terribly afraid and lonely this time of year. I know, they tell Me
all the time.

2. Visit someone in a nursing home. You don't have to know them personally.
They just need to know that someone cares about them.

3. Instead of writing George complaining about the wording on the cards his
staff sent out this year, why don't you write and tell him that you'll be
praying for him and his family this year. Then follow up. It will be nice
hearing from you again.

4. Instead of giving your children a lot of gifts you can't afford and they
don't need, spend time with them. Tell them the story of My birth, and why I
came to live with you down here. Hold them in your arms and remind them that
I love them.

5. Pick someone that has hurt you in the past and forgive him or her.

6. Did you know that someone in your town will attempt to take their own
life this season because they feel so alone and hopeless? Since you don't
know who that person is, try giving everyone you meet a warm smile; it could
make the difference.

7. Instead of nit picking about what the retailer in your town calls the
holiday, be patient with the people who work there. Give them a warm smile
and a kind word. Even if they aren't allowed to wish you a "Merry Christmas"
that doesn't keep you from wishing them one. Then stop shopping there on
Sunday. If the store didn't make so much money on that day they'd close and
let their employees spend the day at home with their families.

8. If you really want to make a difference, support a missionary -
especially one who takes My love and Good News to those who have never heard
My name.

9. Here's a good one. There are individuals and whole families in your town
who not only will have no "Christmas" tree, but neither will they have any
presents to give or receive. If you don't know them, buy some food and a few
gifts and give them to the Salvation Army or some other charity which
believes in Me and they will make the delivery for you.

10. Finally, if you want to make a statement about your belief in and
loyalty to Me, then behave like a Christian. Don't do things in secret that
you wouldn't do in My presence. Let people know by your actions that you are
one of mine.

Don't forget; I am God and can take care of Myself. Just love Me and do what
I have told you to do. I'll take care of all the rest.

Check out the list above and get to work; time is short. I'll help you, but
the ball is now in your court. And do have a most blessed Christmas with all
those whom you love and remember:

I LOVE YOU, JESUS

~Earthly Author Unknown~

and just so you know, i love you all too.

God's Peace

home

austin went home yesterday and is safely resting today. he's happy to be back with his brother, sister-in-law and the kids. i'm happy for him.

today i am visiting with my mother. then baking some cookies and spending some time with my husband. i've missed that because i really like him.

maybe things will go back to normal for the most part for a while. i'm looking forward to that.

home again, home again

austin will be discharged to home on either wednesday or thursday. i'm thinking wednesday. the PT/OT staff is already asking if we can think of anything else they need to teach him. he's doing great.

his surgeries are healing, he had a followup with the knee surgeon yesterday, will be fitted with a new LCL brace today. this afternoon is the weekly rehab staff meeting where they will discuss the progress of each patient. but the doctor himself thought wednesday or thursday and that was last week!!

yesterday we went to his first followup at the clinic. we waited for over 3 hours to be told, yep, it looks good but it's not healed yet. we go back on 12/31 to hear the same thing about his arm/wrist/hand/other knee. but he's healing, and that's the important thing.

i took him next door to the hospital to visit one of his old roommates. this kid, same age, was hit 5 times with an AK47. those rounds are HUGE and he's lucky to be alive. he required a skin graft to cover at least one of the wounds and was transferred to the burn unit for follow on treatment. different floor, different world. he had been provided with a wii to play, given food vouchers, etc. living the life, that one.

by the time we hit the rehab center again, transferred from the wheelchair to the walker to the car, drove to the facility and reversed the whole scenario, austin was exhausted and frustrated. he said "i just want to walk again, i'm so sick of this sh*t." and i don't blame him, i'm sick of it too. everything is an ordeal.

but he's alive. and i must remember that for as severe as the accident was, he survived and is alive and able to complain. there are a lot of people that would rather be in his shoes than where they are.

i'm getting my first facial today, then it's off to shopping and visiting austin one last time before bringing him home. i can't believe i just ended that previous sentence like that!!

rehab

and so begins the next phase of austin's recovery. he was transferred to st. lukes acute rehabilitation center. he will receive 3 hours of intense physical and occupational therapy each day.

the physical therapy concentrates on building his strength for mobilization, the occupational portion teaches him life skills and dealing with his broken parts while they heal. he got dressed today for the first time since the accident. i can say it was very refreshing to see him in something other than that green hospital print with the snap shoulders/sleeves and tie back side. they are easy to change, but not the fashion statement for a 20 year old male.

underarmor was the label of the day.

he has already informed all his therapists of his christmas goal. they all said it was attainable depending on how hard he's willing to work.

i'm looking forward to this portion being over and him being at home.

let it snow. . .

okay, empty threat for arizona, but the weather is cooling off (finally) and we even had rain today.

19 days at the hospital and it appears as though austin will be transferred to a rehab facility for 1 - 3 weeks. he's determined to be home for christmas. they told him he's young, and that was an attainable goal if he works hard.

when asked what he wants for christmas, he says "to go home".

i'm praying he makes it.