Just so you know, I expect no less than 14 typos in this post. Still hard to type.
We've been very busy with baseball! Baseball practice, Evy's baseball games, Frisco Rough Rider games! Lots of fun for the family and Evy is learning so much!
After eight weeks in the physical therapy office, begging friends to watch my boys while I go, and wondering when this nightmare will turn: I graduated from physical therapy. Y.E.E.H.A.W. I've got about four more months of healing before the therapist thinks I'll be back to full normal use. In any case, I've got my exercises, I'm back in the pool, and I have hope.
We recently reread parts of the story of Nephi and talked about all the good choices, "Thumbs- Up," choices he made and talked about how we can make Thumbs Up choices in our lives too, right now. For the past week, we've been giving Thumbs Up to each other (either Thumbs Up cards I copied or just the plan ole thumbs up). And, it has been an amazing tool for the boys, particularly Merritt. He loves this additional, more tangible praise, that we are using and I love how using Nephi's example is helping our family.
Today we had dinner with several members of my family. When Merritt saw all the fam show up, he just glowed, told me that he was so happy, and just gave me hugs and hugs and hugs!
Last weekend, I went to Time Out for Women and reconnected with some ladies, including my SISTER!!! We had a great time. I met up with an old friend from middle school. Excellent topics, excellent company!
Merritt jumped in with both feet for his first interaction with fire ants. 30 bites on his poor wee feet. He toughed it up and made it through the rest of the evening with such courage.
We have figured out how to best help Merritt on Sundays. (1) We use a small rolly suitcase. Yes, we wheel it right into the chapel and have lots of "stuff" packed to keep him occupied. Yes, people make fun of us. But, it helps since I can't carry stuff and we bring plenty to help Merritt. (2) We break the rules and let him snack during Sacrament. (3) He leaves Sacrament early and has a "lunch" before Primary. (church is from 11-2) (4) For Primary, he gets a personal assistant in the form of me, his father, or his grandparents.
Today, Grandma and Papa were with him in Primary, and Merritt had a very positive experience. Today was the most enjoyable church services that our family has had since he started Sunbeams in January where we would leave exhausted and shaking. Evy's talk in Primary went very well. No one left frustrated, at-wit's end, crying, or otherwise stressed. Ale-freaking-luia.
The weather has been quite nice for a week now. We have the garden growing. Evy started his own indoor flower garden. And, we added two rose bushes. Evy has been asking for rose bushes for a couple of years now and he is excited that they are here.
I have lots of posts to write up. I hope to go slow and steady trying to keep up with the current and add in what I've missed writing.
