One year later

When we go to the beach, 9 times out of 10, I sit back and watch every play. I have my Mommy eyes on EVERYTHING! Some times I bring my camera, so I can capture my family making memories. I love this picture so much. The only thing missing is Hunter, but he doesn't ever want to go to the beach when we go! :-) Teenager...haha.

This weekend my family came out to Jacksonville, (except Hunter, again, he would rather stay home) So we took advantage of being so close to the beach and we took the boys out to play. But to me, it didnt make any sense for us to be there without Michael, it just didn't feel right, I only had two kids to watch, I was constantly looking for that third person, but he wasn't there. Then I took this picture, and it made me tear up. (obviously I didn't want to ruin the fun by crying)

Someone is missing here :-(

This is how it should be.........But this is how it was.

Now, don't get me wrong. I want to soak up every moment I can with these two. I try to make them have fun. I try to get their minds off of all the bad that has happened. I try to assure them that Michael is going to be okay, it will just take more time. But man....I was telling my brother that when I am with Michael I am good, I can focus on everything that needs focus, but when I am with the other kids it makes me so sad because SOMEONE is missing, and its just not right.

But on that same note, the family and I had a great visit. We went to the zoo on Saturday and the beach on sunday....then they stayed an extra night and now they are both skipping school today :-)

So to rewind a little further in the week, we had our first visitor, our friend Robin came out for the WHOLE day! It was great for multiple reasons, but one was she got to follow us to his therapy appointments and take pictures that I couldnt normally take! And she was great for my moral! Thank you Robin for making that long drive up and then back home in the same day just to hang out with us! I love you and appreciate you more than you could ever know!!!!

Michael and Robin <3

Now some pictures she took for me!

Here are a few more highlights from the week....From home and Rehab!

I could explain some of these images but if you follow me on facebook, you have already seen them!

And here is high schools football shirts this year! Thank you again Wayne Timper, and Genifer Redmon.

It makes me so happy to see that people are still thinking and praying for Michael! I can't wait until he realizes how much he is loved by everyone!

So now on to his progress. He still doesn't appear to be "ready" for rehab. So we are more than likely headed home tomorrow. I have been trained on how to take care of him. They already had a hospital bed delivered to our house, with a lift. We will get his feeding machine today, his wheelchair will be delivered at some point, not sure when. And he should be getting a special carseat. His therapy appointments will be in Orlando, 3 times a week (for each type of therapy) And he will go in the middle of November sometime to have his skull put back in. Here are some pictures of his head, as his brain is not as swollen as it was, you can really see where the skull has been removed (if you don't want to see just scroll down to finish reading)

Many people ask if I am scared to have him home, the answer is no. I feel very comfortable in the things that I have learned here.
Am I bummed that he is going home? Yes and No. I obviously want him to be well enough to stay and get more aggressive therapy, but I know that this is not over, we will still be working on getting him better. He may not have as many therapy sessions per week, but thats where I step in, I have been trained on ways to stimulate him at home and I will keep that up. He may feel more comfortable at home, he has a good chance of "emerging" out of this vegetative state that he is in and then we can come back when he is ready. I know everything will work out. It is just going to take time and I will try my hardest to not get discouraged....but it may happen sometimes.

So if you are interested in visiting after we get home, let me know. We will figure out a time for visitors.

Love you all and thank you for your prayers and your many many thoughts!!!!!!