June/July happenings

It's been a great almost two months since my last update!  I don't think I even turned my computer on in the month of June, and this update has taken me a couple weeks to finish.  Hunter had his hole in his trachea successfully closed.  We are excited for him to not lose air out his neck as he breathes, to not have to bandage and keep water and germs out of his lungs, and for this chapter of our lives to be over.  It has been a very visible reminder of the three months spent on the ventilator unable to breathe, but also God's provision over Hunter's life.  As we met our anesthesiologist for surgery, he introduced himself and told us, "We've never met, but we are new to Southern Hills and have been praying for you."  His recovery nurse looked at him and also made the comment that she had seen Hunter on her facebook feed and was glad to meet him in real life.  We have been incredibly blessed by men and women in the medical field who are the hands and feet of Jesus to us. 

Hunter is making progress every day.  The really exciting kind of progress.  He is walking up to 100 feet at a time with his walker at therapy, practicing turning, opening doors, and navigating steps.  Getting up out of a chair requires much less effort than ever, and I really am just supervising.  He can get into vehicles with very little assistance.  His grip is not quite back to normal, but good enough to do up buttons, type on a keypad, and hold a pen.  We got his custom wheelchair, and it's much more comfortable for him.  He also got a power assist device that he just hooks onto the frame of his manual chair.  This makes it a power chair for at work.  Instead of wasting all his energy wheeling around the dealership, he just zips around.  This has allowed him to be at work more between therapy.  

Summer is going by in a flash...here's some pictures of what the Hanner fam has been up to! 

Benton's Father's Day Card (he's fishing)

Celebrating the last day of school (a few days late due to the stomach bug for Hunter)

a little occupational therapy

He made it all the way to me on this long walk:)

Reestablishing those neuro connections by crawling

Hooking up to his power attachment

Benton's birthday was June 10th, and we added a basketball goal to our driveway.  Poppa and G-Daddy put in several hours after he went to bed to surprise him.  Clayton ran to get his shovel to "be a big helper."  For his big day he went to swim lessons, had birthday lunch with Girl GG and his cousins, went to PrimeTime for the afternoon, then dinner with the Hanner clan {I forgot to take a picture:(}.  We are so proud of the young man he's becoming!  He still loves to read anything and everything about animals, knows much more about dinosaurs than I could ever imagine, and loves to play with his brothers.

The start of the evening.....9 bags of concrete, and many hours later we had a goal.   Thanks Poppa and G-Daddy!

Celebrating these two!

Primetime fun

Some pretty serious laser tag:)

We love you Benton Blayne!

The day after Benton's birthday I left with my mom, sister, and Erinn Graham for a very relaxing beach weekend in Destin.  It was good for all of our souls to take a few days to recharge our batteries.  I consider it an honor and privilege to take care of Hunter and our boys, but the caretaker role is not an easy one.  I'm thankful for a husband who recognizes when I need a break too.  This was a great view to wake up to!

our balcony

Our big decisions included deciding to lounge by the pool, the ocean, or the hot tub:)

Seafood dinner on the beach

ice cream for dinner because we could!

Meanwhile, the twins went to Angel Fire with Nana and G-Daddy, and Benton spent the week attending zoo camp during the day.  Hunter and I enjoyed getting to spend some one on one time with Benton.  Then Saturday I drove halfway to New Mexico and brought Caleb and Clayton home with me and sent Benton to Angel Fire.  The twins also attended zoo camp.  It was a great month!  Thanks Nana and G-Daddy for all your help!

swimming with G-Daddy

They got a ride in a tethered hot air balloon

Zoo campers

One of the best parts of June was that Sadie was cautiously released to be around healthy kids.  My boys have missed playing with their best buddy Hudson, and hadn't met Sadie.  She is so sweet!  We've been enjoying being all together.  

checking out her big cousin

Sadie is loved!

Zoo campers round #2

Nana all to himself in Angel Fire

It's been a long time since we've had a vertical picture!

Doing what Hanner boys do....

 With Hunter walking around more, it was time for fall training at therapy.  They practiced getting back into his chair and the soft mat was in the pediatric room.  The boys were with me and when the room cleared they got to try out some of the equipment.  It's safe to say they had a blast.   And, they next day Hunter put his fall training to good use.  Whoops!

Thank you to all of you who continue to support our family.  We appreciate all the prayers and tangible ways you've helped us along the last two plus years.  We've learned not to take anything for granted, especially the privilege of being at home with our boys.  I'm thankful for every night I get to sneak in and kiss their sleeping cheeks.  I'd ask that you would continue to pray for our family.  Pray for Sadie and her neck, and pray that Hunter continues to heal and get stronger.  It's hard to watch him be in pain, but I'm amazed every day at his strength and resolve.  I know it could only come from God!