New Tricks!

It's been another great week of progress at the Hanner house!  This week at therapy Hunter learned how to load and unload his walker himself, practiced walking with a cane, and continues to work on his balance and strength.  Sunday was the only day I unloaded his wheelchair from the truck.  The rest of the week he's used his walker around the house.  

Benton has enjoyed attending art camp in the afternoon, Caleb has spent most of his week with grandparents due to hay cut in the field behind us, and Clayton and I have enjoyed some one on one time.  There's not a day that goes by that I'm not reminded in some way how close we were to losing Hunter, and how hard it was to be away from the boys.  For me, gratitude keeps me from taking normal everyday things for granted, and it helps remind me of just how God has blessed Hunter's life and the life of our family.  

Sunday funday!

Since Hunter has mastered walking with his rollator, the main focus of therapy lately has been independence.  The stair that gave him grief last week...now he's got that down easy.  He either lifts the walker, or uses his thigh to bump it over the hump.  I stopped by his PT on Monday and snapped a few pictures of him learning to get his rollator in and out of the truck.  First he opens both doors, walks to the back seat, holds on the door for balance, grabs the walker with his right arm, lifts it in, then uses the doors for balance to get back to the driver's seat.  He has come so far!  And all of this was after he walked 287 feet.  He put his new skills to use on Wednesday night as I was at church yoga when he got off work.  It has to be the best feeling for Hunter to be able to come and go.  The only thing I've been helping him with at home is putting on his socks and shoes.  His flexibility to reach his feet is still a work in progress;)  From someone who could not even breathe for himself, talk, eat or drink, or move a single muscle-this is huge to be back totally independent! 

Jodi is coaching him on exactly where to stand and lean.  She's the best and we love her!!!

Totally independent driver right here!!!

Headed back to the drivers' seat

Then to top it off, practicing with a cane!  His first steps were in June, so he's progressing so well!  

I drug out our water bounce house.  They still love it just as much as two summers ago!  Thanks Nana!

Me:  Look a lizard!  Benton:  MOM, that's a five striped skink.  I'll catch him some bugs to eat.

The lightning strike took out the x-box, so on Amazon prime day I replaced it.  There's been some Big Game Hunter and Kinect Adventures going on this last week:)

Every night one of the boys requests a snowcone....occasionally we say yes!

Michelle and Zach were out of town and their crew came over one day.  I believe we were learning "knock out."

Cousin fun!

These two had a big time this week too!

Meanwhile, Clayton has been loving the only child life in the afternoons!

So gross!  This coach whip was in one of the windowsills while we ate dinner.  Entertainment was watching Mark and Chase go after it!

This guy was at work with Nana one day.  Hunter said he figured out how to work the phone system and was calling people from Nana's office.  He's trouble!

Fish or bird/the scream/jackson pollack/poppies for Benton's art camp

Clayton needed to sit with his momma, as he whispered he was going to love me forever.

On this exact day one year ago, we had our "we finally are finished with transplant" checkup in Houston.  Hunter was taken off antibiotics, given his first round of vaccines, and his antifungal was switched to a more mild one.    

July 25, 2014

Two weeks later he started to get pain and weakness in his hands and feet.  We thought that transplant was difficult, but it didn't even begin to touch the AIDP battle that Hunter has fought over the last year.  Hunter and I have both emerged stronger, more faithful, more appreciative, and with an entirely new perspective on family, friends, and what trust in the Lord looks like.  God carried us, and He is more real and present in our worst times on this earth.  Friends and strangers alike have blessed us with prayers and helped us in meaningful ways.  We've experienced a God given miracle of healing, been touched by a plan that we are watching unfold here in our part of Texas, and across the world in Rwanda.  I probably have more questions than answers, but two things I do know is that prayer is powerful and God is good.  I'd ask that you continue to pray for the healing of Hunter's nerves, and for sweet Sadie's vertebrae.  Thanks for being a part of our journey!