Overjoyed!

This last week has been a bit of a whirlwind in the best way.  Just weeks after Chase and Macey were told at Johns Hopkins in Baltimore that Sadie might possibly have enough bone growth by the age of 9 or 10 to not need her neck brace, she came home from her checkup without it on her first birthday.  The doctor couldn't explain her miraculous bone growth, but we know that nothing is impossible for God!  These two are living proof that God answers prayers and can make all things good in his own time.  What a great birthday surprise!  

TWO MIRACLES RIGHT HERE!!!

 Also this week, Hunter graduated Occupational Therapy.  He has spent hundreds of hours over the last year in OT strengthening his upper body.  A year ago he was working on holding his own head.  As he got stronger, it progressed to relearning how to sit on the side of the bed, reteaching his arms to lift and move, and then in inpatient therapy learning how to dress, feed, and care for himself.  When he came home from the hospital six months ago he couldn't lift his arms above his shoulders.  His upper body was nowhere strong enough to lift himself from bed to his wheelchair, or even scoot himself in bed.  His grip strength (think handshake) was 1 pound on his right hand and 2 pounds on his left.  Through much hard work he is now at 60 pounds of grip strength on both hands.  Most of his time lately has been spent at this machine below practicing twisting, rotating, and pushing on different attachments with Bubba, his outpatient therapist.  We are so thankful for his knowledge and expertise getting Hunter back to functional and working (and hunting!)  

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Thankful for Jodi and Bubba!

Just cruising without his sticks....over a football field this time!

Poor Jodi.....Hunter got this bright idea that he should get up in a tree stand to hunt this year.  He climbed the rock wall on the playground trying to demonstrate his competence.  She said therapy notes are always interesting.  For the record, she found a ladder, and tree stands will need to wait until next year;)  

Tree stand or not, these two have been out in the field for bow season!

While brothers await their turn with their stick bows.

Our family also recently got asked to give the children's offering at church.  I don't know if you can see it in the top of the picture, but Hunter left his walker behind and walked up on stage holding my hand.  It was a very emotional experience for us and we were greeted with a standing ovation.  Benton led the sweetest prayer, and we got to stand in front of many of the kids and their parents that have prayed for us for the last two and a half years.  Actually, I couldn't make eye contact with anyone or else I would have lost it up on the stage.  I don't know how anyone gets through hard times without a church family.  Without the meals brought, the days our kids were watched and driven to school, and the help around the house, we wouldn't have been able to make it work separated.  Thank you just isn't enough.

The dealership has an annual customer appreciation steak lunch to thank their customers.  It was great to get to see and hug necks for many of the people who have prayed and loved on us.  These two helped their daddy welcome guests.

Clayton is quite proud of his new boots:)

Thanks Tom, Vonda, and Erinn for coming and corralling these two wild ones!

T-R-O-U-B-L-E

 We also finally got around to visiting the allergist for food testing....and we will still be avoiding peanuts!  Thanks mom, for helping me keep their itchy arms straight and keeping them from scratching!

 Benton had an open house at school, so we saw all his work then introduced him to one of daddy's favorites from college.

frog legs and all you can eat catfish

 Soccer games and practice have kept us busy, but he's loving it!

We also did a little bird hunting one evening.  Clayton carried this bird around all night and even hid him in the garage to try and keep it for the next day.  Thankfully I found his hiding spot before it was a mess!

We enjoyed Columbus Day crafting while brothers were in school!

3/4th of my heart right here!!!

A smile has barely left my face this last week.  I can't even imagine how thankful and relieved Chase and Macey are.  Their entire life just changed course with the growth of Sadie's vertebrae.  They still have to be careful with Sadie, but can let her be a toddler and learn to stand and walk without fear.  Hunter is excited to have two less hours a week spent at therapy.  In November he will move to twice a week physical therapy instead of three times a week.  I would ask for continued prayers for Hunter' nerve pain.  It is pretty constant in his feet.  His foot and toe movement gets better and stronger slowly, but the nerve pain is still there.  He's still having a hard time sleeping, and that isn't fun.  When I look back on what life looked like last year, I can't help but be amazed by how far our family has come.  I saw this verse on a friend's instagram this morning, and it struck me.

"We will shout for joy when you succeed, and we will raise a flag in the name of our God.  May the LORD give you all that you ask for.  Now I know the Lord helps his appointed.  He answers him from his holy heaven and saves him with his strong right hand.  Some trust in chariots, others in horses, but we trust the LORD our God."

Psalms 20:5-7