We've been on our break for a month now and it's hard to believe a month has already gone by. I will not be ready when it's time for him to go back to TLC. Rick had a really good weekend. His brother stopped by on Friday as well as Reed Slaggle. He had really good visits with both of them. On Sunday my Dad took him riding around. He got to see Ron Lawrence and Reno Livingston and then spent some time out at Big John's. He really enjoyed his "man time". On Monday he had rehab in WF. The PT worked on his neck for quite a while and he said it felt really good. He also worked on floor to wheelchair transfers which is his least favorite thing in the world. We go back tomorrow for more and he'll actually get in the pool for the first time.

Last night we were in the kitchen cooking supper and Rick was sitting in the recliner watching TV. The next thing I know, Cade has got Rick in the floor and they are "doing therapy". Poor Rick, he can't catch a break. But, I was so impressed with Cade. He got Rick out of the recliner and in the floor, stretched his arms and legs and made him do sit ups! It was so funny and then, of course, he had to do another floor to chair transfer when it was over with.

When you pass through the waters, I will be with you, and through the rivers, they will not overwhelm you. When you walk though the fire, you will not be bunred or scorched, nor will the flame kindle upon you. Isaiah 43:2.

Good night and God Bless,
Crystal

School started on Monday, and we've almost made it through the first week. Watching the kids get on the school bus on Monday was so much better than getting pictures e-mailed from my sister like I did last year. Cade has Mrs. Livingston and Riley, of course, being in jr. high has a different teacher for every class. Rick went to rehab at NT Rehab 3 days this week. We only got in about 2 hours of therapy each day, but I'm really, really pleased with what they've done with him. Yesterday they had 3 therapists working on him at the same time. One was stretching his neck, one his arm, and the other his legs. I said, "Good Lord, Rick, you're never going to get better if you keep having all these pretty girls working on you...I mean there's no incentive. Put a couple of big hairy guys on the job and I bet you'd get better really quick!" He just smiled. He likes the therapists, too and has already shown them how ornery he can be. Just as we got home today, Terri O'Neal pulled in the driveway. It was so great to see her, and she was amazed as he watched Rick get out of the car and into his wheelchair without any help from me whatsoever. I stand there and guard him, but most of the time he doesn't need me at all. She was even able to understand everything Rick said, and when Chance called he talked on the phone with Rick, too. They of course were plotting against their wives, and how they're going to "line us out." Oh please...that will never happen! Pastor Bersche stopped by, too. He came to Wichita Falls every single day that Rick was in the hospital and we've missed seeing him.

We've been on our break for a month now and I just can't believe how much progress Rick continues to make. He is so strong and I am so proud of him. Being home has been wonderful.

The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. Psalm 23

Good night and God Bless,
Crystal

HAPPY B-DAY, RICK!

We are so blessed. Rick had a fabulous b-day and as a matter of fact has had a really good past few days. We went to Lubbock on Thursday for a baclofen pump refill. It takes 2 1/2 hours to drive there, and about 15 minutes to fill 'em up. Justin and Colby had lunch with us at El Chico's. Colby's brother, Blake is doing fabulous! Colby had taken a video of him that morning sitting on the side of his bed, moving around and following commands. It was amazing. Three weeks ago, the doctors were telling the family to unplug him, it was hopeless, but apparently God decided that the doctors weren't calling the shots and proved them wrong. We also stopped by TLC to visit everybody and got home at 5:00. Rick handled the trip very well, but on Friday he was smoked...slept in a little bit and took a long nap.

Rick shares a b-day with a few special people and it has always been a competition to see who can call who the earliest on their b-days. So, I asked Rick who his b-day buddies are this morning and he said, "Curtis Graf and Ty Watkins." I had Ty's #, so we called him first, and Rick talked so good on the phone. I didn't have Curtis' #, but it didn't matter, because Rick remembered it...can you believe that? I was pretty amazed that he would remember that # after all this time. His Aunt Linda and brother, Bryan called this morning, too and again, Rick's speech was so clear and loud...it was great. Kim, Phillip and Kelsey Graf stopped by, and then this afternoon we went to his cousin Darrell's in Vernon for a b-day party. Aunt Chyral, Granny B, Devin and Sandra and Darrell and Lauri threw the absolute best party for him. Darrell even cooked a steak for him.

Thanks to everyone who called, sent cards or messages to Rick for his b-day. We feel so blessed to have such great people around us.

Love,
Crystal

We had a good weekend. Got to see Pollye Moore and her niece Mardi Wisdom on Saturday. Chris Mooney also stopped by Saturday afternoon. On Sunday we went with my dad to check cows. That was a 3 hour trip and Rick was pretty tired afterwards. This morning after breakfast he asked me, "Is today Monday?" And I said, "yes, it's Monday August 16th...somebody's got a b-day coming up." Rick's b-day is Aug 21st, so I was thinking he would say that. But instead he said, "Ya, today is Phillip's b-day." I said, "Are you sure? " And he said, "yes". So, I called Phillip and asked him and sure enough today is Phillip's birthday. Rick even got on the phone and talked to him for a little while. I think that was probably the best b-day present Phillip got today. Today we got a visit from Johnny and Susie Miller. It was so good to see them. After they left, we went to town to support the local DQ. Rick loves a blizzard and I think that's probably one of the best perks to being home. We had a little rodeo action after his shower tonight. Rick was sitting on the shower bench trying to finish drying off, when Cade comes in and starts pestering and picking on him. So, Rick is trying to get him back and he loses his balance and falls right off the shower bench into the tub. It didn't hurt him, but it was pretty uncomfortable. I had to get my dad to help me get him out! Mom said no more bronc riding on the shower bench! He's in bed sound asleep right now and last night slept from 9:30 to 5:30 this morning...pretty impressive.

Most of y'all know by now that Ryan Rankin, north camp cowboy at Tongue River, was hurt on Saturday. He bucked off a two-year old and broke the tranverse process bones on the lower left side of his back. He is going to be okay, but is in a lot of pain. Dr. said he'll be out of commission for 8 weeks...I'm sure Ryan will say something different, and Lacey may have to rope him and tie him to a chair.

Still haven't heard back from NT Rehab so we don't know what Rick's schedule for therapy will be. We will be in Lubbock on Thursday for a baclofen pump refill.

If you want to send Rick a b-day card, send it to 18762 FM 1919 Seymour, TX 76380.

Love,
Crystal

We went to WF yesterday for Rick's outpatient rehab. We met with ST, PT, and OT. During the speech eval, Rick had his voice going the whole time...answered all her questions and did really good on his evaluation. Of course as soon as he was out of speech, he quit talking. His OT and PT evals both went well, too and I really liked all the therapists. They are going to set his schedule and try to see us 3 times a week. They haven't got the schedule set yet, so I don't know when we'll go back yet. Rick has slept through the night the last 2 nights and I'm so grateful for that. He was getting up at least once a night and sometimes twice a night to go to the bathroom. He's also napping some during the day, and I can tell a huge difference in his attitude. Today he was really hamming it up. That's my reward for all we've gone through...seeing him being himself!

The kids went to Vernon today. My sister is working at Hillcrest Pharmacy and took the kids over this morning. Aunt Chyral picked them up and they spent the day with her. They are now at Devin and Sandra's looking forward to cruise weekend. But, no peace and quiet for us...my brothers kids are here. Jace and Baby Ava...they are sweet as can be and make me wish my kids were little again.

Love,
Crystal

We had a good weekend. Made it to Tongue River early on Saturday. My Uncle John, Chris Mooney and his son Caleb, and me, Rick and Cade made the trip. We had everything loaded down by 11 o'clock...I mean everything. We are absolutely, completely packed up and out of there. It's great to get that off my mind. We got to see Stoney and Sammie, and Mary Lou and Jennifer Brady before we left. Rick was very happy to see everyone and actually managed the trip quite well. We had a visit from Tricia and TJ on Sunday morning and then PT Monday morning and this morning at Seymour. We worked with a new PT yesterday and today named Brooke. After she worked with Rick today she was was amazed at this strength...and not just his physical strength. She visited with me a little bit after therapy and said, "He will walk again...he has the ability, everything just hasn't clicked yet". It was so good to hear her say that, especially after Rick had just asked me this morning, "Am I ever gonna walk again?". Of course there has never been a doubt in my mind that he would walk again, but to hear someone whose only worked with him twice say that, well, it was very convicting for me.

I also talked to Colby on Sunday. Blake is doing better. He has been opening his eyes and squeezing their hands. They are making plans to move him to an LTAC in 2 weeks. There is still ALOT of swelling on the brain, and it will take a lot of time for it to go down. A year ago today, we moved Rick to Baylor. The Seymour Ambulance took us and my mom and dad and Aunt Sherry followed. Baylor was such a huge blessing, and I still keep in touch with Rick's therapists from there. Colby's family is looking at Baylor as the next step after the LTAC.

But I will restore you to health and heal your wounds, delcares the Lord. Jeremiah 30:17

Good night and God Bless,
Crystal

The week has been a good one. Rick continues to make improvements. He's talking more and getting stronger. The PT staff at the Seymour Hospital has been great to work with. He will go Monday and Tuesday, and then on Thursday we will got to Wichita Falls. We had a visit today from Stacia (Muffin) and Gary Antilley. Rick smiled so big when she walked in. Rick and Stacia worked at the 6666's together and gave each other so much heck it was sometimes hard to tell when they were mad and when they were kidding! It was great to see them.

In the morning, Big John, Chris Mooney and Rick and I are going to Dumont to get the rest of our stuff. We have outside stuff to get to Seymour and then I'll have that off my mind. It's not that it's in anyone's way, but we need to get it out of there.

This summer is turning out to be way better than last...we're not where we want to be, but we've come a long way and we'll get there. We just take it day to day and are so thankful to make it through each one. It has been great to be back in Seymour with family and great to see old friends that are still rooting us on.

Love,
Crystal

Finally some internet going on at the Smajstrla's...Mama even sprung for wireless...way to go Julie! Rick did not sleep good last night, so today wasn't exactly the best day. He did pull a good one today. He laid down for a nap right after lunch. The room is a ways from the living room, so I checked on him about every 30 minutes. All of a sudden we heard a big thud...Cade and I looked at each other and we were like, "what in the world was that?" It sounded like something on the back porch. We looked, but didn't see anything, so I decided to check on Rick, and where was he at? In the floor, crawling for the door. I was like, "Holy cow, Rick...what are you doing?!!!" And he said, just as calm as ever, "coming to get you." I laughed out loud and said, "ok, what do you need?" He said, "I gotta go to the bathroom." I said, "okay, lets get in your wheelchair...did you fall out of the bed?" He nods yes, and I said, "well is everything okay?" And he shakes his head no...I get a little queasy feeling and said, "oh no, what's wrong?" And he said, really loud, "I gotta PEE!!!" Okay, okay...let's get to the bathroom. He went to PT this afternoon and worked hard. This evening he got to have his first beer...well, sort of. It was a non alcoholic beer, but he didn't know the difference. And, you know that sound you make when you crack open a cold one on a hot day and get your first really good swig...you know that, "aaahhhhh"....well he did that 3 times! It was really funny.

No PT tomorrow, but I think he's gonna go check cows with my Dad...that will be good therapy, too!

He restores my soul; He leads me in the paths of rightousness for His names sake. Psalm 23:3

Love,
Crystal