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