So sorry it's been so long since I've posted. I have a couple of pretty good excuses....excuse #1 we were very busy last week, and excuse #2 the internet was out for a couple of days. I called in a trouble ticket to Santa Rosa today on the internet problem, and when I got my call back, it was a blog follower on the other end and she was just as concerned about us getting our internet back up and running as we were! She was in need of a blog post! So here it is Melissa and it was great talking to you today. Last Monday and Tuesday were absolutely fabulous days for Rick. But after the trip to Lubbock on Tuesday, he was pretty wiped out. We got the baclofen pump refilled and stopped by TLC to see our old friends. Everyone was really impressed with how good Rick looks. And, I got the greatest news ever...Blake Brazil is doing so well, that he will be moving to TLC. Thank you Lord! We were on the road all 5 days last week, so on Saturday morning Rick slept until 10! That is soooo late for him. The kids were out of school Monday so they went to therapy with us and gave Rick someone else to shoot his water gun at during pool therapy! Our DARS counselor called just to let me know there hasn't been any funds released in October yet, so we still don't know how much longer Rick will be on break.

Today we got to stay home...woo hoo! And I got out my journal that I've written in pretty much every night since this started. And guess what happened a year ago today. We were at Pate (nightmare) and Sid Dickson and I got into our little "discussion" about me backing off...I'm so glad I didn't listen to him and listened to my heart instead. And look how far we've come from there. I read my journal entry to Rick because he has no memory of Pate...the first sentence is, "I'm so mad right now, I could kick Sid Dickson's butt!" Rick got a good chuckle out of that. God is good and He got us out of there.

Thanks for your continued support. Just when I think noone is reading my blog anymore something funny like the phone call with Melissa happens...and btw, I don't believe that is a random thing. Thanks for the encouragement. We will finish what we've started and give God the glory!

Love,
Crystal

Good Monday morning! Here we go again. Our week will be a little bit different than normal. We go to Lubbock tomorrow for a baclofen pump refill, and will go to WF every day (except Tues) for therapy. Rick will be pooped after this week! We had a great weekend. A friend from North Carolina stopped by on his way to Knox City to see Jr Daniel. Buck Kerns usually goes to the remuda sale every year and has been a long time friend of Jr.'s. He is one of those people that we didn't know before Rick's accident, but have gotten to know since. It was great to actually get to meet him. He brought me flowers, the kids candy, and Rick some horse magazines. He also made a DQ run to get Rick a blizzard. On Saturday Cade had his first soccer game. Rick enjoyed it...got a little warm, but really enjoyed getting out and about. The kids and I went to Goree for the Jam for Jesus and I got to see some friends I haven't seen in a long time, and meet a lot of people who have been praying for Rick.

Rick is definitely getting back to his old self. One night he was in the shower and he hollered for me, so I pulled the curtain back to see what he needed, and he sprayed me down with the shower nozzle and the started laughing. I was so mad, but then, how could I really be mad? It was really great to see him acting like himself again!

Hope everyone has a great week.

Love,
Crystal

Wow! Where did September go? Can't believe time is flying by so fast! Rick has had a great week so far. At his pool therapy on Monday, they gave him the super soaker water gun again. I was sitting behind him, so I assumed I was safe, but oh no. He put the water gun over his shoulder and shot it backwards...and got me! He was so proud of himself! They like to put him on a floating mat in the pool and he was able to get up on it without much help this time. It's a good stretch for him and also good for his balance. On Wednesday he had OT and PT double teaming him, but he handled it really good. He also had a couple of therapists that don't work with him comment on how much better his posture is. And I totally agree...his posture is way better and I find that I don't have to correct him so much to turn his head to the right. Yesterday he used the Walk Aid again and again, I'm very impressed.

The kids had a good week as well. Cade has guitar lessons and soccer keeping him busy and Riley has twirling and jr high drama keeping her busy! Can't believe the first 6 weeks of school ends today...only took my kids 5 weeks to get back into the swing of things! I got to do something fun this week, too. John and Carolyn Moorhouse asked me to take pictures of some fillies and colts they are going to sell online. These babies aren't weaned yet, so I knew it would take some time to get the pics, but also knew if we were patient we'd get them. I haven't been around horses in 15 months, so this was a really great afternoon for me...I thoroughly enjoyed myself and think I got a few good pics that will help them sell their horses.

Please add Chad Lowdermilk to your prayer list. Chad is a friend of Laura Brattons and suffered a TBI last week. His is very different from Rick's in that his injury was localized and not all over. He can walk and talk, but is very confused and agitated right now. On top of this, they buried their 17 year old son just 3 weeks before Chad's injury. Please pray for Chad to get the help he needs and for the Lord to show his grace and mercy on this family.

Jesus replied, I am the Bread of Life. he who comes to Me will never be hungry, and he who believes in and cleaves to and trusts in and relies on Me will never thirst any more. John 6:35

Hoping to go to the Jam for Jesus in the big town of Goree this Saturday and maybe to the church picnic at Zion in Lockett on Sunday.

God Bless,
Crystal

We found out last week that it will probably be November or December before Rick goes back to TLC. I'm a little torn about it. In a way I would like for him to get back up there and get it over with, but at the same time, I'm not ready for him to go. We are waiting for his DARS money to be released. For those of you who don't know, DARS (Department of Rehabilitative Services) is who we have been waiting on funding from. Back in July, our insurance decided they didn't want to pay for any more inpatient rehab. But, Rick still needs inpatient rehab and DARS will pay for it. DARS is a state of Texas program that is funded by fees and fines. This money is then used to pay for rehab for brain injuries and spinal cord injuries. I filled out the paperwork back in January to Rick on the waiting list...it's a long list. I still really like rehab at NT Rehab in WF, they just don't get to see him enough...maybe 6 hours a week. Last Monday he was in the pool and was giving the therapist a hard time...and he giggled. And she just stopped dead in her tracks and looked at me and said, "Is that a laugh?" And we're hearing it more and more...it's a wonderful sound. He walked one day with the Walk Aide and worked on balance and stretching. He was able to balance on a yoga ball for 2 minutes!!! That is really good for Rick.

Rick's brother, Guy Wilhelm, and his wife Tammy came for a visit last week, too. They brought their new baby girl, Trinity Anne. It was great to catch up with them. We haven't seen them since March and they were really impressed with Rick's progress. Wish they didn't live so far away!

Our town had a big scare on Friday. A home was broken into and robbed. It was very scary. But, thanks to divine intervention, the man wrecked his stolen car about 10 miles West of town. He tried to steal another vehicle from the feedlot, but one of the employees out there caught him and drew a gun on him until the cops arrived. Come to find out, this may be the same man who attempted to kidnap a couple of children not only here, but in other surrounding small towns in the last month. This has got everyone shook up. We're so thankful he was caught and pray that our kids can grow up in a safe place.

Rick is finishing up breakfast and watching the Golden Girls. We are about to head to Wichita to start another week. So thankful for how far we have come.

Love,
Crystal

So, I noticed I didn't even post once during the week...sorry, it gets hectic with the kids having homework and after school activities. Therapy went really good this week. He got in the pool on Monday and had a great session. While I was watching him, a lady came over and asked, "Is that your husband in the pool." And I said, "yes". She said, "what happened to him?" So, I told her and she said, "Well, the lady in the pool with him is the lady I take care of, and she had a TBI, too." She went on to reassure me that Rick would get better and better and told me that lady she takes care of is still making progress even 9 years after her TBI and she looked to be about 15 years older than Rick. That was so encouraging and she didn't have to say anything to me, but she wanted to and just like all the people who have randomly approached me, I believe it's the Lord's way of saying..."I'm still here." Still working a lot on balance and also on getting on the floor an his hands and knees. Bearing weight is so good for his joints and we continue to see improvement in his left arm. And his speech has gotten better...he has improved on 2 words in particular..."peach" and "oreos". He eats about 6 peaches and about 8-12 oreos a day! And thanks to Berline Glaze we are stocked up on the peaches and will even be able to supply his needs this winter, as I have frozen about 16 dozen peaches! We got him out on Thursday morning and took him to Riley's pep rally. Our first "big" outing in Seymour. It was a little overwhelming for him, but he enjoyed seeing everyone. Reno assured him that they had missed the books at Henrietta's Pioneer Reunion and Rodeo this weekend. Rick told him that was a good thing! We went to therapy Thursday afternoon and Rick was just too tired to make it to the football game that night, so he stayed home with my mom and took a nap. Our therapy days are pretty well set as Monday, Wed, Thursdays and we are usually at home if we're not in WF.

Thanks for your continued prayers and support. People continue to amaze me with their generousity and kindness.

God Bless,
Crystal

Well, I don't know whose going to make Rick laugh first...Sophia on the Golden Girls, or my dad doing twirling routines with Riley! They are both pretty funny, and we have heard a few small giggles from Rick and yes, he still giggles like a girl! Can't wait to hear him bust out with a really good one. He only had therapy one day last week. Monday was a holliday and then Cade was sick with the stomach bug on Thursday, so we stayed home with him. The one day he went was great. They put the Walk Aide on him again and he walked 114 feet in just a few minutes. He took a break then went 64 more feet, rested again and then went 64 feet again. That is farthest he has walked in a long time. And his speed was pretty impressive. With the Walk Aide picking his toe up, it frees his brain up to think about other things like balance and speed.

Blake Brazil has been making great progress. He has already transferred from the LTAC into Trust Point Rehab Hospital and is getting 3 hours of therapy a day. He's talking a little bit and eating, too. This is so great, and I thank the Lord for all the healing he has done in Blake and in Rick. We have all come so far and we won't back down now! Just keep PUSHING!!!

He (God) Himself said, I will not in any way fail you nor give you up nor leave you without support. I will not, in any degree leave you helpless nor forsake , nor let you down. Hebrews 13:5.

Love,
Crystal

Lot's of good things to report for the last few days for Rick. He had a couple of really good therapy sessions last week, and has had a great weekend. He got in the pool last week and they made the mistake of giving him a water gun. He promptly filled it up and started spraying everyone with it. They were really impressed with what he could do in the water and are excited about getting him back in the water. It's funny, every therapist that first works with him treats him with kid gloves, and then they figure out how strong and how ornery he is and they start the plans for cranking it to him! On Thursday Kimberly and Debbie (PT's) started fitting him with a device called a Walk Aide. It is a device that attaches to the lower leg and sends electrical signals to the peroneal nerve that in turn works the muscle that lifts the toes. It worked unbelievably well...I mean I was amazed. I have watched Rick's left foot for the last 14 months and I haven't seen it move that well, ever! The PT's were very pleased and said it was as if they had woke up the nerve. What was even more amazing was that even after the device was removed, there was some carryover. Rick continued to get his toes up and not drag even 30 minutes after it was removed. We will use it for a few weeks and see how it works for him and then possibly order his own. If you want to look at the device or find out more, the website is www.walkaide.com

Saturday was such a pretty day we got Rick out of the house. After stopping at DQ we headed out to my aunt & uncle's, Tricia and TJ and visited with them for a while. My dad took him out for some more guy time yesterday. He was really tired today and we haven't done much of anything. We'll be in Wichita on Wednesday and Thursday for more rehab.

We continue to pray for God's complete healing in Rick. Healing from a brain injury is a long process and some days are more frustrating than others. The doctors say it takes at least 2 years to recover and I know God will give us the strength and the courage to face each day.

For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power & of love & of a sound mind. II Tim 1:7

Love,
Crystal