It's a Wrap!

Lots of happening here….

Darrell’s Alert Cadet unit out on a hike on a Saturday mornings at Pawtuckaway State Park….

 Darrell, Joe and Devon at the summit.

Becca with her friend Rosie.

Well, this month has flown by for sure and for certain!!  Our last week was low keyed as we started preparing our hearts to return home.  This week has been filled with connections.  We had our 3rd fellowship time with the Savage family.  This time has been sweet and we are thankful for them. There has been a huge turn over at Molly’s house and there have been no kids from the Paley Institute but it has been filled with hurting people.  This has given us many times to pray with families who are hurting and are in the area for medical treatment, watching loved ones die or have mishaps while on vacation which set them on a different course.  One thing for sure is that God is working at Molly’s house.  We did our best to be a blessing just like we were being blessed.

Above is a photo I snapped for Jacob…we saw 2 small planes being transported on this flat bed…interesting for us with his dream to purchase a plane.

We walked nightly on the River Walk in Stuart.  It was beautiful—so many folks on the weekends but we have it kind of to ourselves during the week.  There are also lots of jumping fish, crabs and shore birds.  It is such a different way of life that we have been able to experience while here in Florida.  This bird kept showing up around Sara so we made sure to snap a photo of it as we dubbed it ‘Sara’s bird.’

Jacob is sporting a new cast.  His Monday appointment was difficult for him but he did comment it was so much better than the last one on his right foot!  After 2 1/2 hours of x-rays, casting, orthotic fittings, we were finished! —he picked Spider-Man just in case you needed to know!

A closer photo of Sara’s bird in the mangroves.

Florida sunsets are so beautiful.

 Things have gone well at home despite some bumps…we are so grateful for the Winslow's who stepped up to let Becca hang out with them while Darrell was at a Cadet hike with the boys.  Such a blessing...heard our family was stepping up too.  There was a rescue in the bathroom when Becca couldn't get the door unlocked.  One of the boys climbed through the window and took the door off.  All is well now and they have a good story to tell!

Tonight we are staying in South Carolina—more on that in the next post.  We are homeward bound!

The Week of Waiting

This is a week of waiting.  It was not expected but we were delayed when our specialist had to leave the country for the week.  He often travels internationally to see patients.  There was no was no choice but to stay.

Sara found a niche and has been doing nails for the staff at Molly's place.  One of them has a wedding this weekend and she was ecstatic to be pampered.

We visited the Shell Bazarre and saw beautiful shells and then some odd things....what would you do with a gator head? Yes, they were real and yes,their teeth were very sharp!

We have enjoyed a nightly walk on the Stuart River Walk.  It is good to get outside and see the river and the sunsets. 

Today, we visited the Oceanography Center in Stuart. It is a gift from the staff here at Molly's house. We touched sting rays and some other critters.  It as so cool!  We learned so many amazing facts (well, at least mom thought so!)....it was a beautiful day too!

 This week has slipped by quickly..and Michael and Eli were in a car accident on the way home from their Father-son cadet Camp.  They are okay but the car isn't.  We are thankful for their safety.

We covet your prayers in the next week....lots going on as we prepare and return home with our last appointment next Monday.

Recovery, Home and Kid Happenings

This past week has had our family stretched out all over and keeping us all hoping.  This past weekend, El and Michael traveled to PA and stopped to see family.  You can see them above with Oma in Lancaster.  They then headed to western PA to help run a father-son camp for Alert Cadet.  These two are traveling buddies and are anxiously awaiting the adventure.

On Friday night before the boys left, we received this photo of Ben, Michael, Joe and Eli out at our favorite place to eat.  I love seeing them all together.

Devon and Becca at a splash pad in Jenson Beach, Florida.  It was right along the beach so they bounced between splash pad and ocean.

One of our nightly walks with the beautiful sunset in the background.  This was Darrell, Devon and Becca's last night before flying home....lots of emotions for sure!

Jacob on his first walk after surgery.  We took two and it over did it for him a bit.  He is hurting today so we are taking it easy for his sake.  Maybe a walk later this evening....will see.

We covet your prayers while we are all spread a part....praying for God to knit our hearts together during this time and keep each of us safe on our travels.
 

It’s Surgery Day

Today is surgery day!  I had to snap a photo of his newest cast that he had received at his last appointment on Monday.
 

Michael, Becca, Jacob, Devon and Sara in West Palm Beach with Marlago behind them.  There were secret service stations everywhere and cameras set up at the rest area on the bridge ready to snap a photo of the parking lot. Michael flew home on Tuesday to get ready to head to PA with Eli where they will help out with a Cadet Leadership Camp.

We were fortunate to visit the Cox center as a gift for Jacob being a patient of the Paley Institute.  This puffer fish above caught  my attention-it would make a great comic character.

The fish were cool—the Titanic exhibit was amazing and then there are these two in the hurricane wind exhibit.  They had a great time!

While we were at an appointment last Monday, these guys headed to the Loggerhead Turtle place where they rescue, vet and then release turtles.  This area has more loggerhead turtles than anywhere else in the world.  It is fascinating and was highlighted by watching the fish get fed.

 

Resting in the Waiting

We are tired.  The journey was long and the first day of casting and getting things settled was exhausting.  It has been good to rest in the waiting.  We've taken a few long walks-the wheelchair has been very useful.  Jacob can walk on his cast but not for long distances.

These photos were taken in downtown Stuart where we are staying at Molly's house.  We are very grateful for the community of mamas here and the network.

On Wednesday, we were invited to go fishing with other Paley Institute patients.  They provided the fishing gear and some instruction.  The wind was whipping and the tide was moving.  It made for a great day in the sun despite no fish.

Last night, we had folks come in and make dinner for us.  It was a blessing and we were thankful.  Of course, we are concerned for family at home with the ice storm.  No power is keeping everyone hopping there because it means no running water in the house for simple things like showers, drinking water and such.  We are thankful for a good wood stove to keep everyone warm. 
 

Made It!

                                                     This photo was at a rest stop in Virginia!

The drive was long but we made it safely!  We pulled in to Molly’s house around 3:30 am!  We unloaded, slept and managed to get up for church.  We then ventured out for something to eat and ended up eating Chinese food because most things were closed due to the Easter holiday.  

The beach was gorgeous and the water warm.  Did I mention we are suppose to get 7 inches of snow this Wednesday back home?

 Jacob is getting the first cast on today…a bit of nerves for him too.