That “Deep Breath” Kind of Relief

FINALLY, we are seeing some of the balls rolling! The fruits of everyone’s labor and squeaking of wheels has really started some flames behind some of the hold ups. Praise God! We are so grateful for everyone that has been working on our behalf, at all hours of the day. Tomorrow, we are driving out to Montoursville to pick up our 2013 Dodge Caravan- Black. — Yes, we were planning on getting the Hyundai Sante Fe, but we were talked out of it, due to the fact that Tim would only be able to benefit from it for a few more months to a year or two, then we will have a big struggle or have to do a trade when he becomes chair bound. With the van, as much as I resisted, it will be much more helpful as it will be adapted for Tim to drive right up into the car and anchor his chair to the car.  However, after we get our van, we will have to send it away for about three weeks to get it adapted to transport the power chair. Then after that, it is ours! But I do get to drive it around until we need to send it away. :]

Tim is doing well with school. He ended up dropping his physics CLASS (not the major) because he was having a hard time keeping up, since he cannot type all that well. He did JUST get the tobii eye-gaze computer, maybe we can get a video up of him using it because it is AWESOME! So, he should be able to handle the work load better from here on out.  The eye gaze will be a big help in communicating and will make the hard road of decline a little more bearable.

We received the news that we have met the criteria for HFOT (Homes for our troops), which is basically a habitat for humanity for veterans. They are an organization that will build a handi-capable home for us, if our application is approved, mortgage free! However, we will be signing a contract where we agree to live there for 10 years and if we move before that time is up we need to pay the remainder of the house payment.

Grove has been doing well. He turns 1 1/2 in TWO days!! We stopped breastfeeding, so we are experiencing a bit more tantrums and he is easily upset, but we are getting through it. We also are going through the grueling task of getting him to go to sleep on his own, without being held. I know I shouldn’t have spoiled him by holding him all the time but it was time that I cherished with him. He has been doing rather well. It is becoming more routine and I believe he is getting used to it. He has had several visitors recently. Tim’s mom came to visit. His twin brother, Stephen, has been here, on average, about every other week for a couple days. He spent some time at my parents’ in Johnstown and my dad is here currently. Before all of that, Tim’s two sisters made it out, my sister has made it out and so has my mother. So far there very few of our family who has yet to see our new place.

We have met all of our neighbors. Sylvia, who is across the alley from us made us some coasters to welcome us and she made more than two “because there are always more than just you two over here”. Our upstairs neighbors, which we would appreciate prayer to have a better relationship with- they haven’t been the most welcoming, told Sarah that he didn’t know what was going on down here since there were always people coming in and out. So, I can only imagine what our visitor traffic looks like to others, but we feel the love and support and we are so thankful that God is reaching our hearts through family, friends and community.

We have a ramp! Unfortunately, it is not the VA ramp that has been “coming” ever since we moved here at the end of July. But some friends of friends have pulled some strings and had one put in. It is wooden and does the job. Grove loves it more than any of us.

Sarah and I are getting closer and closer to having everything in the right place and getting through our cleaning “projects”. I am finally being a bit more successful in my new years resolution to get rid of a lot of things and downsize our “things”. We are close to being more organized with all the paperwork and forms for Tim.