Real Men Grill

For Father’s day the boys bought Daddy his dream grill!

Today they braved the rain and made our family dinner.

JB has been such a blessing these last few weeks and has
taken in all the knowledge from his Daddy that he could!

Smokey didn’t realize what he was getting into rain wise when
he decided that he too was one of ‘the boys.’

Ryan has been working on ‘solo’ play and has really enjoyed his time on his tummy (just do NOT mention to him that it can be considered tummy time!)

He too is enjoying having his Bubba around!

Once he found his feet he stopped everything he was doing and began watching Wipe-Out.

It’s amazing how simple life is when you’re young.

As long as you can reach (and hold on to your feet) the world is fine!

Sit-Ups

Mr. David has been working had with Ryan on his Sitting abilities.

Today was the first day I’ve been able to experience just how much progress Ryan has made!

Of course I left my phone downstairs for his first try….Which he sat minimally assisted for over 5 minutes!!

Our second attempt wasn't as successful......

 but to this Momma who was unsure she’d ever have a child
learning to sit it was just as impressive as the first!

Blessed

Gammy and the boys came home a day early from their lake vacation to spend Sunday with Mommy!!

We had a smaller crew after church this afternoon thus Ryan had his first experience (outside of his therapies) with different textures!

Ryan may have a small frame but his mind makes up for his size!

Tonight Ryan and Mrs. Cathy had a chat while eating after church!

I can’t say enough how blessed we are to attend Kentucky MBC!

I can’t even begin to express how much it means that the church loves my child as much (or more) than we do!

It's going to be quite a ride watching all of our kiddos grow!!

The begining has sure has!!

Pancakes!!!

Ryan had his first taste of pancakes while camping!!

Daddy treated us all to pancakes on the morning of the Fourth!

Ryan loves ANYTHING he can put in his mouth.

He has recently figured out how to munch the bread (or pancake) until it is into little bites......

pull it with his nonexistent teeth........

 and then eat it!!

He was of couse Very proud of himself!!

Happy Fourth Y'all!!!

Sunday Singing

Ryan had a very good night with Mommy and Daddy at his side.

He gratefully disliked that he had to miss Fifth Sunday Singing but he did his part for music that morning.

He LOVES his Piano!!

He LOVED showing off this morning!!!

Dr. M says Ryan has been doing great since they’ve been feeding his gut. Dr. M has come in the last two days and has turned his oxygen off while visiting with our family.

Seeing as how Ryan still has had his cannula in his nose his oxygen hasn’t fallen below 95%!!!

Dr. M said today that he believes that he should be able to get Ryan off of the oxygen!

It will just take some time and also take time to see if getting the lungs better will help him have better results on his swallow test.

Dr. M also gave us full permission to take Ryan out of
his room for a walk today!!

He got extremely excited when we started onto the elevator!

We visited the fishes, the big train, and then he visited the cafeteria for the first time.

Ryan fell asleep while we were eating breakfast. I don’t know if it was the stress or the exhaustion but that meal was one of the best eggs/biscuits I’ve ever had.

It was just very nice to have our family together away from his hospital room at least for a few minutes.

Gammy and Sissy brought us some of the BEST Fifth
Sunday Pot Luck!!

  I don’t have a clue how to thank everyone for their thoughts and prayers but we appreciate them so very much!!

In Honor

Whew! What a night thankfully Ryan had a much better night than his Mommy did! Apparently when a medication states not to stop abruptly it means don’t even think that you can skip one night’s dose and take it in the morning. I had crazy literal nightmare all night long. Thankfully my mom was the only one who heard me yelling in my sleep.

Today is a very special day. . . A year ago today God took all my Daddy’s pain away. I wrote today’s post before Ryan re-entered the hospital. So enjoy the pictures of our little Edward as I remember my Daddy Edward. . . .

Today’s post is in Honor and Memory of my Father
Edward Wayne Rundel.

Daddy today is your one year birthday of your entrance in heaven for us on earth. I can’t even imagine who time has flown in Heaven time. We miss you terribly but know that you will never feel pain. You are playing, singing (yes now I believe you CAN carry a tune in a bucket), and dancing in heaven.

I can’t lie and say that I’ve not missed you terribly! We’ve gone through some of the toughest times without you here over the last year. It been insanely difficult but we know that you instilled in us the courage and will to overcome all of our obstacles. God’s timing is everything. Through the loss of our son you inadvertently guided us through your own passing. I remember you telling to never worry about the money used for your last memory/time with a love one. You really did walk us through your passing. I know you wouldn’t take any credit for it but you did help us with your words you instilled in us through the passing of our son.

This last month has been especially hard for me Daddy. I’ve had to make one of the most difficult decisions of my life. Even though you’re not physically here I’ve heard your voice in my thoughts several times. You’ve encouraged and guided me through several tough decisions and this was no different. You’ve always been one of my biggest supporters throughout my college carrier and now my professional career. We used to joke and one-up each other with every raise we received. I ultimately ‘won’ but I know you wouldn’t have had it any other way! The only thing I wish is that I could have been hugged and kissed on the cheek one last time.

I know you are exceptionally proud. Two of my all-time dreams have come true this year. Your grandson at times is a complete pill just like you would have him!!! He is of course your name sake and very rightfully so!!! As of Monday I will get the opportunity to care for cardiovascular patients. Granted God had a much younger patient in mind but I can’t be more excited. I just wish I could share my excitement with you!

I have to thank you soo very much for introducing us to our new spiritual family. They have been infallible resources, comforters, teachers, and friends! We couldn’t have come as far as we have without our Kentucky MBC family.

We miss you terrible but we are going to try do to our best to celebrate your earthly one year entrance into heaven. I can’t even imagine the things you and Jesus are teaching our son Jackson. I know one day we will see you all again.

I love you Daddy!!

Therapies Here I Come!!

Dr. M has been wonderful with Ryan and today he was
able to start all his therapies again

(so not to get behind or lose what skills we have gained).

Mrs. Jenn came by and was able to watch him with his therapy!!! We all love Mr. Jenn!! She has been such a prayer warrior and great friend of family through all our ups and downs of the past year!!

Ryan has met his current OT goals with Mr. D and the hospital has started helping him work to meet his next set of goals. This is a very BIG goal!! He is now working toward sitting both assisted and unassisted.

He is also working on his Motor/Mouth skills.

He is still having a very hard time with understanding why his tummy is feeling yucky and why he is starting to feel yucky even though he was for all reasonable purposes healthy.

I had a very nice and growling send off from work. Soo after 12 hours, 5 pts, 2 with withdraw/comfort care orderes, and 1 death later I was able to clock out and start my new chapter of my life!! I’m very thankful for the opportunity to grow and learn from my prior employee. Just pray some very important things change. I can’t tell you how much I’ve hated leaving the people I’ve worked with but my family ultimately comes first.