putting the pieces back together again

well, we are home now. Surgery went very well. The procedure actually started ahead of schedule, so we were out of there in just 4 hours. We awoke Brad long enough to get in the car and then he slept the whole way home. He opted to come home, rather than spend the night. I felt this was a great plan, considering that his whole foot is still numb from the anesthesia. Brad now has 3 screws in his foot that will have to be removed in 6 months. Dr. Porter was wonderful. He is easy to question and anticipated most questions with both written and verbal instructions. Prior to the surgery, he came in and knelt down at the end of the bed, took Brad's foot in his hand, and prayed. It is awesome to see a talented surgeon be humble before the Lord and to realize that his abilities come from God. Thank you all who have prayed for us. Please continue to pray for pain control, our new family schedule, and the dreaded boredom factor! 

...and the saga continues...

Peyton and Brad watching video games

Tired girl after her hard night

Boo (neighbor dog) Coal, Paige and Peyton

Brad and Paige taking a rest

Just when I thought this week couldn't get more difficult, it did. Late last night, after all wer fast asleep, things got a bit more interesting. First of all, Peyton's beloved "Baby doll" was inadvertently left at Grammy's house, so she was sleeping in her sister's bed for comfort. I was sleeping hard in my bed and Brad was on the couch. (what a shock) At midnight I was awoken to screaming. The screaming only became worse because poor Paige's caring mother was SO disoriented, that she couldn't find her way out of the bedroom! I finally got to her, and found that she had been VERY sick to her stomach, and had a fever. The house was finally calmed down within the hour, and we mostly got some decent sleep. Above, see Paige catching up on some sleep. Today has been much better, with no fevers, vomiting or crying. Please pray for us that no one else will get sick, that surgery tommorrow will go smoothly, and that the girls will be healthy for their caregivers tommorrow.

Let the games begin...

Brad and Chad made it safely home from Florida yesterday. Brad, his dad, and I headed over to Indy early this morning to see the surgeon that is going to fix up Brad's foot. And now, my living room resembles the room of a teenage boy! Brad is taking a break from his "boot" after a much needed shower and propping up his bare foot. Chad is attempting to prop up his swollen and bruised right arm. What a pair! Nothing else to do except break out the Play Station.

Friday, we will head back to Indianapolis for the surgery to fix Brad's foot. The bad news is no weight bearing for 6 weeks, the good news is that he should be back on a wakeboard next summer. (I am still not totally sold on that being good news;)

The long road home....from Florida

For the past four years, Brad has headed to the wakeboarding capitol of the world, Orlando Florida, to work on his wakeboarding skills. Four years ago, he and I headed down there and I got to watch from a really cool boat while he rode for the day with professional instruction. The trip home was a bit rough because his back hurt. I recall him laying on the floor in the airport rather than sitting in the seats because it was easier on his back. Since then, Brad has had a second operation to his right knee. An old football injury, unrelated to wakeboarding. His best friend Chad has gone with him since then and I know that they have really enjoyed going, even if their bodies hurt for days afterwards. This year, the guys didn't have the best of luck. Thursday, Chad injured his bicep. They tell me it looks pretty swollen and bruised and he can't use it. So on Friday, he was just watching from the boat while Brad rode. Brad called me Friday morning and said that he had injured his foot and was headed to a nearby ER. That was 24 hours ago and he is still in that hospital. Apparently, he seriously injured the foot and will have to have surgery soon after returning home. So, if you are reading this, please pray for a safe lengthy drive home for two injured guys. Also pray for the next few weeks and months as we deal with surgery, traveling to Indy, pain, and the immobility, which is going to hit Brad the hardest.

Back at home...

Charity and I, our last night

Me, Peyton, Paige, Sam, Josiah, Matt, Charity

Sam, Paige, Peyton, Josiah on the beach

Peyton and Paige, headed home on the plan

The girls and I are back home from our great week in the Carolinas. The flights were good, except for a slight delay in the first flight caused us to have to move as fast as 6 yr old legs can go to make it to our connecting flight back to Indianapolis. Both girls put their heads in my lap right after takeoff and they were asleep until we taxied to the gate in Indy. Of course, everyone was thrilled to see Daddy just past the security checkpoint waiting for us. So now all the clothes are put away and it is a regular Monday. We went to the pool for a few hours and may go to the lake this evening. I spent a few hours this morning suffering with a major case of "home from vacation" blues.

Almost ready to go home..

Charity posted some great pictures of our week tonight. To check them out, click here. The girls and I have had such a great time, I can't believe that we are headed home in the morning.

Greetings from South Carolina...

The chicks and I have been spending this past week with my friend Charity. Feel free to check out her blog for a few pictures of the week also. When I get home I will have a full report, but for now, I am borrowing a computer. We arrived back to her house today after a great few days in "Sunset Beach, NC." A great time was had by all! We fly back tommorrow, and while that is sad, we really miss daddy! Check out a few pictures, and check back for more updates in the days to come.