Summer Church Picnic

Yesterday it was a beautiful day for the Annual Church of the Resurrection Picnic. We joined the group to sit and enjoy each other's company, meet a few new friends and catch up with a few old ones too! 

Jamie had quite the day and of course had seconds of the great homemade goodies brought by all the families at church. We brought a big tub of watermelon and cantaloupe that was sweet as sugar. 

We left a little early because Jamie forgot his noon medicine and I forgot to remind him to bring it! Oh well! We missed Bingo! I am sure everyone had fun!

Stretching and Pulling

In the last few weeks Jamie and I have been to visit all his doctors for his regular check ups. Well, all but the dentist- which Jamie must visit every 6 months like clock work!

In visiting his primary care doctor, I asked if he thought that some physical therapy would be a good idea for Jamie to try? I went on to say, that we had been doing some work and exercise stretches in the pool while the weather is nice and hot! His doctor agreed that PT would be good for Jamie, as I have noticed some stiffness in his gate and also some unstable walking when he is getting around at home and when we are out and about. Due to Jamie's brain injury he has overall problems with use of his right side. My concern is that over time and with aging- Jamie would possibly end up not being able to continue with the flexibility he has now and not be able to carry himself around with much more assistance than just his current cane.

We have visited the PT this week and last week. He is doing exercises daily and likes the attention he is getting from his therapist. She is very good and understands Jamie's condition and the strains it puts on Jamie's core and right side. She is working with him to try to relax his right side and straighten out his leg and ankle so that he doesn't have more problems with his hip and knee later on. We are currently checking on a professionally fitted brace for his weak ankle to straighten out the now turned leg and putting it in  proper alignment to walk much more sturdily.

As I stated, Jamie loves the attention and is sure to tell you quite a tail of how he has been doing all his physical therapy exercises daily..... You might just want to remind him when you talk to him!

Humble Hearts

Last Saturday, we visited Jefferson Barracks Cemetery to go see Victor and Yvette's graves as well as Dan's fathers grave and his great grandfathers.

If you have never been to this amazing and mournful place - you must visit. We are blessed in St. Louis to have it so near. Even if you don't have friends or close relatives buried there- it is well worth the trip! It is a truly humbling experience, to be among all those who have served in some form of military for this country- all freedom fighters! We all owe an unimaginable debt to the servicemen, servicewomen and their families for serving our country in such a brave yet, thankless way.

It's such a peace filled place and such an honor to be buried there. Every time we go- we see deer happily grazing and a grumpy groundhog or two, or the occasional scampering skunk... The view over the Mississippi River where the older soldier graves are is completely breathtaking. So many stories have found their resting place there. As you look over the graves and the names, families started and ended with each one. You have to wonder, what's his story? What is her story? Some died so young - ages 15 or 19. Some, like Victor- saw 99 years here on this side of glory.
We all miss him and all his countless stories.

Humpback Whales! Oh My!

Today was another HOT day in St. Louis - so we decided that our day date with Cindi (Jamie's Friend) we would go to see the Omnimax show at the St. Louis Science Center. We picked up Cindi and headed out to have lunch at Applebee's on the way. Jamie and Cindi have been friends for many years- they met each other working at TJMaxx and became good friends. Cindi calls Jamie every evening.

After lunch we headed off to the Science Center.... to see what was happening with the dinosaurs and to do a little whale watching.

We went to the 1pm show which is 45 minutes long... some of us saw the entire show and some of us watched a little from inside his eyelids....

After the show- which was amazing! I had no idea that in some countries it is still legal to hunt these amazing creatures! They are amazingly graceful creations.... it made me want to go to the Tongan Islands, Hawaii and Alaska...just to see them and be in their space.  The males of the species are great singers and they sing with each other...it was so cool!

We had quite a time seeing all the exhibits- learned about electricity and weather from Jamie (the expert!) and dodging all the little kids! I guess we have a few more weeks of summer fun till everyone goes back to school!

I hope you all enjoyed your day as much as Cindi, Jamie and I did!

The Bridge Kitchen and Day Shelter

Jamie was our official greeter, counter and silverware passer outer!

This past Saturday we were asked to get a group together and help out at "The Bridge" - it is a homeless day shelter and kitchen for those in need in the St. Louis area. On Saturday's they provide breakfast and lunch to anyone who comes in and also a place to rest between meals with water, bathrooms, a/c and a free phone for their use.

Jamie, Deacon Wanda and Myself looking cute in our hairnets and aprons!

This is an amazing place to witness God's grace and mercy in action. You are so humbled by each second of time there...  you realize how ungrateful we really are each and every minute of everyday and for everything we have- we are so blessed to have a home, clean clothes, to not have to worry about where we are sleeping and if  we can get a drink of water or use a restroom. As I got up that morning before we left, I thought about how I would normally say, if I had slept well or not? now-MEANINGLESS! I get up in the morning to my own bathroom, hot shower, fresh towels, AIR CONDITIONING or HEAT... to my comfort level, toothpaste, my medicine and vitamins, my skin care routine and make-up, pick out what I want to wear.... and get my day started in my own car. REALLY? I hardly ever even stop to think about these things. I may thank God for all He has given me...but, to really understand being grateful for everything God has given... you have to see what it is like to NOT have those things or anything. We were all blessed to be there.

Jamie and Deacon Wanda passing out smiles after wrapping silverware!

 We got there in time to help serve breakfast, help prepare and serve lunch. They served grits and toast, plus an orange or apple or banana for breakfast. Fr. Dan and Fr. Greg helped slice up and cook some beef and gravy. We cut up peppers, onions, tomatoes and cucumbers for a salad for lunch, along with mac and cheese and greens, and a dessert and bread. It made a good looking and smelling meal- thanks to Chef Felicia!

Chef Felicia- pray for her and the other staff of "The Bridge"!

Fr's Greg and Dan helping serve!

There was a special older lady in a wheelchair that Fr. Dan had seen there before... She was one of the last people "guests" to come in for lunch. Her smile and countenance touched my heart. You could tell she knew Jesus.  She said thank you to each of us and greeted Miss Felicia (the Chef) with a big grin and a hug. As she got her tray of food, she rolled over and filled her water bottle and went to a table by herself. Fr.Dan went to see if he could help in anyway... she declined. As she got herself settled, she opened a plastic bag filled with plastic containers with lids. She would take a bite or two and then fill each item into a small tub... seal it up and move to the next item. She was taking with her... either for herself for dinner or for someone else who couldn't make it to the day shelter to eat. It was Jesus in action.

Jaydon 4 y.o. that we got to take our break with loved to make things out of blocks!

We will be doing this again.... Jamie enjoyed the day and felt grateful for his friends and family!
It is such a blessing to serve the basic needs of people and the people and services at The Bridge are Jesus's hands reaching out to everyone!

Make Over Monday #2 & #3!

We went last Monday to a magical and mysterious store in our area called "Menards" -this place is a mixture of all kinds of wonderful and odd things. We purchased a can or 2 of paint (we are re-doing a cubbie in the kitchen as our information station) 1 can of chalkboard paint and one of white spray paint, a couple of brushes, and a box of cereal, a pair of swim trunks for Jamie and a nose/ear hair trimmer. The variety of items this store carries is insane!

We will post pictures soon of our new cubbie info station soon! We need to paint the shelf and get the cork board moved over to that area.

Today was Monday Make Over Day...as Jamie got a new haircut. We are trying to get him to go a little more modern in his style.... take up the sideburns an inch or so and go a little shorter in the back. So far, this has been a vain attempt. Ha!

P.s. He needed this new haircut because we are headed out tomorrow on a date with Cindy! To the Science Center and to see the Whale movie at the OmniMax!

Post haircut... Pre-prep for date tomorrow!