Joy in the midst of sadness

So much sadness over the past couple of weeks!  But there have also been rays of joy interspersed in there.  Yesterday was one of those.  We finally got to meet Shepherd!!!  He had a doctor's appointment at Children's in Dallas, so we met up with them there.  We sat in the lobby and played with Jesse until they finished, then we headed outside to a play area to get to know Shepherd.  Dennis had built a couple of toolboxes on Monday for the boys and we'd shopped around until we found some plastic tools to go in them.  They were a hit!  Shepherd loved the hammer the best!  I think Jesse liked the whole "package".  Shepherd is such a sweet little guy...kind of quiet, but full of energy and curiosity.  He is adjusting SO well to his new life and family!  It was fun to watch the two boys playing!

I got a LOT of exercise while at the hospital...that is a BIG place!  It really helped with my progress.  When I got home, I decided to try getting around with just one crutch.  I've tried before but didn't do well.  It went smooth as could be last night!  So I'm trying to use just the one all the time now...except at night when it gets too sore.  It definitely hurts more to just use the one!  I was hoping I might be able to throw away the crutches by now, but things aren't progressing as fast as I'd hoped.  Therapy is going very well.  I have only been able to go 2 times/week so far, but next week I'll get to go 3.  I REALLY hope I'll be in a shoe, with no crutches, by the end of next week!  Getting around with one crutch allows me a little more freedom to do things...I have a hand available for carrying.  I'm slowly starting to do more chores around the house.  The bulk of it still falls on Dennis, though.  I don't know what I'd do without him!  He asked me the other day what was the first thing I wanted to do when I get off crutches completely.  "CLEAN HOUSE!"  I never thought it was possible to miss housework!  (Most men just don't clean the same way their wives do.  Dennis is no exception!)

Sheila came over Saturday and spent the night.  We went to watch "Miracles from Heaven."  You could hear people all over that theatre sniffling and crying.  It was a good movie, but it was SO hard to watch!  On Sunday, between services, we went to a birthday party for a couple of our (joint) CASA kids.  It was fun to watch all of the little ones playing! 

Well, I guess that is about all for now.  Please continue to keep all of those who are hurting in your prayers, including the Bryant family, and especially the Pettit family.