8/2/2008
Jessie had a special PT helper on Friday. She was riding the bike in the hallway and Dr. Marks jumped on for a ride! She really had to work those leg muscles but she hung in there and did a great job.
Saturday, August 2, 2008
Thursday, July 31, 2008
Jessie Gets to GO HOME ! It's Time for a PARTY !
http://www.hemifoundation.org
http://www.prayforjessie.org
I have two really exciting pieces of news today!! The first is that the doctors told us yesterday, that Jessie will be discharged on Thursday, August 7th!! Horray! and Praise God! After two months, our whole family will finally be back together again!!!
In honor of Jessie's return, Caren Jennings and many other "angels" are plannning a special evening. All of Parker County is going to have a party for Jessie when she comes home to Aledo. (As close as she is, she has yet to set foot in Aledo.)
On Saturday, August 16th, from 6-9pm at Bearcat Park in Aledo, everyone is invited (and I do mean everyone!) to come and meet our family and Jessie! We really can't wait to meet so many of you in person and thank you for all you have meant to our family these past few months.
There is a wonderful playground for the kids to play on and we'll have a band playing. Weatherford Regional Medical Center is selling peach "Juleps for Jessie" and will donate the proceeds to The Hemispherectomy Foundation -wow! Ridgmar Mall is helping us out with many things and even donating a gift certificate for a drawing that night! We've got some clowns coming and there will be food! It's all starting to come together! We're really excited to be celebrating Jessie coming home to our home. We miss her there.
I know it's going to be a hot August night, but we'll have lots of tents and tables and chairs for everyone. As things come together more, we'll pass that information on to you. If a business would like the opportunity to get involved, please call Caren Jennings at 817-308-8654 or email her at caren@hemifoundation.org and speak with her. She is organizing this event for Jessie.
God Bless you and Thank You again for all your prayers and support. I look forward to seeing you at the homecoming party!!
Cris (doin' the happy dance)
http://www.hemifoundation.org
http://www.prayforjessie.org
http://www.prayforjessie.org
I have two really exciting pieces of news today!! The first is that the doctors told us yesterday, that Jessie will be discharged on Thursday, August 7th!! Horray! and Praise God! After two months, our whole family will finally be back together again!!!
In honor of Jessie's return, Caren Jennings and many other "angels" are plannning a special evening. All of Parker County is going to have a party for Jessie when she comes home to Aledo. (As close as she is, she has yet to set foot in Aledo.)
On Saturday, August 16th, from 6-9pm at Bearcat Park in Aledo, everyone is invited (and I do mean everyone!) to come and meet our family and Jessie! We really can't wait to meet so many of you in person and thank you for all you have meant to our family these past few months.
There is a wonderful playground for the kids to play on and we'll have a band playing. Weatherford Regional Medical Center is selling peach "Juleps for Jessie" and will donate the proceeds to The Hemispherectomy Foundation -wow! Ridgmar Mall is helping us out with many things and even donating a gift certificate for a drawing that night! We've got some clowns coming and there will be food! It's all starting to come together! We're really excited to be celebrating Jessie coming home to our home. We miss her there.
I know it's going to be a hot August night, but we'll have lots of tents and tables and chairs for everyone. As things come together more, we'll pass that information on to you. If a business would like the opportunity to get involved, please call Caren Jennings at 817-308-8654 or email her at caren@hemifoundation.org and speak with her. She is organizing this event for Jessie.
God Bless you and Thank You again for all your prayers and support. I look forward to seeing you at the homecoming party!!
Cris (doin' the happy dance)
http://www.hemifoundation.org
http://www.prayforjessie.org
Tuesday, July 29, 2008
Before Seizures, Hospitals, and Doctors
http://www.hemifoundation.org/
http://www.prayforjessie.org/
I started looking through old pictures tonight of Jessie before she got sick. It was a bitter-sweet kind of journey, but all-in-all, I enjoyed the walk down the path. She has always had such a great outgoing personality, and that hasn't changed post-surgery. Thank God!!
I will post a few of my favorite memories.
Jessie and Matt's bond building early.
Jessie's first haircut.
http://www.prayforjessie.org/
I started looking through old pictures tonight of Jessie before she got sick. It was a bitter-sweet kind of journey, but all-in-all, I enjoyed the walk down the path. She has always had such a great outgoing personality, and that hasn't changed post-surgery. Thank God!!
I will post a few of my favorite memories.
Jessie and Matt's bond building early.
Introduction to Baseball.
Having fun with her stinky brothers!
Jessie's first haircut.Summer Fun!
Glamour Girl !!
She has always loved to strike a pose.
And Yes, she has always loved pink !
And her dog, Carlie.
The doctors are begining to talk about release dates...and Jessie will finally get to come home. I'll keep everyone posted as to what they say.
Thanks for the prayers, encouragement, and also a big thanks to those of you who have brought food over. It has really helped with our transition back into the real world.
Have a Blessed night and tomorrow.
Cris
Monday, July 28, 2008
On Credit
http://www.hemifoundation.org/
http://www.prayforjessie.org/
This past Sunday, I finally got to go back to church and it felt really good. When I drove up to New River Fellowship, near Aledo, It just felt like being home again. Unfortunately it wasn't the whole family, because Kristi was up at the hospital, and Matt was off at Church Camp. But Jake, Josh, and I sat together and bonded as we listened to The Word and a great lesson on what a church should be. Quite frankly, I think that the twins couldn't wait til it was over so thy could play their DS game...oh well, I enjoyed being back.
Now I know that the Building is not "the church". I know that the church is the congregation, the mission, the dedication to our Lord, and so much more. But nevertheless, it felt good to be under that roof. It felt more "official" as I sat there and prayed in silence and thanked God for all that He has done for Jessie and our family over the past months. I praised Him for the many wonderful and amazing things that I saw in Baltimore. God has heard me thank Him and praise Him many times over the past few months (many time per day), but this simply felt more formal and ceremonious, because I was back at New River. The hospital PICU or Rehab just doesn't exude the same atmosphere.
Anyway, before I got to church that morning, I decided that I was going to dedicate that service to thanking and praising God for getting Jessie and our family through the past two months. I still listened to Pat Kelley's message, but every chance I got, I closed my eyes and gave our Father in heaven the credit for everything that has happened. He did some wonderful things and I praised Him for the wonders that He showed us.
It's kind of interesting when you think about it, but when you thank someone, you are giving them credit. You are saying "You did something and I appreciate it." I guess when you thank God, you are giving Him the credit too. Or as most would say, "giving God the Glory".
You have to excuse me, I'm not too good at church speak. I'm so glad that I can pray silently, because I'm quite sure people would be amused at what I tell God. Don't get me wrong. I very much admire those that can pray and speak aloud about the Glory of God. I find myself so captivated by their ability to put it into beautiful words, but I unfortunately don't have that gift.
So, after the service was over, I felt a deep calm. I felt like that I was finally able to officially give God the Glory in which He is worthy. Maybe it was the music. Maybe it was the message. Maybe it was getting a good night sleep finally. I think that maybe it was God saying "your welcome". I don't really know, but I was at peace.
I hope that all of you who have prayed for Jessie and for others in need feel the same kind of peace as I do. We so much appreciate your prayers. The power of prayer, combined with the God given talents that each of us are blessed with is an incredible force.
I know that Jessie has a long road ahead of her, but I also know that prayer will help her through the toughest of times.
God Bless all of you who have prayed for Jessie and who have kept up with her story. We are deeply touched.
Cris
P.S. Here is a really cool video that what passed on to me by a friend. It is really fun to watch. Thanks Mel. http://www.mychurch.org/blog/30635/coolest-video-ever
http://www.hemifoundation.org/
http://www.prayforjessie.org/
http://www.prayforjessie.org/
This past Sunday, I finally got to go back to church and it felt really good. When I drove up to New River Fellowship, near Aledo, It just felt like being home again. Unfortunately it wasn't the whole family, because Kristi was up at the hospital, and Matt was off at Church Camp. But Jake, Josh, and I sat together and bonded as we listened to The Word and a great lesson on what a church should be. Quite frankly, I think that the twins couldn't wait til it was over so thy could play their DS game...oh well, I enjoyed being back.
Now I know that the Building is not "the church". I know that the church is the congregation, the mission, the dedication to our Lord, and so much more. But nevertheless, it felt good to be under that roof. It felt more "official" as I sat there and prayed in silence and thanked God for all that He has done for Jessie and our family over the past months. I praised Him for the many wonderful and amazing things that I saw in Baltimore. God has heard me thank Him and praise Him many times over the past few months (many time per day), but this simply felt more formal and ceremonious, because I was back at New River. The hospital PICU or Rehab just doesn't exude the same atmosphere.
Anyway, before I got to church that morning, I decided that I was going to dedicate that service to thanking and praising God for getting Jessie and our family through the past two months. I still listened to Pat Kelley's message, but every chance I got, I closed my eyes and gave our Father in heaven the credit for everything that has happened. He did some wonderful things and I praised Him for the wonders that He showed us.
It's kind of interesting when you think about it, but when you thank someone, you are giving them credit. You are saying "You did something and I appreciate it." I guess when you thank God, you are giving Him the credit too. Or as most would say, "giving God the Glory".
You have to excuse me, I'm not too good at church speak. I'm so glad that I can pray silently, because I'm quite sure people would be amused at what I tell God. Don't get me wrong. I very much admire those that can pray and speak aloud about the Glory of God. I find myself so captivated by their ability to put it into beautiful words, but I unfortunately don't have that gift.
So, after the service was over, I felt a deep calm. I felt like that I was finally able to officially give God the Glory in which He is worthy. Maybe it was the music. Maybe it was the message. Maybe it was getting a good night sleep finally. I think that maybe it was God saying "your welcome". I don't really know, but I was at peace.
I hope that all of you who have prayed for Jessie and for others in need feel the same kind of peace as I do. We so much appreciate your prayers. The power of prayer, combined with the God given talents that each of us are blessed with is an incredible force.
I know that Jessie has a long road ahead of her, but I also know that prayer will help her through the toughest of times.
God Bless all of you who have prayed for Jessie and who have kept up with her story. We are deeply touched.
Cris
P.S. Here is a really cool video that what passed on to me by a friend. It is really fun to watch. Thanks Mel. http://www.mychurch.org/blog/30635/coolest-video-ever
http://www.hemifoundation.org/
http://www.prayforjessie.org/
A Pink Surprise and a Little Fun
7/28/2008
Jessie had another great day, working hard in therapy. Today the therapy dogs came to visit - that was a real treat!
The last few weeks have been pretty busy and a few stories didn't have the opportunity to be told so I'm playing a little catch up this evening. The first was a great surprise and the second is just a few pictures of Jessie and Papa having a little fun.
On July 18, the day Jessie came home to Texas, her Gram and Papa Kelley called to tell us about a surprise they received. The story actually began last year when a volunteer Hollyhock plant started growing in their flowerbed next to the aspen trees. It never bloomed but it was pretty so they left it alone, expecting it to die over the winter. Well the plant came back and by the first of July it was full of buds. This plant started opening PINK blooms the day Jessie came home! What a wonderful, PINKALICIOUS surprise!
Jessie had another great day, working hard in therapy. Today the therapy dogs came to visit - that was a real treat!
The last few weeks have been pretty busy and a few stories didn't have the opportunity to be told so I'm playing a little catch up this evening. The first was a great surprise and the second is just a few pictures of Jessie and Papa having a little fun.
On July 18, the day Jessie came home to Texas, her Gram and Papa Kelley called to tell us about a surprise they received. The story actually began last year when a volunteer Hollyhock plant started growing in their flowerbed next to the aspen trees. It never bloomed but it was pretty so they left it alone, expecting it to die over the winter. Well the plant came back and by the first of July it was full of buds. This plant started opening PINK blooms the day Jessie came home! What a wonderful, PINKALICIOUS surprise!
Over the July 4th holiday weekend, not only did the boys visit Jessie but Gram and Papa Kelley were there too. While the boys were on their trip to see Camden Yards and the Rangers play the Orioles, we had a little fun too! Ladies and gentlemen, I present Hannah Jessie Montana and her sidekick Papa Montana!
Have a great evening and try to stay cool! It was above 105 here today! I guess it was a good day to stay inside for therapies!
Kristi
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