Today is the first day of school for the girls. Audrey is in 8th grade and Emma in 5th. I am doing ok with Emma being a 5th grader but Audrey in 8th grade? That's a little harder to swallow. THat means she'll be in high school next year. I am definitely not read for that. She turned 13 a couple of weeks ago and got a lot of privileges to go along with her official move into the teen years. She got a cell phone, some makeup, permission to shave her legs and a computer for school (although so far it has been used for everything but school. It just feels like she has grown up over the summer. Doesn't hurt that she is about 5'4" and wears a women's size 10 shoe!
Audrey has also really developed her style over the summer. Up to a certain age it seems like kids will wear whatever you put on them, but Audrey has some very strict ideas about what she will wear and what she won't. She is especially interested in wearing clothes she has "modified" which is a nice way of saying "cut up with scissors." Of course she isn't allowed to wear her creations to school thanks to the dress code, but she has plenty of other funky/punky stuff to wear. It compliments the sort-of mohawk we allowed her to get a week ago. Regardless, the girl has developed a definite taste and style.
Emma is still her happy-go-lucky self. She has taken a special interest in the garden and all the cool plants we have int he back yard. number of ladies came to the house at the beginning of the summer and put the garden in but Joanne hasn't been in much shape to attend to it, so it has become Emma's garden. She waters every day and fusses over the plants, harvesting some peppers here and some tomatoes there. We have had enough lettuce for exactly 1.5 salads. Still, it is fun to see her take and interest and work so diligently on the garden. Also cool that she has a class of 13 kids this year! She is going to absolutely thrive in a smaller class environment.
Joanne is still making a little progress here and there. She does a lot of therapy every day; primarily PT and then sees her speech therapist a couple of times a week. Joanne's dad has proven to be a very gifted physical therapist so he works with her most days. On the days that I am home I do her exercises with her, but I am much less skilled then Joannes dad has become. Joanne still deals with a lot of emotions involving her current state. She is so frustrated that she can't do the "normal stuff." But I believe with time she'll improve and be able to tackle things like school chapel and going to the Walmart. Right now things like that just massively over-stimulate her and she struggles to keep it together.
He is walking with the use of a cane but cant go far before she is exhausted so we usually roll around in the wheelchair when we are out.
Prayer requests:
1. Our cat pumpkin escaped a couple of months ago and is living under our deck. She has been impossible to catch and get back into the house. We miss her and would love to have her back inside, especially before it starts to get cold.
2. Joanne's spirits are pretty low and she needs encouragement. Please pray that things would come along to brighten her days.
3. Please pray for a good start to the school year for the girls.
Toben
I pray daily for your family renewed hope and new mercies every morning...endurance......strengthen...physical,spiritual and emotional and ultimately complete healing. I hope it encourages your family that God would lay you all on a strangers heart to pray daily for someone she has never met...and I am sure I am not the only one.
This is kind of sweet...this morning your girls were on my heart...I hope this shows of God's faithfulness to you all.
Blessings...upon blessings~
Thanks for the update.
Posted by: r.elliott | August 17, 2011 at 08:05 AM
Our girls are the same ages and grades. :) Chloe and Audrey actually share a b'day...SOO....I am praying for your girls each morning as I pray for mine. (Especially our new teens!)
Blessings,
stephanie
Posted by: OceanMommy | August 17, 2011 at 08:17 AM
Continued prayers for you and your family! May God bless and keep you as you take these next steps. Praying that the girls have a fantastic school year! Praying that dear Pumpkin comes out from under the porch.
:)
Posted by: Amelia in NC | August 17, 2011 at 08:19 AM
Dear Joanne,
I'm praying for you, and will continue to pray for your recovery. I pray God just removes your physical barriers and lifts your spirits. You are such a strong and beautiful woman. Remember our trials are our crown of glory!
"Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and peition with thanksgiving, present your request to God. And the peace of God which transcends all understanding will guard your heart and your minds in Jesus Christ." Phillipians 4:6-7.
Know that God will restore and you have a mighty purpose! Lots of love to you and your family!
Chere
Posted by: Chere | August 17, 2011 at 09:44 AM
What a blessing Joannes' precious dad has continued to be.
I'm still following your marathon so I appreciate all the specific details of your update.
Praying now, Michal Ann
Posted by: Michal Ann | August 17, 2011 at 11:44 AM
Love you all.
Posted by: Kristen | August 17, 2011 at 11:58 AM
Stroke recovery is hard work! I think in some ways the hardest work is emotionally. I am especially praying for Joanne that she comes to a peace with where God has her now. Toben, thanks for truly standing with her.
Posted by: Marena Sheffield | August 17, 2011 at 01:40 PM
Covering the prayer requests.
Kim Feth
Apex, NC
Posted by: Kim Feth | August 17, 2011 at 02:24 PM
Praying for your family! You have become precious to me. When you share, I smile with you, cry with you, pray with you and hope with you!
Posted by: Lee Ann Lee | August 17, 2011 at 02:28 PM
I have been "watching" Joanne since the first day of her stroke. I don't exactly recall how I got directed to her blog that day, but I had. So I have been praying for this amazing woman for several months now. I have watched her go from a woman knocking on Heaven's door to a woman, living back home with her husband and lovely girls. I have been inspired by her, cried with her, laughed with her and at Toben through all of this. Please let Joanne know that she is an incredible example of the Miracle that God has given her and I am privileged to "witness" it all via the blog. Thank you and know that this gal from little ol' Roseburg, Oregon is thinking and praying for you!
Posted by: Brandi Luiz | August 17, 2011 at 02:39 PM
Hey Toben and family. Thanks for updating the blog. We like to keep up with what is going on with you guys and appreciate that you take the time to let everyone know.
We continue to pray for you all. I'm glad Joanne is "taking some things back" that she needs to feel like herself again. I'm excited for her progress and I know you'll all persevere.
Hugs all around,
Lisa Brooks
Posted by: Lisa Brooks | August 17, 2011 at 02:49 PM
What a guy Joanne's dad is! Praise the Lord for wonderful fathers!
Will continue to pray for the whole family and especially Joanne!
Posted by: Janet Cline | August 17, 2011 at 03:42 PM
Glad there are so many good things about the start of school--and Joanne, I am praying that every day will get a teeny bit easier and a whole lot brighter. : )
Whatever pace you set is right--you are amazing.
love,
lisa c.
Posted by: blessed | August 17, 2011 at 09:05 PM
Lord I ask that you be with this family and that you allow Pumpkin to realize that she needs to come back into the house before the cold long winter. I ask that you be with Joanne and allow her to give herself time to relearn what was so easy for her a few months ago...that is a hard one to learn Toben..I have been there. Time will heal her and she will learn to adjust. And last but not least God be with the girl's as they go to school and learn. Aubrey needs your guidance the most with this new teen thing going on. Help her to still ask for Joanne and Toben's guidance and not just get it from some friend who wants to sway her. In all this I pray in Jesus Name. Amen.
Posted by: Patty McCabe | August 17, 2011 at 10:52 PM
My 2 oldest kids are the exact ages of your girls, except my 5th grader is a boy! I completely understand about having an 8th grader, it's scary!!!
I think of y'all often, always praying! Love y'all dearly.
Posted by: Cheryl | August 18, 2011 at 07:24 AM
Joanne,
You are such a trooper! All you are going through and you are still pushing it harder and harder! I am sure you know the saying, when the going gets tough the tough gets going. Well you are tough and you are going! :)
Always praying for you and I hope Pumpkin comes in the house soon.
<><
Posted by: Child of God | August 18, 2011 at 08:32 AM
Praying daily for the entire family as they walk this "new" path. Joanne, I will tell you what I tell my daughter who was stricken the same as you at the age of 29 (5 years ago), don't be sad, get MAD. Become indignant and get it done! The energy that comes from anger can be used in a POSITIVE way to work harder in your therapy, your daily life. You will regain it if you claim it. You are so blessed, all of you and all of us who you have so generously shared your walk with. Know that you are all so loved! Praise Him!
Posted by: kimber | August 18, 2011 at 09:55 AM
Praying for all of you this afternoon....for a peaceful night with sweet laughing and sweet memories.
xo
Laura
Posted by: Laura | August 18, 2011 at 03:22 PM
I pray for Joanne's recovery almost every day. Think of your family so often. I know these days have to feel long, as recovery seems to move at a snail's pace. Praying, friends.
Posted by: Karen Booker Schelhaas | August 19, 2011 at 06:59 AM
Poor Pumpkin! Buy or borrow a 'have a heart' trap and you will have her back in no time!
Posted by: Denise @ The Single Saver | August 19, 2011 at 01:10 PM
I am amazed by how far you have recovered and just know that there is so much more that you will do. Still praying for you from Nebo, N.C.
Posted by: Karen Warren | August 19, 2011 at 01:16 PM
Praying for all these requests...
Adrienne
Posted by: fuzzytop | August 19, 2011 at 02:05 PM
This is the second time we have been paired together through BlogHer. I don't believe in coincidences.
Joanne,
Sometimes patience makes those things we want so much sweeter. Want to smack me? It is ok. Sometimes I want to smack people that say that to me. I am not struggling to DO... but in our house - we struggle to wait. I believe that doctors are fallible. I believe in the power of prayer. I believe you will return to writing this blog. I believe Alexander will someday say Mommy. I believe. And... for today, I can believe for the 3 of us - and maybe someday you can believe for the 3 of us when I need it. Because - sometimes I need it.
Love - from my family to yours,
Kristen @ www.alittlesomethingforme.com
Posted by: Kristen | August 19, 2011 at 08:26 PM
In reading through these comments, it amazes me how God has burdened others to pray for Joanne and your family. I hope that the blessing of constant prayer surrounding you is comforting, strengthening, and encouraging now - and in the days ahead, where I am sure continued progress and improvement will come!
Posted by: Kathy @ In Quiet Places | August 20, 2011 at 05:08 AM
Joanne may enjoy reading this blog from a woman with a similar problem. Katherine had an AVM rupture.
Love your blog...
http://www.hope-heals.com/my-story#content
Posted by: Karen Towns | August 23, 2011 at 06:22 AM