Tuesday, August 27, 2013

where we are, four years later...

 
 
today marks four years since that evening i woke up in a hospital bed, six hours after we were in a massive car accident. those days are still so blurry to me and none of it has really come back.
four years! wowzers! some days it feels like moments and others it feels like it has been a lot longer then it has.
 
in four years a lot has happened. some good, some bad, some ugly, some painful, some joyous, some amazing...there has been a lot that has gone on but we are blessed to still be alive. God has blessed us with amazing blessings that we don't deserve but He doesn't care if we feel worthy, He just does it because He loves it!
 
where we are now in the past year...
 
- we are alive!
- we are in a home of our own and it is a dream!
- ben has been off his meds for over a year and a half and his seizure meds he's been off for a year in a few days!
- ben officially was retired from the army after 13+ years of service (pics on his retirement to come as we got some more recently) and is now a veteran...although he'd rather still be active! :)
- although ben is not fully walking on his own he has made great strides to get closer!
- ben has had a successful jaw expansion surgery and now has braces to help keep correcting his teeth...and one more jaw surgery to come.
- we were able to attend three adaptive sports camps and ben loved them!
- we celebrated our 5th year wedding anniversary...not everyone can say that, brain injury included!
- we took ben up to mount rainier, even if it wasn't to the top!
- ben has lost weight and gained a lot of muscle.
- bathroom stuff is better
- ben is more sneaky with his transferring from wheelchair to couch...and does this when im not looking, which in turn almost gives me a heart attack...he did this twice last week and all i could do was praise him for putting on his breaks and not falling!
- we traveled to texas for ben to be apart of his buddies wedding!
- ben was blessed with a recumbent bike and he would make me run with him and i would try to keep up!
- hes watched me go to many crossfit workouts only saying that if he could do what i was doing he would smoke me...and he would, times 100!
- we got a super cute new pup that ben loves!
- ben started a new therapy program and loves it!
- i have become a bad blogger...but i hope to change! will try...
- we still love each other
- ben has been for the last year slowly but surely improved on things. both mentally and physically
- since being on the water in our new house ben has been able to be on his boat a lot more this year and inner tubing up a storm...way better then last year!
 
as i look back i see God is good! i know He is but when one writes it down and takes the time to remember i am always humbled by what He has done! we still have a long journey before us and many battles to fight but we forge forward and fight on...all the while trusting in our Jesus to get us where we need to go. yes, it is hard. every day is hard. every day is tiring. every day i try and find a lil joy in the hardship. i would never choose to go through this and nor would i wish it on anyone. God knows what He is doing. we may not but He does. His mercies are new every morning and so is His grace!
 
as ben says, "we will beat this brain injury!"
 
and speaking of brains...i figured out what was wrong with mine...
 
 
sneak peek of house interior...more pics to come...
 
 
 
outside...
 
{deck area}
 
 
first few sunsets in our new home...majestic!
 
 

15 comments:

Anonymous said...

Thank you for you beautiful update. I continue to pray for you and Ben!

Rhe Christine said...

yay! so glad for updates :) thank you for taking the time to share with us

Caroline said...

That's a wonderful, FULL list for one year. Can't wait to see what next year brings for Ben's healing and for the two of you as a couple. xo

Carol Steward said...

Katie thanks so much for the updates. I pray every night for you and Ben and have been wondering how it was going as I hadn't seen any posts in a long time. Now I realize you have been very busy with Ben and a new home and all that you do. God is Great! Keep up the great spirit. Love and hugs to you both. Carol Steward

Brenna said...

Glad for an update. You both are a testament in strength and faith...

Brenna said...

You both are a testament in strength and faith

Anonymous said...

Dear One, I am delighted to see what Father has done in your lives. His sunsets are amazing. Both are sunsets, yet both are so very different. I LOVE the cartoon quip. I showed it to my son Timothy, he really liked it too. Thank you for your time. I do check every day (and pray every time I check). It is always good to hear from you. I love you guys, Marion

Brooke said...

YOU are so cool! I wish we could be real life friends and live nearby. You are truly an awesome example of a wife, and someone who trusts God with every area of your life. You RULE. Thanks for the encouragement this afternoon!!

B. Wilson @ Windy {City} Wilsons said...

Wonderful to read the updates. I know it's not easy, but I'm thankful you are both here and making strides.

Whenever you post about anniversaries, I can't help but be taken to despairing times of my own... just empathizing and knowing how hard that road has been for you guys, even different.

Lots of positive things to list and I'm so proud of you for keeping your head up.

Anonymous said...

I was at the hospital 4 yrs ago when both of you were patients. I am so pleased to follow your progress (and progress it is!) and so blessed by your blog. God IS good and in the healing business, of this I have no doubt!!

molly june. said...

i love this.
and you.
AND YOUR HOUSE!
i can't even believe that place is real!
what an amazing blessing.
xoxo

Brittney said...

It's wonderful to see how far you've both come and witness your strength and courage! :)

Jennifer said...

So great to hear how things are going. I check your blog often to see if you've updated and was excited to see your post.

Lynnae said...

Your faith in the Lord is a beautiful example to me. You are a light and a reminder that helps be get through my smaller problems. Prayers to you and Ben.

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