Although Ben and I don't "celebrate" Halloween we do participate in the fun! Happy Halloween... Ben's buddy down the hall..."why are pirates so mean? (he was dressed as one) Ben-"why?" C-"because they just ARRRRRR!" B- "that's funny!" (huge smirk on Ben's face!) B- "bwahahahaha!"...his scary laugh!
Ben and I had an outting this weekend and it was the first time ON OUR OWN! A friend that we met recently blessed us with a whole weekend at this amazing place...
We took off on Friday after Ben's therapies were over and headed to the Westin. There were a few things Ben had to do and then it was time to hit the sack! This is the first time in over 14 months that I have been able to sleep in the same bed with Ben! He has been in a hospital bed this whole time and me in mine. The emotions of security, being loved and just being held in his arms all came back to me! I felt so protected and close just being able to lie next to Ben! I will say that I didn't get to much sleep the first night...I kept waking up to make sure he was still breathing! I have to compare it to that nervous mom who has to keep checking to make sure her new born baby was still taking in air! I know I was to be relaxing just like Ben was in our plush, oversized oh so comfy bed but I couldn't help it! Saturday we chilled all day long! We ate breakfast in bed, didn't get out of bed until after 11, watched movies and read books! It was so relaxing and enjoyable! There was no rushing to get up, get to therapies or race to a meal! Just plain chillaxin!
The best part of the day was opening all the cards that you sent to Ben...and me! I think I counted over 150 letters and there are still more on their way!!! It took over 3 hours to open and read them all! These notes came from all over! People whom we know, folks that we didn't know and friends or relatives of those we know! We even had some from the staff and nurses in the ICU where Ben was first admitted after the accident. I was blown away by the words that were written inside for Ben...I was in tears for the majority of the time! What encouragement was sent his way! The words, scriptures, poems and motivation that was included was amazing to read to him! Thank you also to those who included me in your encouragement...it meant alot!
Sunday we slept in but not as late as Saturday. I took care of things in the morning and Ben snuck in one more nap in the bed before I got him ready! I guess he just didn't want to get out of that heavenly bed!!
We are now back in the hospital...we both drug our feet the whole way back! I guess we turned into a couple of crazies after we had to leave because we ended up looking like this...
{I asked Ben to describe me and that's what he said!}
I got to thinking about what we were up to last year on our anniversary. It was 2 months after the accident and Ben was still considered to be in a coma! He had a small amount of therapies and that night he slept! Last year Ben couldn't talk, walk, go far from his bed or say I LOVE YOU! Oh man, I remember that day and night so well! I didn't want Ben to be in the hospital but I was thankful that I was with him! So, while Ben slept I watched the Biggest Loser (yes I remember what was on) and feasted on anniversary treats! The Lord has brought Ben so far because this is what we did all day this year... Of course there was no day off for Ben and he had his typical day with therapies! Let me just say he sat and balanced for a good long time and had an amazing walk down the hallway with HIS HEAD UP! Ben and me and his parents to root him on! He did awesome and it was like Ben was telling me...I am working extra hard for our anniversary day! At lunch time some of the nurses and staff snuck out and sang Happy Anniversary and gave us a sweet treat!
After lunch Ben got a short break and then it was off to more therapies! Therapies for his eyes, Rec/Speech therapy and neuro psych!
Best part of the day...we got to go our for dinner!! This is the first time in over a year that Ben and I have been able to go out for dinner!! He was tired after a full day of therapies but he still wanted to go! We went to the Olive Garden and Ben ATE! He was just so happy that it was not hospital food! After dinner I was able to tell him that I had a special treat for him and told him about people writing him encouraging notes!! He said OOHHH!!! I started taking them out of the bag and kept stacking them up on the table! We didn't open them there (we are saving them for this weekend's surprise) but we continued to have fun! To end the evening after dinner our Rec therapist brought us back and asked if she could give us an anniversary present and pray for us! What a blessing that was to have her pray over Ben and I!
Ben got back to his room and pretty much crashed! We found a note waiting for us on his bed from Ben's neuro psych doc that was another blessing! I then asked if he was going to snuggle or just go to sleep and he said, "just go to sleep!" I asked did he want to just to go back to my room so he could sleep and he said, "no, stay and snuggle while I sleep!" After I snuggled for a bit and then headed back to my room for some shut eye! When I got there I found flowers in my room from BEN!! Sneaky, sneaky!! He worked with someone and gave me a sweet surprise!
His note said...Happy Anniversary Katie! You are the most amazing wife! I am so thankful for you and all you do for me! You are the love of my life. Ben
All in all we had a lovely day! Jesus has blessed us with eachother and for that I am so grateful! Even though this is never where we thought we would be it is where we are and I am tankful that I get to be with my man! I love him so much!
Thank you for all of your anniversary wishes and blessings! Your comments were perfect and made our day more special! Ben and I are truly blessed!!
Snuggling with Ben the other night and I say, "I love you!" Ben- "I love u too!" Pause. Ben- "I thank you." Me- "why?" Ben- "because you stayed with me!" Me- "it is my honor to be with you!"
I can be myself when I am with you.
Your idea for romance is dim lights, soft music, and just the two of us.
You make me feel like I have never felt before.
I can tell you anything and you won't be shocked!
Your underlying faith is what keeps the flame of our love alive.
You and I together, we can make magic.
We're a perfect match.
Thinking of you, fills me with a wonderful feeling.
Your love gives me the feeling that the best is still ahead!
You never give up on me, and that's what keeps me going.
You are simply irresistible
I love you because you bring the best out of me!
You always say what I need to hear.
You have taught me the true meaning of love.
Love is what you mean to me and you Ben mean everything!
You are a theme to my dreams.
I have had a time of my life and I owe it all to you!
Happy Anniversary Ben!
Love, Me
Three years married to my man Ben! God brought him into my life over four years ago and I have been blessed and loved ever since! No one or no thing can come between me and Ben! God has done some interesting things this past year but through it all I can say that the love that Ben and I have for each other is something that no other person can experience! I cannot describe it, I just know that it is there! God spared our lives for a reason and if that reason was to love Him and each other more then so be it!
"Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud or rude. It does not demand its own way. It is not irritable, and it keeps no record of being wronged. It does not rejoice about injustice but rejoices whenever the truth wins out. Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance!" I Cor. 13:4-7...I think I have learned ALL of these this past year! I have learned to be patient not just with Ben but also on the Lord! I so want to demand my own way but who is the one who says, "My way is HIGHER then your way?" I cannot demand my way with Ben either...he can only control things so much for himself! I try not to get irritable with my man...it is hard when he is so handsome and he puckers his lips to get kisses! There is no wrong record in my heart against Ben...life it to short to hold grudges against those you love! I know the truth and it sets me free! The truth is, Jesus is the way and He is healing my man...so I am going to rejoice in that! LOVE NEVER GIVES UP! I love my Ben so much that there is know way that I will be giving up on him! I am hopeful in Ben's 100% healing and what the Lord is going to do in and through us! I have chosen to endure through every circumstance...the good and the bad! Does this mean that I don't have times of doubt, faithlessness, not want to forgive, be boastful in the wrong way and lack strength?? No way! I am human just like everyone else! I have my times too but it is what I choose to do in those times...wallow in it or move forward! Most times I move forward and the others I have to do a bit of catching up to get rid of those!
I BELIEVE and KNOW that God has a future and a hope for us now and outside of hospital walls! Ben and I will have a home, have babies and Lord willing Ben will go back to his Ranger buddies and work with them! Our future is not set by doctors, our desires are not determined by man but all of this is determined by Jesus! He knows our hearts desires and He will pave the way for us!
Ben, my love for you has not stopped growing! Your strength, integrity, hard work, faith, no giving up, and love for me inspires me to move forward and work harder! I will never give up on you! You will never be left alone! You have my whole heart and I know I have yours! I believe in you! We will make it through, it will be ok! We have Jesus and each other!! I will keep fighting for you and doing whatever I can to get you further then where you are now!
I am writing this from my good ole hometown in WA! I snuck away for a quick weekend to spend with my family and friends! I plan on having fun and relaxing at the same time! I wanted to just post a few videos of Ben singing two of his favorite hymns! Usually at night we sing some worship songs together and some hymns that Ben picks out! These are two that he continues to select in our time together! It warms my heart to hear him sing praises to Jesus! They sound so much better in person as these clips are from my phone but they sound good anyways!
Onward Christian Soldiers...
Amazing Grace...
A second part of this blog is to open it up to questions for me or Ben! If there is a question that you would like to ask then asks away! It can be about Ben, me, both of us or anything else that you would like to know! I will try and answer them all! Please e-mail them to me at benandkatierye@hotmail.com. I will start collecting them and then hopefully answering them next week!!
I have one week from today to collect all the notes
that you have sent to Ben!
Thank you so much to all of you who have
already sent them...the stack is piling up as you can see!
I started counting them all but have lost track!
I will get a total next week! I cannot wait to give them to Ben and get a photo
of the look on his face when he sees all of them!! For those of you who are still getting them out the address is: Fisher House Ben and Katie Rye PO Box 1886 Los Altos, CA 94023
God does not love you less today because of what you did yesterday. GOD IS FAITHFUL to do what He has promised. God loves faithfully. God does not have love, GOD IS LOVE. God defines “love”. Love does not define God. Know therefore that the LORD thy God, he is God, the faithful God. That is His Name. Our Lord is “called Faithful and True! It is HIS FAITHFULNESS, not ours, but the Lord is faithful, who shall stablish you, and keep you from evil.” FAITHFUL IS HE that calls you, who also WILL DO IT. Salvation is of the LORD. Rest in HIS FAITHFULNESS!!
The following is yet another way Jesus continues to be faithful to us...
Sunday was a lazy kind of day for both Ben and I. I had to say goodbye to my sis and bro-in-law and their lil Larsen so of course that was not the easiest! Our time with them was so much fun! It was a dreary, rainy day...I think this is the 2nd time it has rained since we have been here! It was super cold too...low 60's...it was in the upper 90's earlier this week! Cold and wet weather means lazy times and snuggles! We hung out in the morning and while I was on a task of transfering photos from my old computer to my new one Ben was watching football! He was keeping track of the score for me and when I would ask him what it was he would look at the tiny little place in the left hand corner and read it off to me! He did great and so did our teams! Lunch came next which was a mixture of his own tray and also some food from the Elks club...on the menu calamari steaks. I asked Ben if he wanted some and he said yes. I was surprised because he doesn't like seafood! I asked him what it tastes like and Ben said, "chicken!" I then asked him if he knew what calamari was (just to see if he remembered) and he said, "squid!" I like calamari but not the steaks so I opted out of it! We had a little more time to chill after lunch and during the commercials in the football game we got Ben shaved up, teeth brushed and face washed! After this it was PT time...and this was an amazing day for Ben! He did THREE NEW THINGS today and one extra new thing a few days ago that I forgot to mention!
1...Ben did awesome in his balancing on the mat. He sat all by himself and really got his head up alot higher then normal! He did a new leaning over move and balanced himself in that position too for a long bit! Another part of this mat work is that he sat and balanced with his left hand (weaker arm) and used his right to reach across his body, grab the come and stack it on his right side!! He did it first with his PT behind him just in case Ben fell back then after that his PT moved to his left side! Ben loved this new task! (see videos at bottom of blog)
2...Ben has been working on rolling over onto his tummy on the mat for some time now! Usually he needs a little help getting started and then getting on his stomach. This time...no help needed! It took him a little longer but he did it all by himself! Ben did all the right steps and did it well! Of course he was not enthused with the stretching that followed but he managed it well!
3...Ben has been working on his walking with the regular walker and has been doing a great job! He has been working on his balancing while standing with just the walker. Today he was walking (after all his mat work so he was tired) and when he got close to him room Ben's PT decided to take his hands away from Ben and see how he would do! Ben did AWESOME!! He still continued to walk on! His PT kept his hands close by and guided him along! Ben's working so hard to getting to his goal of walking down the hall with just a nurse...he thought of this goal all on his own and I am just fine with him walking down the hall with a nurse!! :) The photo below is from last week while working on his balancing! I was so thrilled with his walking that I didn't get a photo! Next time!!
4...and the bonus!!! Last Friday was pool therapy and Ben always looks forward to this time. Peter, my bro-in-law got to join him this time and they had a ton of fun! When we go back to Ben's room and him back in to normal clothes I told Ben that I was so proud of him! He then in a loud voice said, "I am proud of myself!" I then asked him, "why are you proud of yourself?" Ben responded, "I didn't fall out in what I just did!" Falling out is military jagon for quitting, not able to complete a road march, giving up and everything that has to go along with these terms! So, Ben was so proud of what he did and that he gave his all and didn't give up!! I was so surprised by his response because it is the first time in his recovery that he has said it!! His mood is coming around and he is realizing that he can be proud of himself!! His determination, hard work and faith in Jesus will get him through...yes, and me too!!
1 John 5:14 "And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us: And if we know that he hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him."
The faithfullness and love of the Lord is all over this e-mail! The Lord is hearing the cries of our hearts...not just mine...BUT ALL OF YOURS as well!! I am so grateful to all of your who faithfully pray for Ben and I! I am humbled every day by people who pray for us that we don't even know! That you would take the time to do this for us is amazing and such a blessing! I blows me away and makes my heart happy!! Please continue to pray for us! As you can see they are working and although it is not in the timing that I may want it is in the Lord's and it is here and coming!! I praise Him everyday for what He has done for us and how much He has blessed us with! Ben and I will continue to have faith, trust and hope in Him and Him alone!!
PS...10 more days to get those encouraging notes in the mail for Ben!! See blog below if you have not read it...concerning sending him a note! I will be giving them to him October 27th which marks our 14 months post accident! Thank you!!
We have been blessed with so many people coming to see us!! I am so greatful to all those who have come and have been a huge support and encouragement!!
(My Uncle Joe and Aunt Sharon...just a few weeks ago!)
(pool time and the exercise ball)
(My sister Anne, bro-in-law Peter and Larsen)
(more fun therapy times!)
I wish you all could have seen this wheelchair ride that Peter took Ben on! It was classic! Peter just took ahold of the handle and took off! I thought Ben was going to have a hard grip on his handles but instead he had the smirkiest grin on his face every time I saw him come around!! I asked Ben how he felt after and he said good! I then asked him why he felt good and he said, "that was the best ever!"
