First off, I want to give a special shout out to all of the students and staff at Eagle River Christian Schools. You guys are amazing. Thank you so much for working so hard on your fundraisers for us. I love the picture of the milk jug of money!
I think it is safe to say that we are getting into the swing of things. I can't believe how fast the time has been flying lately. Here we are almost to another weekend. Actually tomorrow will be the 4 week mark of the accident. Jess and I were talking tonight and in some ways it seems like it was just yesterday and in other way it seems like forever ago. One thing is sure, we sure have come a long ways in just 4 weeks. And boy, look how life can change in just 4 weeks. I guess you just never think something this big will ever happen to you. As Jess and I were talking tonight, it just really hit home to both of us, how incredibly blessed we are. This isn't a "fun" experience to go through. But we are SO BLESSED. We are blessed that Jess is here. We are blessed his injuries aren't any worse. We are blessed that Jess is progressing so fast. We are blessed Jess and I have such a great relationship. We are blessed to have a beautiful daughter. And we are blessed to have such a great family and so many friends to support us. There have been times we both have been in tears at the support, love and generosity of all of our family and friends. I know so many of you feel far away, but every time you write, call, leave messages or send packages it means so much to us. So thank you so much for all of your support.
Ok now to let everyone know what has been going on the last couple of days. Yesterday was basically just another day of rehab. Jess had an hour of both ot and pt, but they were spread out throughout late morning and afternoon. He got his last wheelchair to evaluate, before he needed to decide on which wheelchair to purchase for himself. It's amazing how many different kinds of chairs there are. Oh and yesterday he was fitted for a power chair. They basically gave it to him because he has so many restrictions on his left arm, he can't really push himself very fast. So with the power chair we can go on walks as a family, and he will be able to say up out of bed longer without having to strain his arm.
Today was a GREAT day!!! Jess was moved from the west wing of the hospital to the east wing. Which is basically for the more stable and independent patience. But the best part about it is his room. He now has his own room with a private bathroom and living room/kitchen. It makes a world of difference. The living room area is carpeted so Briley played all afternoon and evening, crawling all over the floor and pulling things out of every thing she could open :) It was an absolute wonderful day.
In physical therepy today Jess picked out all of the different bathroom equipment he will be needing, as well as chose his wheelchair. Now all he has to choose are all the different options of a wheelchair. I never know there were so many different options. In ocupational therepy today he worked on balancing again as well as laying down and rolling himself over and sitting back up again. I couldn't believe how well he did. Today was by far the best he has done on everything. All those little steps are starting to really add up!!!
26 comments:
Jess, Emily & Briley: Just read your last comments and looked at the photos. It's so nice to be able to to keep up with what's going on. Keep up the good work, keep your spirits up. We're all cheering for you! The Keelings all send their best. We love you! Janell
Wow, what a great day! I'm so glad you are in your own room, Jess. I bet it is nice to have some family time again. Keep up the great attitude and nothing will stop you guys. We are praying for you all every day. Love ya, Holly
Yipee! You got your own room...now you can lay around naked watching football and eating chips in bed. Finally! Keep on keeping on my friends. Love from D-town, Nissa
A GREAT BIG HIGH FIVE from everyone at Eagle River Christian School!!! All of the money came from bake sales and root bear floats, which were brought, sold and were eaten by kids of all ages, K 4 - seniors.
All students, staff, teachers, and parents want to wish you a speedy recovery, Jess, and are sending out a challenge to any other school, church or organization to match the donation of $469.25...or try to beat it!! Everyone wants to thank you for the time you spent working with the students at ERCHS. Emily, you were our first graduate and an awesome example and role model to those around you. We are so thankful for the years you were here ministering to others. God bless you!! You are daily in our prayers. Love from everyone from Eagle River Christian School
Hi Jess Emily and Briley ,
great news sounds as if stuff is coming around . Thats so great its wonderful to here how great things are for you . I'm all with Nissa its great thaat you can spend time with your family and briley can hang out and get into everything .. I love it go for it Briely. we had a great meeting last night and have lot of great stuff going as well as as great bunch people working hard to get you all some needed cash ... anyway of to billings today with scott to have a little time to our selves.. lots love to you all hugs kisses and keep up the great work loveAunt Jody and the boys
We are so happy to hear that things are progressing so well. That is wonderful that Jess is in his own room which seems to give your family more room to hang out and let Briley play. It is so nice to see your smiling faces in the recent days photos. We're praying for you all daily. Love ya! -Hannah & Kevin
Hey, Alberi family...yes, indeed you are blessed, and in turn, you are blessing all of us with your unfailing faith and determination and high spirits...Thanks so much for doing that for us....You've rekindled the faith that God is indeed "awesome"....The pics you are taking are absolutely precious!! God keep you all safe...Marie (eve's mom)
Great News!! It's so wonderful to hear that you've been moved to your own room. That's going to be so nice for all of you to spend time together.
We are also so Blessed to have YOU in our lives. So much of the time we rush through life unhappy with what we DON'T have when we just need to appreciate what we DO have. Both of you have been such and awesome example of that.
I've been reading "The Purpose Driven Life" and boy does it put our time on earth into perspective. It's not about us, it's about HIM and what we do to prepare for eternity.
Makayla and Andrew wish Uncle Jess a quick recovery and they pray for him every night. Believe me they don't let me forget before they head to bed.
Love and miss you guys. I wish I could see you, but this blog site really helps. Thanks so much for all the updates and pictures!!!
Your Big Sis, Kari
Hello Jess, Em, Briley...So glad to keep getting all the positive news on the blog. Just happy to see you all smiling and working together to get through all the steps! We think of you all the time. Love to you all...Hill, David, Savannah, and Brock
Al -
We are so proud of you and Emily. Keep working hard. It looks and sounds like you are getting stronger every day. Here are a few words that have helped me in the past:
You gotta keep moving forward.
Stay ahead of the pain.
Do the next right thing right.
gw
"Praying is not a last resort, it’s a first response. It’s not the action of a powerless, hopeless person whose hands are tied in every other way. It’s the powerful, Heaven-summoning activity of a warrior who doesn’t want to fight alone. Praying isn’t all I can do, it’s the best I can do.We can storm the gates of heaven on your behalf." Marybeth Whalen. This is from a devotion I read from Proverbs 31 Ministries. Praise and thanks for all He is doing in your lives.
I am very glad to see that you are healing fast and progressing so well. I check out your blog everyday and you guys look great! Your wife and little girl are adorable. Keep up the great work.
Tennille Taylor Flaten
This is my first post on your guys' blog but I check it daily to see how you are all doing! Glad to hear everything is going so positively for you and your family! We are thinking of you here back in Dillon and will continue to pray and wish a speedy recovery. PS. Jess, Tyler told me to tell you "hi" (he's not much of a blogger!)Lynnette Barnes & Family
Happy Friday to the three of you! What wonderful news you shared about you getting your own room! How special for the three of you to spend some quality time together in the privacy of your own room. As we can read in your blog,some days have been more challenging & difficult than others, but we thank God that the two of you can rely on the love of one another and each others' strength to get you both through those difficult days; emotions running high and low. May your courage and determination never waiver in this uphill journey you are all on. What an inspiration you both are to all of us, with your "we can do it" attitude. May you feel the love and prayers we send your way. As the holidays approach we all must give thanks for all we have been given and still have. You have been truly blessed with the love you share with each other & Briley and your families. How thankful we are that you are still with us Jess. Emily - you do such a wonderful job keeping us updated with Jess' progress & photos & we greatly appreciate the time you take at the end of each long day to help those of us here at home stay connected with Jess & his progress.
I hope you will take advantage of the help offered by our daughter-in-law Laura's family-Katie & Margie. They enjoyed meeting you & hope they may be of help to you all. Keep up the hard work Jess - look how far you've come in 4 weeks! Our thoughts and prayers are with you as you celebrate Thanksgiving with your family next week. Great meeting last night for your "gathering", which we're all working hard to make it very special for a very special young man and his beautiful family. Take care! Barb and Ed
Hi, Jess,Emily & Briley: I've been trying to send a message forever on this, but I've struggled to get it right! Tom and I think about all of you often, and are amazed at your progress and positive attitudes--you are a blessing to all, and sure show us what faith can do! We'll keep the positive thoughts going your way, and pray for the best for all of you! Love ya', Cindy Barnes
You guys really tug at my heart...you are so strong and brave...I'm so proud of you. Had a nice visit with Candy today and so glad they will be spending (and cooking) Thanksgiving with you. It will be a very special time with Annie & Linds there too. We are headed to Nevada to be with Chad & Kyla. We will keep you in our prayers. We all have much to be thankful for. Love Sandy
It is so wonderful to hear all the blessings that you three have in your lives. Yay to ERCS!!! You all are awesome! I'm glad to hear you are settling in and Briley has more places to get into and crawl around. :) Thank you for continuing to share your lives with us all...you are a blessing to us! We are still praying for a miracle!!!!!
Love, The Jordans in Eagle River
Jess & Family- Glad things are still progressing well for you. All the little steps do add up to big steps. David continues to improve and should be off his cane soon. He still uses his walker to get off & on his exercise ball - what's wrong with that picture!!! And he still needs a raised toilet seat. We had justed rent out our house that we fitted for Arlene Owens after her accident. It is completely handicapped accessible. I feel bad that we had just moved someone in at the time of your accident, or we would have been glad to save it for you guys. You may not have wanted to be clear out on Flynn Lane but there is 400 head of elk out your back door right now. We get approximately 10 calls a day for someone wanting to hunt. Hope you are back in this area soon and if things change on the house, we will let you know! -Shelli Schuett
Hi Denver family , we are here in billings at the Jay Birds hanging out and just wanted to say hello to you both . I hope that you both are having a wonderful day in your apartment .. We are going to watch the football game with the johnson family so that will be lots fun here with the jay Bird . Miss you both lots and love you tons will call later Emily and catch up love you both kisses and huugs to Briley and you all Jody and Scott
Wow. I am reading this as I prepare to go vacuum the sanctuary at the church this morning, then to participate in three hours of choir practice for the upcoming Christmas performance.
And you have me crying!!!!
I agree, we are ALL so Blessed. For God is our comfort and strength.
God bless you guys today - and every day!!!!
David
Jess, Emily & Briley: Thanks so much for your regular updates. It is so nice to know how things are going for you three. We continue to keep you in our prayers and thoughts.
Ric & Candy Brown
Jess, Emily & Briley; It is so good to hear about the blessings that you guys have claimed and receaved!! Thanks for the updates and it is good to hear that the family is doing so well!!
Jess and Emily,
We have been thinking about you a lot lately and miss you so much. God is good and he will have you back in MT in no time :)
Please know that you are in our prayers and we are here for you if you need anything!
Casey and Meagan
Hey Guys! It's Dylan. I would have commented and read everything sooner, but my mom kept forgetting to show me the site.
I'm extremely glad to hear everyone is doing well and that Jess is working quickly through his rehab and staying so positive.
Can't wait to read more!
Love you, and God Bless.
-Dylan
Emily, your descriptions of your days at Craig and the progress Jess is making bring me to tears. I think the most moving part of this entire blog is feeling your strength, faith in God, love for Jess, and postitive focus on your future as a family, all of which come through so clearly in your writing. You are an AMAZING woman, wife, and mother. Jess, my tears come, too, when I see the photos of you; hope and optimism radiates through your eyes
and smile. What a guy! I don't know anyone who has demonstrated the courage and determination that you are showing the world, hour after hour, day after day. Dillon is solidly behind you, as you know; the support for you seen everywhere in town is like nothing I've ever seen before, not anywhere. "Team Alberi"--that's what it is. Our prayers continue for you, Emily, Briley, and your family. You're in our thoughts all the time. Love, Carolyn and Wayne
Jess&family: Hey man i am so glad you are still with us, God sure is good!!! I just got word of this when Emily called me a couple of days ago to get your employment info. I know that you will be blessed, I want you to know that you had a positive effect on my life when we worked together. My wife Karen says Hi & God bless. Hang in there buddy I look forward to seeing you again, maybe in may in AK ? look me up if you come.
Delano
Post a Comment