An amazing young woman

That's my niece.  She's so strong, physically and mentally.  She is able to use both of her arms now.  The doctor wants her to hold off on using her left arm over her head until the clavical fully heals, but because of the surgery to it, she's able to use it well.  She is able to move herself from her bed to chair to the potty chair quite easily. 

Next week, she has surgery to remove her pins.  Once those are gone, life gets much better.  We have to be so careful not to touch her pins.  After the surgery, she'll be bedridden for two more weeks and then they will start physical therapy.  The physical therapist will be coming to the house to see her.

And since they really don't need us and the kids are bored, we're heading home tomorrow.  Grandma and Grandpa gave up their house so we could stay together and have been staying with Grandpa's sister.  I'm glad that they will finally have their house back to themselves.  The cousins are so busy with activities, sports, and school that they haven't had much free time.  And I still can't believe that we didn't have any snow!! 

We'll be heading out early in the am and driving for three days to get home.  I'm longing for my own bed and I know that the kids and I are anxious to see daddy. 

Wow, has it been that long?

It really hasn't but it sure seems like it!!  My niece is doing better.  She is at home now because she can't go to a rehab center with her broken clavicle.  She has the bar in front of her for the next four weeks and then surgery to remove it.  I'm not sure if she's going to a rehab center then or back home and back and forth to physical therapy. 

Tomorrow, the kids and I leave on the really long (2000 mile) drive to IA.  I'm staying south and then heading north through OK and up north.  Thank you, Arby for your assistance with information on the roads in KS.  We probably won't be able to stop and see you this time, but will definitely make time on our return trip.  We're blessed to have some friends in OK that we will be stopping to visit overnight.  We're excited, they are our best friends from Japan!

On the school front, things have been rather shabby here.  We have been completing most of our lessons but not all.  Too many things to do before we left.  Since we're not sure how long we'll be gone, we have to do dentist appts, get new military ids, etc.  I think we're finally ready and I'm pooped, but I didn't want to leave without letting everyone know what's been going on.

Take care everyone!!  I hope to be there on Friday.  I'll post when we get there!