Annie with Grandma & Grandpa Green...

The kiddo and I took mom & dad to see the new Annie movie.  We all really enjoyed it.  Mom's first time going to the movies since the crash in '11.  Just takes so pre-planning and it worked out great!

On the road again....

Yes, that is MOM behind the wheel. Dad and her went clothes shopping for our upcoming trip yesterday and today they decided was THE day to test things out.

They went to the high school parking lot. Mom got her cane out, walked around and got into the drivers side. She adjusted the seat, mirrors, steering wheel and then she backed the car up (with her RIGHT foot) and she was a ROCK STAR! They spent quite a bit of time maneuvering around the parking lot before she drove out Thatcher Road and then to TV highway!
 
Dad said she didn't lurch, slam on the breaks or anything!  She drove them into Walmart and she dropped dad off to go grab something and she went to get into a handicapped spot.  Ironically while waiting, another driver did back into her car, but when dad came out and saw mom out of the car talking to the lady, he just thought it was somebody she knew...then he found out what happened.  It was NOT mom's fault...neither of them were hurt and dad's car has a bit of a bump, but all is well.

They went thru Sonic (so she could get a cherry-limeade) drink and we met them for Thai food for dinner.

This is after dinner, mom backing the car out to head home.

I honestly didn't know we'd see this day so soon, but it is here and dad said she did great -- even driving with her fused ankle right foot! 

Mom is slowly getting her independence back...answer to prayers, persistence and PATIENCE! 

Counsins!

My brother & his family arrived from San Diego to spend the week with my folks! First stop, RED ROBIN of course for lunch, it's tradition and you don't mess with tradition!

Funny note...Dad got mom all into the Yukon to head to the airport and when he went to start the car, NADA! Dead battery...so, they got mom back out of the Yukon, called the towing company to get the Yukon to Les Schwab for a new battery...I was on stand-by to leave work and head to PDX.

Victor's car was also at Les Schwab getting new front breaks/rotars....So, Victor, Charlie and I got his car back, went to pick-up mom and met dad and the Green Family Unit for lunch!  Mom didn't have any issues getting into my Highlander and didn't critique my driving either!  First time she's been in my car since they day of the crash....

Yesterday was a very good day!

Mom's progress...

Mom continues to get a little bit stronger every day!  We had dinner with them Friday night and got caught up. 

Mom's AFO (Ankle Fixture Orthotic) and her custom right shoe.  It's about 1" higher than her other.

Mom showing us how she can stand-up fairly quickly and steadily from her wheel chair.

Thankful Thursday...

Super thankful that my folks are willing/able to watch the widget for a couple of nights so Victor and I can get away to the Oregon Coast for a few days of "us time"... Belated anniversary gift from my folks..THANK YOU Mom & Dad!

We haven't gone anywhere over night and left her with them since mom's crash...Charlotte's excited, my folks are excited and VICTOR/MYSELF are super-duper excited! There's a football game on Sunday too...GO GIANTS!!! (photo circa 2008 the last time the Giants won the Superbowl)...repeat, I say OH YEA!!!

The weekend that Dad becomes the patient...

Oh, never a dull moment with my folks. Dad called me early Friday morning at work and I thought he was going to tell me we were good to go away (Victor & I) to the Oregon Coast Feb. 2-4th...instead, he was calling to tell me he was waiting to hear back from Kaiser, but his right retina was trying to separate again. He has had multiple surgeries on both eyes, 2008 was the last one on the right eye.

Anyway, between me having to drive into downtown Portland for some last minute work arrangements and dad having to go to Sunnyside Kaiser, it worked out great that we met up at their place before 3pm.  Dad was able to get mom's prescriptions, quick run to the grocery store and then we drove up to Casey Eye Institute (SW Portland on pill hill). 

We knew dad was having surgery, but there was a patient before him and he didn't get wheeled back until 8pm....at 9:35pm, Chris (RN) came and got me and dad was already awake, driving OJ and joking with Chris some more about basketball, football and just generally happy that everything went so well.

Victor & Charlie were keeping mom company and when we got back to their house around 10:45pm, we were all ready for bed.

Dad and I went back to Casey Eye Saturday morning, everything went great and Dr. Davis was very pleased at how dad's eye, the sutures and everything looked!  YEAH!

Just another little bump in the road.  VERY grateful that the surgery went well...now dad just needs to take it easy for the next few days and not do anything stupid (like over doing it and NO yard work)!

Dad post surgery with our new favorite RN, Chris!

Dr. Davis initialed dad's right eye to verify which eye they were working on...before they knocked him out!

Great view of the river and SE Portland from the balcony of Casey Eye.

This is what Charlotte looked like, passed out when we got home.

Next morning before his post op appointment, cool Elk statue.

Sane view off the balcony with some peek-a-boo sunshine.

Tram docking..

Dad giving mom a semi-pedicure...

Charlotte was "helping" Grandpa with the burgers out back..

Mom's birthday...

Tonight we met up with mom & dad at Stanford's to celebrate mom's 67th birthday! 32 weeks ago mom's crash occurred, sometimes it seems like yesterday, other days when I call her on the phone, I forget for a split second that it happened (she's sounding SO much like her normal self). We had a very nice time at dinner and are looking forward to a day filled with time with our WA Family tomorrow up at mom/dad's place.  Life is GOOD!

Great way to start off a new year!

Matthew, Dad, Mom, Rachel, Charlie & Maddy after lunch.

Christmas 2011...

This year was a strange one, but again we are SO blessed that Mom continues to recover and is HOME!!! Can't ask for ANYTHING more than a healthy family...we are blessed!

Mom enjoying her new electric throw from The Green Family Unit...she is a happy/WARM camper!

Victor & Mom spent a lot of time today going over how her iPad and Kindle both work.

Dad disguised my gift (certificate) by taping it to a piece of wood!

The Three Cinas Christmas morning...

Charlotte LOVES the PINK guitar Santa brought her...

Her new art kit from Jack & Kaylie

Happy Napper from Grandpa Cina

Final spot where the photo canvas will be in mom/dad's room.

Gift from The Green Family Unit & Cinas to mom & dad...they LOVE IT!

My friend Keri...

She's pretty awesome!! Not only is she just a really great person...but she's a also a GREAT hair stylist! She had volunteered to cut mom's hair after she got out of the hospital and was at Crestview...She also cut her hair at The Marquis. Mom was really ready to get her haircut again...Keri came up to the house this afternoon and not only gave mom a haircut, but was talking to mom's caregiver Jane (who won't have a day off until 12/27) so Keri asked mom if it was okay if she cut it...mom was fine with it, so Jane got a haircut too! NICE!!! Mom's a happy camper once again (not that she wasn't happy), she just loves shorter/sassy hair!! THANK YOU Keri!!

30 days of Thankfulness....

I started posting one thing a day on Facebook -- I have way more than 30 things I'm thankful for, but this year (the past 6 months) have truly reminded me what IS most important in my life...My family, friends and the ability to focus on the positive ... everything happens for a reason and God will carry us through the good and not so good times...

1. Thankful for my little brother and celebrating more birthdays (11/1/11 was his 41 birthday)!
2. Thankful to have a job where I can flex my schedule and take my kiddo to school.
3. Thankful to work for a company that promotes safety, health & wellness!
4. Thankful for the gift of CaringBridge.com
5. Thankful for the father/daughter bond that Victor/Charlotte have.
6. Thankful for a little extra sleep and a kiddo that slept in despite the 1 hour fall back today!
7. Thankful for a kiddo who is MORNING child!
8. Thankful for all the fire/rescue and police out there that put their lives on the line for us everyday!
9. Thankful for eHarmony.com!!  All I wanted was a nice guy who makes me laugh...he finally stopped and asked for directions!
10. Thankful for all the occupational & physical therapists out there, they help so many re-learn so many things after a serious illness or traumatic injury.
11. Thankful to all the men and women who have served our country so proudly and put their lives on the line for our freedom!  Veteran's Day 11/11/11.
12. Thankful for my love of all things crafty!
13. Thankful for all the friends I've met/made through Intel over the past 20+ years!
14. Thankful for all the reconnects I've made thanks to Facebook!
15. Thankful for our HOME!
16. Thankful to live somewhere GREEN!
17. Thankful for POSITIVE attitudes!
18. Thankful for my in-laws and celebrating 44 years of marriage!
19. Thankful for an amazing Relay family and getting to hang out with 750 of our Relay peeps!!!
20. Thankful that my brother and family were her for over 9 days!!
21. Thankful 171 days later, my mom walked herself into her HOME (to stay)!!!
22. Thankful for three little cousins getting along so well!
23. Thankful for being a MORNING person!
24. Thankful to have many family and friends together for Thanksgiving!  Life is a precious gift!
25. Thankful for more time with family!
26. Thankful for extra long weekends with just the three of us hanging out TOGETHER!
27. Thankful that my folks are slowly but surely getting back to a routine at home TOGETHER again!
28. Thankful for over a week with my brother & his family - a most excellent time was had by all!
29. Thankful for paper calendars and that I don't have a Smart phone!
30. Thankful for the out pouring of love, prayers of support for my mom/dad during my mom's recovery....we found out today that she will have her Ilizarov removed on Friday, exactly 6 months to the day of the crash...HUGE answer to prayers!!!

She's HOME!!!

HOME and with the puppies on her lap!!!

Mom walking in thru the garage...

Bestest steps EVER!

Kiddos and mom hanging out tonight!

Coolest piece of mail, EVER!!!

My Relay friend Robyn Berry sent my mom THIS pumpkin via USPS Priority Mail...it arrived yesterday. Didn't know you could MAIL a pumpkin, YOU CAN!!

Here's a video with her awesome pumpkin and thanking Robyn...too cool!

Mom's first time typing with an iPad...

Video of mom today: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mULEgxBgEds

Mom on Sunday...

Last weekend with Terry & Lil...

An emotional afternoon....

Photo of mom and Charlotte sharing mom's bed at the Marquis. Mom was in good spirits, but she is getting confused still and she wanted to know what Plan B was, if we aren't able to take her home. I reminded her there is no plan B, only plan A...bringing her home.

We laughed, we cried, we prayed...I'm emotionally exhausted, but I can't possibly imagine what she is and continues to go through...today is day 122...I just want her to keep healing, relearning to walk so Dad can take her HOME! :)

Thankful Thursday...

Mom was having a better day, not great, but better! We will take that! :)