Summer time = Vacation time

It's been a busy few weeks since I last posted!  The Saturday after we moved into the house, Darren, Matt, Coby (his nephew) and myself started our trip up to Utah for the Ream Family Reunion.  Our first stop...Vegas!

Upon arriving in Las Vegas Saturday night, we went straight to the hospital to visit Darren's mom, Chris.  I was excited - I hadn't seen her since two weeks after this all happened!  I was looking forward to seeing the progress first hand.  Also, Coby, her grandson, had never seen her so he was thrilled.  She was wide awake when we got there and in a great mood.  She kept laughing with everything Darren and Matt had to say.  She tried to mouth a few things now and again, but I was only able to pick up on the last word or so...which was kind of pointless.  It was incredible to see the improvements made - from where she was a week after it happened to where she is now can only be described in one word.  A miracle.

After church on Sunday, before heading to Utah, we stopped by again.  Chris wasn't as responsive that afternoon, but my guess is she was really tired.  She smiled a few times for us and laughed when Darren decided to make Matt's hospital gown into a short tight dress - silly boys...

Monday night was the reunion at a lodge near Roosevelt, Utah.  It was a blast!  Darren went fishing every day, multiple times, and I got to hold baby Caroline nearly the whole three days =).  Aunt Rene and Colleen did a wonderful job planning the reunion.  My favorite part was paintballing (where I got a nasty welt/bruise) and playing soccer in the rain!  It was a great vacation with family.

After the reunion, we got to visit Darren's good friend Aaron, his wife and son, in Vernal, Utah.  Last we saw them was at our wedding and even then, we didn't really have much time to visit.  Thanks Marcee and Aaron for having us!  It was a lot of fun - we got to see the behind the scenes part of a movie theater.  Super neat.

Friday and Saturday, we were back in Provo where RAINA came!  Yes, one of my roommates and best friends from Idaho - whom I hadn't seen in nearly a YEAR - came to Provo!  It was a lot of fun seeing her.  We walked around the 4th of July fair, took a nap at the park, walked around Big 5, and then finished the night off with an amazing firework show at Stadium of Fire.  Thanks so much for coming to spend time with us, Raina!

Sunday, we drove home - a LONG drive!  We stopped in Vegas of course, and stopped by to visit Chris.  She wouldn't open her eyes - Sheldon said she hadn't in awhile.  Probably tired...but she smiled and squeezed Darren's hand a few times - overall a great visit.  We got back to AZ late that night and crashed immediately! What a trip...

Here's a video of Chris's progress a few days after we saw her.  To put it into perspective, when this all happened, she had absolutely no control in her arms.  She couldn't lift them, squeeze her hands, nothing.  This clip is of her doing some simple tasks showing the movement she's obtained.  A miracle.



Thanks again for all your prayers on her behalf!  They're being heard.

Who wants a tour?

(There used to be pictures on this post.  I accidentally erased them...oops!)
Ladies and Gents, here it is!

My husband is a patriot

Please, enter =)

 The kitchen (throughout these pictures, please excuse the mess.  We're still unpacking!)

Table and sliding door to the backyard

Family room (TV is right behind me)

Office (still with boxes that need to be unpacked)

The master...and last but not least

The huge closet!  This picture does not do it justice.

So there's our home!  We love it and it's been way nice going from an apartment to a house.  Hope you like it =)

I'm Still Here!

Moving into our HOUSE tomorrow - pictures to come soon, promise =)

The cutest thing I've seen in awhile :)

Here's a little something to put a smile on your face :). I know most of you don't have anything to compare her progress to...but this is HUGE!

Baby Steps to a Miracle

Mom Hunsaker Update-
   Darren's mom Christine has now been in the hospital for 5 weeks.  And for the past five weeks, she's been basically the same.  She constantly moves her legs and head, but as far as we know, it's just reflexes and not conscious reactions.  Then...this happened

From the most recent email, Jen, the oldest of the Hunsaker's, told this story:

"After my dad had been in the room for a while, she turned her head to him and smiled.  It wasn't the prettiest smile, but it was upturned lips.  Maybe 20 minutes had passed since she had smiled and my dad was standing next to her, massaging her left hand.  She looked up at him, puckered her lips and made the kissing sound.  Basically she blew him a kiss."

Can you believe that?!  How amazing!  That was on Thursday.  It's Saturday now, and she's continuing to show baby steps of improvement.  When Steve, her oldest son, asked her to show him her teeth, she would.  Or to stick out her tongue, and so forth.  Each time, she did what she was asked.  Sometimes it took longer than others, but still!  Also, when they put chapstick on her lips, she rubs them together.  It's amazing...thank you all so much for your thoughts and prayers.  We really appreciate it.  More updates to come!

He Loves Me

Yesterday was a great day.  I came home to the most wonderful surprise.  On the mirror in our bathroom, Darren had stuck Nerf darts to our mirror to say this...

I love this boy :)

New Week, New House, New Job!

So it's official, Darren and I are now HOME OWNERS!  On Thursday, the 6th of May, we closed on a beautiful home in San Tan Heights.  We are so excited about this and can't wait to move in.  Right now, our plan is to fix up a thing or two in the house and then move in by the end of the month or early June.  Life is good!

So exciting...also on an exciting note, I have a new job!  Finally, after months of searching, having to turn jobs down due to the loan on the house, I have a NEW job!  I'll be doing office work, billing, filing, etc., at a surgical office in Gilbert.  It's a huge blessing, better pay, insurance, closer to home, everything!  I start tomorrow and I'm looking forward to the change.

On Mother's Day, all the Hunsakers got on a conference call with Darren's mom in the hospital.  It was neat to be able to sing her some of her favorite church songs and tell her how much we love her.  She's still in our thoughts and prayers, and hopefully she'll continue to improve day by day.  Thanks to all those that have been prayer for her as well.