He worked hard at it and it will eventually get easier the more he works at it. I'm very proud of how hard he has been working lately....superman speed recovery....dancing at the prom.... surfing in Hawaii... here we come!
We came home, showered and headed to the Extreme Home Makeover that is going on in Middleburg about 45 minutes from our house. Alex and I wanted to give back to the community since so many have done such awesome things for our family over the past year. Alex isn't 18 so he isn't allowed to help out but we were treated like royalty at the VIP tent directly across the street from where all the action is going on. I had printed Alex up some new "personal business cards" as I like to call them.... it's an easier more appropriate way for him to introduce himself. It has his picture, the website and a Bible verse. Instead of just going up to someone and saying... "Hi, you know me? I was the boy who was shot in the head in January of last year". People don't really know how to react to that, lol. Those of you who follow are familiar with a brain injury by now and can relate... those who don't... well let's just say if I could have a penny for their thoughts at the very moment he introduces himself that way... I would be RICH! Their faces are priceless! So we brought his cards and YES he handed them out like they were candy, lol. He made many many new friends and amazing most of them knew who he was and had been following our story :0)
A special thank you to Amy and Ryan.... Kimberly and Allyson... for making it happen for us. When we first arrived Mrs. Long (one of the builders wives) there are two builders involved in the makeover. Well Mrs. Long came up and welcomed us with her hard hat on. Of course my boys, both Brooks and Alex wanted one... not just ANY hard hat like she had on... they wanted a blue one. Off she goes... and returns with one BLUE and one ORANGE... how awesome is that!! Precious lady! Kaitlyn got us all set up at a table and made the mistake of showing Alex where the choc chip cookies were, lol. He was trying to grab handfuls and hide them like this was his last meal. Yes folks... Alex the 4 year old was back in action. He wanted everything!! Trent's Seafood was there setting everything up for dinner and Mr. Impatient couldn't wait asking over and over when dinner was going to be ready, lol. He had catfish, fried shrimp and hush puppies galore and finished off with choc mousse cheescake... fit for a King! He was in hog heaven! After dinner we headed to the fence to see if we could get Alex standing at the fence so he could get a glimpse of the real action going on across the street. There was a truck in his view if sitting so we got him up so he could see it up close and personal.
I LOVE LOVE LOVE THIS PICTURE!! How precious they are! What an amazing site to see across the street! We have such an awesome community... I knew it already from the out pour of love and support we have received thus far.....but to see everyone come together... busting their tails to make sure this is completed in time... simply amazing. I am so touched by peoples generosity and giving spirit.... THANK YOU GOD. We got to meet Mr. Long of J.A. Long Design Builders, one of the builders working on the project and I tell you what... He and his wife Linda along with their son Ryan are just awesome people! Mr Long took to Alex right away, pushing him in his wheelchair as Alex stated he had to "Peeeeee". It is a dirt/grass environment and not so easy to push all of Alex's 170 pounds around so Mr. Long offered to wheel him across the street to the portalet. This my friends was a whole new experience for ALL of us! We got him across the street and pulled up to the portalet, Alex stood up and Mr. Long proceeded to help him along with me INTO the 2 X 2 inch, or so it seemed, lol... space that he was to urinate. Alex hasn't quite mastered the whole "stand up and pee" ordeal yet... because of obvious balance reasons along with not mastering the whole AIM as you pee technique. Normally he sits for now so that I know it will make it in the toilet! So Mr. Long helps me get him in there and closes the door....He ain't going for the whole sit down thing in there of course... so I pull his pants down a little, hold him by his hips so that he can steady his balance and before I knew it.... he was urinating everywhere... he couldn't control that thing to save his life! He was laughing, I was laughing... pee was going everywhere... OMG.... in a 2X2 inch space.... terrified it was going to get on my shoes as it was getting on his, lol..... terrified that Mr. Long was still outside the portalet and would see the damage that had been done....there was nothing that I could do to contain it! He finishes, pee is everywhere... I open the door to find sweet Mr. Long waiting on us... OMG! Mr. Long... I apologize to you whole heartedly... I had NO IDEA what we were getting ourselves into by taking him to the portalet :0) He helped us out and down into his wheelchair.... grabbed hold and wheeled him across the dirt road back to our VIP area. Words can't express what I feel when each of you who meet us...take the time to get to know Alex and carry on a real conversation with him. It is in that moment that I see God working in and through Alex, no matter what crazy thing that comes out of his mouth..... He is living proof that God works miracles and PEOPLE SEE THAT and GET IT! Mr. Long plans to attend the Celebration and we are very excited to have them join in OUR special event.
Me and Miss Rhonda... our personal photographer :0)
Miss Rhadisha Drummond, one of Alex's fans
OUR NEW EXPERIENCE WOW! Mr Long and Ryan
WHAT AN AWESOME EXPERIENCE last night was and thank you to the builders and many many many volunteers that donated their time and materials to make such a wonderful dream come true for this precious family! YA'LL ARE AWESOME!
This morning we travel to Wolfson's Childrens Hospital for another Botox injection on his left leg. He is not a happy camper at this moment as he cannot have anything to EAT until after his procedure which is not until 1:30! Please say a quick prayer for Alex as he is a little over stimulated this morning with anticipation of the procedure because he always has to be put to sleep with anesthesia for the injections would be too painful with the sensitivity in his left side. His little brain is going 90 to nothing right now!
Wishing you all a great day.... if you are out at the Extreme Makeover site tonight.... please come and introduce yourself....it's the hi-light of our days to meet a prayer warrior!!
LISA
