Third year Day 8 - Saturday December 21, 2013

There are so few days until Christmas and still some things left to get done!  Luckily I did most of my shopping online this year, and almost everything has actually arrived.  Today I got the girls to help me get things wrapped and finally we got some presents under the tree.  I had them help with other family members presents....Bridgett and Arrianne helped wrap Stephany's etc.  It was great to get that taken care of!  It's so fun to have Christmas music playing and the lights on in the house and on the tree!  We all love Christmas time! We always do a gingerbread house together.  We used to let each of the kids make individual graham cracker houses and additionally we would put together a kit.  Since the kids have been bigger, we just do the kit.  This year I didn't have much shopping time in town, so Mark picked up the kit at Costco.  The kit actually had the house pre-assembled and you just decorate it.  Stephany was sad, because she likes putting the house together.  Today I told her that it was a good thing that the house is already assembled because it's almost Christmas and she still isn't feeling too good.  Things seem to work out in the end.....

Third year Day 7 - Friday December 20, 2013

This afternoon I had to run into town to get gift cards for our employees.  The roads were not great and it took quite a bit of time to get in, buy the cards, and get them all ready to give out. Mark wasn't here to do it and someone had to be able to write a check and show identification, etc.  Bridgett came with me and before I left I got Stephany all situated with pain reliever, water and snacks.  It all worked out and we got home before dinner time, although it was dark.  Bad roads are not fun and bad roads in the dark are even less fun!  Mark and Arrianne drove home and boy was Bridgett excited to see them! She had a little bit of a hard time waiting up until they arrived, but she made it! The roads were very bad much of the way and we worried about them but luckily they got through with no issues. Someone told me today that their son was flying into Kalispell from Texas, via Salt Lake and the Salt Lake airport was closed Thursday. Eventually their plane did land in Salt Lake, after being diverted to St. George for a while. In the end, he did arrive in Kalispell, hours late. So, it all worked out with not flying Arrianne home anyway!

Third year Day 6 - Thursday December 19, 2013

Arrianne's last final was online and she did it late last night.  Today she spent the day working on her term paper and finally finished and delivered it to the professor 15 minutes before it was due!  Whew!  Then she and Mark spent the evening packing, moving and cleaning.  They got everything done by about 9:30 and then headed to Deb's to spend the night.  It was pretty late to head to Scott's as they go to bed before that.  Also, he wanted to stop and see Deb and drop off presents there.  Today Bridgett asked to watch a movie!  She's remembering that the kids said she needed to be able to sit through a movie so that she can go to the Hobbit movie during the holidays.  Anyway, she said she wanted to watch Rush Hour with Jackie Chan....and she watched the entire thing!  She and I were both very proud of her!  Little by little.....

Third year Day 5 - Wednesday December 18, 2013

Mark was able to go to my moms house this morning and drop off Christmas presents for her and my siblings, as well as pick up presents.  He had never been to her new apartment before, and really enjoyed getting a tour.  I really do like her new place and I'm so glad to know that she is in a gated community with ward members upstairs, and on either side of her.  Next he went to Jenn's for a fun filled time with the grandkids.  He took Arrianne out to lunch following one of her finals, and then dropped her back home to study for her last final as well as work on her paper for Music History I.  During the afternoon he went into Salt Lake on business, then grabbed some dinner and headed out to see Weston play basketball at (can you believe it??) 9 p.m.; this is a bit late for eleven year olds!  Anyway, it was a great day for him.  We wished we were there too but we will see everyone in January!  Today, out of the blue, Bridgett said that was cool how they put my name on the dressing room door at Maurices!  She remembered, all the way from Saturday!  Yippee! 

Third year Day 4 - Tuesday December 17, 2013

Mark drove to Utah today.  Arrianne is struggling to get through finals and having some terrible pain (ovarian) and wanted a blessing.  Mark had Tyler Fenn meet him over at her apartment and they gave her a blessing.  Also, he stopped and got her something to eat because she didn't have anything in her apartment really.  She's been eating up everything in the fridge and freezer so that it would be easier to move, which was smart.  However, the timing was not perfect because she didn't have anything easy to eat.  Of course, she had staples so that she could cook but no time really with finals and tonight, in too much pain. He got her all situated and hopefully she can get some rest!  She has only two finals left and one paper to write.  Mark headed to Scott's to spend the night; it's so nice that they have an extra bedroom so that he can stay there when he's in town.  Stephany is still sick and now I'm just praying that she's better enough by the time that Arrianne gets home so that she can enjoy the holidays!  Bridgett's super excited to see Arrianne and can't wait for them to get home on Friday!

Third year Day 3 - Monday December 16, 2013

Sometimes Bridgett remembers stuff that kind of blows me away.  Like today, she said to me, holding up her thumbs.....how come they call them opposable thumbs!  Opposable!  Love it!!  This also opened up a whole discussion about opposable thumbs and what they are good for, etc.  I always say to Mark....bits and pieces of her memory, coming back at random times!  It's cool!  I was on the phone a lot today with business issues (mostly) and some stuff for Arrianne as well.  Bridgett was very patient with it all for most of the time, but started to get kind of frustrated later on in the day. Finally she told Mark when he got home that I'd been on the phone all day long! Mostly true, ha ha!  But, you know how it is....on hold and doing things part of the time, etc.  Anyway, she did lots of reading, playing Nintendo, and ipad, etc.  She helped carry stuff down to Stephany in the basement like water bottles for her to drink etc.  She can't really carry a cup of water down without spilling because her balance is not wonderful, but it is pretty good!  She's been demonstrating balance for me lately, out of the blue!  For example, she will suddenly say, look at my balance mom!  Then she will balance on one foot while she counts to ten (and usually makes it!).  Next she will try to do the same on the other foot, but will have to count really fast and won't make it to ten.  But, it's getting better!  Today she suddenly said she wanted me to watch her put on her socks standing up with out any support. Hmmmm......I said okay if I stand next to you and you have a wall or something else on the other side of you just in case.  So, she stood up next to the fridge and I was on the other side.  She lifted her foot and started to put her foot in the sock, and leaned over into the fridge.  At this point, she abandoned the effort and said Oh I guess I can't really do that.  She said other people do it and I said at some point you will be able to do it too, but for now, let's just sit down to put on socks!  BTW, a few days later she saw Tyler putting on his socks while standing and said see!  Tyler can do it!  I want to be able to do that too!  Good remembering, I say! 

Third year Day 2 - Sunday December 15, 2013

Stephany is still sick and Bridgett is wiped out from yesterday, so we stayed home from church and just regrouped.  Mark and I are trying to figure out about him driving to Provo to help Arrianne move to another apartment and to bring her home for Christmas.  Since we planned to all be going down there, we didn't book her a flight and now the rates are crazy.  Normally I can get a flight for about $425 if we book like two months in advance; last minute the flight is like $1,250!  Anyway, I think he will leave on Tuesday and plan to get some business done on Wednesday, along with visiting the other kids (Scott's family and Jenn's family). I felt really bad to miss her performances last night and the night before, and this time they apparently didn't record them either.  To top it off, Jenn was planning on going on Saturday and she got sick too! Bummer!  But, life goes on.  Bridgett still wants to celebrate her "alive day" with everyone, so we will still plan to get together in January, when we take Arrianne back to Provo and have appointments with Faith.  She's got a really great attitude about things and is not upset about rescheduling.  When I talked to her about having to cancel the party, she said if Stephany is sick of course we can't go!  That's OK, I understand!  We can do it another time!  I love that!  Such a great attitude! BTW thanks to everyone that sent cards to Bridgett!  She only got six, but she was super ecstatic about them and loved reading them!  

Third year Day 1 - Saturday December 14, 2013

So it all happened two years ago today.  I woke up this morning, determined to do something positive and not fixate on the obvious.  I told Mark that I wanted to take Bridgett shopping for some new clothes; of course, what woman wouldn't think that way!! Anyway, when Bridgett woke up I said today we shop til we drop!  She was ecstatic!  Then she said, too bad we can't have french toast at Mimi's today! (she remembered!)  She said she wished we could have french toast in Kalispell.  I said, there's no Mimi's and I don't know if there's any place good to get french toast.  Then she said something amazing.....she said we could have french toast at that restaurant that is across from Kmart! Wow!  That's cool she remembered that!  Perkins!  So, off we went to Perkins.  Mark stayed home with Stephany and told us to have fun and take our time.  The roads were snowy, but we drove carefully in and parked, at about 9 a.m.  We were seated and ordered...french toast for Bridgett, fried potatoes and an English muffin (with salsa) for me.  After ordering, I looked around and who should I see but Kennedy and Julie! (my niece and sister-in-law that live in Kalispell) We popped over to their table and said hi. They were finished eating but offered to have us sit down. Bridgett was hurting a little and just wanted to stand.  Standing helps with she's in pain.  Anyway, in a bit she went back to our table.  I told Julie and Kennedy that this was her day and I should be with her, but they could come to our table, where the food had just arrived.  So, they came to our table and we continued talking.  It was a very nice visit, and we got to be with family after all today, and grab a few hugs!  They left and we finished eating and then bustled off for shopping.  Our first stop...Target.  We looked around there and bought some underclothing for Bridgett.  Then, we headed to the mall.  We first went to Bath and Body Works because randomly Bridgett had received a coupon in the mail for a free item.  She picked out some body spray.....vanilla with shimmer stuff in it. So Bridgett!  Exactly the fragrance she would have picked and also the shimmer is exactly what she would have wanted before the wreck!  She got some free vanilla lotion to go with it.  Then I reminded her that she had Jenn's name for Christmas (the kids draw names) and she definitely wanted to get her something there.  She picked out gingerbread foaming soap, gingerbread sanitizer, stress relief sanitizer, and some of those shea butter socks that soften your feet (with a cute picture of a cats face on the toes).  Next we headed to Maurice's which was just across the mall.  By this time Bridgett was lagging for sure.  She was tired and walking with slow steps.  On the way in she saw a blingy shirt, which I grabbed.  We stopped at the counter to get a sales gal to help us.  While waiting there, she picked out a scarf she loved and a necklace, all very much in Bridgett's style!  There was a very nice sales gal that helped us to a dressing room and put Bridgett's name on the door.  Then Bridgett just sat down and rested while I went with the gal to pick some jeans for her.  I got two different pairs, guessed at size (and was right!), and Bridgett tried them on and loved them!  She was too tired to try on the shirt, so we decided to just buy it and return it later if needed.  I paid for the clothing and we headed to the car, none too soon.  I really began to wonder if we would make it.  I don't know why Bridgett was so thrashed out today, but she was really tired and wimpy.  I got her to the car and we headed home.  Unfortunately, we need to stop for a few groceries so she stayed in the car, with her ipad, while I grabbed a few things at Rosauers.  It was funny that I saw Julie and Kennedy there as well, although they were across the store and I just waved.  We left and drove carefully home and I thought about how I'd told Julie we were going to shop until we dropped and it was not even noon and we were home already, even with a 35 minute drive!  But, Bridgett and I both had a great time and I'm so glad that we did something fun!  We both had a good nap today and then we all played games and visited tonight.  Of course, playing games was big on Bridgett's list of something fun to do! Overall, it was a great day. 

Second year Day 365 - Friday December 13, 2013

I can hardly believe we are at the last day of the second year!  In some ways it seems like it was a lifetime ago that the wreck happened.  Life has certainly been different for the entire family since the wreck; I guess that will always be true and perhaps not in a bad way.  Not that I want to be philosophical at this point, but we all have our nightmares and we all have to find a way to get through our struggles.  Sometimes other peoples struggles seem hard, but the struggles we personally face are the real measure of who and what we are.  We all have the ability to handle whatever is thrown our way.  Sometimes we struggle trying to find our way to the top of the water again, after we've been "thrown overboard in a raging storm" but in the end we do it.  Hopefully we come through the storm having learned something, but definitely we will have changed and hopefully for the better.  Hopefully we come out of our struggles full of love, gratitude and forgiveness.  Hopefully we continue our journey, fortified and ready to face the next storm.  Perhaps we have to time out a little while to gather strength again, but life will go on either way.  Ready or not, life continues forward.  It was with great sadness today that I had to cancel our trip to Utah and cancel Bridgett's party.  Stephany is too sick to travel.  Mark offered to stay home with her, but the roads are not good and I just couldn't face driving them alone with Bridgett.  Plus, it would take a long time because I go slow on bad roads!  I sadly sent out texts to everyone that we had invited, because I couldn't face talking to everyone without crying.  I had a good cry about it this evening.  I was really looking forward to tomorrow; it seemed like such a positive way to spend the day.  Overall I've been doing much better than last year and I think the party was a big part of that.  I cried on Mark's shoulder for a while, then I called Jenn and cried to her.  What a baby I am!  But I did feel better after a good cry.

Second year Day 364 - Thursday December 12, 2013

I told you that I charged Bridgett's workout ipod, the one that she was using when she had her wreck.  Today she turned it on and began to search for music to listen to.  One of her playlists is "convertible music." Of course, she did drive a blue Mustang convertible and loved doing that!  She loved the feel of the wind on her face and in her hair!  And, apparently, she loved playing music while "riding in the 'Stang" (Princess Dairies quote).  Bridgett loved/loves to say that quote.  Of course, as I've mentioned before, Bridgett was a big movie quoter before the accident.  Since the accident, she remembers many quotes, she just couldn't remember what she was quoting from at first.  Now she's getting better at that, but she asks me almost daily what show she is quoting from. Since I hardly ever watch movies, I'm terrible at answering for her.  But usually one of the other kids can answer. BTW, Bridgett does long for the day when she can drive her 'Stang again, with the top down and the wind in her face and blowing her hair!  We all look forward to that day! 

Second year Day 363 - Wednesday December 11, 2013

Today we had to fill out papers for Bridgett's student loan.  It is income based, so at this point she has not made any payments.  Remember, she was in school full time when the accident happened.  She hasn't worked yet, so no income. Anyway, when she signed the documents about her income, she said that she hates her handwriting now.  Initially, her handwriting was messy, but OK.  The therapists asked if it was her normal handwriting.  No, she had very neat and careful handwriting.  She gets frustrated because although it's getting better, it's still not as neat and nice as it used to be.  Bridgett says it looks like a childs handwriting.  No, it really doesn't, but maybe it looks like her handwriting when she was a child!  Sometimes it's messier than other times, but mostly fine and definitely readable!  Something funny that Bridgett says often.  When she can do something herself without any help (something that she used to need help with) she says I can do it all byst myself.  I'm pretty sure that byst isn't a word!  Anyway, it's funny.  Another example of a Bridgettism! 

Second year Day 362 - Tuesday December 10, 2013

It's getting closer to Bridgett's two year anniversary of her wreck.  She calls it her Alive Day!  She said, I have a birthday and now I have an alive day too!  She says...it was almost a dead day--but it's an alive day--so we should celebrate!  I'm not having a lot of crying and stress like last year and I think it's because we are focusing on celebrating and thinking about all of the good things; it seems positive and productive! I'm looking forward to Saturday and having fun with everyone!  Also, I'm busy writing up a recount of some of the spiritual experiences we've had during this time.  I want to give a copy to the many family members that will be there Saturday.  I will mail out copies to those who can't attend.  I've done my share of crying as I've prepared this account, but those are a different kind of tears.  Tears of happiness, tears of feeling the spirit, tears of joy.   Still tears that wear you out, but in a good way. I've arranged a special menu for the family at Mimi's.  They said whenever they have a group of 25 or more, they encourage people to narrow down the menu; this speeds up ordering and insures that they have extra of those items.  I confirmed the menu today and everything is set for Saturday! 

Second year Day 361 - Monday December 9, 2013

This morning we had an appointment with Sharon to get Bridgett's hair trimmed.  Remember that the last time we had an appointment, she all of the sudden said she wanted a pixie cut!  I cancelled that appointment and we have waited for a while.  It's been weeks since that day, but still when we were getting ready to go this morning, suddenly Bridgett asked if she could get a pixie cut.  This time I just said NO!  We talked about it and she was OK with not getting it cut short.  But, what are the odds that she would remember that!  Hah!  On the way to Sharon's she suddenly asked how long it takes to be an esthetician.  What!  How do you remember that word, I asked????  It's so random, the things that come out of her mouth!  And she remembered what it was that an esthetician does!  Anyway, Sharon did such a great job with Bridgett's hair, and it looks so cute!  I said let's take a picture and she said she'd pose like a model, which she did!  She's a crack up!  Anyway, we got all ready to leave and I had just paid Sharon, when suddenly Bridgett said...I have to get my glasses.  Your glasses--where are they?  Sharon took them off when she started cutting my hair!  Now, it doesn't seem like a big thing to you I'm sure, but this was a BIG thing to me!  Yeah!  Short term memory getting better!  Just before we left Sharon's, Bridgett said isn't there a movie about a Jamaican bobsled team, that goes to the Olympics?  Yes!  Then she said isn't it called Cool Runnings?  Yes!  Then she said she wanted to go home and watch it.  She'll forget about it by the time we do a little grocery shopping and get home, but hey, at least she remembered about the show! 

Second year Day 360 - Sunday December 8, 2013

I've been trying to get a hold of everyone to confirm attendance at Bridgett's party on Saturday.  So far it looks like out of 59 people invited, 52 will attend!  Bridgett is super excited about the party and talking about it every day!  She's still having headaches.  Oh, I forgot to blog about this....we went to see Anne for a second appointment.  I called her first and talked to her about Bridgett's headaches and the fact that she's super car sick again, when she hasn't been for months and months.  Anyway, I said, let's just have a clean up appointment, and address the headaches and carsickness and not do anything extra.  She said that would be great from her perspective.  Anyway, we had the appointment and anyway, she's still having those bad headaches and she's still carsick.  Bummer!  So, we got all ready for church and then suddenly she had a terrible headache and we had to stay home!  These headaches are the worst!  Of course, the carsickness is terrible as well, and since we will be traveling this Thursday; she will have to take Zofran for sure! Arrianne ended up going to Urgent Care this morning.  She's worse today.  Jenn took over some decongestant to her and when she heard that Arri was planning on going to Urgent Care, Jenn said that she'd take her.  Arrianne didn't want to get Jenn sick, but Jenn brought a mask with her.  Urgent Care unfortunately said that its just viral and that she needs rest.  She's got so much going on, including a recording session tomorrow night (from 9;00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. no less!) and she wants to do everything!  We'll see how things go, but hopefully she will be able to perform this weekend for her Opera Workshop!  She has two duets, a solo piece, and another group piece with solo, in addition to the many chorus pieces.  Hmmmmm.....

Second year Day 359 - Saturday December 7, 2013

Today Bridgett did the funniest thing--she got some Doritos to eat, put them in a bowl and then got a spoon to eat them with!  I looked at her kind of funny and she said are you commenting on my eating chips with a spoon?  Yes!  She said it keeps my fingers from getting dirty!  Hmmm.....I guess that's true, but I've never seen anyone do it before!  I told Mark about it and he said oh I guess I started that.  He said that quite a while ago he was eating lunch and had some chips.  He didn't want his fingers to get dirty so he ate with a fork.  He said it's the only time he's done it before, but there you go.  I always worry about things like that, thinking that Bridgett is impressionable, and there you go!!
I forgot to blog yesterday, that Arrianne got sick!  A week before her performances and then finals and juries!  Yikes!  She came right home and went to bed.  She's loading up on vitamins and I told her to just try to stay home and sleep.  I know that she's so sleep deprived!  Also, they had choir performances this week, and she was out late in the very cold air.  Lots of people in the department are already sick, and that makes it hard to stay well when you are surrounded by germs and sleep deprived! 

Second year Day 358 - Friday December 6, 2013

Late this afternoon, Bridgett and I went in to see the Christmas Creche display at the stake center.  Stephany wasn't feeling well enough to go.  They have spent hours preparing for the event, and then it's so COLD outside, I'm worried about attendance.  It's been below zero all week, and its supposed to be like -13 tonight!  I hate it went its this cold!  I shouldn't say hate, that's a strong word....I really, really don't like it!  Anyway, went we got out of the car the wind was blowing so hard, and it was SO cold!  We hustled inside and looked around for Mark and luckily found him quickly.  We made a somewhat quick inspection of the creches, but we did run into a few old friends and stop to talk.  First we saw Dick and Diane Denney.  Diane is a school teacher and teaches 2nd grade.  When Bridgett was in second grade, she asked me every night about public school and what it was like.  At length, Mark and I talked about it, and then asked Bridgett if she wanted to see what it was like.  I asked Diane if she could visit her class, and she consented.  Bridgett, being the social gal that she is, loved it!  She came home and begged to go to public school.  There were only two months left before summer, and so we talked and told her that she could go, but would need to finish out the year.  She agreed and so off she went to school.  She had fun at first, being the new girl, etc.  Then she started asking what we were doing at home school, and asking me to wait for her to get home before we did anything fun.  In the end, she really didn't enjoy it that much and wanted to quit, but as we'd agreed, we finished up the year.  I felt bad sending her when she wanted to be home, but Mark and I felt that if she didn't finish it out, by the next year or so she'd be asking to go again.  She needed to really find out what it was like and then make a choice.  And so, in the end, she decided that she loved homeschooling and didn't want to do public school again.  Of course, that was no reflection on Diane!  Bridgett didn't immediately recognize Diane.  I whispered that she was a second grade school teacher and a look of memory flashed across her face.  Did I go to her class?  Yes!  Next, we ran into Steve Perrone.  Bridgett immediately recognized him and excitedly gave him a hug.  A few minutes later, we stopped to talk to Debbie Perrone.  By this time Steve caught up to her as well.  Bridgett saw Debbie and I could see that she recognized her, but couldn't remember her name.  Steve said, she's with me, Bridgett!  Suddenly she said Debbie!  I said do you remember their kids.  A few weeks ago when Steve was at church, Bridgett remembered all of the kids names.  Tonight she couldn't remember right away, so I prompted her saying Jon.....and then she said and Lindsay and Melissa!  Right!  In her defense, Bridgett was in a very visually stimulating environment, it was the end of the day and she was tired, and also, she's had a long week with all of the headaches.  So, she was a little slow remembering.  Lastly, we ran into Muriel Reed.  I got involved in a conversation with her and so Mark and Bridgett walked a little bit.  When I was done talking, I caught up to them.  By this time, Bridgett was walking very slow, and was so tired out and ready to leave.  Mark helped us to the car and I drove her home and she went right to bed! 

Second year Day 357 - Thursday December 5, 2013

This morning was a little hectic, trying to get everything under control so that I can be gone for several hours for my audit.  Mark was totally involved in the annual Christmas Creche display at the church, so Tyler was in charge of playing games with Bridgett during the audit period.  Luckily, the auditor was someone that has audited me before.  We got to talking and I found out that I was one of his first audits, five years ago!  He was very nice and the audit only lasted about an hour and a half-ish.  After I got home, Bridgett said she was remembering getting a Betty Spaghetti doll for Christmas one year, along with her sisters.  She described their dolls and their funny spaghetti like hair!  Cool! 

Second year Day 356 - Wednesday December 4, 2013

So, ever since we saw Anne, Bridgett has been having bad headaches, almost migraine like really.  In addition, she's had neck pain.  For a few days after a treatment, that might be OK, but now it's really going on for too long.  Her headaches are so very painful and no pain reliever is helping at all.  When Faith works on Bridgett, the after effects are definitely limited and don't hang on.  Of course, usually she's seeing us again the next day and she can make an adjustment to stop the pain.  I have been meaning to call Anne, but feeling so crummy that I didn't get around to it.  I did call Lil tonight and ask her about how she found out about Anne, and how long she's been seeing her, etc.  The other day was her first appointment.  She wasn't referred by anyone, she just met Anne at the bank where she (Lil) works.  She suggested that I call Anne, which is what I would have done by now if I hadn't felt so crummy!  I will try to call her tomorrow afternoon, after my audit. 

Second year Day 355 - Tuesday December 3, 2013

Today Bridgett had a string of questions, like always!  Most of her questions these days are asking if she's remember correctly or not.  She used to ask questions and I'd say what do you think?  Now she asks like this......does Lady Gaga sing Poker Face?  Is Snoopy the dog in Charlie Brown movies?  Doesn't aunt Debbie live in American Fork?  And one of my favorites.....didn't Stephany used to always say fluffer nutter?!  It's so fun to have her remember things, albeit random things!  Today I was SOOO tired, and also crying a lot.  I wondered what was the matter with me.  By afternoon I was a basket case, and finally Stephany called Mark and asked him to come home.  It was not very convenient for him, but he did come home.  Together we realized that my new thyroid medication that I started last Tuesday, was not working properly.  I was tired all last week, and just chalked it up to traveling, Thanksgiving, having Arrianne home and staying up late, etc.  I called my doctor and discussed the situation, and adjusted my medication.  Hopefully tomorrow will be better!  I have my in person audit on Thursday, and I need to feel better!

Second year Day 354 - Monday December 2, 2013

Today we were talking about Christmas and I asked Bridgett if she remembered what she asked for and got when she was 12.  I said, there were two kind of opposite things.  She said, didn't I ask for an American girls doll?  Yes!  And then she said, and didn't I ask for a BB gun?  Yes!  It was a funny thing, giving her a doll and a gun for Christmas, but so Bridgett-ish!  Bridgett has always been one of a kind, unique in every way!  Today Bridgett asked about the Trojan horse.  Random!  Anyway, I had her look it up in her reference book, and it wasn't there!  So, we googled it and read about it.  She remembers there was a Trojan horse, but none of the details about it except it happened, supposedly, a long time ago.  Some things she is remembering are like that, sketchy, but there. 

Second year Day 353 - Sunday December 1, 2013

All too soon it is the last day Arri will be home.  We've all had such a great time!  The girls have had a lot of fun together.  BTW, they never got around to watching the last of Lord of the Rings!  Stephany and Bridgett were feeling sick today and Mark had to go into work at the last minute, so Arrianne stayed home from church with me and we visited some more.  Mark made it back in time for lunch together.  He loaded her bag into the car and they took off about 3:00 to head for the airport.  Normally we would go and see her off (and meet her!) but this trip she just got to be alone with her dad.  Mark said that he asked her to sing for him on the way to the airport, and it was really fun for him.  She has been singing a lot while she was home.  She has a very loud, operatic voice, which is beautiful--but it's hard for Bridgett to listen to for very long.  So, each day when Arrianne practiced (for one-two hours), Bridgett went into my room, put in her earphones and turned on her ipod and listened to music to block out the singing, while she played Nintendo or played on her ipod.  It all worked out, so that's good.  Arrianne has juries in a couple of weeks and also her opera workshop, with lots of music that she's still working on.  She can't go a week without singing!  Arrianne made it home safely and we all went to bed early.  Oh, this was a funny thing......today Arrianne was practicing her singing and Bridgett was in my room on her ipad.  I stopped in the room to check on Bridgett and found that she was on the Buckle site, looking at clothes!  She always loved the Buckle and has quite a few things from there.  Bridgett always had style and loved fashion, with her own kind of style.  So, anyway, I asked her if she wanted to put things in the shopping cart and show me later.  She couldn't remember how to do that so I taught her.  It took quite a few times before she could remember each step.  She kept forgetting to choose a size so that the item would get added.  But in the end, she added 13 things to the cart for me to look at!  It's nice to see her starting to be interested in fashion again.  When asked, she's said that she wants some new clothes and jewelry for Christmas--some bling for sure.  So Bridgett! 

Second year Day 352 - Saturday November 30, 2013

Oh, forgot to mention that yesterday I took Bridgett to see Anne Yellow Kidney, the craniosacral therapist that Patti Fenn told me about.  She is located right in Bigfork.  We were waiting for her finish with her appointment before us, and when the person came out--it was Lil Levi!  We were both surprised to see the other one and had a really quick hello goodbye before we went into our appointment.  Anne is very experienced.  I'm not sure at this point how experience she is in relation to Faith, but this next week we will watch how Bridgett does and that will tell me a lot.  However, at least she has many years of experience, and she definitely knows more that most of the therapist we've seen.  We are hoping that this can help with our travel situation!  One thing that Anne talked to Bridgett about during this appointment was that she has tension down one side from her negative feeling towards the man that hit her.  She asked Bridgett how she felt about him.  Bridgett said she was angry that he hit her.  Anne said these feelings spill over into our life and cause people to have negative feelings towards others that they are involved with.  She asked Bridgett if she ever got mad at her dad or brothers, and how their relationship was.  Bridgett told Anne that that she loves each of them and that they love her and treat her so well.  Suddenly I remember something.  There have only been like five times that Bridgett has been angry about anything since her wreck, but each time she has said something snappy to Mark!  He always looks bewildered and asks me, what did I do?  And he hasn't ever done anything really.  I have just chalked it up to hormones but I wonder......I mentioned this to Anne and she nodded.  She told Bridgett that this is common when you get hurt.  Your inner child expects your dad to protect you, to keep you from getting hurt.  Your inner child blames your dad for not being there and helping you.  So, she said to take this next week to try to forgive the man that hurt her.  After we left, we talked on the way home.  We haven't really talked about this subject for a while.  Bridgett again asked me if the man ever apologized to her.  She said, he should have said that he was sorry you know!  I know, but he is sorry I'm sure, I said.  Then I remembered to tell her about something that happened while she was in a coma.  I blogged about it at the time.  Her visiting teacher found out about the wreck and called her mother and told her.  When the mother heard the details, she exclaimed that this girls father had been at the scene!  They all got together that night and came up to the waiting room at the ICU to see us.  The father sat and told us about his experience.  He said that he was one of the first on the scene, just minutes/seconds after it happened.  He saw that a cyclist had been hit and since he was a cyclist himself, thought this might be one of my friends.  He jumped out of his vehicle and ran to Bridgett.  He saw that it wasn't anyone he knew but had great compassion for her.  He took off his coat and covered her up, since it was so cold outside.  He looked over and saw the man that had hit her and he had fallen to the ground on his knees and was sobbing.  When I told Bridgett this, she immediately changed in her demeanor and started to cry!  She said she felt so badly for him and realized the great sorrow that the man had. She said, I hope Heavenly Father forgives me for being angry with him--I'm so sorry!  All the way home she talked about it.  When we got home, the rest of the family was a little mystified to hear her talking about it and about how sorry she felt for the man.  I explained the situation to everyone.  I cried too.  It's a hard thing for everyone. 

Second year Day 351 - Friday November 29, 2013

Today Arrianne said, the week is going so fast!  I know! I hate that!  But, it's not long until Christmas break!  She said, well that's a scary thought because that means that finals are just around the corner and there's not much time to have everything done!  True!  We did lots of just visiting and resting today.  Later on in the evening, the power went out!  I hate that!  We grabbed the flashlights and lanterns and spent the rest of the evening in the dark more of less.  Mark and I decided that Bridgett had better sleep up in the extra bed in our room, so if she awakened in the night and the power was out, someone would be around to help her to the bathroom.  Of course, it was also getting chilly in the house. Mark started a fire in the fireplace pretty quickly, and also a fire in our bedroom fireplace, so that we could keep it warmer.  He tried starting one in the wood burning stove downstairs, but it's been several years since we've used it and in the dark he couldn't get the flue opened up correctly, so mostly he just smoked up the downstairs and then quit!  Stephany and Arrianne were so funny!  They said the smoke was like fog, so went into the bedroom and dressed up like detectives and talked with British accents!  Hilarious!  The power was out for quite a few hours, but we were all bundled up in our down comforters as we slept and kept fairly warm. 

Second year Day 350 - Thursday November 28, 2013

Thanksgiving Day!  It was a great, although quiet day.  We had a wonderful time all cooking together.  It's so fun to spend time in the kitchen together.  Arri said, think of how much time we cook for Thanksgiving and then how fast its all eaten up! True!  We have an interesting dinner on Thanksgiving because in addition to the turkey, we have vegan dishes for Arrianne and I.  Bridgett is again going back to a dislike of meat, although she never did enjoy eating turkey.  She and Scott don't like it at all.  However, there was plenty to choose from without turkey! 

Second year Day 349 - Wednesday November 27, 2013

I forgot to blog that when Arrianne got home, Bridgett ran over and hugged her and once again said, I'm never going to let you go!  It's so cute to see them together! It's great to have Arrianne home, adding so much happiness and life to everything!  Another thing I forgot to blog was that when we were flying home Bridgett asked how fast the plane was going.  I said, oh probably about 500 mph, but I really didn't know for sure.  Anyway, she thought about that for a little while, then she said, so, if I was driving 100 in my convertible, wouldn't I be going 1/5 the speed of a plane?  YES!  I was so happy and excited to see her thought process there!  And the math skill!  Fractions!  YES!  Today we went shopping for Thanksgiving dinner and then played games. We played Disney Trivia.  Bridgett answered the kids questions, and sometimes needed a little bit more time, but overall did great!  It was fun to all play together! 

Second year Day 348 - Tuesday November 26, 2013

Its so fun to have Arri home and all be together.  Of course, the bad thing is that we got home the same day--it would have been better for us to get home a day earlier so that we could rest up a day before Arri got home.  So, this way we were all wiped out today.  Oh well!  So much for planning!  Arrianne asked Bridgett if she'd like to watch a movie with her today.  I've blogged about TV and movies before--but anyway, Bridgett has not liked watching anything at all since her wreck.  She and I set a goal for her to watch 30 minutes and then build up slowly.  Tyler has teased us that I always used to encourage everyone to watch LESS TV, and now here I am trying to get Bridgett to watch MORE TV!  Anyway, somehow our conversation today turned to the new hobbit movie and Bridgett started asking about it.  We told her the first one came out last year.  She said, well I'm behind!  I need to watch all of the Lord of the Rings movies and the first hobbit movie so that I can get caught up for the new movie.  Arri said shall we start tonight?  Bridgett answered in a hearty affirmative! So, about 7:30 p.m. they started watching the movie.  Usually by this time, Bridgett wants to read for an hour, but instead they started watching.  Oh, another thing, I have to clarify that sometimes Bridgett will watch 20 minutes of something but really she is just kind of watching.  She sits in the same room as the TV and plays a game on her ipad while she "watches".  So, tonight she started out with her ipad on her lap, but Arrianne sat right next to her and waited to see what she would do.  She watched one hour and 48 minutes of the movie, quoting many parts right before they happened!  She remembered the movie! At that point she said to Arrianne that she was tired and really wanted to finish the movie, but needed to sleep.  She said she'd finish tomorrow.  Who know if that will happen, but we all consider that a great breakthrough!

Second year Day 347 - Monday November 25, 2013

We got up and had some continental breakfast. We were all pretty slammed from yesterday.  Bridgett and I played some cards down in the lobby, so that Stephany could sleep more.  She was really the most slammed!  We checked out and had a taxi ride with yet another rude taxi driver.  What is it about there SL taxi drivers!  I've been in lots of taxis--some friendly and talkative, some polite and quiet, but none rude like these guys!  Weird!  Anyway, they told us that the airport would be packed with holiday travelers, but it was pretty empty and we breezed through security with only one person ahead of us.  We had a wait for the plane, but it was OK.  There was a close place in the airport with something to eat.  I pushed Bridgett in the wheel chair and we got something to eat.  Stephany was going to run to Jamba Juice, but by the time we returned to stay with the bags, suddenly the airport was packed!  She ate a protein bar that I had with me, so it all worked out.  Bridgett was dizzy and nauseated already, but I gave her tabacum and zofran and hoped for the best.  Luckily the plane ride was smooth and uneventful and she did just fine (first leg of the trip so far where she's been pretty OK, although somewhat nauseated!).  We arrived early, and Mark was waiting for us with the car.  We were so glad to be back!  We went home and all crashed for a nap before Arri's plane landed.  Her flight was not early, so Mark had to wait a bit, but then bundled her off to home too.  It was so good to all be home together!  Oh, Bridgett said the funniest thing today.  She's forever bugging me about sleeping my phone to save the battery.  Today, she watched me do it and then said, hey it's like teaching a kid to tie their shoelaces!  What, I said.  She said you know, its so exciting to see your kid learn how to do something that you taught them!  HAH! 

Second year Day 346 - Sunday November 24, 2013

So this was a very weird day for sure.  Luckily we started the day out by resting in the room until about 1:30, when we had a late check out.  Then I left the girls downstairs in the very nice lobby while I went around the block and picked up food for lunch.  We left the bags at the desk.  We ate in the lobby and just rested on the comfy couches until 3:00, when a taxi picked us up to go to the airport.  We got through security and sat down to wait at the airport.  I noticed it was snowing outside by now and frowned thinking about the storm.  We boarded the plane and then sat on the runway.  We were notified that the storm was interfering with take off and that we would be waiting until the we had clearance.  At this point Bridgett mentioned that she might want to go to the bathroom, which we avoid while on the airplane.  I said yes, go now for sure, before we get in the air.  Luckily for us, she did go then, because we sat on the runway for three hours!  Then they went back to the gate and let anyone off who wanted to get off.  They told us however, that there were only eight seats left to fly to SL tomorrow, so they couldn't guarantee that we'd make SL if we didn't go tonight.  We were cleared to leave by this time, although it took a bit to de-ice the wings and get some more fuel since we'd used up fuel sitting on the runway.  Of course, we had already missed our connection in SL to Kalispell by this time and I think everyone had missed their connections to where ever.  Bridgett was a trooper!  She was very motion sick, but I'd given her two zofrans so that helped.  She sat in her seat the entire time!  Of course, she was very anxious to get off the plane.  Everyone was in a tizzy about missing theirs flights.  We got off the plane and found no less than seven wheel chairs at the bottom of the walkway.  The porters had names on their ipads, which they held up.  We walked so slowly down the ramp as Bridgett was dizzy.  I know people behind us were impatient!  Anyway, our porter was Russian with a thick accent.  There were Delta people telling us to move quickly to someone who would tell us what would happen now.  Between Bridgett being dizzy and sick, the rush to get out of the way for others who were in wheel chairs, the Russian porter practically running down the halls with us, and the worry about our flights and Arrianne flying home tomorrow as well (hoping we could make it home too), I completely forgot to grab our carry on bags just inside the gate, which had been gate checked.  They weren't there yet, or I would have remembered!  Anyway, by the time they got us down to check on our next flight and I remembered about them, they had been moved somewhere else.  Long story short, they were located just in time before being boarded on another plane.....they had booked us to fly to Minneapolis and then back to Kalispell!!  Whoa!  We COULDN'T do that, even if we missed Thanksgiving.  Bridgett barely survived the first flight!  So, they re-booked us from SL to Kalispell the next morning.  We tried to get on Arri's flight in the afternoon, but it was full.  We were given a voucher to get a hotel discount, and stayed at the Marriott by the airport.  We took a taxi over there (rude taxi driver!) and the girls found something at the front desk to eat.  We had planned to grab something in the SL airport and would have been there at dinner time.  By the time we arrived, all of the food places were closed!  WOW!  Anyway, we crashed and got some sleep without unpacking too much.  What a day!! 

Second year Day 345 - Saturday November 23, 2013

In the mornings Bridgett and I either walk to Starbucks for some yogurt and a bun (and bring something back for Stephany) or we have something in the room that we bought the night before.  We made the mistake of taking a taxi to Whole Foods one day.  It cost $35 one way!  And then there wasn't much that we could buy anyway.  Bummer!  Usually we can get enough food for several days, and put it in the fridge.  But for whatever reason, this Whole Foods isn't as big as many that I have been to before.  Anyway, it was cold but not windy and we decided that today was a good day to go to the zoo!  We headed up to the zoo and found out that it was windy there and so colder.  We walked to the giraffe house first, where the girls could feed the giraffes!  SO FUN!  It was worth it to go just for that experience!  Afterwards we walked to the elephant house.  BTW this zoo is built on a mountain, so you start at approximately 6,000 ft elevation and climb to 7,000 at the top.  By the time we had reached the top, Bridgett felt sick and was ready to go.  I had told Stephany before we went that even if feeding the giraffes was all we could do, that would be OK, so she wasn't upset about leaving.  We sat in the gift store and Bridgett had hot chocolate while we waited for our taxi.  On the way back we went past the Broadmore Hotel and estate and it was pretty amazing!  We didn't stop however.  We picked up some food at Noodles and Company, which is too far away for us to walk to so nice to drive past!  We ate and had a nap and then decided to go to the Space Foundation Center.  That was also a neat place, with actual astronaut suits, etc. We wandered around there for about an hour; we were the only visitors there, maybe because of the cold.  Afterwards we had the taxi drop us off about a block and a half from the hotel, at the pioneer museum.  There was a very scary elevator there (old cage elevator) and the girls didn't want to go to other floors, so we just did the main floor.  We used a wheel chair, as Bridgett was tired by now.  Afterwards, we braved the cold and walked back, stopping for gluten free pizza for the girls and Chipotle for me.  Once inside, we thawed out and decided that it was a good thing that we were going to just rest in the morning and not go anywhere else! 

Second year Day 344 - Friday November 22, 2013

This morning we had appointments and then we went to the Olympic Training Center in the afternoon. I'm glad we waited and didn't go yesterday, as it was so cold then and much more moderate today.  Although there was snow on the ground, the walks were clear. It was a great experience! The girls and I just loved seeing things there. First there was a movie that lasted 12 minutes. I was worried about whether or not Bridgett would be able to tolerate it, with the loud sound, but she did great! She LOVED it. Of course, she always dreamed of the Olympics, and had set her sites on trying out for the Olympic Rugby team. I don't remember when rugby is supposed to be in the summer Olympics but Bridgett used to know for sure. I should ask her if she remembers! Anyway, we went on a tour of the facility and we saw athletes training, which was fun! We saw the mens wrestling coach, who was an Olympian himself. It was just us and two other people on the tour, so we got to ask lots of questions. The store was great and we bought everyone a shirt with Olympic graphics on it.  The girls are feeling great and this has been a good trip for appointments!

Second year Day 343 - Thursday November 21, 2013

This morning we had appointments and then we had planned to go to the Olympic Training Center in the afternoon.  However, it snowed this morning and it was bitterly cold.  I called the visitors center and they said that the walks would be shoveled but that as it was so cold, it might be icy.  Yuck!  So, we will wait until tomorrow and hope the weather is better!  We took a taxi to our appointments with Faith; I can't worry about Bridgett slipping on the icy.  On the way home, we picked up food that I had ordered ahead and then we stopped at Natural Grocers for a couple of things we needed (including yummy WOW gluten free peppermint brownies!).  It was great to be back inside and warm again!  We explored the hotel a little bit and got some pictures.  In the late afternoon Bridgett stayed warm in the room while Stephany and I walked around the block and picked up dinner.

Second year Day 342 - Wednesday November 20, 2013

On Monday Faith and I were talking about Bridgett's progress and I told her the story about Bridgett being so giddy and saying that she needed to think of something sad so she thought of a crocodile eating her.  Faith said she laughed about that off and on ever since I told her about the crocodile thing.  Bridgett does say the funniest things, usually ever day.  She's a humorous person, that's for sure!  Today we went to our appointments and afterwards, Faith said that she just needed to see Bridgett for about 15 minutes later on.  She offered to cut her lunch short and see us about an hour after our appointments, so that we wouldn't have to come out when it was dark.  That seemed good to us, so we left to get some lunch.  There is a place just across the street so we went there to check out the menu.  There was nothing on it that the girls wanted, so we started back towards the hotel and the main downtown area to look around.  We wandered here and there, looking around until finally I noticed that it was almost a half an hour since we had left and we were all the way downtown.  I told the girls that we didn't have time to eat, but that we needed to head back to Faith's house, which we did.  After we got back to Faith's, I ordered a pizza to go from the place on the same block as the hotel called Il Vacino's.  They have gluten free pizza as well.  We walked back and picked it up on the way.  The girls had that for lunch and I grabbed something at Chipotle's again, which is also in that block on the backside of where the hotel is.  It's handy to be where we are, because there are great places to eat right on our block! 

Second year Day 341 - Tuesday November 19, 2013

Last week when Bridgett was talking to Arrianne, she told Arri that she had "fallergies", defined by Bridgett as fall allergies!  Another example of Bridgett's love to make up words, which she had before the wreck.  She said that everyone should use this word because it only makes sense! Today we had appointments with Faith again.  We walked from the hotel, had our appointments, and walked back, stopping for lunch.  We went to Chipotle, and they had food similar to Qdoba, but with one neat difference.  Along with meat, they offer sofritas now, which is a combination of tofu and spicy things.  It was yummy!  Afterwards we had a nap and then we walked back to Faith's office for a second appointment for Bridgett.  By the time her appointment was done it was dark.  I asked Faith if it was safe to walk in the dark and she said no, so we called a cab to take us back.  On the way, we stopped at Poor Richard's for gluten free pizza.  One cool thing about being here is that almost every menu has vegan and gluten free options, so everyone can find something to eat.  I found out that even at the pizza place they have a tofu dish! 

Second year Day 340 - Monday November 18, 2013

There wasn't really time to figure out what to do for breakfast today, so we had room service.  I'll worry about getting a better plan tomorrow.  Actually the room service was pretty reasonable; two scrambled eggs for $4.  Not bad.  Stephany was even able to get some yogurt.  It's only 0.8 miles to Faith's office from here, so we decided to walk and see how that would go.  Actually, since we've all been walking so much more, it was a piece of cake.  The walk was nice and our appointments went well and we then walked back towards the hotel, stopping on the way to grab some lunch.  Everyone was tired from the appointments and we got naps afterwards. We had enough lunch left to eat it for dinner.  I don't have a microwave here, but I had requested a fridge, so that's good.  The hotel is awesome.  It's a historic building that they renovated like two years ago.  It's owned by Wyndham corp.  There are 12 foot ceilings and granite desks in each room.  The beds and pillows are heavenly.  The lobby is beautiful and luxurious.  It's like a really nice vacation for us!  I spent the evening with a map of the downtown, googling menus and getting a plan for the week.  It's cool because many of the restaurants are health conscious and offer vegan and gluten free options.  NICE!

Second year Day 339 - Sunday November 17, 2013

So, this morning I still wasn't sure about leaving but still planning on it.  Then, everything fell into place and Mark was a big help in getting us ready.  I ran around and finished everything up and at three we headed to the airport and left at five. We ran into Brother and Sister Tanner, who were on our flight as far as Salt Lake.  Bridgett was really happy to see Sister Tanner, our Relief Society president.   Bridgett felt pretty good as far as the cold was concerned, but motion sickness was a problem.  I gave her a quick dissolve Zofran at the airport before we left.  She loved the takeoff and the speed.  Then once we were in the air she started to feel sick.  The Zofran definitely helped, but by the time we landed in Salt Lake, she was feeling really poorly.  Luckily I had arranged for a wheelchair, although they didn't show up right away and I had to ask someone for help.  Just as she sat down, the guys with the wheelchair showed up.  We practically ran through the airport cause those guys have long legs.  I would have asked them to slow down a bit, but Bridgett was actually enjoying it mostly.  Anyway, we got to our next gate and had just over an hour to rest and get something to eat.  Bridgett was too sick to get out of the wheelchair, so she just rested and ate a few French fries.  By the time we boarded, she was doing much better.  The trip from there on was pretty good.  I thought about the many times I'd flown into Denver and felt so sick those last few minutes as the plane made a descent; it's just always so choppy landing there.  Thankfully, the landing was relatively calm today and Bridgett only got a little bit sicker.  It was good to finally be on the ground!  They met us coming out of the plane this time and wheeled her over to baggage claim.  We quickly got our bags and were off to ground transportation to get a taxi.  I told the taxi driver that she gets easily sick and said I'd tip him big if he could drive slowly and smoothly.  He did a great job and she didn't get sick at all.  We got checked in and all crashed right away.  Tomorrow we see Faith at 10:00.  Its been a long day!  Oh, something funny Bridgett said on the plane.  She was remembering about going to the fair when she was young and riding on that ride that is big strawberries that spin.  After she verified that she was thinking about the ride correctly, she said that ride at the fair is so much more fun that this plane ride; you don't get near as sick!!

Second year Day 338 - Saturday November 16, 2013

Today Arrianne had a really busy day, starting with cleaning checks at her apartment.  They do this monthly.  Anyway, when Bridgett talked to Arrianne today, they talked about the cleaning checks.  Then Bridgett told Arrianne to do a really good job on her cleaning today.  She said, I always did a good job (true!).  She said, my cleaning job was always a white glove job!  Funny and good remembering.  Bridgett is a neat freak and always likes everything neat, clean and orderly.  She always did do a white glove job!! We talked about cleaning checks after that and she really does remember them.  Neat! We are supposed to be flying out tomorrow to Colorado to see Faith, however Stephany has had a cold (although she's doing better) and now Bridgett has a cold.  I worry about whether or not everyone will be well enough to fly by tomorrow evening.  I am getting packed and getting everything ready here, and planning on it.  At the last minute we can cancel our tickets and hotel if we need to.  Praying that we won't have to cancel, though! 

Second year Day 337 - Friday November 15, 2013

Bridgett says the funniest things!  Today she said can I teach you sign language.   Sure I said.  Then she said, we'll have a test this weekend.  A test!  Why?  Well, how else would I know if you learned anything or not!  Hah! 

Second year Day 336 - Thursday November 14, 2013

We will have Bridgett's party on December 14th, two years from the wreck.  Of course, there would not be enough room to invite everyone, but instead, I'd like to invite you to send a card or message to Bridgett and we will give it to her that day to read.  Then she will realize how many people are thinking about her!  The address to mail it to is:
     Bridgett Noland
     PO BOX 9078
     Kalispell MT 59904

Or you can email a message to mtmacro@gmail.com and I will print it up for her.  It will be the best present ever, knowing how many people are thinking about her.  Please make sure that you mail soon, in order for me to receive it before December 11th.  Thanks everybody!!

Second year Day 335 - Wednesday November 13, 2013

I forgot to post something else about Sunday (a week ago).  The Relief Society was asked to come up and sing "As Sisters in Zion"and Bridgett wanted to go up and sing as well.  She and I went up with everyone else and she sang out loud and clear.  It was really fun and also nice to see her want to participate!  Several days ago Bridgett suddenly said, we should have had a party when it had been one year from my wreck, and celebrated that I was alive!  We did have a party, or rather a small family gathering because at the time Bridgett just didn't feel well enough to do anything big and, she doesn't remember doing it at all now.  So, she said, we need to plan another party for this year!  Great idea!  We will be in Utah on December 14th, so Scott and Jenn will be there to celebrate (we'll have to celebrate with Ty before we go).  Then she said, who are you going to invite to this party? Who do you want to invite I asked her?   Well, she for sure wanted to have Uncle Dave, and his kids and from there on it was just a matter of thinking of all of the aunts and uncles.  She really wants everyone who came up to the hospital during that time to come and celebrate with her.  So, we made a plan.  Her favorite place to eat in Provo (right now) is at Mimi's Café.  I called and reserved a room and it will hold 55 people.  If everyone comes, it will be like 58 people, but of course, that counts babies.  Probably everyone won't be able to come, but we'll see!  Anyway, now its a matter of getting a hold of everyone and inviting them, etc.  I think it will be really fun.  Also, Bridgett is totally excited about the entire thing and really happy to be having a party.  That's our Bridgett!!

Second year Day 334 - Tuesday November 12, 2013

Today I went into the room to hand Bridgett some laundry, and she had one of her drawers out on the bed and was re-folding and re-organizing it!  Such a Bridgett thing to do!  Bridgett was always so organized and loved to organize anything.  She loved to help other people get more organized.  I always thought that she should start a business organizing things for people.  We talked about it often. She was good at it and loved doing it.  She often offered to help her friends or family organize things.  It was fun to see her spontaneously doing organizing! I have suggested that she help me do some organizing because previously it would have been her idea of a fun activity, but she hasn't been interested in doing it at all before now. 

Second year Day 333 - Monday November 11, 2013

One of the funny things Bridgett always tells me is when I finish using my iphone and set it down.  The light will still be lit up and she will reach over and push the button to sleep it.  Then she says, the battery will last longer if you turn it off!  It will save battery--only she says it in her British accent like bat-try or however you'd spell it!  Hah!  She tells me that all of the time.  Her old ipod was, well, old, and you had to sleep it all of the time, it didn't do it by itself like the iphones do now.  So, she always thinks about that.  She still talks in her British accent from time to time.  On another note, I was thinking about Bridgett walking to music the other day, and I thought I should dig out her ipod with her workout music.  Actually, she was wearing it when she was in the wreck, and initially it wasn't turned in to the police and we assumed that someone found it and kept it--and it was gone forever.  Then several days later, someone did turn it in.  They were on the scene and trying to help find out who Bridgett was.  Remember that she arrived at the emergency room as a Jane Doe.  (I shudder thinking about it)  Anyway, I did find the ipod and got it plugged in to charge. It was of course dead, but I also wonder if it works at all or if it was damaged in the wreck.  We've never tried to turn it on or anything.  It's kind of like stuff from the wreck initially had everyone freaked out and we didn't want to deal with it at all. 

Second year Day 332 - Sunday November 10, 2013

Today on the way to church, Bridget asked is President Monson a prophet or a general authority.  We have to redefine many words and get those things sorted out in the brain!  It was such a great meeting today!  We were late and missed getting the sacrament, but then Bridgett was able to stay to the whole meeting when we finally got there. She didn't have to get up and walk or anything.  First, Dean Stimpson reported about his mission in Czechoslovakia and then Steve Perrone spoke as the high councilman.  Steve was one of our bishops in 3rd ward, and his kids were friends of our kids.  Bridgett was so excited the minute we sat down and she saw him on the stand (she remembered him!).  From time to time during the meeting she gave him the biggest smiles and he returned those smiles, making her giggle! She was motivated to make it to the end of the meeting so that she could say hi.  During the meeting, from time to time, she would whisper something about him or his family to me, like their names, and who played with who, where they lived etc.  She always asks questions like, don't Perrones live up by Dr. Stebbins office but you drive past it and turn left and they are by the park? Then I tell her she's right, and she says she's just checking!  Anyway, we walked up to the stand afterwards.  Steve was still on the stand and we were below the railing.  She smiled so big and said Bishop Perrone!  He and she just had this biggest embrace and it was just so touching! She said she was so excited to see him and she asked how his day was.  He said it was just great because he got to see her!  She said she felt the same way.  They chit chatted for a bit.  Then, he said I feel so close to you Bridgett and a part of your life.  Our family prays for you every day.  She was just so tickled about that!  I started to tear up!  It was just so touching thinking of all of those that have prayed and still pray for our Bridgett!  Thank you everyone!  Thank you so much.  She needs those prayers and we can feel how much every one's prayers really help!  Bridgett talked about Steve off and on throughout the day. 

Second year Day 331 - Saturday November 9, 2013

Today Bridget made a comment that she has made a time or two.  She was trying to remember something and then suddenly said oh my gosh!  This brain injury is so annoying because I can't remember things! It's good that she realizes what is causing the problem.  I remember way back when she was at the inpatient rehab.  The therapists did not realize what I problem she was having with her sight.  A couple of them asked her to do things that literally where impossible given her low vision.  She left therapy saying that she was now dumb.  We went through a hard time back then, trying to help her realize that she's not dumb.  She's as smart as she ever was, but just has a hard time locating information.  One of the therapists said, it's like back in the day when they used card catalogs in the library.  If someone dumped all of them out on the floor in a mess and then asked you to find one of them, it would be hard, almost impossible.  After a brain injury, that's how all of the information is....still there, just not really accessible.  Then the brain has to start recatorgizing things and trying to put things back where it can locate them again.  It can be a long, hard process. 

Second year Day 330 - Friday November 8, 2013

So Bridgett's face book account is now hooked to my gmail.  I changed that months ago because Bridgett couldn't remember her password and it was just easier to have the reset sent to me and I figured I could change it later.  Anyway, apparently when Bridgett went to bed last night, she spent time posting things to face book!  She always goes to bed and reads or plays on the ipad for a half an hour or so before she falls asleep.  Anyway, I woke up this morning with a bunch of email and found that she had replies back to her!  Crazy!  I guess she's remembering being on face book and wanting to do it more!  When she first left home, she was really into face book.  The last couple of years before the accident she had not really spent much time posting, but did stay in touch with people on face book. I take this as a good step forward.  It was really snowy again, and I didn't want Bridgett out walking where it might be slick.  So, instead she rode the bike inside.  Actually, this is what happened.  She was talking to me about face book friends and wanting to hang out with people.  I said that she needed to get back to where she could do things with people like just talking to people without having to be doing something else, and watching movies.  I set a goal a while back that she needs to be able to watch a two hour movie, and that we can start by getting a goal to watch 30 minutes and work up to it.  So, today she said, I can do that!  So, she sat by me on the couch and ate lunch while we watch an episode of the Big Bang Theory (she used to like that).  Then after watching a whole episode, she said I can watch two episodes!  She then got on the bike and rode the bike through a second episode!  WOW!  Of course, she was doing something during both episodes, but the best she's done with watching TV has been 30 minutes or (mostly) less, while she plays or reads on the ipad the entire time!  Progress! 

Second year Day 329 - Thursday November 7, 2013

Walking went great again today.  Afterwards, Bridgett said she wanted to look at face book.  She has never wanted to do that before either, even though I have suggested it numerous times so that maybe she could remember some of her old friends.  Anyway, she started looking at friends, and then after seeing one of her friends pictures, she said she wanted to post something to Brigham.  She couldn't tell me anything about him (how she knew him, etc.) but I remember her talking about him and tried to tell her some things.  She still couldn't remember.  But, it is going to be his birthday tomorrow, so she posted a birthday greeting to him.  She sounded very Bridgett on the post!  And then he commented back to her message!  She was so excited, actually giddy!  She spent the rest of the day just acting so happy.  I think it is a good thing to have her interact somewhat with her old friends and try to remember who they are etc.  Her siblings have mixed views on the whole thing with the objection being that since she doesn't remember people, she might say something silly or they might get upset with her and ruin her chance to see them normally again.  I don't know that it will happen that she can ever see some of these people again anyway, so I'm not so concerned.  Anyway, we'll see.  Anyway, later on in the day she was still giddy about the whole face book thing and I said something to her.  She said, I've got to quit being so happy!  I know, I'll just think about something sad like a crocodile eating me!  Bridgett!  She's just so funny! 

Second year Day 328 - Wednesday November 6, 2013

Today Bridgett gets a big high five.  It was snowing and so we went to Bigfork to walk at the church.  She walked fast for 25 minutes, with no stopping and no granny walking (that's what the physical therapists called it when she walked slow with little steps)!  Then I came home and took Steph out in the snow to walk.  When we came in Bridgett said, I read my blog while you were outside.  What, I said?  She said I goggled my blog and read it for a while when you were outside.  I have told her about the blog before, and I've showed it to her before.  She's seen the heading etc. but never been very interested in the whole thing really. Anyway, she said she just googled Bridgett's bike wreck and found it!  I was so proud of her!  That took iniative, remembering what the blog was called, etc.  I was so happy for the rest of the day! 

Second year Day 327 - Tuesday November 5, 2013

Today Bridgett suddenly said something and ended it with dontcha know.  Then she said, what's that cartoon with the little blond boy on a trike riding everywhere and his mom always says dontcha know?  I remembered what she was talking about but couldn't remember the cartoon.  Bridgett called Arrianne, but she didn't know what Bridgett was talking about.  Later that night she suddenly said, oh, its Bobby's World!  She asked Tyler about it before bed and right when she was telling him he said, oh, that's Bobby's World.  I said that Arri couldn't remember and he said that Scott, Jenn, Bridgett and he used to see it occasionally but not the younger girls.  Today when we went walking I turned on a little music on my iphone.  Bridgett just started jogging the minute she heard it.  It was like she did it so often before the wreck (jogged to her music) that she just started it automatically again!  Cool!

Second year Day 326 - Monday November 4, 2013

Tyler's birthday!  Today Bridgett had an appointment to get her hair trimmed today.  We have been talking about this for weeks now, that she just wants a trim and maybe some thinning.  She used to regularly have her hair thinned because its SO thick.  Anyway, she woke up this morning and wished Tyler happy birthday, and then told him that she was going to go and get a pixie cut!  What!!  Luckily, I have always told the girls that they need to think about cutting their hair for at least 30 days before they actually do it, in order to avoid those "hormonally based decisions" we sometimes make.  So, I called Sharon and cancelled the appointment and said we'd reschedule it in a few days.  Bridgett actually cut her hair quite short one time while she was at college, but she didn't like it.  She usually kept it about shoulder length, as an adult.  Of course, as a teenager, she had waist length hair, but she cut it off when she was 16 and donated like 18 inches (or something crazy like that) to Locks of Love.  Her hair is so thick, they had to put it in two huge pony tails when they cut it off.  Since that time, she wore it shoulder length, although in the months before her wreck, she had told all of us that she wanted to grow it out so that she could do fancy things with it. 

Second year Day 325 - Sunday November 3, 2013

Sometimes I get asked about Bridgett's neck.  I did blog that the neurologist is happy with the fact that she is to a point where she is not having to take Lortab very much.  I told him that she makes it about three weeks without too much pain and then the fourth week she is on Lortab and Robaxin.  He said that given her injury, he is happy with where she is at this point.  She does have days that she can't get her shirt off  by herself (arms over the head is painful).  She often will tell me, when asked, that it feels like she has someone poking her all day...annoying, but not particularly painful--and not bad enough for any kind of pain relievers.  She has the days where I have to use the tuning forks on the neck or where we break down and give her Advil.  Luckily, she is having very few Lortab and Robaxin days overall, although the closer we get to our next appointments with Faith, the more she usually needs to take pain relievers and even Lortab.  Right now, it's been three and a half weeks since her last appointment, and I can tell that without even looking because Bridgett is having more pain.  Unfortunately, this time she has to go six weeks before she has an appointment, instead of four weeks, the longest she has even gone since we started seeing Faith.  It will be tough, those last couple of weeks, but at least we haven't started with the Lortab yet.  Hopefully she will be in shape for flying on the 17th, as we are flying to Colorado for the next appointments. It was the only option to see Faith in November.

Second year Day 324 - Saturday November 2, 2013

Today Bridgett was thinking about her car wreck, which happened during the summer of 2009 (I think).  She was driving home from Utah and had made it to Seeley Lake.  I had just talked to her like ten minutes before I got a phone call that she had been in a wreck.  Someone on the scene called me.  They said she was OK but that the paramedics were checking her out.  Eventually we found that she was being life flighted to Missoula, so we drove to Missoula to bring her home.  She was fine, just banged up and bruised, but OK and we were able to take her home in about four hours. Anyway, Bridgett was remembering about that wreck and suddenly she turned to me (without having said anything prior about the wreck) and said....I told them that I was OK and didn't need to go to the hospital, but they life flighted me anyway.  I reassured her that we knew she had, that we never did blame her for being life flighted, that it was just a precaution and not to worry herself about it.  Another example of the random memories that Bridgett is having.  Of course, this one may not be so random, since it involved another wreck, a hospital, and her recent thoughts about her bike wreck. 

Second year Day 323 - Friday November 1, 2013

Today when we were headed to town, Bridgett saw a bike rider and said, if I hadn't been wearing a helmet, would I have died?  Yes, I said, you almost died and you were wearing a helmet. Its a sobering thought for all of us. 

Second year Day 322 - Thursday October 31, 2013

Happy Halloween!  Bridgett painted her fingernail today, as did Stephany.  After only one fingernail was painted, suddenly she turned to me and said, this is just like when Scott had one fingernail painted and played basketball.  It was painted dark blue!  Thinking back, I remembered that time.  Their cousin, Mandy, had painted one fingernail, and just for fun Scott left it painted and played basketball.  If I remember right, his coach was not any too happy about it.  Scott played for the homeschool team and they were very strict.  Anyway, he only left it there for about two days.  So, after Bridgett remembered this, I called Scott and asked him if he remembered that time.  He laughed and said he'd forgotten about it until I mentioned it, but he had a good laugh with us about it.  Like I said, random memories! 

Second year Day 321 - Wednesday October 30, 2013

Today Arrianne flew with the rest of the Chamber Choir to Charleston for the NCCO,  National Collegiate Choral Organization, Fifth National Conference.  Their choir was one of the (I think) eleven choirs asked to participate.  It was a very large honor.  I believe BYU was the only other Utah choir asked to attend.  I asked her if it was a competition.  She said no, if you were asked to attend you already were chosen as one of the best college choirs.  She said the UVU chamber choir is one of the top 20 college choral groups.  Neat!  They will be in Charleston until Saturday.  Today Bridgett said, when it had been one year since the wreck, we should have had a celebration, because I'm alive!  I told her we did, she just doesn't remember it.  But we will for sure have another one this year (and probably for many years to come!).  So, this time she wants to plan something, and I will let her decide what to do and so its really fun for her!  Hmmm......I just remembered that we will be in Utah at that time, for appointments.  Mark will be driving us, in case of inclement weather.  So, we can work around that.  This way we can be with Scott and Jenn's families as well, although Tyler will be here.  Maybe we'll have to have two celebrations!  I know Bridgett would never complain about that! 

Second year Day 320 - Tuesday October 29, 2013

Whenever we are in the car and see someone on a bike without a helmet, Bridgett is sure to comment to me that they must want to die.  Of course, they don't want to die, but they just don't realize the danger they are putting themselves in.  If anyone of you is reading this blog and bikes without a helmet--stop and remember to wear a helmet!  Today, Bridgett said, if I hadn't have been wearing a helmet, would I have died?  YES, I told her!  You almost died and you WERE wearing a helmet!  Thank goodness for that helmet and thank goodness that I insisted on buying a really, really good helmet! 

Second year Day 319 - Monday October 28, 2013

More random memories!  Bridgett suddenly talked to me about someone that she knew when she was very little and about hula dancing with them...Sheri Meier and her kids.  It's always fun and random the things that she remembers!  And, the little details that she seems to remember, when she still doesn't have the whole picture.  The brain is a very interesting and complex thing! 

Second year Day 318 - Sunday October 27, 2013

Sometimes I panic about how fast the time is going.  Today was one of these days.  I look at how close we are getting to year two.  I hope we are doing everything we can to help Bridgett heal.  I remember our hope that everything would be fairly normal by year two and I try not to be sad, but focused on the whole picture.  Sometimes its hard.  Months and months ago, Mark's cousin Jerry called me and talked to me about Bridgett and it was so comforting.  He said that they personally knew a boy and a girl that had a TBI.  The boy healed quickly and was pretty well back to normal I think he said at about 18 months out.  The girls took three years, but then she was back to functioning normally.  I sometimes go over this in my mind and remind myself that everyone is an individual and has their own healing time frame.  In the eternal realm of things, time matters little.  But in our mortal life, we do worry about the time frames somewhat.  Anyway, I also remind myself that Bridgett is young and even if it takes a long time, she still will have many years of life left.  I pray constantly and try to have faith in God's promises. 

Second year Day 317 - Saturday October 26, 2013

On thing that I know I have talked about before, but is worth mentioning again, is the fact that Bridgett has such an appreciation for the small things in life since the accident.  So, when we are outside, she notices even the smallest thing and comments on the beauty of the world and all of Heavenly Fathers creations.  It helps us all stop and "smell the roses" a little more.  We all get caught up in our lists of things to do (mental or otherwise!) and forget to just enjoy the moment.  I do appreciate this aspect of our life now.....enjoying life for what it is and enjoying the moment! 

Second year Day 316 - Friday October 25, 2013

I don't know if I've posted this before, but Bridgett continues to ask me lots of driving related questions that I can answer!  She remembers laws about driving etc, but asks stuff like how far back from a stop light is the line where you have to stop?  Hmmmm.  Like I say, some stuff I know, some stuff I know where to look up, some stuff we google, some stuff....we just don't know and can't find out! 

Second year Day 315 - Thursday October 24, 2013

Its been a week and we've been out walking every day for 30 minutes.  Bridgett has not been able to make it for the entire walk, so she and Mark come inside.  On the bright side, Stephany HAS been able to make it, and that's been a great thing!  It's been quite some time since she has had the strength to just do walking like that.  It's great to have the time to talk as well.  I was feeling kind of discouraged that last year at this time, Bridgett was walking like 1.5 to 2 miles a day.  I had a couple of days worrying about that.  Then I finally remembered a key point.  Yes, she walked that much, but never all at one time! BTW, we have a very long driveway!  Bridgett would do a max of three times up and down and then quit until later.  Most of the time she just did twice up and down, but we went out often each day.  So, now I feel much better about it and realize that we just need to go out more often!  Before, she was asking (almost begging) to go out.  Now, she's always game, but I usually have to suggest it.  Although, last night, after I tucked her into bed, she said, hey mom, will you go jogging with me in the morning.  Off and on she remembers that...I part of who she used to be!  Morning jogging was a regular pastime for her! 

Second year Day 314 - Wednesday October 23, 2013

I forgot to mention that about our trip home.  When we left Provo on the freeway and headed north, all of the sudden Bridgett said, isn't Cabela's exit ahead?  And she was right, without even being able to see it!  Another funny thing she asked me about.....she said when Tyler was young, why did he think that homeopathics were candy?  Ha Ha!  He did like the taste of several different ones, and wanted to eat them all of the time, so I guess he did think they were candy. A random thing to remember! 

Second year Day 313 - Tuesday October 22, 2013

Bridgett has been able to utilize a skill that I was inspired to show her for remembering things. Initially after the wreck, for quite a while she had trouble with FBI; she would repeatedly ask what FBI stood for. She could remember almost any other acronym but that one she always messed up.  She always remembered it as the Federal Brew-uh of Investigation.  I don't know that I spelled that right, but she always pronounced Bureau incorrectly.  Weird, right!  Finally I said bureau--it rhymes with churro.  From that time on she remembered the pronunciation, often reminding us what bureau rhymed with.  Even now, probably a year and a half later, when she says the name she often reminds me that it rhymes with churro.  So, anyway, we have been relearning the bones in the body.  Bridgett often can not remember that the tibia and fibula are in the lower leg and confuses those bones with the radius and ulna (in the lower arm).  So, she figured out herself that she would remember the leg bones because fibula and foot both start with "f".  So, now she always gets it right!  Memory triggers! 

Second year Day 312 - Monday October 21, 2013

Bridgett and I seem to have endless discussions about scientific kinds of things.  Some things I can answer, some things we look up, some things I just finally tell her I don't know.  It's hard to be expected to know everything!! Anyway, Bridgett's latest barrage of questions concern the planets and the solar system.  She couldn't remember about the rotations of the planets and what they rotate around.  First she wondered if they all rotate around the earth.  After discussing it she was able to reason (or guess!) that they all rotate around the sun.  Now, since we have discussed it several times, she remembers that fact and we discuss other things, like the temperatures on these planets, their relative sizes etc.  We have been having these planet discussions for about two months, off and on.  I did get out our placemats that we used when the kids were young, that show different educational subjects.  One of them has our solar system and shows the planets with individual information about each one. 

Second year Day 311 - Sunday October 20, 2013

Today on the way to church Bridgett was full of questions about Joseph Smith being tarred and feathered.  When did it happen, how old was he, how many times did it happen, how do they do it to someone, how painful was it.  After church, she took up the topic again, asking if the people that tarred and feathered Joseph Smith went to hell.  BTW, I have not talked about this at all since the wreck, she remembered it on her own and was full of questions. 

Second year Day 310 - Saturday October 19, 2013

I don't think I wrote about this before, but just recently Bridgett suddenly asked me about what a diamond jubilee is.   First of all, where did that come from?  That's the funny thing about this brain healing...stuff just comes out!  Anyway, a diamond jubilee is a 60th or 75th year celebration.  I don't know when in her life she heard about or was involved in a diamond jubilee, but there you have it!  The only jubilee that I can remember us talking about in her life was a scouting jubilee.  Hmmmmm

Second year Day 309 - Friday October 18, 2013

While we were walking today, Bridgett asked me about her pack pack.  What she meant was this......when she was little she used to call her small backpack--her pack pack.  She remembered about that and was describing it to me today.  It was a little hand made (by me) backpack, made from yellow flowered material, with a big blue button to close it.  Small and light.  Anyway, it was a family joke after that to call backpacks...pack packs. 

Second year Day 308 - Thursday October 17, 2013

Today I downloaded the Live Strong app so that I can track Bridgett's food and exercise.  Bridgett and I talked about the dream thing a little bit. Of course, initially, I hoped it was all a bad dream and that we could wake up from it; we all felt that way!  But, it is reality and we all have to live through it.  Now, Bridgett will start to realize that it is reality and that she can live through it too.  We all wish that it was just a dream.  Life is like that sometimes.  On the positive side, at least she thinks now that she is 19, whereas when she woke up from the coma she thought she was 14.  Remember that?  That was scary too!  I guess there have been lots of scary moments in the past 22 months!  But, lots of good moments as well. We walked up and down the driveway today.  Oh, before we went walking, I went through Bridgett's packed away shoes and found a different pair of running shoes.  Actually, I think they are the shoes she used for the half marathon.  Anyway, they are a little larger than the ones she wears now, and they don't hurt her toes, so they work out well.  We were able to walk for about 20 minutes, although Bridgett's ankle started hurting after about 10 minutes, and she had to go inside with Mark.  Luckily he was around to help!  Hopefully we can walk in the mornings so that he can help each day! 

Second year Day 307 - Wednesday October 16, 2013

So, back to the real world today.  We had a lot to do together to get back to regular life!  So, we were busy with laundry, shopping etc.  Then today, something happened that shocked, excited, scared, surprised me and freaked me out.  Bridgett and I were going to lay down to take a nap and then all of the sudden she turned to me and said that she wanted to tell me something but didn't want me to get upset at her.  I never get upset at you I said.  Then she said, I'm in a dream and I can't wake up.  In my dream I'm 23 but really I'm 19.  I really am fit and an athlete and I eat good and I'm a runner and work out. But in my dream I had an accident and I have a brain injury and broke my neck.  I really want to wake up from this dream, but I can't.  Of course, my heart was beating like crazy at this point.  I asked her how long she's been in this dream and she said since before we went to New York.  She said that she keeps trying to wake up but can't.  I said, well go ahead and take a nap and maybe this time or some time soon you'll wake up.  After she feel asleep, I rushed to the phone and called Mark and talked to him about it.  At the time, I was very agitated about it, but now looking back it was just good and I shouldn't have been over excited about it.  I then called Faith and we talked.  She said that this is a great break through.  Because, for the first time, Bridgett is actually remembering who she was before the accident and wanting to be that person again.  So, like I said, it was all good, but none the less startling (and exciting).  Oh, after her nap I asked her if she woke up from the dream yet and she said, sadly, no.  I said we will keep working on it.  I suggested that she try to live like she was before the accident and see if she just became that person again.  She seemed doubtful but said that she would try.  Starting tomorrow, we will record all "working out" related things, as well as track her eating and see where that takes us. 

Second year Day 306 - Tuesday October 15, 2013

Mark was able to spend most of the day at home today and it was just so nice!  We were all able to just visit and Mark played games with Bridgett (instead of me--hee hee!).  We played Christmas music and had a fire and anyway it was just wonderful.  It's always great to be home, but this was just wonderful.  I even put off unpacking and laundry etc. and just rested and visited with everyone. 

Second year Day 305 - Monday October 14, 2013

I hate that I'm getting so far behind with posting on the blog, but sometimes its just so hard to find time!  Just yesterday, Melissa asked me how I remember what has happened two weeks ago.  Some things I do remember on my own, also, I refer to the calendar in my iphone for key dates.  In addition, I have a note pad on the iphone, and a specific not to put down particular things that Bridgett says.  This way I can remember many of the things that happen, although I'm sure that I miss blogging about a lot of things!  Today we drove home to Montana.  It was a pretty good trip and we made it in about 10 hours.  We only stopped a few times, thank goodness!  It was snowing lightly in Monida as well as just before Butte.  It made me glad that it wasn't later in the year and not too happy thinking about trips to come ahead!  But, for now things were fine.  Very cold, though.  It was like 19 in Monida, and we definitely needed our winter coats, which I did remember to bring with us.  We got home and found that Mark and Tyler were there waiting for us.....so much more fun that last time when no one was there!  It was great to see them and we all just sat and talked for quite a while!  Oh, about Bridgett's feet.  So, about the time we left to Utah, Bridgett mentioned that the nail on her big toe was hurting.  This is the toe that the nail didn't grow at all from the time of her accident for many months.  Anyway, when it started to grow, suddenly the nail cracked about halfway down.  Perhaps it was weak at the point of the nail bed and as it grew out it stayed weak there and then broke.  Anyway, it was so far down, we couldn't cut it or anything.  So, I super glued it together.  Super glue is great for many things!  Anyway, this broken part has just now neared the end of the toe.  We are talking about the fact that it's been 22 months since the accident and the nail is just now reaching the end!  So, I had to cut it a few times and lately, hold onto the nail so that it wouldn't come apart at the glued place.  Now, the end of the nail is trying to curve and cause an ingrown toenail situation. So, we have been working on that.  So, anyway, about 10 days ago, both of Bridgett's big toenails were hurting.  I went to Target and got  a tub to soak her feet in and some Epsom salts.  We soaked daily and then I lifted the nail and put dental floss under.  Her feet hurt so much she didn't want to wear shoes.  So, at Target we got some cute (and warm) slippers with hard soles and she's been wearing them as shoes.  It's really cut down on walking places, because her feet start to hurt and she just wants to sit down.  Hopefully things will get better soon on that front! 

Second year Day 304 - Sunday October 13, 2013

This morning I was going to go up to moms early before anyone was awake, but Bridgett woke up early as well.  I didn't want to wake the girls to stay with her, so I stayed around until they woke up. They were both up late so I didn't want to wake them.  Stephany is pretty dang worn out from this week and Arri needs to get rest before school tomorrow.  Arri got up first and headed to her apartment to get ready.  Bridgett and I headed up to the concierge lounge for breakfast.  I have so many nights with Marriott that we can go to the concierge lounge.  It is located in the other tower on the 9th floor.  Bridgett got a kick out of the fact that we have to use our room key on the elevator to get to that floor, and she really likes the concierge lounge.  It usually has only business people in it.  There are two "waiters" that assist and actually go around filling up your drinks.  They have a pretty healthy breakfast each morning, with eggs and hash browns, fresh fruit, healthy cereal, juice and some breads/pastries.  No hot chocolate, to Bridgett's disappointment!  It's quiet and there's a fireplace, etc.  Anyway, after we got some breakfast, I woke up Stephany and discussed the situation for today.  We decided that this would be our plan.  I would get Bridgett all situated and ready to be alone in the hotel.  We would leave her with Stephany's phone, so she could call any of us, or even Jenn.  I would take Stephany and drop her off to Arrianne for church and they would stay only a while and then come back to be with Bridgett.  In the meantime, I would head to mom's to visit.  So, Stephany threw on clothes for Sacrament meeting. I discussed the plan with Arri.  I made sure that Bridgett had everything she needed, water, a snack etc.  She said, you don't have to worry about me getting up because me feet hurt today.  I for got to mention about her feet; I will in a minute.  Anyway,  I took Stephany and dropped her off to Arrianne and hit the freeway.  I called and talked to Bridgett on the way to mom's and also when I arrived in Riverton.  The girls stayed in touch by text and made sure she was OK.  Actually, they were able to get the sacrament and stay to one talk and then head back.  I was pretty calm about the whole situation, although afterwards when I told Mark about it, he wasn't smiling.  He worries about leaving her somewhere and her forgetting and leaving the room.  Of course, it is a possibility, but I felt fine about it today.  She is more likely to forget things like this........she was alone for about 15 minutes, between me leaving with Stephany to Aspen Grove and Arrianne getting home from school on of the days this week.  I didn't have a cell phone to leave with her so I told her to answer the phone next to the bed when I called to check on her.  I also left the number to call Arrianne if she needed anything.  I called the room and she didn't answer.  I was about to panic, then I called Arri.  She walked in a couple of minutes later. When she asked Bridgett why she didn't answer, she said she didn't know who would be calling so didn't answer.  She had forgotten what I'd told her.  Well, it all worked out anyway, both the other day and today.  The girls did fine at church, Bridgett did fine at the hotel and I got to visit mom.  We were able to spend some time catching up on life in general and also some time discussing genealogy.  It was great!  Mom printed and laminated a genealogy "wheel" for me, showing nine generations of ancestors.  It's great!  Although I didn't get to church, it was really  important for me to see mom.  It's not been that long since my dad passed and she is lonely and missing me as well.  It was important!  In the evening, I made a quick visit to Jenn's.  It seems that most of the time we get to Provo, the kids are sick.  I can make it and do OK, but its important that we keep Bridgett and Stephany from getting sick if it can be helped.  So, in the evening, after the kids were in bed, I went over and visited with Jenn and Tyler and the twins.  I wasn't there very long, but it was fun.  Actually later I found out that the babies were sick and Jenn was sick for the rest of the week, so it's a good thing no one else was with me!!