May and June...

BBQ at Jeremy and Jani's

Water Park

Wedding

BBQ Fesitival in Owatonna

Roller Blading

Como Zoo

Owatonna

Granite City

Put JOY in your heart always!

Summer Begins...

God never gives you anything you can't handle. Bumps and turns may come along throughout your journey of life, but make sure you never stumble or fall. Always keep your faith strong in the Lord and he will give you the desires of your heart. Jimmy has proven to the world and Doctors that he is a medical miracle and continues to progress more and more everyday.

This past month has been even better than the last. Everyday is a new day and we continue to thank God for all the miracles we have been given. The nice weather has been great to get outdoors and explore. Jimmy has done many fun things, including adventures to Owatonna and Winsted, Como Zoo, roller blading, swimming, going to church and visiting family and friends. Where ever we go, we are able to meet people and share our amazing story of faith. We can't thank God enough for what we have been given and to share a small piece of it with others, makes an impact on their life. Jimmy has such strong faith and continues to touch people all around him. We thank you for all your dedication and support throughout our journey, words can't even say enough about the impact his friends and family have made in Jimmy's life. We are blessed beyond measure and hope to share our blessings with those around us.

Therapy continues to give Jimmy strength and courage. In physical therapy, he continues pool therapy, along with some balancing and standing activities on ground. Jimmy's legs are getting stronger and is able to stand against a wall balancing on his own for a few seconds. Car transfers have gotten a lot easier and he is able to make the motions on his own, entering and exiting car with just balancing assistance. Jimmy can push is wheel chair on his own for short distances and is able to turn and spin with his wheels. We had a few weddings the past couple months and Jimmy would not get off the dance floor. He was a dancing machine with his friends and even stood up for many slow songs and danced with me. Jimmy has taken many steps towards walking. We specifically ask for prayer to strengthen his legs and coordination of his muscles. Jimmy has the potential to walk on his own and be believe he will.

Jimmy started taking speech therapy again and seems to really enjoy it. They are working on a singing technique to speech, using humming and pitch sequencing to help increase his vocal strength. Being the big Karaoke man he is, Jimmy has really enjoyed using his voice more often and sharing his feelings with others. His personality continues to increase everyday and his sense of humor has never gone away! In occupational therapy, Jimmy is now able to brush his teeth with minimal assistance and perform personal hygiene tasks. He is able to dress his upper body of his own and lower body (in bed) with some assistance. We have been working on writing lately and he is able to sign his first name on his own, even in cursive with minimal assistance. He continues to progress everyday in therapy and ask for continued prayers for encouragement and strength.

In July, Jimmy hopes to move to a house in Golden Valley with other residence needing assistance, only about 3 miles from Courage Center. The house will have 24 hour nursing on site and will feel a little more like his own apartment/home. We will be able to decorate his room and possibly paint. Jimmy is so excited about this opportunity and will continue outpatient therapy at Courage Center in July. We will let you know the upcoming dates upon his move.

Thank you, Thank you, Thank you!! Many blessings have been given to us and Jimmy is so happy to continue to receive love and support from all the people that stand by his side! Prayer can move mountains and we thank you for all your prayers and encouragement.

God bless!

What a great start to the summer...

. . . Twins Games . . .  

. . . Happy Mother's Day . . .

Kenny & Monica's Wedding

(Dancing all night long)



The past month... filled with many blessings!

(Mall of America)

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. . . Easter Weekend . . .

             Egg Hunt!!

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. . . T-Wolves Games . . .

                                  Meeting Players before game...

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"We can do all things,

 through Christ who gives us strength"

-Phillipians 4:13



    

    The past month has been outstanding, filled with blessings beyond belief. James is progressing everyday in all he does and is becoming more confident in himself. We can't thank his family and friends enough for all their unconditional love and support for James through his recovery. It has taken him leaps and bounds from where he started and our good Lord above has definitely continued to bless us with miracles, so thanks again for all your prayers and Jimmy is so happy to have all his love ones support him every day!
     Physical Therapy has been strengthening not only Jimmy's muscles, but his confidence and ambition to walk again. He has been working with PT on standing, while reaching for objects, balancing sitting straight up while playing Connect Four and using the standing walkers to take many steps. His leg strength has increased incredibly the past few weeks and Jimmy has walk over 90 feet in the walker with two therapist helping. Yesterday, Jimmy, Tom and Jeremey walked around the family room at Courage, holding Jimmy up on both sides.  It’s incredible to be a witness Jimmy's happiness around his buddies and he would love for you to visit anytime.
     Occupational Therapy is coming along as well. Jimmy is able to dress his upper body on his own and complete some AM routines tasks. We are still working towards strengthening fine motor skills; Jimmy is able to write his name and really enjoys his iPad games. Jim is able to pick up and talk on phone and is very smart when it comes to math facts and spelling. Many nights we have cranked up the Beach Boys and danced in his room and our new goal each night is timing how long Jim can stand on his own with me balancing him, as of last night he is up to almost 10 mins!
    We cannot thank God enough for the amazing blessings he has given us and the outstanding support team everyone has been for Jimmy! May God bless you this week and fill free to visit Jimmy any time :)

Weekend Adventures...

Jimmy had a wonderful weekend filled with lots of Family and Friends!

He went out to his family farm on Saturday and had a wonderful time joking with his siblings and loving on his little nieces. On Sunday we went to the Timberwovles game. We had first class treatment from all the staff at the Target Center and we had the opportunity to high-five the players going into their practice time on the court. Jimmy had his white T-Wolves hat on and got 2 signatures from "Derek Williams and Michael Beasly". Hhe was beaming from ear to ear with smiles. Kevin Love (his fav. player) ran by a few times and I have never seen Jimmy look so happy. After all the high fives and fist pumps, we ventured up to the first floor to take a peek of the court. We were suppose to be sitting up in the 2nd level, but a security guard of the first floor loundge, said if know one comes to sit in these seats we could have them.  We were very blessed to sit in leather couches for the rest of the game. Jimmy had his arms up in the air most of the game and cheering on the wolves everytime K.Love made a shot.

That evening after the game, Jimmy had so much energy and was talking to many of the residence at Courage about the game. He looked at me and said "I wanna walk!" We stood a few times together and he took one step, with me balancing his sides and one knee. After the step he said, "Im going down" and started laughing, we ended up sitting back down in his chair, but he was filled with so much joy and confidence in himself. I could not believe how lifted his spirit was after a wonderful weekend of getting out into the community and being loved on by his family and friends.

May God bless you this week :)

We have had any amazing past few weeks!

On top of the amazing spring weather, James has had an outstanding past few weeks filled with outings, friends, family and lots of laughs. His spirit seems to be shining bright and it has help him with recovery in many ways.

We were signed off by Physical therapy to practice standing and transfers together. Jimmy is getting so much stronger and is now able to assist with, one person transfers, standing on own for about 5 mins with just help in balancing and being able to push, pull and pick up object on own. During meals, he feeds himself his salad and fruit, still need some assistance with liquids. Jimmy is able to put on and off his own shirt and assist with brushing his own teeth. He has really been enjoying palying Connect Four and his iPad. We had an amazing time out at the pond near the Courage Center watching the sunset and we took a few road trips touring the city. Last weekend we had a great time at Khols and Jimmy got to pick out a few outfits and a new pair of kicks. This weekend he got to take a trip out to the farm to enjoy some wonderful family time and tomorrow we will be going to the Timber Wolves games and cheering on his favorite team!

Jimmy has been blessed with some many people that love him and encourage him everyday. Thank you so much for all the visits and laughs. God is so amazing and he has a wonderful future planned for Jimmy :)

            

"First car ride" -Could not get that grin off his face-

"Trying to put his finger in the dogs nose... haha"

                       "Kohls buying some new kicks"

"First dance since this summer"

. . . We are so very blessed . . .



An amazing sunday evening...

This past weekend was amazing and very encouraging. Jimmy has lots more energy from receiving his pacemaker and has been mastering many fine motor activities. He has had an great lift in his personality and his loving heart was shining bright this past Sunday night.

Jimmy and I went up to the activity room to watch a movie. Before putting the movie in we flipped through the channels and happened to come across a worship service. We listened to the pastor, express his love and faith in Jesus and the amazing future that he has in store for our lives. While listening to the sermon, Jimmy reached over and put his arm around my back and pulled me close to him. Worship music came on in between the sermon, Jimmy swayd me back and forth to the music. He wrapped his arm around me tighter and pulled me close for a smooch, before doing so he whispered, "I Love You". It was in that moment that I truly could feel the power of God working in our lives and to feel  power that true love can have.

Its incredible to feel the present of God between you and the one you love. I know that God has an amazing plan for our lives and I can't thank God and everyone enough for their love and support. This moment was incredible for both of us and I wanted to share it with you for inspiration and faith, in knowing that God is always in control and no matter what to have faith in him.

May God bless you this week!

                         "Jimmy would love for you to visit anytime"