Bowling!

We had a blast bowling with the Hoff cousins! It's so great to spend time with such cool family members! Love you guys!

Feeling Fine in 2009!

Here is a picture of Kyle working out on his arm bike. He got this piece of equipment to use at home a few weeks ago and hasn't stopped pedaling! It's amazing how his arms are getting more muscular! Our goal together is to be fit and healthy... i know, i know, that's every one's new years resolution, but we're determined!

Happy New Year!

Happy New Year! We hope that God blesses each and every one of you in 2009! We are excited to see what great things he has in store.

MeRrY ChRiStMaS!!!!

We hope everyone enjoyed their Christmas! We were busy running from house to house celebrating Christmas with our families. We loved the hustle and bustle and were relieved that we were able to get into every one's homes. We celebrated mostly with Kyle's family and are anxious to spend next week with Britt's family. Kyle was determined to open his presents by himself, as depicted in the photo above. What a change from last year! He sure has come a long way, and we are thankful for what God has blessed us with this past year. As we reflect back on this past year, it makes us thankful for the real reason of Christmas!

More pictures to follow!

It's electric!

E-stim off E-stim on

Here is a photo of K with electric stim on his arm. The e-stim uses electric to replace the signal from your spinal cord. You attach certain electrodes to different muscle groups to strengthen the movement. It is used to strengthen muscles and for some patients it's used for pain management. Kyle used e-stim on his shoulders at Magee. It not only relieved the pain, but helped put his shoulder back in the joint. We are thankful that Kyle doesn't have any more pain and is working on the strengthening part of it. He's even becoming some what of an inventor! He used nuts and bolts to add weight to his wrist to help get them stronger.

Progress Report :)

Here is a picture of Kyle eating a rice krispie treat! He's been working hard to try to eat "pick up foods" on his own. Although he doesn't have finger movement, he uses tenodisis (wrist extension used for grip and finger control.) Keep praying for the signal to get through so that his fingers would be able to move!

Birthday Weekend :)

This weekend was a full celebration fest for Kyle's birthday. We had a surprise party for him at Bensi Restaurant with a few other couples on Friday. Kyle had no idea! It was great! He thought his b-day surprise was going to be on his actual birthday which was Saturday the 13th. We did however venture out to Bethlehem on Saturday, thinking it would be fun to walk around the "Christmas City". We found that it was not very accessible and the places that were accessible probably would have been fine had it not have been the Christmas season. We decided to leave the crazy crowds and have dinner somewhere else. Altogether it was great to celebrate Kyle's life. His Birthday, December 13th, is also the one year anniversary of getting out of the hospital and going to Magee. It marks the day of great change! Looking back this time last year, we remember that Kyle was being weaned off his trach, eating pureed foods and sitting up in a wheelchair. It's amazing to think that he is tube free and zooming here and there in his wheelchair. We are so blessed to still have the real Kyle despite the tragedy that he went through!

"The Lord's loyal kindness never ceases; his compassions never end. They are fresh every morning; your faithfulness is abundant! 'My portion is the Lord,' I have said to myself, so I will put my hope in him. The Lord is good to those who trust in him, to the one who seeks him. It is good to wait patiently for deliverance from the Lord." -Lamentations 3:22-26