Tru's New Legs (#5, #6, & #7) !!!

Tru received Leg #5 in Feb, 2012. As usual, he was not so excited as he typically does not like change.

After Leg #5 this was the line-up from Baby Red Leg (his first leg) to Leg #5.

Finally, Tru received his newest leg today. #6. This is the longest stretch of time between new prosthetic legs. It is quiet and perfect. He loves it. His older legs have had knees that made a good deal of noise each time he took a step. They drew attention, simply due to the noise they made, which has been making him very self-conscious lately. This leg is stealth! He already calls it his new "Spy Leg" because it is so quiet and he can now sneak up on people.

The even bigger news is that Tru received a running blade today. It was donated from the manufacturer complete with a Nike running shoe! What an unexpected treat. Tru was hesitant, as usual, but he really likes it. It is light-weight and "springy" he says.

We had to take it out for a spin. It is obvious he is smiling while running.

"Check it out Mom!"

The new legs will be sleeping very near Tru tonight. He has them tucked right under his bed where he can lean over and catch a glimpse. He is very proud! We are so happy for him!!

Check out Tru's very first steps on his Baby Red Leg:
(He has come so far!)

Tru's First Steps - Link

Mom Is A Grad!

20 years ago I (Jody) graduated with my Bachelor's degree in Accounting. Over the last two decades Dallas and I started a family which has been our greatest accomplishment by far. However, professionally, I have sat in an office accomplishing nothing (or so it seems). Enough of that! It is time to get out in the world and make a difference. God has worked on me through my family, our children and my work in our church as a Sunday School teacher. I decided very suddenly about 1.5 years ago that I was going back to school. Today I received my Master's degree in elementary and special education. I should be teaching later this month in my own classroom. This week holds interviews and possibilities.

One proud grad! Look out world - here I come!

6 Years Of Tru Love

6 years ago today, we held our Tru for the first time. How things have changed. Today, he spent his Gotcha Day deep in the Manchac Swamp wrangling alligators.

His first alligator of the day.

Tru, Daddy and George.





We Love You Tru!!!!

Lin-Ley Is 11 & A 6th Grader!

Today is Lin-Ley's 11th birthday!!!!

The celebration began yesterday at Lin-Ley's restaurant of choice. Golden Corral. Yum!

Tru had to get in on the action too.

Tonight, Lin-Ley's dinner choice was spaghetti and meatballs with broccoli and mushrooms. No surprises there!

And birthday cake of course.

She asked for a new pair of shoes. She got a few more surprise gifts after dessert.

A good day!!

On June 13th our beauty graduated from 5th grade.

Lin-Ley is typically nervous in front of crowds. However, we were pleased to see her enjoy her day in the spotlight.

School is out for the summer. The day after school was done we made our first big trip to the library. Let summer begin!

10 Years Of Loving Lin-Ley

There she is! That chubby cheeked baby-girl we first saw in this photograph in January, 2003. Two months later we would hold her in our arms for the first time on March 2, 2003. Gotcha Day!










10 years later! Hard to believe!! Lin-Ley still proudly revels in her special day and we still pick her up and tell her "Gotcha!!"





















March 3rd is adoption day. We were officially a family on 3/3/03. This morning Lin-Ley gladly smiled for the camera and her other special day.

We love you big girl. So hard to believe it has been 10 years already!

 

 

 

 

Tru is 7 !

Happy Birthday
Tru-Tru!!

Our Future Olympians

In February, Tru was invited to participate in an adaptive ski program. He was unfamiliar with the sport. However, we want him to experience everything he can.  So, we took off to the slopes with the intention of spending one day there. While Tru prepared for his lesson, Dallas and Lin-Ley went snow tubing. The volunteers decked out Tru with one ski boot, one ski, a helmet and two outriggers (poles with skis on them). The object of Tru's adaptive skiing is that he would ski with his good leg and either take off his prosthetic leg (he would never agree to that!) or simply keep his prosthetic leg off of the snow.

Tru loved skiing from the moment we arrived! He did not always keep his prosthetic leg up as he was instructed. He informed us that he needed to keep it down so that he had brakes if he started going too fast.

Love this picture! Getting a little pep talk.

Photo op!

Once he got the hang of things, Tru could not contain his smiles!

And that was a wrap with a snow angel finale.

When we told Tru we were heading home he began to cry. The director of the adaptive ski clinic offered to give Tru additional lessons the next day if we could stay.

So....

Day 2.

They also gave Lin-Ley a private lesson. So, she gladly got into the action.

Tru donned his gear and was back on the slopes. Smiles and all.

After a few minutes on the beginners' slope, one ride up the magic carpet, and no problems skiing back down....

Tru was on the big slope for a practice run.

Then, before I knew it, he was waving good-bye from the ski lift.

One happy (and sweaty) guy!

We were told Lin-Ley was a natural.

The dude of the hour and his crew.

Two happy kids!

Time to go home.
Tru sobbed the whole afternoon we left.   He wanted to sell our house and move closer to the ski slopes.

Dallas and I had already agreed that if the kids loved skiing that much that we would bring them skiing more often.  Unfortunately, God had other plans.  Most of the snow melted the two days we were there and He did not send any more for the remainder of the winter....

Guess we know where we will be returning this winter!

A special thank you to everyone at Two Top Mountain Adaptive Sports Foundation!

Like A Good Neighbor

One month after the big storm, State Farm has still not sent out an adjuster to assess our damage.  Unfortunately, our shed was the tree's victim and that included the destruction of ALL of our lawn equipment.  I called our State Farm agent yesterday to ask for his assistance in getting the claim processed as our grass was getting out of control.  He certainly came through!  The adjuster will be at our home on Friday.  And...

He showed up at our house last night with his son and a friend and mowed our yard!!  A total surprise!

Thanks Mr. Jones!

5 Years Of Tru Love

Five years ago our family became complete. We love you Tru-Tru!!

Power Saws Needed

Our community was hit hard by the big storm Friday night. There are trees down everywhere!

Including inside our shed!

We (almost) slept last night to the hum of generators.

Dear Lord, Thank You for sparing our home!

P.S. We are hearing that we may not have power for several days....

Lin-Ley is 10 !!

Today was Lin-Ley's 10th birthday!  (Hard to believe!!)

It was her choice:

Lunch - Golden Corral
(complete with cotton candy)
Surprise Gift - During dessert we gave Lin-Ley her opal necklace.

Entertainment - Brave






















(complete with Skittles and cinnamon pretzel sticks)

Good day!  Now, after bath, a birthday spanking and a pinch to grow an inch, it is time for Book Club:



























Our first selection:

Happy Birthday Baby Girl!

 (P.S. The blog is back....)