update!

I am soooooo happy to be able to write what I am about to.. Rick WOKE UP!! He woke up less than 2, yes I said LESS than TWO weeks after the accident!! Praise God!! Sunday, March 15 he was awake and trying to talk! Since the accident happened at 5PM on Sunday, March 1, and he was in the ER for so many hours and not moved up to Trauma ICU until midnight Monday, they count Monday the 2nd as day one. He began waking up slowly starting around late Friday before and continued opening his eyes a little more on that Saturday and then by Sunday morning he was trying to communicate verbally!
The next day, Monday the 16th, he was moved to Norman Specialty Hospital, a long term acute care facility. The Trauma doc told us at OU that everyday he was there in ICU and waking up more that he is being held back from progressing as much as he could because they cannot offer all that this long term facility can as far as rehab goes. He has been there a week today and he is doing so well!! They get him up daily, and have since last Tuesday, into a wheelchair and he of course enjoys that. They took his trach out today and they started letting him try sipping water and eating some jello, first real food since the accident. He doesn't understand why he's there. He asks repeatedly but when he's told he just replies with "oh." He is very active, pulling at the c-collar and he rarely sleeps at night so fellow Norman firemen stay with him at night. They all tell us that he sleeps very little, only a couple of hours a night. He does know all of us and has since he woke up. I haven't taken the boys to see him (I've really been waiting for the trach to come out) but they have called and talked to him and his face lights up and he talks in a different tone, like he normally would! It is so sweet!
The next step from here is for him to be moved to Jim Thorpe rehab for intense physical rehab that he needs. Movement on the left side is delayed. He can move his left arm and leg but it takes longer. What he has already accomplished in 22 days is by no doubt an answer from God. We are so thankful for prayers on his behalf because we know the Healer!

On the homefront, not too much different. Britton is so close to walking, if he would only let go and go! He takes 2-4 steps and then drops to his knees and crawls. Brandon is excited (yes I said excited) to be back in school from Spring Break. Blaine doesn't know it yet but I am about to really start potty training him. I got a great book from a friend that I am going to put to use and attempt it. Ryan and I are going on our first trip just the TWO of us this coming weekend. He is going for a software conference but while he is there he's treating me to a day spa!! I cannot WAIT!! 6 hours of pampering!! It will be so nice to get away for a little break!
That's all for now, I hope everyone is doing well!!