Thursday, March 24, 2011

Paparazzi

Ronnie and I have been in the spot light the last week or so. It is really a strange feeling. We had FOX59 in Indy interview Ronnie during a therapy session last week. The interviewer, Jamie was a lot of fun and everyone around the VA seemed to enjoy watching us all chat away with Ronnie while he worked.

Once we arrived in Oklahoma, we were greeted by a Tulsa World reporter who had a story written up by the next morning (see below). He stopped in again today (3/24) and interviewed us for a story to be in print on Saturday before the American Legion Honor Ceremony to be held for Ronnie in the afternoon. We have also gotten calls from newscasters hoping to get a line or two during Saturday's events.

In addition, we have been making our rounds to meetings, schools, churches, and groups to say a huge "thank you" to everyone who has been praying for us and supporting us over the last few months. We feel so loved and so blessed and so humbled by everyone.

Link to the Tulsa World story below:
Injured Owasso soldier returns to warm welcome


Photo: Ronnie speaking in a Tulsa Bible Church Awana Class

My Snuggle Bug

ZZzzzz...

Hair Chop!

Before: After:

Mia meets her GREAT-grandparents

We had so much fun spending time up in Ft. Wayne visiting my grandparents and so did Mia. She loved jumping around Grandma's feet and snuggling up on the couch with PawPaw.

It felt like we hadn't seen them in an eternity and had so much to catch up on. Ronnie and PawPaw spent tons of time talking about cars and going through PawPaw's military uniform collection while Grandma and I shopped till we dropped! What a fun, relaxing way to visit.

Visiting Shelby at Grove City College

Ronnie and I were so excited to visit Shelby at college in Grove City, PA. We drove with Mom and Mia to the land where snow still exists. Mia didnt know quite what to think, but with the help of her little winter coat, she quickly learned to love the yummy white stuff. We had so much fun touring GCC and wandering the little town she calls home. It was so great to see Shelby again especially in her element. It was a blast. :)

Home again in the hoosier state!

Being home in Indy has been EXACTLY what Ronnie and I needed after working so hard the past few months. It has been so great to spend time with family and friends and visit our home church Sanctuary. Even Mia got to join in the fun! She has loved her "grandma and grandpa" as well as "Aunt Cori and Aunt Shelby" and they get quite a kick out of her.


As a side note for those wondering, Ronnie has been going to the Indy VA hospital downtown a couple times a week for therapy and PICC line care as well as his INR lab draws. It really has been a great change of pace as each location does therapy a little different. Ronnie has really enjoyed it and really wants to try to be transferred back to Indy as soon as he is able.

Photo: Mia chillin' with her grandma. :)

Starting Convalescent Leave

So I have been scolded for not writing in so long. In my defense it has been a whirlwind few weeks and I don't even know where to start.

Ronnie and I were granted thirty days of leave away from BAMC to visit with family. We had been wanting to take leave for a while but once the paper work started on Friday, March 25th, it was only a matter of days before we were flying home to Indiana (I think we only had about a twelve hour heads up once we bought plane tickets!).

But before we could leave, we had to pack... and when I say pack, I mean THE WHOLE HOTEL ROOM that we have been living in for the past three months... That was an unexpected adventure in itself, but thanks to some amazing new friends, everything is safe in storage in San Antonio and the adventure could begin.