Jacoby's Journey Slideshow

 ALMOST AT OUR 1 YEAR MARKER......NOBODY IS COUNTING HERE....REALLY!!! LOL

Actually saw a miracle unfold while watching Jacoby in her therepy 5 days ago. You see, I normally don't sit in on the sessions.  Even though I know how much every 16 year old wants their mom breathing down their neck, I try to give her some space and let her work.  This day was different; she and her trainer had invited me in to come and see the progress. So there I was.... ABSOLUTELY BLOWN AWAY! She was doing exercises that only 6 months earlier would have been impossible for her to perform. Jacoby's "core" was NOTICEABLY stronger; she was completing reps that would have knocked her out 3 months ago. I sat and watched in awe... as a parent does when they see their 1st child take "the first steps".  How could I go from being so proud when seeing her do giants on the high bar, double rotations in the air, to being EQUALLY proud of her leaning from side to side while sitting on her bed?!! How.....PERSPECTIVE!!! Perspective changes how we view everything in life....spouse, children, finances, home...etc. Perspective is THE gift that reminds me everyday that our precious Jacoby is STILL alive, she has her mind, she is STILL the same girl. And even if that had changed....perspective would give us the ability to find the good in it. Thank you, Lord, for the gift of perspective.

I added a slideshow Jacoby put together with pictures from her phone. Several of them are from her younger years; I think she likes remembering there was a day everything "worked"! Enjoy the "rawness" of her creation! lol

Always Believing.......... 

Back to School.....

 Leaves are falling, pumpkin is back on the menu, and Jacoby is a full-time Roger's High sophomore! (I know...it doesn't seem possible to this old mom, either) Jacoby was given the option to move at a slower pace, but she declined that as quickly as it was suggested. (Surprise, surprise...)

So here we are... one celebration after the next for our family this fall, starting with our awesome victory over the  Emerald Ridge Football team at the annual "King of the Hill" game. GO RAMS! It was one of those high school memories we will never forget. (And yes...Jacoby was there in the traditional blue tutu...don't you worry!)

Being a soccer family, the fall never disappoints! Like many of you out there, living at the soccer fields doesn't seem strange at all. The week consists of daily practices to be followed by weekend games normally spent under the Washington Premiere umbrellas. (unless you're Jacoby, then you get to watch from the comfort of the car) Come rain or shine.....the games will go on! Absolutely nothing better for this family and many others. 😊 We have learned there is more to life than sports, but a little healthy competition keeps the heart pumping and keeps our children humble. We are still trying to talk Jacoby into playing in the handicap soccer league; not quite there yet!😉 (Too bad gymnastics doesn't have a league like that..)

Finally, the most important celebration has been Jacoby and Kaleb's "SWEET 16" BIRTHDAY"! Every time I say or write that...something in my heart aches. I'm not ready for them to be 16, not even close.  Somehow, it seems like the years go by faster and faster. We really do have such a small window of time with our children; LETS MAKE IT COUNT....INVEST THE TIME!
Jacoby and Kaleb both just wanted to have a party at home, so we did! The party was a great time just hanging out with family and friends, soccer and hot tubbin for the boys, "chatty chat" time for the girls, and all you could eat ribs. WHAT MORE COULD ANY 16 YEAR OLD WANT?! Jacoby mentioned to me she would have liked to have been walking by her 16th birthday, but the Good Lord must have something better planned...that we know for sure!

We continue to keep believing....no matter what! God is good...ALL THE TIME!

"Who can list all the miracles of the LORD...Who can praise Him enough?" Psalm 106:2

1st Day of High School!

Rogers RAMS vs. Emerald Ridge JAGUARS

"King of the Hill Game"

 

Lol... I told the boys to pose....this is what they came up with...I LOVE BOYS!

16TH BIRTHDAY POSE! Kaleb, Jacoby, Parker and Jon!

"Male Bonding"?

Jacoby and her adopted sister, Londyn!

Jacoby and Kaleb on their 16th Birthday!

Jacoby's Gals on her birthday! Mya, Mary, Alex, Jane, Julie and Erica!

RIBS!

LESSONS LEARNED!

San Diego was a trip of laughter, chaos and lessons learned!

Call us crazy....but we were up for the challenge of sticking the ENTIRE family (8 people)in the family minivan --destination SAN DIEGO! (Heading for "Surf Cup")
For those of you who have traveled cross country in close quarters...and I mean close....you understand the term "love/hate relationships"😌 With Jacoby strapped into the middle of the minivan, she took a beating; however, it was like she never missed a day of therapy. If you know Jacoby...she was using her arms and core to turn and give commands to her restless and unruly siblings the ENTIRE trip!
1st rule learned--ALWAYS MAKE HOTEL RESERVATIONS IN THE SUMMER WHEN TRAVELING!!! Jason and I failed to realize that in the summer months many events are taking place, even in small towns. So the first night after being on the road all day, and close to "hurting" all the loved ones around us, we pulled off into a small town that SURELY would have a vacancy in one of the hotels/motels. Well, after stopping at several, we found one with a SINGLE room left; Thank the Lord....WE WILL TAKE IT! However, we failed to notice there was NO ELEVATOR for Jacoby and her wheelchair! Jason ended up carrying her up and down 3flights of stairs so she could get into our room--LESSONS LEARNED!
2nd and final rule learned--BEWARE--WILD TURKEYS LIKE WHEELCHAIRS! Ok... this one makes me laugh every single time I even think of it! We were in the Redwoods and had just arrived at the "Drive-Thru Redwood Tree".  There was a place you could park and either walk and explore Redwoods or an open prairie area with a lake. We decided to start bopping a volleyball around until Jason and the boys got back from their "explore expedition". Meanwhile, Jacoby started driving her chair away from us just to get a little time to herself in a beautiful setting. No sooner did she pull away, when the two wild turkeys by the lake started following her. We were laughing at how funny it looked, but thought they would lose interest...WE WERE WRONG! The faster she drove....the faster they ran toward her! Actually, I think they really liked the shiny wheels. We sent JJ to go "save" her; he took this as permission to stone the poor turkeys to death! (yes...we have some red neck blood in our veins) This kept us laughing the rest of the night; this girl just can't get a brake. 

San Diego ROCKED! So thankful God gave us the opportunity to go....so thankful for family....so thankful for lessons learned!

at the redwoods!

visiting Hearst Castle

Schools Out...TIME FOR SUMMER NIGHTS!

TALK ABOUT CLOSING OUT HER FRESHMAN YEAR WITH A BANG!!!
 Jacoby's twin brother, Kaleb and a few of his buddies...Parker Elliot and Collin Mayes made her 9th grade dance a night to be remembered! With the help of  Mr. Halfaday and several other AMAZING people...she was taken out on a private yacht for dinner -and then entered the dance with a "red carpet" entry.  She talked about the dance for days and I couldn't help but to praise God that He had planted so many loving people around her,  to fill in the "gaps" that we couldn't fill! And so...we "closed out her freshman year with a TRULEY  magical night. Thank you, Mr. Halfaday, thank you, Ballou.........for EVERYTHING!

BRING ON THE SUMMER DAYS AND NIGHTS.........
 It's her 1st summer since the injury, so we are having to switch things up... Switch things out...plan ahead   in ways we never had to before. We visited Ocean Shores the other day, and as soon as her wheels touched the hard sand, her wheechair began to sink. It was devastating for her already to not be able to run out into the waves with her siblings and cousins, but now, not even to be able to get out of the van.
 (Since that day, a friend has shared a solution to that problem...WOOHOO...another problem solved.) Without fail, it's on her hardest days she is MENTALLY AND SPIRITUALLY strengthened the most; days that she resolves to NEVER GIVE UP.....NEVER LOSE HOPE.....ALWAYS EXPECT A MIRACLE!
Jacoby's faith continues to be her strength. She knows He has her best interest in mind; she trusts Him. One of her favorite verses continues to be....
" I can do ALL things through CHRIST, who STRENGTHENS me!" --Philipians 4:13
Jacoby is still helping at Roach Gymnastics and LOVES being back at the gym. The little "chalky" hand-prints are STILL PRICELESS!
At this very moment, our WHOLE family is heading down to San Diego for "SURF CUP 2013" to watch her younger sister (Morgan) play soccer! Nothing beats putting 8 people together in a minivan for several days together...lol... GOOD TIMES!!! We will keep u posted!:-)
As far as any changes in movement, Jacoby has started having increased sensory awareness in her bladder/bowel, but still no motor movement at this time. AND YES...,WE R THRILLED! Baby steps...... 

Never a Dull Moment.....

LOOK OUT IDAHO......HERE SHE COMES!!! The fact we were able to keep Jacoby out of Idaho for 6 months was a MIRACLE in itself. She spent half of her childhood in the "potato state" ...nothing in the world makes her happier than making the trek home to both Grandma's homes. We NEEDED to go because we had high school graduations we just COULDN'T miss. Overall, she had an amazing time with family...the tears flowed as we pulled out of town, but she knew there were things she needed to "get rolling" back in the Great Northwest! 

One of those things she wanted to "get rolling" included heading back to her gym to help out. As every gymnast knows, the girls you sweat with day in and day out....year in and year out....attach you for life to each other. Jacoby had been missing the daily conversations with her gym buddies more than ANYTHING else.
She has been back at Roach Gymnastics helping out in any way she can, for the past two weeks. Nothing touches this ol' mom's heart more than coming to pick her up and finding her absolutely COVERED in chalk...from the top of her shirt, to the wheels on her wheelchair; she had BEEN LOVED the last 3 hours! Roach Gymnastics is her "home away from home" and we LOVE THEM....
Jacoby has also been diving into her studies that had fallen behind due to the injury. She is in school everyday for part of the day; the other half is given to rehabilitation. The other classes she has now started on-line, are Algebra and Science. Good thing her twin brother, Kaleb and Dad are good at Math because it seems I can't remember my math concepts TO SAVE MY LIFE! She will finish both of these classes by the end of the summer, which will catch her completely up with her class. (Most importantly, KALEB! LOL)
Finally, Ballou Jr. High's 9th grade Awards Assembly was held earlier this week.  It was so moving to see pictures of Jacoby standing in the choir before her injury. (I was trying my best to not to cry...didn't work out)It touched our hearts to see students from the school singing Christmas carols outside of Safeway  in FREEZING weather to raise money for her. AMAZING..... Jacoby received the Presidential Academic  Award along with the PRIDE BALLOU AWARD. (Persistance, Respect, Integrity, Determination and Excellence) It was a pretty emotional night for all of us, so we ended the evening the best way we knew how....DAIRY QUEEN.

ps. NO NEW MOVEMENT...HOWEVER, she grows in strength and muscle mass everyday. We are ALWAYS hopeful and will continue to trust in the LORD for His will.

 

 

 

Popsicles and Oreos!

Almost to our 6 month marker....
For all of you waiting for Jacoby to eat her 1st food item BY HERSELF....wait no longer! Jacoby ate a popsicle with "flying colors".  It brought tears to my eyes to realize she was doing something that months ago would have seemed impossible. (she placed it in the brace) Yes, we probably could have made this happen awhile ago, but we have found that having her younger brothers and sisters feeding her makes them feel apart and is a GREAT way to teach them sacrifice as well.
 
Jacoby's physical training is showing positive results. Chris, her trainer, just took measurements of her muscle and found she had gained a 1/4 to 1/2 inch in all her major muscle groups in her legs. But, before Jacoby tries ANY exercise equipment, little Vincie tries it out FIRST...just to make sure its safe! ( Just like his Papa Frank) 

Her friends and family continue to be her inspiration. Her gym buddies, youth group friends and neighborhood clan continually keep her hope alive with their presence and sense of humor! Jacoby has a social life that puts ANYONE to shame...thanks to Instagram, texting and Facebook!(she makes ME look anti-social) If you would like to know all the crazy places and people she hangs out with, follow her @ jsmchampion. 

 Finally, PLEASE KEEP PRAYING FOR A MIRACLE! We serve a God who is fully able to heal, yet knows what is ultimatley best for her. Our hearts are best expressed in the new song by Sidewalk Prophets, "Help Me Find It". (look it up..it's awesome!)

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understandings...in all your ways acknowledge Him, He will make your paths  straight."--Proverbs 3:5&6  
 

ps.  Jacoby wants to wish her friends Mary and Morgan "good luck" at Nationals this weekend.  GO ROACH AND GO EMERALD CITY GYMNASTICS!!! DO A FLIP FOR JACOBY!

 

Thanks for Ballou!

We are now back in the swing of school again; Jacoby is absolutely loving the idea of "ditching" her parents for part of the day. (I don't blame her at all) She has an amazing aide, Kelly, that takes her notes, gives her drinks..waits for her arrival each day;we love her! Ballou Junior High has made Jacoby feel completely welcome again....We can never thank you enough for the extra effort. GO BRUINS!

One step closer........