29:17 baby!!!

This morning was my first race since the stroke and it was awesome! Liz has been training way more diligently then I have so I was pretty nervous. It went great tho! Posted my best time (29:17) and actually won my age category gettting a little plaque for being so awesome...Liz of course won her category too so we are both very proud of our accomplishment. Don't ask how many people were in the race :)

It's Homecoming weekend at Bradley so Jake is busy busy busy! Went to the vball game last night and are tailgating tonight at the soccer game...should be fun!

Before the race wondering what I'd been dragged into!

Wishing we were done!

We're done! Can't breathe!

First place for both of us!

Back in the real world...

I've been working at United Way for 3 weeks now and loving it! The people are great and the job doesn't hardly feel like work since I get to be out and about meeting new people and getting area companies involved in the campaign this year.

Cooper is gaining weight by the minute and requires constant attention (see carpet pic below). He's training well and has been going on runs with me. I'm running the 5K race this Sat. for Bradley homecoming weekend.

My blood level was a little off this last week (3.5 and needs to be bw 2-3) so the doc has lowered my blood thinner dosage and it's back to weekly checks so we can keep it regulated. boo. I still bruise like a peach. Tony and Laura and the boys came for a visit this weekend and I got a baseball sized bruise on the slide when Bryce and I played tag at the playground. Note to self--I am too old for slides. Jake and I were so glad to see them and were sad that the time flew by so fast!

We're headed out of town for two weddings in Oct. and hope to get something planned for our 1 year anniversary Oct. 27. 1 year!!!!! and you all thought we wouldn't make it ;)

Meet Cooper!

I went to pick up Cooper from the animal shelter today! He's pretty laid back today having just been neutered last night...which has made it easier to introduce him to Macey. They have touched noses just long enough to realize they aren't friends. I'm sure he'll tear up or pee on something of value before the weekend is over being 3 months old, but we're happy to have him! Isn't he cute!

Look at that face!

I made that bed for him!

Macey is not so sure about her new bro.

New nephew, new job, new puppy!

Life continues to be exciting! Tony and Laura have a new baby, Grady, which Nikki and I were home when he was born. He's a cutie just like his brothers. I also got some great news...I'll be working as an Ambassador for the United Way from Sept-Nov. It's a wonderful opportunity for me to not only get involved with a fantastic organization, but also be able to network with all the companies that participate in their campaign. I'm looking forward to going back to work and meeting new people...although it will be an adjustment to my spoiled and relaxed schedule now! Can't use the stroke victim excuse anymore...which is really a blessing!

We are really excited about a new addition to our household that we adoped from the animal shelter! He's a 3 month old yellow lab named Cooper (in honor of our first house on Cooper St.). He's sure to turn our house upsided down and ruin a couple pairs of shoes but we can't wait to bring him home this Friday!

That's all for now...will keep you posted!

Nikki and I got to spend 2 weeks at home together! Yay!

The fruits of our labor from a trip to AK. One whole meal!

2 trips to the ER in 1 day...ugh!

Since things have been getting back to normal around here Macey decided to keep it exciting. After a lovely bout of puking and pooping we made a trip to the emergency vet clinic to find out that she has a urinary tract infection probably brought on by stress. The vet asked if we have any recent changes or stressful events...I laughed. She got a shot of steriods (dexamethasome just like I was on) and I have to shove pills down her throat for the next two weeks.
But...I couldn't let her steal all the attention...so last night I went to grab something off the floor and when I stood back up I smacked my head on the ledge of our fireplace pretty hard. It hurt and I felt a big goose egg swelling up so I grabbed an ice pack and called the after hours care line and explained what happened. Of course they told me I needed to go get checked out within the next 4 hours because of the blood thinners...so out the door we went at 11:30 at night. fun. Everything was fine, they even checked my INR and it was in the correct range still. Back at home by 2 a.m. only to go to sleep and be woken up at 5:30 for a tornado warning so down to the basement we headed for an hour. Poor Jake had to put in a long day at work and I got to sleep in...so did Macey. :)

The 4th of July and neurology news!

With my completion of OT and PT I'm continuing my mission of getting back to normal, especially on the job front and with fitness and exercise. Jake and I were able to go visit his parents and family over the 4th. We had a great time seeing everyone and taking in the parade, carnival and fireworks in the booming metropolis of Rich Hill, MO! :) Jake has been super busy since his promotion and this week he's on the road to NY and Boston and has more trips planned...guess he's gotten over his worries about me not being able to stay home alone! I'm back on the job hunt and have had a couple bites lately...will keep you posted when something comes through.

Now with the great news...watch out Peoria drivers I'm cleared to drive around town! I had a neurology appointment yesterday and got the ok to drive short distances...I've regained my independence!!! The plan is still to check out my brain around the year mark and see how the clot looks and if there are any other issues with veins up there...and if all is good then I'll go off the meds. The only catch is if I choose to go off the seizure med then I will have to stop driving again for a while as a precaution. Since there aren't any side effects many people choose to stay on it and avoid risk of another seizure...we'll see, it's my choice.

So life continues to be full of blessings for us! I've even had mom up to the new house to help me with some finishing touches and deep cleaning...no one better to help get some house projects done then her!

Planning a trip home soon for the arrival of a new niece or nephew from Tony and Laura...and Nikki and the Jack Attack will be in for a visit too! Can't wait!

Here's a pic of us and some of our friends from St. Louis that we got to hang out with on our way through back to Peoria.

Another kind of OT

We just got back from a great vacation to Alaska where we visited Nikki, Brian and Jack Jack. Mom and Dad were up there to so we all got to enjoy the awesome Alaskan scenery, some camping and fishing and a little bit of hiking. I definitely stayed on top of the OT workouts with the fishing, reeling in a 40 lb halibut and a 30 lb king salmon...what a workout! I also surprised myself and I think my sister by going on a mountain hike...definitely felt the burn in my calves and quads! Below are some pics of the trip!

Also, I'm in my last week of PT and actually graduated from OT today. My hand grip is finally stronger in my right hand again and all my strength test scores reached my goal levels! I also got released from my rehabilitation doctor today...so one by one I'm checking them off the list!