I have run out of witty titles...in fact, I think I've used THIS title before!

When you have a blog, I think the hardest thing is thinking of the title of each post. I mean, I suppose the whole "what do I write and how do I make it interesting" task is a bit more complicated, but whatever.

Anyway...Jamie is awesome. She had a conference on the 8th, and we got some good reports. She had another No Cue period, and she did pretty well. She did a better job at initiating her morning tasks by using her daily checklist and alarm to get ready. J is also working on increased independence while at the clinic. Several of her therapies now require her to do exercises and or projects before her therapists make contact - this initiation practice is helpful in creating independence.

J also showed improvement in processing in emergency situations. When asked about certain scenarios, she was able to communicate how to fix certain problems. She is getting better at actually doing those things, but still needs some work.

Her reading level and memory continue to get better. We have noticed that she is able to tell stories from the past few weeks and seems to be doing SO MUCH better at remembering details and events. Its great. Also, she is now working on passing an 8th grade reading level. (Which, to be honest is probably what most of us read at!!) She just continues to improve and improve.

I think the most encouraging thing for me is how much Jamie is improving in her awareness and her ability to communicate. Each time we go down, she just seems more and more aware of what happened, what's going on and how she's doing. She is able to communicate on a nonverbal level better and better - facial expressions, intonation & inflection and that type of thing. The staff has noticed that she does better at that type of communication when she is dealing with friends and family - not as much with them. (which kind of makes sense - aren't we all more animated and engaging with our loved ones?)

I can only imagine how frustrating it is for her - she knows that she had an accident and that she is working on getting better; but to her, she's just Jamie. She's such a trooper, and I am so proud of her. She knows that there are things at clinic that she doesn't like doing, but she trusts us and trusts her therapists and trusts God enough to know that it is for her good.  Her goal is to get better and get home, and she knows that if she keeps working hard, she will meet that goal.  Go Jamie, Go!!

Today is the 10 month mark. Wow.  I feel like a lifetime has passed in that time, and I have been amazed at God's faithfulness. I was reminiscing with Kathy this last weekend about the first few days and weeks after the accident - getting to Germany and back and the craziness that ensued.  I will never forget standing in security gate house at Landstuhl trying to explain the guys running security who we were, why we were there and why they should let us onto a secure military base.  I will never forget telling the woman at the car rental that we had just flown from the States and were trying to get out to Landstuhl because our daughter and sister was in the hospital.  I will never forget seeing Jamie for the first time.  Or rolling onto the tarmac at Ramstein at 6 am after spending the night in the ICU, staring up at the HUGE C-CAT plane that was going to take us home.  So many images are forever etched in our family's memory. Another thing I will never forget is that I could actually feel your prayers.  There was a real, palpable feeling that we all had - God covering us, reassuring us that it would all be okay.  I know now that what we felt was God's love through your prayers. 

Okay, I'm getting all mushy and weepy eyed.  Enough of that for now. :)

The following passage has been very meaningful over the course of this whole journey, always reminding me that no matter what, God is in control.  I may have shared it before, but it bears repeating. 

Psalm 46
God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.  
Therefore we will not fear though the earth gives way, 
though the mountains be moved into the heart of the sea, 
though its waters roar and foam, 
though the mountains tremble at its swelling.  

There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God, 
the holy bagitation of teh Most High. 
God is in the midst of her; she shall not be moved; 
God will help her when morning dawns. 
The nations rage, the kingdoms totter; 
he utters his voice, the earth melts. 
The Lord of hosts is with us; 
The God of Jacob is our fortress.  

Come, behold the works of the Lord, 
how he has brought desolations on the earth. 
He makes wars cease to the end of the earth; 
he breaks the bow and shatters the spear' 
he burns the chariots with fire. 
"Be still and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!"
The Lord of hosts is with us; 
the God of Jacob is our fortress.  

Love, Us.