5 weeks

I returned from the doctor this morning and everything is looking good. I had an x ray done and they looked good. There was no bone growth yet but that is not expected until the 3 month mark; which is when my next appointment will be (September). The incisions in both front and back were healing and no swelling was present. I am to continue walking both in the pool and on ground and be careful not to bend, twist or pick up weight greater than 5lbs until my next visit. The swelling and surgery pain is getting better each week and I am planning to be back to work on August 17. I am very thankful for family and friends encouraging words and prayers during this time. I am especially grateful to my wife and children as they put up with me and take on extra work around the house. I am encouraged as I get stronger and make progress each week. God is good!

Morgan's 1st of 3 birthday parties

We were up in Estes, over the weekend, to celebrate Morgan's 9th birthday with my family. Her next party is with her friends next Thursday and then her official birthday is August 8.

Morgan and my favorite; peanut butter pie!

Afterwards, grandma took the kids to the rainbow slide for some fun.

New pictures of the girls

Here are a few pictures of the girls before the Taylor Swift concert in Cheyenne last night.

Morgan taking golf lessons. I see a scholarship in the future...:)

Our little ham. How can I deny that face?

4 weeks

Today it has been 1 month since my surgery. I feel so much better than I did just 2 weeks ago. I have to be very careful not to push myself and continue to rest. Yesterday, I was out helping clean the garage and paid for it afterwards. I swelled up and was in bed the rest of the day. I need to remind myself, that even though I may feel like doing more, I need to be careful. I am back to putting Lucy to bed and helping with small chores. A quick update on the rest of the family. Betsy is back to preparing for the next school year. Morgan has been participating in golf lessons and will begin tennis next week. She is also enjoying sleep overs with friends. Lucy is also doing golf lessons and participates in a cheerleader camp. Tomorrow, Betsy, the girls and one of our close friends will be heading to Cheyenne Frontier Days for the Taylor Swift concert. They have been having a good summer while I continue to rest and heal. Thank you to all my prayer warriors out there. I appreciate it! DW

3 weeks

Today is the third week of recovery. The internal swelling must be going down because I feel the screws and rods in the back and it is not comfortable. I am still trying to walk further each day and am anxious to try the pool but may wait until next week or the weekend. Tonight, I was to to take Betsy to the Keith Urban concert but am not ready. Morgan will go instead and I will rest at home. The back is pretty sore again and the front is uncomfortable as clothes rub against the scabs. It is a roller coaster of feeling better and then back down again but I was told to expect this and know that each week my body is healing for the good.

Lucy's first missing tooth

Lucy lost her first tooth. I thought it was pretty early for her since it is the summer prior to kindergarten but with Lucy I think she will be doing everything earlier than Morgan.

2 weeks

Today marks two weeks since surgery and I feel that I have turned the corner for the good. I am feeling better throughout the day and am getting my strength back. I am beginning to walk outside and try to go a bit further each day. The night time is the most uncomfortable as a try to sleep in a comfortable position. I am feeling very hopeful at this point and know the worst is behind me.

I am still here!

I went into surgery around 8 AM Wednesday morning and woke up around 7:30 that night in my recovery room. I was able to come home on Sunday afternoon and was glad to be home! The hospital is not a fun place to stay for more than a few days. I am pretty confined to my room but make it down when I can to stretch and see my family. Today was pretty hard as my incisions were causing a lot of pain.

I want to thank everyone for your thoughts and prayers. I ask that you continue to remember me in your prayers as I battle through the pain and begin to feel better. I have had a lot of friends pray with me, send cards, support my family in other ways and provide meals. I also want to thank my parents for staying with us and being their for all our needs.

I know that with God by my side and my friends and families support I will get through this.

Derek

Surgery tomorrow

I would be lying if I said I was not scared of my surgery. I am nervous, today, about what will happen. I have a peace knowing this is the right thing to do and fully trust that God will be watching over me and the doctors but, as a fallen human, I am nervous. Please pray for the doctors and my family. I hate having to have others wait on me and feeling as a burden to someone else. I have a lot of people praying and supporting me and I am very thankful for everyone. Grace and Peace to you!

500 Hits...

on my Blog site that is, ha. I am looking forward to a nice weekend for Father's Day. I am going to hang out with the kids at the pool on Saturday and then go up to Estes Park to be with my dad on Sunday. My brother and his family will also be up there and mom always cooks a big meal after church. This will be my last weekend before the surgery and want to make sure I take advantage of it.

I Love My Wife

I too often forget to take the time to tell Betsy how much I love her and how much I appreciate everything she does and how proud I am to have her as my wife. I try to tell her but I get too busy in the daily routine of life. I think the thoughts in my head and I know how lucky I am but I am not always good at communicating it out loud the way she needs to hear it. I believe in God's plan for marriage that if a husband would love and cherish his wife then he will be respected by her and that is what we need as men is to feel respected and wives want to feel loved, protected and cherished.

I notice what Betsy does in a day like running along side Lucy while she learns to ride her bike feeling exhausted but doing it not for herself but our daughter. Betsy has great patience for children. She will allow our oldest daughter, Morgan to help cook dinner in the kitchen and learn valuable skills for later in life. I would just get frustrated because of the mess it would make and get mad. Betsy is also a Godly Christian woman who tries (everyday) to do the right thing and be an example to those around her. Betsy is faithful to me and trustworthy. I am very lucky to have her as my best friend and wife.

This is what I want her to know; that you are beautiful, I love you and I am proud of you!

Derek

T-Ball

Time to rewind the clock and start again with Lucy. It seems like yesterday when I was teaching Morgan how to throw and catch and now she plays fast pitch softball. Here are a few pictures of Lucy's first season of T-ball. She wants to be just like her big sister.

Good catch!She also wants to be a cheerleader; hence the outfit.

You go girl! Show all those boys how to play.

You can do it Lucy!

Lucy learned to ride her bike last weekend without the training wheels. She has no fear! Lucy wanted to do it and was not going to to stop until she did.

Early Fathers Day for Grandpa Grogg

Since Jim is in town we thought it would be a good opportunity for Betsy and the kids to let him open presents early. Here are a few shots...

Morgan Softball 10U

Morgan loves three sports or activities; skiing, softball and basketball. Here is Morgan in one of her games this season for the 10U Erie Tigers... Don't watch me, watch the ball!...Morgan playing 3rd base.

Morgan is one of two pitchers for the team. This is her favorite position.

Great batting stance; just like her daddy, ha :)