One Week at Home!

It has been One full week since we brought Callie home from Phoenix Children's Hospital. It has been a wonderful week. Callie seemed to remember "home" right from the start. There didn't seem to be any adjustment time at all. We know that she has memory from before the accident, because of little things she has done, like drag Dad to the freezer to find a yummy treat. Also, whenever one is in need of anything while in the bathroom, we "knock" on the wall, so we all know that when we hear a "knock" from the bathroom, to check what someone needs. Callie had just received a shower, when the person who showered her called out for someone to come & retreive her, she decided that she would do her part & so she "knocked" on the wall & called out too!
She has really been trying to walk everywhere by herself. She is still working on her balance, so she keeps us all on our toes. She definitely is a full-time job, but thank goodness she has many to tend to her! Just as I am typing this, she walked about 10 feet away from her Dad without any holding & then turned herself around & walked right back without one fall! Her stability is getting better all the time.
It's hard for me to take time away from everything to post everything I would like. Please know that our hearts are filled with gratitude for the numberless kindnesses that have been shown to us & know that we feel your kindnesses have been orchestrated by One who knows all. Just one example. . . . we chose Tuesday night to get all the kids together & celebrate Jeff's birthday with them since they weren't all able to be with us on his birthday. We had made dinner plans & homemade ice cream plans, but early afternoon I realized we had no birthday cake plans! Because there was little time I reluctantly said to myself, "Oh Well!" & chose just to let it be. A few hours later, you'll never guess what showed up at our door! Well, you probably guessed A CAKE! & you would be right, only it was not the usual 9x13 cake, but twice the size, which was more than enough to feed us ALL! (We still were missing a few who were working)

Thank you ALL for EVERYTHING! May He who sees ALL bless you an hundred fold for your loving service to us!

Have a Beautiful, Day, Week, Month, Year, Holidays . . . LIFE!!!

ALL Our Love FOREVER,
The Butler's

Callie's the "STAR"!

Channel 3 made a request to videotape Callie in therapy & it will air on their program, "Your Life From A to Z" this Friday the 14th between 9-10 am.
I know I told some of you it would be on Thursday the 13th, but they changed it & called early today to let me know!
I hope I'm able to videotape it. (the kids don't want to miss it) If any of you tape it, please let me know, in case I miss it.
Everyday, so many things go through my mind that have been done for us. I haven't had the time to adequately thank any of you, but know that it hasn't gone unnoticed & know how much you are loved & appreciated!
Lots of Love
~Dana

HOME AT LAST!!!

Well, we have been home for a few days & in many ways, it seems as though we never missed a beat! Callie had not even a moment of needing to adjust! She has been getting up & walking a few steps without ANY help at all !!! She loves having the kids & Sarah around & has definitely found the high C again, but somehow it sounds so different than it used to. I feel a little like my "Granny", who at a reunion when all the kids were indoors in a lodge & running wild, when she heard us trying to quiet them down, she said (swirling her hand beneath her throat), "Let them whoop & holler until there throats are full"!!! We miss all our hospital friends & are SO GRATEFUL for them! Last night I asked Callie, "where is Miss _______ & _______ & _______ . . . . . ? They are at the hospital. Do you want to go to the hospital to see them? And she nodded her head & her whole upper body in the affirmative! Today we honor everyone EVERYWHERE, who has ever lost someone or suffer through difficulties with their loved ones, which I believe IS EVERYONE! We love ALL of you & are so grateful for the experience we have had to not just know, but to really FEEL that we are all ONE big family! No matter our varied differences, WE ARE ONE! Pictures & more later. . . ~The Whole Butler Family

Moving OUT!

Well, it has been an exciting day today & yet it's being an emotional day too!
My phone once again is having memory issues, so sorry, no pictures for now. Hopefully we can get it worked out at home & get some on.
When we first came into Rehab, the nurse told me how they have kids come in that don't do ANYTHING & leave walking & talking. While that is what I hoped for, I was willing that she at least do SOMETHING!
I can't even type it without sobbing, but Callie WILL leave walking & talking. Yes, she still has more progress to make to get back, but she has come so much farther than many thought she would.
We just happen to see her Neuro Surgeon this morning, when he saw Callie, he said, "That's HER!", WOW, She is a Miracle!" Coming from the one here that had the most detailed information of just what Callie's injury, I don't think it could be said any better & I don't think that ANYONE will put up an argument on the subject. I am so overwhelmed by the MASSIVE outpouring of Blessings, Love & Service!!!

Thank You EVERYONE!!! & God Bless Us ALL EVERYONE!!!
Jeff, Dana, CALLIE & The Rest of the Butler Family

The word is in, And we are OUT!

Brace yourselves...the long awaited day has come! Today Callie's doctors let my parents know that she will be set to go home on Friday! {Ashley is posting right now as the parents are headed up the mountain to vote. Such devoted Americans!}

When the kids were here last weekend, their parting note with Callie was "Now you come see us next time!" And of course she smiled as if to say, "You betch'ya." She is making good on that smile and we are all so thrilled! My Mom shared with me some of her emotions and I thought I would share.

She said that it sweet news that they will get to come home, but that there are many people that she will miss dearly from the hospital, some of whom they may never see again. They will surely be missed. But the Sweet is OH SO SWEET and we will gladly have it!

She also expressed gratitude to my sister Amber, who spent many of her weekends "being an 18 year old single mother of 7" {in my mom's words} and driving all the kids down so they could visit. Her willingness to do that means so much to my parents and to Callie of course who loves to see her family! {And their visits were made so much nicer thanks to the kindness of Becki and Dany in giving them access to their beautiful home in Mesa. THANK YOU!}

Also thank you to Aunt Mary who took over that responsibility this weekend since Amber had to work. She brought them all down and was able to celebrate my Dad's 47th Birthday with him! She also stayed by with the kids while my parents enjoyed a Suns Basketball game together for his birthday! It was a very nice weekend thanks to Aunt Mary!

And for all those who have shown kindnesses to our family, thank you! There has been no small deed, everything has been so HUGELY appreciated!

I am sure I have missed things but I am sure she will do a more thorough job when she is able. Just thank you, thank you, thank you everyone! May you be blessed, as you have blessed us.

"Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me."

And now for some pictures:

Sweet birthday loves for Daddy!

Enjoying a little basketball. I heard the entire starting lineup got on the mic and sang Happy Birthday! yeah right...well it might have been cool!

Sleepy girl with her sleepy brothers, Burke and Marcus. {Marcus is in there, just kind of hard to see.}

Little Miss California worn out from all her fun visitors. I'm pretty sure she is dreaming of home and her swing set!

WOW! That was fast!

No sooner had I typed about the eye Doc, he walked in. The word is that they will wait on the surgery (tentatively the beginning of Dec.) He may not even need to open the right eye as much as she's getting it open on her own & by some miracle the left eye will heal up & begin to function on it's own & NO surgery will be needed. Home on Tuesday!? We'll see at "Rounds" when they evaluate Callie next!

We will fast again on Sunday for Callie & others.

Lots of Love, Butler's

"The Dr. Said!" No More Monkeys Jumping on the Bed!!!! (Happy B-day Daddy!)

Yesterday Dr. Kaplan (head of Neuro Rehab) stopped in "to say Good-Bye" to us before he left on vacation! While he was in, I think Callie was trying to show-off for him & stood up at the rail of her bed. Dr. Kaplan immediately ordered what they call a "veil bed" for her & it was all set up within the hour! We wish for Happy Cruising for him, his wife & friends! Thank you Dr. Kaplan!!!

Daddy got to camp out in it with little Miss Cal! She likes her Daddy! She tried to invite me to join them, I had to try to convince her that it would just be to squooshy for ALL of us!

I'll try to remember to take pictures today, but if I know Mary, she will have the weekend recorded with at least "a few" photos!!!

Love & Gratitude to ALL & wishes for a fabulous weekend,
The Butler's

O! I just heard the opthamologist will be in today. We'll let you know what he says.