Linam Family Update - September 30

It's been another busy week at 200 Hoots Holler. Well, actually, if we had only been at Hoots Holler a little more, then maybe it wouldn't have seemed so busy!! But, then what news would there be for the blog?

Maybe I'll work my way backwards from the weekend. Yesterday was the annual Pet Fest in San Marcos. We set up a booth for the 4-H dog project and had lots of fun in general. Abby and Arby performed their musical drill routine and did a great job despite some scheduling and technical difficulties on the part of the hosts. The kids also had fun entering some of the light-hearted contests with the dogs, and Amigo actually won the "best smile" category for his Charlie Chaplin imitation. We missed Pet Fest last year when it was held in October, so we were very glad to be there once again, rain and shine. Frank also squeezed a baseball game into the day, where he did some good pitching again.

The week was full of sports and schoolwork (and some music practice), but Frank and I also sneaked a trip in to San Antonio for a show at the Aztec Theater and a lunch with a dear college friend of mine. Frank and I decided it was a social studies field trip since we saw a movie on the Mayan Indians, and Marilyn is the author of a book on San Antonio history called It Happened in San Antonio, so maybe it wasn't too sneaky. (Although I guess it would have trouble passing for TPWD work, but that's why I work part-time!)

I do have a couple of prayer requests for you this week. The first is that, just in general, Abby would feel encouragement about her schoolwork. She's feeling discouraged about the ground she's lost and about things taking longer now. I know she will continue to improve, but right now she just needs to feel okay about things. The second is that this Wednesday is the anniversary of the girls' accident. We are not going to make a big deal about it in respect of Abby's feelings, but please keep Abby, Taylor, and the driver of the car in your prayers.

Thanks for praying with us all this year--you have shown the devotion of true friends and have taught us much.

Love,
-the Linams

Sunset in San Marcos this week (photo by Abby)

Linam Family Update - Sept. 23

Will it really be Monday again in two hours??? Where did our weekend go? Where did the last week go? Well, let's see if I can figure it out...

Abby spent her week finishing up her first round of tests (one A and one B this week--not too bad!) and playing two volleyball games (one win and one loss--not too bad!), along with dog agility practice, music practice, horseback-riding, and volunteering at the riding therapy center after school. Frank also finished up his first round of tests (both A's this week, but not 100's, as he got on all his tests last week!), and threw in some baseball practices, music practice, a 4-H dog meeting, and a swim with some other homeschoolers. Then came the weekend and we really got busy--a violin lesson, volunteering at a 4-H luncheon, a baseball game (Frank pitched a perfect inning and hit a triple!), a visit to Natural Bridge Caverns to celebrate Juanita's birthday, and one other very special event.

Abby received an invitation to attend a "Courageous Kids Reunion"--a special celebration for children who had been patients in the ICU at Austin Children's Hospital. It was held on Saturday in Austin. Just to be there was, of course, such a celebration, but it was also very special to be able to enjoy the activities with many of the doctors and nurses and even some other ICU family members who were with us during those very hard times. We had the chance to tell many of them thank you for the care and hope they gave us, and they, in turn, had the chance to finally get to spend some fun time with the "real" Abby. I'd like to just share a few photos of some of these special people--taken this weekend and also during a couple of other return visits that we paid to the hospital. Thank you all, and God bless you...













Abby with ICU nurses Tamra & Rachel - Jan. 07









Abby with trauma doc, Dr. Maxson, & nurse Emily - Feb. 07










Abby & Hannah with night staff at ICU - Mar. 07













Lisa, ICU night nurse - at Courageous Kids Reunion











Sara, prayer warrior whose son was in ICU at the same time as Abby - at reunion











Abby uses her throwing arm to dunk Mr. Maxson (sweet revenge on one of her favorite doctors!)











A chance to visit the Star Flight helicopter--some more heroes












Frank with one of his heroes--Carolyn, a Child Life Specialist

Linam Family Update - September 16

Well, it's official--both our kids are now ready for summer vacation! It seems the novelty of school has worn off extra-fast this year!

Maybe Abby's attitude has to do with the fact that the end of the third week usually brings the first round of tests, and this year was no exception. She did a lot of studying this week and did fine on tests in math, science, and English. She's putting in a little more time studying this year, but earning good results, so we'll go ahead and spend that little bit of extra time at the kitchen table each evening. The volleyball team also had good results this week. They lost a well-played home game on Monday, but won their game in San Antonio on Thursday. Abby played especially well in that game--coming up with several saves. Again, sports are more work now, but that work is paying off!

Speaking of hard work in sports, Frank worked out with a homeschool junior high basketball team last week. And boy, was it a workout! Those boys ran, with and without basketballs in their hands, for 90 straight minutes. Then Frank decided to run a few more layup drills while he was waiting for me to pick him up! We're not sure if he'll play with the team this year, but we might see about joining practices just for the conditioning. (Wonder if they have a toned-down version for Moms...?). He will also start practice for fall baseball this week, so our sports-crazy son should soon be content with plenty of athletic extra-curricular activities...

As for the parents, we just try to keep up with the kids, but they do their best to show their appreciation. They treated us to a homemade dinner on Friday, and then on Saturday they enjoyed helping us teach an aquatics workshop at a lovely nearby camp (we won't tell you the story about nearly being swept away in the Blanco River...) Today, believe it or not, Gordon and I actually had dinner out together alone, as Abby and Frank were with church friends--it's been a long time since we've done that, and life's too short to not grab hold of those special moments.

So, this week may you have a few minutes to appreciate the ones you love...
Love,
-the Linams

Linam Family Update - September 9

I guess the big news from this week is that Abby played her first volleyball game of the year. The HCCS Junior High team couldn’t pull out the win, but Abby contributed some good serves and passes to the valiant effort. The HCCS team has a lot of potential, so I bet they’ll get some wins in the coming week, and I’m sure that Abby’s skills are going to continue to improve by leaps and bounds. Already I’m proud of all of them for the support they all show for each other...I have a sense these girls know what really matters…

On the homeschool front, Frank continued to make good progress on his schoolwork and his travel blog (check www.linamramblings.blogspot.com for the latest). I did take him on a wild lizard chase one day. We were supposed to be checking out a location of a horned lizard sighting in Austin, but all we found was a man that we rescued from some bumblebee stings. Frank's a happy camper this weekend, with the NFL season underway; both kids and Gordon got their fantasy football picks made this week. That's one hobby I can do without...

Otherwise, the weekend was not big news…lots and lots of work sorting through junk in our house…we tried to have a garage sale, but no one else wanted our junk either…maybe it didn’t work because we don’t have a garage…Anyone in need of a used front door?

Giving thanks for junk and more…
-the Linams

Linam Family Update - September 2

Well, I guess we've settled into the reality of work and school and chores around here again. Was it only 10 days ago that we were hiking and eating green chile and hunting down lizards...?

(Can you guess which one is the homeschool student?)
Abby and Frank got off to a good start in school this week. Abby was very happy to see her friends, jumped right into 2 hours of volleyball workouts per day, and is doing pretty well in her classwork; however, she was already begging to play a little hooky by the end of the week! As far as the homeschool student, Frank, goes, I think his teacher's going to have to challenge him a bit more. With his great work ethic, he was finished with his assignments by noon on most days!

This weekend the kids have been enjoying a little time off--relaxing with some of their good friends. Abby and Taylor have enjoyed movies and swimming in the river, while Frank and Levi took in a couple of football games (Texas State University won; Wimberley High School did not). On the other hand, Gordon and I have been hard at work for our Labor Day weekend. While we were on vacation, the Oldmixons swept in again and "spruced up" the kitchen and guest room. This weekend we've been finishing up some final touches on the paint and new floors and moving furniture back in. The refinished guest room will be ready for visitors any time you can make it!

I'll just close with another word of thankfulness. Abby had an appointment with her rehab doctor this week. Once again, Dr. Leonard's words offered us a glimpse of just what a miracle Abby's recovery is. She's very pleased with Abby's progress--indicating that Abby had much farther to go than some patients, but that she sees so much life in her eyes now. She's helping us all look toward the future as well--telling Abby that some things may always be harder, but giving her encouragement that much of what she hopes for can be within her reach. Then she said to come back and see her at the end of the school year. I think she's slowly "cutting the cord"...That makes Abby (who's weary of doctors and hospitals) happy, but leaves me bittersweet. So many doctors, nurses, and therapists walked us through some very difficult miles; it's an irony that when they do their job best, then we leave them behind. All I can say is we will never forget them and never fail to be thankful for them. God bless them all.

And God bless those of you who have walked with us in spirit as well...may He walk with you this week...
Love,
the Linams