Sam came to visit us this past weekend from New York City . . . we took the metra train into downtown Chicago on Sunday, and spent an afternoon browsing the art institute, walking through Millennium Park, checking out the shops, and of course, taking our necessary coffee shop detour!

dad's therapy has been going well. we're very happy with the therapists he interacts with daily, and find my dad challenged to continue to push himself every day. although speech/communication remains an extremely frustrating aspect of my dad's healing, he has been making daily progress that always keep us hopeful; his writing skills, especially, seem to be getting better and better. this evening he was able to communicate something to us just by writing! we also hear more accuracy with spontaneous speech . . . for instance, if he wants my attention, he's much more likely to call out "Maggie!" than he would have been a few weeks ago. we try to work with him outside of rehab as much as possible as well -- identifying food at the dinner table, naming his kids, repeating certain words and sentences, etc. -- as a way to keep him working and thinking outside of the rehabilitation facility. his walking is looking very good, much more steady and even. every afternoon after therapy one of us will go out for a walk in the neighborhood with him, and the improvements are becoming more and more obvious. the therapists at RIC are also talking about putting my dad into some stroke study programs/research projects, which might be a neat opportunity!

we continue to be blessed here in Plainfield, IL, and daily receive love from all of our friends and family -- THANK YOU ALL SO MUCH, no act of kindness has gone unseen. we're happily adjusting to our new home and surroundings here, and it has been a new adventure for all of us:)

"i have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. in this world you will have trouble. but take heart! i have overcome the world."

--John 16:33