Happy Birthday Cara!!!

Yes, today is Cara's birthday!
I wish I had a picture from last Friday night to post. Katie arranged a mini party for her at Grubbs while our favorite local band, Molten Lava aka Boom Kinetic, performed after dinner. Stephen and Amber came down from Springfield and stayed with us. Steve and Julie came as well as, Angie, Lisa and John, Julie F and of course Katie. It was a nice group and the girls enjoyed dancing. I am afraid I cut the party a little short and forced us to come home too early. The band was supposed to give Cara a shout out, but they started late and we left during their second break.

I really could not be happier now and the boys are doing great.
Spring Break came and went without us even noticing.
The boys stayed home and Cara and I continued our routines.

We will be going to the lake this weekend so Cara can do some more yardwork before the season kicks off. I would normally be going to LRAFB and will look forward to phone calls and text messages from them as I watch Cara work at the cabin. The weather should be nice.

Speaking of weather, Allen drove me around with the top down enjoying his new kicked up sound system yesterday. We have really enjoyed the time spent together working on his car.

With all the time that I have been giving to Allen lately, I promised Sam that I would treat him to whatever he wants to do next weekend. It looks like donuts and go carts - I can't wait.

Family and friends mean the world to me and I am constantly overwhelmed recently with humility and gratitude for such a blessed life.
Like I said before, I am happier now than I have ever been.

I hope to share this happiness with anyone who reads the post.

J

Too Much to list in one heading!

All,

This could be the last picture of me in a military uniform. I intend to fight this as hard as I can, but last Friday I got the call and I have been placed on a "Level 4 Profile". This means no points and no participation in the squadron without medical clearance from Keesler AFB. My healing process is increasing exponentially recently, but there are things that I have not done that are probably required for me to be cleared for duty. Right now, I need to continue to heal, get doctor appointments and try to get the necessary paperwork required to allow me to continue my service. I am extremely worried that March 8, was the last time for me to be in uniform. I knew this was coming and was just hoping it would take a little longer to give me time to be stronger. I have to thank Michael Young for sharing this most recent photo. Michael himself will be leaving service in June.

PaPa:

My grandfather, Jerry Hartfield Sr., was found down and disoriented in his house in Gulfport, Mississippi last Wednesday. My parents rushed down to see him last weekend. The good news is that he is alert and it was not a stroke. He was dehydrated and they put him in a rehabilitation hospital. The bad news is that his days of independent living could be ending. Please be thinking of him as we all try to help find the best place for him. I think my parents are going to be looking at homes in Fort Smith. I think that would be wonderful in the fact that we would be able to visit more frequently. My trips to Fort Smith are already limited, but the trips to Gulfport are way less frequent.

Allen:

Enough about his leg. He is still wearing the Velcro ski boot as required, but that will come off for good soon his leg is healed. The big news is that he has been invited to go to Prom this year. Another sign of aging, am I old enough to take my son to be fitted for a tuxedo? Wow time flies right in front of us.

Cara:

Yes, I place her in a heading by herself. We both went to the lake cabin this weekend, but the trip really was all about her. We had a pallet and a half of landscaping blocks delivered on Friday. She single handedly dug and stacked and created a really cool planting bead all around the front and side of the cabin. We did not take pictures, and we do not have dirt or plants in it yet. However, I sat in a lawn chair in 40 degree temperatures with a light rain watching her work continuously. She still never ceases to amaze me with her will and strength.

The excitement of the coming summer and boating season is boiling up now. We heard several bass boats running around during their tournament while she stacked away. A brief visit to the marina just enhanced the excitement.

My Rehab:

I continue to go to physical therapy 2 days a week. My knee is healing quickly and my leg is getting stronger every day. I still continue to struggle with my left hip and have a ct scan scheduled soon to see what we will do. I do not even want to thhink about the suggested options until we get the pictures and the review.

J

Drill Weekend and Rehab

All,

I think it is about time to update the blog.

Drill Weekend:

It was an honor for me to take Michael and Allen to Little Rock Air Force Base this past weekend to learn more about what we do on our reserve unit training assemblies. We woke up at 6:00 Saturday morning and were at the squadron right around 7. They were able to watch formation and were introduced as special guests. Later in the day, they went on the flight line to see some of our operations and we ate lunch in the "chow hall". The day concluded with an informal gathering at the base lake where other members took the time to visit with them. I let them sleep in on Sunday morning, but they joined me for lunch and the rest of Sunday afternoon. I really hope that Michael was able to talk to several members and get a better idea of what the reserves do.

Rehab:

I think I am really pleased with the knee surgery. The pain in my knee has decreased dramatically and I started physical therapy last Thursday. I will be going to therapy two days a week for the foreseeable future. I am know wearing a lock out hinged knee brace. It is set at 45 degrees right now, but we intend to increase the bending in 20 degree intervals per week. There is still a great deal of pain in my left hip and I still do not walk completely upright. I am using a single crutch to help me walk.

That is about it from Fayetteville right now,

J