Something that I have said before

I took this from my Facebook page but I thought I would put it here for posterity.

I have said this before, but it bears repeating. I would not wish my medical conditions on my worst enemy. But as hard as things are sometimes, I truly am very lucky. I don't have a degenerative condition and if I continue to work hard it will only get better.

I need to get better not only for myself but for my wife and daughter. I am not a vegetable, I still have a lot of life ahead of me even if I can't do everything exactly as before.

I am grateful for every day that I am given and I am so thankful to my amazing family and friends. I will continue to work hard until I get back to normal.

Having both my speech and my mobility affected has not been easy. However, it could be worse and it has forced me not to take anything for granted. 

My daily progress is slow and small but when I think about where I was two years ago, I have come a long way. The daily grind doesn't bother me because anything is better than being stuck in the hospital. Just being able to live life is a miracle. 

Til next time, Tyler 

Our Trip to Texas

Now that we are safely back home in Pamplona, I thought that I would update you on our recent trip. 

In August of 2024, my mom came to Pamplona to stay with us. Then, Jenny, Eliana and I went back to Texas with her for two weeks. 

It was Eliana's first time in the US. We had a great time visiting family and friends. Eliana had the chance to meet my grandmother, her great grandmother. It was a special time. 

We traveled to (in no particular order) Austin, San Antonio, Athens, Sulphur Springs, New Braunfels, Little Elm and to my parents' place in Saint Jo. We were here, there and everywhere but we had a great time even with my limited mobility.

In Austin we stayed with my dad's cousin Tony (whom I have always known as uncle Tony even though he is not my true uncle) and his wife Susan. We had a great time catching up with everyone. 

We stayed with my brother Jason and his wife Lou in New Braunsfels. We then took a day trip to San Antonio and we did the river walk.

We also went to Athens and stayed with my uncle Richard and his wife Janice. Eliana got to go tubing and she had fun on Lake Athens. 

In Sulphur Springs we got the chance to visit with Nana (my grandmother and Eliana's great grandmother) I was very happy that they finally got to meet each other in person. That is a special thing that not everyone gets the chance. 

We were very lucky to see all of my dad's brothers and sister and their spouses. Plus most of my cousins and their spouses and kids. 

We also had a party in Little Elm with lots of my friends and their kids. Some people I hadn't seen in twenty years. There was a bounce house and swimming pool there. Eliana had a great time. 

Finally, we spent time at my parent's new lakeside cabin in Saint Jo, Texas. Eliana had a great time swimming in the lake and seeing all the animals. She also got to drive the golf cart. 

Overall, it was great seeing family and friends and spending time in Texas. Our two weeks went way to fast. We will alternate years between Texas and Spain so the next time we will be going back home for a visit will be in two years. 

Til next time, Tyler