Marty is in such great spirits.  He wants to do everything all by himself.  I am finding more and more he can do it, if I'm patient enough to let him figure it out.  Some things we can do that with (making a bagel), other things we can't (cooking eggs).  He wants to cook eggs now, he wants to drive now, he wants to be completely self-sufficient now.  He want to know when he can do it all.  I don't have the answer to that question.

First thing this morning he wanted to make phone calls.  I told him most people were still asleep.  He just really needed to hear his family's voices.  We did eventually get a hold of a few of his siblings to talk to them.  I think it was good for all of them.  He loves to look at this picture:

When Marty made his bagel this morning, he put the two bagels on the plate and kept staring at it.  He finally said "hi" to get my attention.  When I turned to look at him, he pointed at the two bagels and then pointed to his two eyes.  He pointed to the rim of his plate and pointed to his smiling mouth.  He could see a smiling face on the plate in front of him.  We both laughed about that.  He has quite the sense of humor.

Marty has come up with quite a few signs to help better communicate.  Some are actual American Sign Language signs he remembers from when he would visit Everette Wells.  Most are just signs that make sense to him and I am starting to understand.

He now has a sign for:
Friend
Brother/Sister
our girls
Heaven
Later
Angel
Eat
Milk
Candy
Work
Water

His speaking vocabulary is growing too!  Today has was able to say my name (that's a hard one, some non-stroke victims can't say it right), home, mall, Kade, moon, Connor, all of his siblings names, and a few more I'm sure to have forgotten.  It's great when there are too many words to sign.

Today has been a little more emotional for me than I was expecting.  I try to stay strong and not show the emotions around Marty, but today I failed.  Most of my emotion is from gratitude for the support that our entire family is receiving. 

Catania Larson showed up today with dozens of books for Marty.  She expressed a concern from the young women's presidency of wanting to give support to the girls.  Addyson, Jessica & Rylee are amazingly strong young women, but I wonder if they are really handling things as well on the inside as they are on the outside.  I remember when I was 16 and my dad was sick.  It was hard to see the person that is your hero be so weak.  Superman is not supposed to get weak.

My friend Amy Bench came to visit us today.  She brought goodies.  She brought her son Kade with her.  Marty loves children!  He motioned to asked Kade if he wanted to go play air hockey.  Kade quickly agreed.  Amy and I watched them play for quite some time.  After they left, Marty wanted to know his name.  I had to call Amy to ask because I couldn't remember.  Marty can now say "Kade".

Tia Glover brought over some homemade rolls, applebutter, gatorade, and a St. George Marathon sticker.  Sadly we missed her because we had gone to Sam's club.  Marty motioned for her to come back and visit.  When Marty opened the applebutter, he instantly said "mom".  His mom used to make applebutter.  He remembers using an applepress to make it.  He motioned the handcrank of the press.  I love how the different acts of service we are receiving are aiding in his welfare!

Sister Klein also left us some yummy peanut butter cookies.  We don't know her, but we understand that this is quite the treat.  My girls were super excited.  With all the yummy food and treats we are receiving, we are going to need to start a strict workout regime.

During lunch today Marty wrote, "Why can't I remember"  I told him I don't know why, but I know it was because of a stroke that prevented his brain from getting oxygen.  He then wrote, "Did I do something"  I couldn't hold back the tears any longer.  I adamantly told him NO he didn't do anything to cause this.  It is just the way it is.  No one caused it.  He then wrote, "Are you sad Because of me".  I told him I'm not sad because of him, I just miss the way things used to be.  He then wrote "You can make me whatever you want"  I told him I want him to be Marty.  I love him for who he is.  I don't want him to change to be anything but who he is.

We had another "first" experience today.  It was beautiful today so we walked around Pinnacle Promenade Mall.  I needed to go to the bathroom so we stopped.  When I came out, Marty looked puzzled and made the motion of washing his hands and trying to turn on the water faucets but was shaking his head.  I asked if he washed his hands.  He kept trying to show me turning on the faucets.  When I told him that you just put your hands under the faucet and the water comes out he was baffled.  I took him into the family restroom to show him, but those sinks had handles on the faucets.  He insisted on going back to the men's restroom to try it.  Soon I heard the water turn on and he was back looking very pleased that he had figured it out.

I too had a first today.  I realized it's the first of the month and we probably have bills to pay.  Marty usually takes care of that.  I check the checkbook from time to time to be sure I can make a purchase, but to actually write out the checks and balance the bank account is not the norm.  It took me way longer than it should have, but it's done (until a new bill showed up in the mail today).

After receiving a few visits today Marty wrote, "The Boys mopped our floor and people bring us food lots of visitors why"

I told him it's because they love him.  He started to cry and wrote "I want to help them".  I assured him we have helped a lot of people and we will continue to help people because we love them.  I referenced the scripture that says something to the effect of "In as much as ye have done it unto the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me"  Marty wrote down "Mosiah 3:19"  On that page, in his handwriting he had previously written "The Lord gives us trials for our growth.  He inflicts stuff upon us for our good"  We then followed the scripture chain to D&C 4:5-6, D&C 88:74-77.  It's not a direct link to our discussion, but it's still full of GREAT counsel.  He then wrote, "Charity is the pure love of Christ"  Marty's heart is so full of gratitude for everyone that has shared their love of the Savior and their love for us.

After dinner, we opened our mail.  In the mail was a letter from Jean Fields.  I read the entire note to Marty and then asked him if he remembers who Jean is.  He couldn't remember.  I pulled up her picture on Facebook and he instantly remembered.  He said "mom".  We had often commented that Jean is so much like Marty's mother.  He then asked me to read the note again.  I did and he stopped me at the word "fast".  When I explained what fasting was, Marty began to cry and asked why.  I told him because Jean loves him.  Lots of people love him.  Marty is overwhelmed with all the love, as am I.

I know beyond a shadow of a doubt that the progress that Marty has made is directly tied to the love everyone has for Marty.  Without a priesthood blessing first thing, the blood clot would not have disappeared.  Without all the fasting and prayers, Marty would not be talking.  Without all the visits, Marty's spirits wouldn't be as high.  I will eternally be grateful for everyone.  I hope that our family will be able to return these HUGE favors to others.