Friday, November 25, 2011

We're Home!

Home AT LAST!!!! I know our journey isn't even close to over, but I can say that for just tonight, things seem so wonderful and normal again! I got to the hospital this morning and just as I was signing in to be able to enter 7 Long, Denny called my cell and told me they had been discharged and we could be on our way! I couldn't believe it. Music to my ears!!!!

I took the drive home slow. I know Kayla's neck is still very stiff and sore. As we got closer and closer, Kayla started to get very excited. She just kept saying that she couldn't wait to see her kitty "Meow-Meow".  Even though I have driven the same route every day, today's drive home seemed to take decades!  Finally, we pulled in the driveway and there was a VERY sweet surprise waiting for us.
How sweet was this??? Kayla LOVED it. She really couldn't wait to get inside though!

Soon, Kayla's grandma (Neena) and grandpa (Bapa) came to drop off her dearly missed brother. Within seconds there were Nerf gun darts being shot off everywhere. There were clothes all over the floor. Things just seemed "normal". I refused to let my mind go there. I just want this weekend to be all about recovery. For all four of us. We need this time to decompress and process it all.  The kids (and dad) watched the new Ice Age movie and laughed and laughed. Hysterical laughs at many parts!  I just took it all in enjoying all the sounds that this house makes when life is present. It's been so quiet for so long. It just felt awesome! 

 Kayla had another surprise waiting for her in her room. What a special picture to have right above her bed. It's not the art I had pictured there, but now that our lives are forever changed, it's perfect!


This makes me smile!!!!

Tonight will be a night I cherish forever. Good night friends! Sweet dreams........


Posted with love from at

20 comments:

  1. Pam H.November 25, 2011 at 9:04 PM

    Welcome home Dehnert family!

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  2. Cheri DehnertNovember 25, 2011 at 9:13 PM

    Awwwwww, I didn't see those sweet Signs for our Kayla! How lucky she is!!
    And I can't wait to see that new Ice Age Movie, maybe next week? So happy to have you all happily home, and I'm sure Kayla will have sweet dreams with her Meow Meow aka Kramer tonight. Love you all!

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  3. JeanNovember 25, 2011 at 9:15 PM

    So very happy that she is home!! Xoxo

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  4. EmilyNovember 25, 2011 at 9:16 PM

    Congratulations & Welcome Home!

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  5. Wu FamilyNovember 25, 2011 at 9:17 PM

    Welcome home! I am so pleased and thankful that Kayla is home. I hope the weekend is relaxing and completely normal. Love and hugs to all of you.

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  6. Matt W.November 25, 2011 at 9:24 PM

    Congrats and welcome home Kayla!..Enjoy having a "normal" weekend! You guys sure deserve it :)

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  7. J. ChabanNovember 25, 2011 at 9:47 PM

    Beautiful!! Yahoo!!!

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  8. 1parrothead2November 25, 2011 at 10:14 PM

    Welcome home, Kayla. Susie

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  9. AnonymousNovember 25, 2011 at 10:22 PM

    Yay, the whole family is home!! Kayla looks really happy to be there. Enjoy your family time together!

    Hugs,
    Lisa, Dan, Brittani and Sophie

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  10. AnonymousNovember 25, 2011 at 10:57 PM

    Kayla and Family,
    Glad to hear you are home and can get settled back in. Keira and I just looked at all the pictures and she likes the ones with Kayla and Anthony. Have a wonderful weekend and enjoy the time together! Love to all of you, Keira S and Leslie
    PS - Anthony, see you at school Monday!

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  11. Arianna LyallNovember 25, 2011 at 11:53 PM

    So happy you are ALL home! xoxo

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  12. KrystaNovember 26, 2011 at 4:14 AM

    Yay! That is so awesome!!! Congrats. Its so good that you are taking it one day at a time, and that you are enjoying every moment!Kayla seems like she is back to her good old self again. Can't believe she even had surgery last week!! Yay Kayla

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  13. Kolleen PahlandNovember 26, 2011 at 6:55 AM

    WELCOME HOME! I am so thankful that you are HOME as a family, I am overjoyed by you finally having some real down time to reconnect and to enjoy each other in your own NORMAL surroundings. I'm so happy for all of you, it the best THANKSGIVING WISH for me come true! I love you all xoxoxox

    PS tell AJ Matt's ready to dual nerf wars STAT!

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  14. Valerie WilkinsNovember 26, 2011 at 7:34 AM

    Welcome Home Kayla! So glad you are all home together at last.
    Enjoying all the pictures that are posted , thanks so much.
    Enjoy the time at home together Dehnert family!

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  15. sandranissimNovember 26, 2011 at 8:50 AM

    Welcome home Kayla and family! You are always in our thoughts and prayers!
    Xoxo,
    Sandra

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  16. AnonymousNovember 26, 2011 at 2:21 PM

    Hoooray! And what wonderful, reassuring photos! Thank you!
    For readers who didn't catch the November 25 post from Annie's cousin Allison, please check it out. Another way to help!
    xxooAnnie's Auntie Ann

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  17. AnonymousNovember 26, 2011 at 3:16 PM

    There IS no place like home....puttering around, sitting in favorite spots, being with pets and family in your own surroundings, able to do what and when you want and ultimately going "night-night" in your OWN bed! Awesome! So Great that you are all together in your own home.

    During this Thanksgiving holiday, I've thanked God that: each of you have incredible skills to self- identify and communicate needs and wishes; to live and be 'in the present' working together to enjoy or get through the rough times. I also thanked God for both the outstanding UCSF Medical team who are taking such good care of you, and the ever growing support team of people who 'have your backs'.

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  18. AnonymousNovember 26, 2011 at 3:38 PM

    These pictures are music to my eyes~ LOL.
    I wish I could give you all hugs! My fav is Denny reading Kayla a story. She looks so thrilled to be home. Rest up and enjoy family time! I will see you all very soon.
    Love Donna and family

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  19. Cheri DehnertNovember 28, 2011 at 6:57 AM

    Annie --

    Just thought of something this morning when I was checking out the Helping Hands Website for our Kayla. Is there a way to have a link to that site from this Blog? Like the Paypal one is on both sites for donations, this could bring more of an audience for helping your family directly from the blog readers in another way (sort of like a cross-reference).

    Love,
    Cheri

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  20. UnknownDecember 1, 2011 at 8:08 PM

    Hi Annie,

    Thinking of you all everyday. You are all truly courageous!! I was reading my Parents Magazine...which I don't always do, and saw this story about this Cookies for Cancer. They also have linked up with Parents Magazine if you want to get donations for your family. Check it out!! http://www.cookiesforkidscancer.org/default.asp

    We are praying for you, and know that you have a long, brave battle, but we know that Kayla will overcome this.

    Love you all & please let us know what we can do.

    Jodi Chaban

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