{8.4.09}

the accident

while my brother, Monte (a mechanic for knife river in boise, idaho) was working on a company truck, the clamp to the radiator hose broke spraying water and toxic fluids over his face, chest, neck, back and arms resulting in second degree burns over 35% of his body.

as soon as I heard the news I immediately got on the phone to hear my brother's voice, which was muffled by the swelling of his face. I then knew we were making travel arrangements the next day. the seven hour trip felt like seventeen.

trust me when I say I'm posting the least of the gnarliest photos of his injuries.

the following days were spent nursing his wounds with daily bandage changes and making sure he was high on pain killers, which unfortunately made his entire body itch but rarely would you hear him complain.

another bump in the road for Monte and Tomi was the day of the accident was the day they finally moved everything into their new home, which left the rental to clean. after cleaning, pulling weeds, mowing and trimming in their new yard, our backs were screaming and more than ready to enjoy a cold beer and the birthday cake, made with love by kelsey for monte's birthday.

all the cousins together, sassy and sweet to their core.

wyatt, kelsey, brenner, morgan and cody.

the recovery

monte's appointment at the center for wound healing was painful, with the removal of all the dead skin, but reassuring that the burns are healing and rejuvenating new skin.

thank you all for your kind phone calls, messages, thoughts and prayers for my brother and family. I know in my heart they helped.