roadtrip to the ALLIGATOR FARM!

Our first day in Florida, we decided to drive down south to the Alligator Farm in Homestead, FL. It did not disappoint. There were only a handful of people there, and I believe we were the only ones under 60. They got a ton of attention, sat front row for all the shows, got to hold the baby alligators and wrap snakes around their necks, feed the catfish & turtles and even eat alligator tail!  It was a great day and perfect weather.  Definitely worth the drive... (and not too expensive.  I think it was around $100 for our family to spend the day there.)

The only video I took was at the alligator show.  And the only reason I pulled out my camera was because it went all wrong.  Instead of performing, the alligators kept running back into the pool in the back.  This poor guy had to drag them out of the pool to finish the show like five times.  and it was SO entertaining to watch.  He didn't have a microphone, and even though we were on the first row, you can barely hear him. The first video is him pulling the alligator out again BEFORE the demonstration even started.  At the end of this first clip he says, "Show's over!"  He really worked up a sweat.  Just after this second video ended he said, "This is why I should have stayed in school."  And then pointing to my boys he said, "You kids go to college so you don't end up dragging alligators by their tails all day long."  What he doesn't realize is that is one good reason NOT to go to college.  Who wants to study when they can play with real live Gators??

We also took an airboat ride out in the Everglade alligator swamps.  While on the ride, I felt like I was taking too much video, but now I wish I would have taken more!  There were alligators all around the boat.  My favorite was a very protective mama with several babies swimming around here (just a few inches long!)  But I was too busy watching with my mouth open to take any pictures or video of them.  This is what I do have:

Things to remember about our day:

• Ro LOVED the airboat ride, as long as she was facing us :)  Simon would not get off the boat and wanted to go again.  I had to sit down and explain that it would cost us too much money to pay for another ride.  The rest of the trip, he would say, "When I grow up and turn 17, I will pay all my monies to go on that fast boat."  So cute.
• Our boat tour guide was also named Luke.  He looked like a surfer dude and was hilarious.  He was born with only one hand (the other was a stub).  He told our kids an alligator ate his other hand and my boys believed him.  
• Ben and Luke's hair was cray cray after the airboat ride.  We laughed so hard when they took off their earphones.  Ben tried to fix his asap, but I was able to get a few pictures...  (it was crazier in person.)
• We saw a very rare bird in the swamps.  Luke, our guide, said it never comes out and is endangered. I can't remember anything else about it, including it's name, but I snapped a picture of it.  It was just a few branches away from us.
• All day Simon was begging us for a $5 Popsicle all day and I would NOT buy it for him.  I told Aaron that he would take two licks and let it melt all over his (only) shirt.  Aaron caved and bought it for him anyway.  He took two licks and let it melt all over his (only) shirt.   

a few notes about the road trip...

The drive back to Ft. Lauderdale was LOOOOONG.  It was raining and there was lots of traffic and the last hour turned into 3 or 4 hours.  Thankfully, we had our vacation soundtrack to listen and dance to.  And I am so grateful my kids are great travelers.  This video isn't exciting at all, but it's the only footage I have of us in the car.  Natasha Bettingfield has come away with the theme song for both Ft. Lauderdale vacations..  I think her album "pocketful of sunshine" sums up how we feel about Florida and the beach. Lady Gaga, Adele, Michael Buble, Taylor Swift, Justin Bieber, Sugarland, Chris Brown, Black Eyed Peas, Gotye & Adam Lambert also made the soundtrack this trip.  If you want a copy of our CD, let me know and I will mail it to you :)  Those songs will always remind me of this awesome trip with my awesome kids.

*I booked the car rental and Hertz wouldn't let Aaron drive because the reservation wasn't in his name (We had to pay $15 more per day.. no thanks.)  I was so bugged.  I NEVER drive when we roadtrip.  Aaron is the best driver (fast and cautious).  I am so much better with the kids and I have become a pro at giving directions.  But this trip was hilarious because we learned to appreciate each other's roles.  Let it be known that I am a crazy driver and Aaron is terrible at giving directions.  But we didn't get in a wreck and eventually we got to where we needed to be.  Fun memories.

take off

This is my fifth attempt to blog about our beach vacation.  not sure where to begin or which pictures to upload first.  I've decided not to take bigger bites than I can chew, so I will document a little at a time.  Tonight I am going to write about our departing flight.  This I can do.

Two years ago Aaron and I vacationed in the Florida Keys for our tenth anniversary and it was dreamy.  While we were on the beach in Ft Lauderdale we talked about bringing the kids back to this beach--  and since then we've talked about it dozens of times.  Funny thing is, I've pictured us playing on this very beach for the past two years.  I just knew it was going to happen sooner than later.  So glad it happened sooner!

We always watch for cheap flights to Florida.  I usually calculate how much it will be for six of us to fly.. and it's always too much.  A few months ago, we came across a deal we couldn't pass up. Nonstop flights from Vegas to Ft Lauderdale for $40 round trip, per person. We booked without thinking about it ($237 for the entire family) and we've been counting down the days ever since... yes, with a paper chain.  Simon is the only one in the family who hasn't flown on an airplane and he was by far the most excited.  If you've talked to him in the past two months, guaranteed he told you he was going on an airplane to Florida.  Anyone standing behind us in the grocery store knew when and where we were flying because Simon told them all about it.

The downside to cheap airfare was the time of day it left.. red-eye flights!  Who takes 5 young kids on an airplane ride in the middle of the night?  We do, of course!  Simon did not have a nap that day and he was tired and wired.  We got to the airport around 9 PM and we were the only people with kids on the plane.  The terminal was crowded.  Our kids were in pajamas and Simon's pant legs were hiked up to his knees.  I quietly told him to pull his pant legs down, and he misunderstood me and pulled his pants and underwear down to his ankles- mooning everyone behind him.  He smiled and screamed, "I'm naked!"  I was close enough to pull them up quickly, but the damage was done.  Everyone around us was giggling, including our older boys..  It took Aaron and I few minutes to think it was funny.  This kid is something else.

The older boys were excited to fly too and it was fun to see Vegas lit up in lights from the airplane.  I know they are only 6, 9 and 11, but they remind me of teenagers (in a good way.)  They do their own thing and have funny inside jokes. I love that Zack is one of the big boys.  They are the best of buds.  

  They watched Gremlins on my laptop the first part of the the flight and then fell asleep. I wish I would have taken a picture of their body parts draped on top of each other... it looked uncomfortable, but they slept like babies.

This baby did not sleep like a baby.  She was a big fat stinker and cried for the first hour or maybe even two.  We passed her back and forth and she squealed and hit and pinched.  Eventually I took her to the back of the plane and held her tight and she finally gave up the fight.  Poor baby no likey red-eye flights.  

Simon slept great and cuddled right up to Ro once she was asleep.  These two slept on Aaron most of the flight and poor Daddy had no room to move.  I was afraid to move her and wake the monster baby inside.  It was not a great flight, but at one point I looked over at miserable Aaron and we both busted up laughing.  Then we talked about our first trip to Florida (two months after we were married.)  We didn't have a care in the world.  Amazing what can happen in 12 short years.

We landed at 6 AM in Ft Lauderdale.  Everyone was happy to get off the plane, Aaron and I most of all.  We had to take a shuttle bus to get the rental car.  Simon (whose pant legs were still hiked up to his knees) was SO THRILLED to be on the bus.  The airplane was nothing compared to this 5 minute bus ride. We were all giggling over Simon's excitement.  I need to get him on a bus more often.

Just before this picture below was taken, Simon pointed to people outisde the airport and said, "Ha Ha!  they can't ride this bus.  We are beating them!"  Zack thought that was so funny and kept repeating it throughout the day.  Zack is so easy to entertain.

We picked up our brand new white dodge grand caravan (thankfully we still fit) and went to Denny's for breakfast.  Wish I had a picture of the van and of the amount of pancakes we ordered. Our waitress was from New York, looked and talked like a man, and she was floored that ALL of these kids were ours.  Ben was starving and was so annoyed she was talking to us instead of making our pancakes!!!  I was giggling that he was so impatient..  He hardly ever gets annoyed about anything so it was awesome to see it.. especially because I wasn't the one he was angry with.  No pictures of Denny's or our waitress :(

The sun came up while we ate breakfast.. I wanted to be on the beach already!  After everyone was finished eating, we hit CVS for some sand toys, water and a few snacks to tide us over til lunch.  And then we drove to Dania State Beach park... 

We were the ONLY ones there.  We did not see another soul.  The waves were shallow and the water was warm.  We climbed the rocks, saw crabs and starfish and swam with the fishes.  I regretted not getting snorkeling gear... This would have been the ideal spot.  Oh well.  Maybe next time.  We stayed until we were ready for lunch..

While sitting here with my darling family, I had butterflies in my stomach just thinking about the days ahead.  Since returning home, I keep wanting to go back to this moment-- when we had just arrived and we had only a taste of what was to come.  

quarantined

I am smiling big as I try to think of a way to explain the last couple of days for our family. We have been so miserable. So miserable, in fact, it's hilarious. I was totally babying Aaron on Friday... letting him sleep all day, bringing in food and teasing him about needing me to spoon-feed him. I was also saying how when I get sick I never get that kind of treatment.... when I am sick, I still have to roll out of bed and take care of the massive amount of people living in this house.

Aaron got slightly better, he sounds terrible, but his temp isn't 105 anymore. Zack grew more chickenpox, but bounces around the house anyway. Simon and Ro have fevers and are so needy. While holding my 20 pound baby, my shoulder (the one I injured last week and thought was getting better) went from bad to worse. Last Sunday I was paralyzed. This weekend, I have been moaning in my sleep and crying when I'm awake. I went to see a doctor and physical therapist today. Going to doc #3 tomorrow morning... I've got to get better or else. You should see the way I walk, sit, lay down in bed. I am crippled.

Aaron has been babying me like you wouldn't believe. He woke up at 3:00 am to get me some ibprofen and water. He has been making meals and grocery shopping and playing with my hair and taking care of the kids. He's teasing me all the while, but I will take it. He came home from work early and went with me to the doc (made the appointments too). This is huge, people. He hasn't been to the last few ultrasounds of our babies... and he only came to their births because they were delivered at home :) He bathed the kids tonight and put them to bed. I am loving it. He would make the BEST single dad.

We didn't go anywhere this past weekend. We were all sick, but it was probably the best weekend/Sunday ever. But we need to get better asap. we are supposed to get on a plane in less than 48 hours. I seriously cannot even hold my purse, let alone carry luggage or kids. I have done zero packing. Every time I look at Aaron with my crippled neck, we both bust up laughing. It's pathetic and hilarious.

Grateful to deal with these kinds of trials with an upbeat, helpful handsome guy. it makes it seem less like a trial and more like an adventure... Next time I check in, I hope I am blogging from the beach. We cannot cancel this trip. Painkillers or bust.

infected

two weeks ago, my family came down with a bad fever/cold/croup. Everyone was hit accept for Aaron. It was a miserable time, but we got through it. Aaron has been busy traveling back and forth from Vegas to Reno (trying a case in federal court/state capital). Most of his traveling has been day trips, but it's been exhausting nonetheless. (why is nonetheless one word?)

Yesterday he spent most of the day at the airport waiting for delayed flights. He got home after the kids were sleeping and he looked like death. The fever/cold/croup finally caught up with him. He crashed in the bed and when his alarm went off this morning, he didn't move. I was worried that he might be cold (and dead) but even before I touched him, I could feel the heat coming off his body. Poor guy. He spent the day in bed. I brought him some chicken noodle soup for lunch and asked him if he wanted me to spoon-feed it to him. He pinched me.

If seeing him sick wasn't bad enough, Zack came home from school today with red spots all over his body. Most of them are on his face/neck and armpits. Hello Chicken Pox. Ben and Luke had them together a few years ago. Zack and Simon have been vaccinated so I am sure the case will be mild, but I am praying my baby girl doesn't get struck down. Yesterday she had a slight fever and she hasn't been her happy self today so we'll see what hits this weekend. Nothing like a daily countdown for a family vacation only to have the Pox hit days before take-off. Last time we bought plane tickets for the whole family (Chicago/Detroit) we canceled the day before. Tying really hard not to be annoyed tonight, but I just can't help it.

In other news, I mopped my kitchen floor this afternoon while listening to Michael Buble's Christmas album. odd, but way good. And in the background as I type this, "The Holiday" is playing. It's one of my absolute favorite movies.. So excited for the next three months.. this is the BEST time of year.

oh em geez, I'm tired.

I just looked at the clock in Ro's nursery as I was putting her down for the night. It said 7:06 and I thought for sure it was wrong... It must be hours off. It cannot only be 7 pm. But I've checked several others since and it really truly is. oh boy. it's been a doozy and Aaron won't be home for a few more hours. But overall, it's been a good kind of exhausting day.

I woke up with an empty tank of gas. The school is only 7 miles away and I could probably make it there, but I didn't want to be stuck on the side of the road with a van full of kids. I texted Kate to see if she could switch carpool with me. She's cool like that. The boys wanted to ride their scooters to the "bus stop". There is a busy road to cross so I followed them there to make sure they made it safely. I laughed the whole way because I was sure I looked like a predator in my passenger van.. going 3 miles an hour on the side of the road, stalking three little boys.

After spending $105 in gas and getting our pantry stocked with cereal, I spent the afternoon organizing a bunch of junk. My house is full of random things everywhere and I feel like I am drowning in the chaos. But today I helped dig myself out of the majority of the mess. Amazing that it's only takes a couple of hours to turn your life around.. but for me, a couple of quiet hours don't usually come consecutively.

I picked up carpool and there's no downside to driving out to Blue Diamond. It's beautiful, wild donkeys and all. Jane and her mom were there hanging out at the park too. Jane's mom is named Bev and she reminds me of my sweet mom named Bev. I love me some good grandma/mom talk! I am getting anxious to see my own mom!!! After playing at the park for a bit and getting candy at the post office, I filled my van with 14 hot & sweaty kids. Not a single free seat belt. I have to turn up the music LOUD to stay in a good mood for the entire drive home.

We went to the library after school and on the way in, an older lady stopped to ask me if I was voting for Obama. We had a short conversation and when I was finished, I looked at my older boys and saw they each had these scary/demon-like grins on their faces. I busted up laughing and asked them what was going on. We have a vacation countdown chain where each day we do an "activity".. it's basically some kind of chore to get ready for our trip. Today the link said, "Smile at a stranger" (I had a hard time coming up with enough things to do, okay?) Anyway, they all made sure to SMILE at this poor old lady outside the library... still laughing about their psycho grins.. I need to get a picture of Zack's snarl. that kid.

The boys set the table for dinner, but before it was ready, they had a few minutes to kill. So, they had a dance party in the living room with their shirts over their heads. I was giggling because they couldn't see each other.. and also, the television was pulled out (I found our missing library CD underneath it, but didn't have the strength to push it back in it's place. I will put Aaron to work the minute he walks through the door.) The vacuum was also out because I made the boys suck up all the dirt and dust behind the TV. I took a video to capture the chaos... baby covered in broccoli screaming in her high chair + Simon hitting everyone with a balloon + sweet dance moves by the boys = my reality. We know how to Get Jiggy Wit It.

During dinner, I cracked open our first bottle of canned peaches. They tasted better than dessert. Ben was gobbling them down and Luke turned to him and said, "I know they are delicious and all, but could you please stop making those noises while you eat them?" Funniest comment of the night, for sure. Ben literally groans and moans when he's eating/drinking... especially if it tastes good. Hilarious.

Simon and I had a good conversation earlier too-- (copied from my facebook status)

Me: why are you putting your socks in the freezer?
Simon: Cuz they gots to get freezed.
Me: No. The freezer is only for food.
Simon: but mom! They are making my feet too hot!

He is such a bossypants lately. After dinner, he was ready to get out of the bath/kitchen sink and said, "Get me a towel! I am really, really, really naked." I told him I would get a towel if he would talk nicer to me and he said, "Well, I AM super, super wet." not just wet. super, super wet. I should discipline him for being so direct all the time, but I can't. I admire it and basically think he's awesome.

** had to take a break to read to the boys and put them to bed. I need to shut this thing off and get my beauty rest while I can. I am not just tired, I am super, super tired. It's 9 PM and in exhausted mom hours, 9 PM is equivalent to 3 AM in the single, carefree world.

Keep on keepin' on.

little sisters rock!

once upon a time, on a lazy summer morning, I dressed baby Ro in a onsie that said, "Little Sisters Rock". Ben took one look at her shirt and decided to set up a rock concert in her bedroom. They rocked out like you wouldn't believe..



It makes me a tiny bit sad that summer is over. The boys hair has grown much longer and Ro's tummy is too round to fit into the shirt anymore. But I am thrilled about the fact that I captured this memory on film... and it will never be forgotten. It may have taken me a couple of months to open the picture files and another hour (or three!) to upload the video on youtube, but I did it. These are the kind of mornings I want to remember about my early mothering years.

There never was a baby girl that has been more loved than this one.

Little sisters rock!

Dear Bev

Our sweet adopted Grandma Bev is far away in Spokane in a hospital awaiting her second surgery this week. I tried calling her on Sunday, hoping she was recovering at home, but I just got the answering machine. Today she messaged me on facebook expressing how much she loves reading my blog from the hospital. It made me feel bad that I can't go and visit her and tell her all about my kids and the funny things they do. So, from now on, my blog entries are dedicated to her... things I would share with her if I was sitting next to her bedside. And because this is already typed up and easy to copy and paste to my blog, it will be first.

This paragraph below was a PS. on the end of my parents' email this week. They have been serving a couples mission in Concepcion, Chile for the past 18 months. They will come home in 50 days! Anyway, I thought you would find this story amusing... I laughed so hard, I cried. Especially because I could picture my Dad's hearty laugh as he was typing it.. hope you enjoy!

We went to a talent show at the ward and a member with a big hat sat next to us. He thought it was a barbeque and brought his own meat in a plastic bag. It was ready to cook and had sauce on it. Of course we didn't have a barbeque like he thought. He was a little embarrassed about it so he put it under his hat. He sang at the talent show and got up a lot and put it on the chair next to me. A lady wanted to sit down next to me and lifted up the hat to sit down. She didn't see the meat in the bag because it was a little dark. I knew what was going to happen, so I put my hand out to stop her. I touched her back side to warn her. She still sat on the meat anyway but jumped up fast when I tried to stop her. I could not help but start laughing. Mom didn't know what happened but I told her later. The lady asked me if it was mine and of course, I said no. The bag started to leak so when the man came back he had to get some napkins to clean it up. That was the funniest thing and I still laugh about it. I had to get a picture of the man and his hat. He didn't know why I wanted the picture. I am laughing so much now, I can't finish this. Good Bye, Dad

This was my response to my Dad's email--

Dad, the meat story was hysterical... I had tears from laughing so hard. Aaron wanted to know what was so funny but I couldn't read it out loud.

Did he think it was Steak Conference? So glad you got a picture of the hat. But I wish you would have asked the lady if you could snap one of her back side. Hope Mom wasn't jealous.

Miss you!

~janet

it's always the kids' fault

today I realized the only reason I have problems is because I have kids. That realization made me feel so much better about my life.

Saturday I taught a blogging class. I think it went well. I didn't prepare much. I just showed up, talked about my love for journaling and the importance of documenting the little things. I was able to answer every question thrown my way. I am the first to tell you I am not an expert, but I know a lot when it comes to this blogging world. I loved staying after the class and talking in computer geek language. lt felt like a small piece of me came back after speaking in html code.

I came home from the class and got to work! First I scrubbed down my kitchen and prepared meals for Sunday. Then I cleaned out under my kids beds. I am missing a music CD from the library and just knew it was under one of their beds. Unfortunately, I didn't find it and ended up pulling a muscle in my neck/shoulder. I thought the kink would go away after a good nights sleep, but I woke up on Sunday unable to move. I kid you not when I say I was almost paralyzed. It was the craziest (and one of the most painful) experiences. I literally could not hold my baby or turn my head. I spent the entire day with a hot pad on my neck. Aaron took the kids to church solo while i soaked in a blazing hot bath and took a long nap. So glad I prepared yummy food and cleaned on saturday! I was completely useless to my family. I eventually took a heavy painkiller and a friend's prescription muscle relaxer and was able to sleep well last night. yay for drugs!

Although I woke up sore this morning, I was able to hold Romy girl and that was a huge improvement. This afternoon, my sweet friend took my babies to her house while I was supposed to rest, but instead I cleaned out closets and vacuumed the entire house. While cleaning, I realized that all of my frustrations stem from my two little ones. As darling as they are, I cannot get ANYTHING done with them around. In two short hours, I scrubbed my house from top to bottom (mopped the floors, caught up on all the laundry, cleaned out the fridge, etc.) I got to thinking about the last couple of weeks and how I've gone to bed beating myself up every night. WHY have I been so hard on myself?

While the kids were away, and I started to have a clear thought about what has transpired in the past couple of weeks, I couldn't believe that someone who has done so much could feel like such a failure. In the last two weeks, I've gotten my boys to school on time every morning (while taking a van full of neighbors too). I've canned peaches and made bottles of homemade salsa. I recovered the fabric on my kitchen chairs. I've made wholesome meals for my family, a meal for a neighbor and one for the missionaries as well. I've taken my kids swimming and to the park. I've nursed sick babies back to health (croup+stitches!). And to top it off, I've helped Simon go potty every 30 minutes and officially put him in underwear... for good! All this with a husband gone long hours, sometimes working in another city. Why was I so darn mean to myself after I had worked so hard? I've got to be better about the lies I am telling myself. I am good enough, patient enough and gosh darn it... I like me! (*this paragraph above was not to brag, but to show how skewed my thinking can be. Sad that I would allow things like not going to the gym or washing my hair more important on my list than being patient and loving to my kids...) anyway. lesson to be learned. sometimes clear thoughts can only come when it's quiet. and I haven't had much quiet lately...

Tonight for FHE we had a great lesson on honesty... and how sometimes when we tell one small little lie, we have to cover it up with another and another. Pretty soon, we're so far in, we're not sure how to get out. Luke was my object and he and I had rehearsed as story beforehand. Every time I asked him a question and he told a lie, I wrapped a rope around his body. Soon he was good and trapped. Instead of thinking he was in a big mess, the other boys were so jealous and wanted to be tied up too. It basically backfired and they spent the rest of the night telling "lies" and tying each other up. But Aaron and I watched them play and smiled at each other. This stage in our life is crazy, but it's a great stage. I love this little family of mine.

This is our little darling doing the actions to "popcorn popping". it's her favorite song... today.

emotionally spent

tomorrow afternoon I am teaching a blogging class to a small group of women. I should have spent some time preparing a handout or getting my thoughts together or at least getting caught up on my own blog. I feel a bit odd getting in front of anyone and talking about my passion for blogging and journaling when I've been so sporadic lately. it has definitely not been on the top of my priority list as of late. Aaron took a short trip to Reno for work and I've been single-mommin'-it and I'm exhausted. But truth be told, I am exhausted even when he's around, so what's new.

We ran a few errands tonight before Aaron's flight landed. Dollar Tree, Petco and Target... wowza. By the time Daddy joined us for dinner at In-n-Out, everyone was on their worst behavior. Ro was sleepy. Simon got an entire page of stickers stuck in his hair. Luke was teasing Zack, which prompted him to shoot his newly purchased dart gun instead of eating dinner. Ben spilled ketchup right in the middle of the floor in front of the garbage can and then he stepped in it. I swear everyone was looking at us and counting our kids. I should have made a nice dinner for Aaron to come home to but I felt like getting out. I should have known better. I didn't ask Aaron if he was happy to see us because I was afraid of what his answer would be.

As you can tell from last night's late night post, I feel a little overwhelmed. Sometimes I feel crazy. Crazy for having this many kids and even crazier for wanting more. But the past couple of days I've had meaningful, uplifting conversations with my sweetest friend Jane. When talking with her (even when I spend the entire time venting my frustrations) I always come away feeling better about myself and about life because she has the best outlook on life. Most of you know Jane's history and losing her baby boy back in January. She recently miscarried and my heart is broken for her. Tonight she shared her thoughts on her blog and I am not the least bit surprised by her uplifting and positive attitude about her experiences. You can read her entry HERE. I am blessed to have friends in my life that make me a better person just by being around them. My neighborhood is literally filled with caring loving women who want to serve and love one another. It's a fabulous thing to behold.

ending this early because it's time to go to sleep and well, I am spent. Goodnight!

in the nick of time

Labor Day came and went. A four day weekend is such a blessing, but Tuesday morning it seemed more like a curse. I had ALL weekend with my husband at home and I didn't do anything productive. The house was a wreck, everyone was exhausted and there were three squares of toilet paper to my name (and I have to share it with six people living with me.)

I left for the store in a frenzy. I hoped I could shop and be back in time to take the carpool. I hoped my boys were eating breakfast so I wouldn't have to shove a banana down their throats as they buckled their seatbelts and finished their homework on the way to elementary.

And then, on the street, I drove passed a neighbor girl running her little heart out. She was just a block or two from our house and just a few more blocks away from the bus stop. She was sprinting, with arms flailing and her books flopping from side to side on her back. I could hear her panting with my windows rolled up. Poor thing. I pulled over, told her to get in for the ride of her life and peeled away from the curb like I'd just robbed a bank. I'd get her to that bus stop in time or I'd get a ticket trying. We arrived at the same time as the bus and she got out without saying thank you. And I don't blame her. She had enough on her frazzled brain.

As I thought of her throughout the day, I giggled. The sight of her frantically sprinting was just too funny. She has a long road ahead of her with many more early mornings at the bus stop... not to mention drama with friends, heartbreaks after not being asked to dances, late nights trying to write papers on books she didn't read. Poor girl. I enjoyed high school, but I wouldn't go back for all the tea in China.

As the day progressed, I realized how similar my life was to the frenzied high schooler. I am not ever physically sprinting for my neighbors to see, but I am sprinting in my own way. I am always out of breath, just trying to keep up--- not with the Kardashians, but with the laundry! I don't want to know what would have happened if the toilet paper had run out. I came back just in the nick of time. My mornings are chaotic and busy. My afternoons are filled with toddler tornadoes and a baby clawing at my calves, just begging to be held. By evening, my clothes are spattered with spaghetti sauce even when pasta wasn't on the menu. When I huff to my mother on the phone about about my frustrating days, she laughs at me. And then she tells me that while she enjoyed the early motherhood years, she would never go back, not for all the tea in China.

This week she told me about a time when my Dad took her out on a date and when they arrived at their destination, she told him to go inside and leave her in the car alone. It made me laugh and feel so much better about my desire to be left alone. And my desire to leave the house.

Life is a journey. It's difficult in every stage for different reasons. The more we can relate to others and sympathize with their struggles, the more we find the joy in our own circumstances. My journey is uniquely different than yours. But it's the same too. Today, after loading the dinner dishes and putting the kids to bed, I cried. And then I laughed about my crazy day as I pictured myself sprinting around and flailing my arms just to arrive to this moment-- the moment where I lay down in bed and feel grateful I made it here, just in the nick of time. I didn't do it in style or grace, but I made it. And tomorrow I am going to try to be a little more prepared... and a little less judgmental towards anyone who doesn't have it all together all the time.

first trip to the ER

it's been a week since the accident. days with sick kids seem to go by so slowly, but here we are-- a week later and it seems like yesterday. it needs to be documented, no matter how grotesque the pictures.

after 10 years of boys rough-housing, we made our visit to the ER. Only, oddly enough, no one was rough-housing or being crazy. Believe me, Simon spends a good amount of time running around with swords, plastic guns & make-shift "weapons" but last Thursday, he was being a sweetheart, helping me cut peaches at the counter. He was "cutting" with a butter knife, but was doing lots more eating than he was cutting. He had the knife in his right hand, at a 90 degree angle when Luke, who is by far my most calm, well mannered child, walked past Simon swinging a pillow (which is in the shape of a ball.) The pillow hit Simon's elbow in the perfect spot and flung the butter knife into the back of Simon's throat. I didn't see the knife go in, but I saw Simon pull it out and I knew by the small end of the knife sticking out of his mouth that it had punctured and that the cut was deep. Simon put his fingers in his mouth, but did not cry. When his fingers came out bloody, he asked me for a bandaid. I went to get a cold rag and by the time I went to put it in his mouth, the bleeding had stopped. Simon willingly opened his mouth and let me look at it and I was amazed by the lack of blood. The puncture was probably the size of a dime, but it was deep and you could see several inches down his throat. I wondered if Simon was in shock because there was so emotion whatsoever. He was sick already from a bad cough/croup and laid on the couch and fell asleep minutes after it happened..

I called Aaron and a couple of friends for advice on what to do. Katie, my neighbor who is also a nurse, came over to check it out. She confirmed it was probably too deep for it to heal quickly and on it's own. I was on the fence about taking him in, but because he had such a terrible cough and fever anyway, I figured it would be best to get it stitched up. Katie stayed with the baby and put her down for a nap (and also cleaned my house) while Luke, Simon and I went to the emergency room.

The ER was a total bust. We waited forever and they ended up sending us away with a pat on the back, telling us to rinse it with salt water and keep an eye on it. I had sent a picture to a couple of dentists asking their opinion and both had called me back on the way home telling me it needed to be stitched up. Simon had yet to cry or complain over it, but I ended up shedding a few tears on the way home. It's hard to know what to do when you are getting conflicting advice!

Poor Luke felt awful about the whole thing. He stayed by Simon's side the entire time and kept asking him how he was doing. From the beginning Simon acted like nothing was wrong. By the time we were home, he was running around and eating chips and salsa (ahh!) I tried to get him to take a late nap, but he wouldn't have it.. so it was a long afternoon.

(this picture below was taken the day of the accident... he was sprinting across couches as spiderman minutes before Daddy got home from work.)

Aaron had a tennis match that night and lucky (for me!) it rained. He came home and took one look at the open palate and was freaked out by how deep it was. (I tried to tell him on the phone, but I guess you had to see it to believe it.. the pictures didn't do justice.) Around 9 PM, he took Simon over to our dentist/neighbor and they went into the office and stitched him up. Aaron held him the entire time and said he didn't move or complain one bit. unbelievable. I was worried that he was going to freak out because he hadn't had a nap and can get emotional when he's tired. Instead, he fell asleep :). It was only a few stitches, but Dr. Atwood said he was so surprised the ER sent me away knowing how deep the cut was. He also said Simon was a trooper, which we all knew after seeing him behave like a champ. He slept in our room that night and didn't make a peep.

The next morning, he woke up saying he wanted a slurpie, so that's what we got him first thing. He had about 3 sips before he insisted he was fine. I didn't fill the pain killer prescription because he wasn't complaining. He ran around like his usual self and didn't tug at or mention his stitches until 48 hours after the accident. He told me the following night he "had an owie in his mouth" as if I didn't know. We gave him some Tylenol and called it good.

A few days after that, we had the Sister Missionaries over for dinner. Simon was being his usual chatty self and talked their ears off. At one point during the meal, he picked up a butter knife, showed it to the Missionaries and said, "I ate this knife one time." We had to explain the whole story to the Sisters and they were so surprised he was so matter-of-fact about it. He told them all about cutting peaches, going to the doctor and then the dentist and he was happy to show his scar, but still not a single tear. I am totally amazed by this tough two year old of mine. He means it when he says he's NO BABY!

Looking back at the events this past week, I am so grateful for the support system I have... local friends and neighbors who are so willing and able to help us. I am grateful for heath insurance and a husband who works hard so I don't have to stress about medical bills. I truly believe this experience could have been so much worse. I know that we were blessed and I so relieved that our spunky, busy, rambunctious Simon is doing well. Here's to hoping we have another 10+ years before our next emergency.