Sunday Hijinx

I love 11:00 church because it creates a calm morning.
I don't feel rushed and when Mama doesn't feel rushed everyone is happy.
I comb hair, I tie shoes, I match pants to shirts, I even iron.
It's beautiful.

We had Ward Conference today and it was beautiful too.
I love being asked to rise higher. To do better.
It means someone thinks you are up to the challenge.

During church one of Scotty's friends says, "I"m going to come over and see you at 4:00".

So he shows up at our house around 4:00.
I'm napping.
Scott's church shoes have taken a beating on the toe. All his shoes take a beating on the toe. It's the result of being a man who crawls. The soles of his shoes are in tip-top shape but the toes fall apart. So his church shoes toes are all scuffed up.
His friend pulls out a shoe shine kit and gets to work on Scotty's shoes. He covered the scuff and shined them up like new.

Who does that?

I"ll tell you who. Someone who is always looking for ways to serve. Someone who is humble and kind and generous and thoughtful.
I am so grateful.

Then we were lucky enough to have the children put on a Sunday performance. Not unusual at our house.
Today it was a puppet show. They used the plethora of Webkinz we have at our home and shared some animal facts.  Aidan checked out about 32 books on animals at the library on Friday. Then they'd quiz us and throw candy at us if we answered correctly.

Then the kids taught Grace to jump.  Her feet barely leave the floor, and she often falls. I didn't get photos-shame- but I will. It is so cute!

We had waffles for dinner. It was 7:30 p.m.  While I was busy cooking I decided to try a few tricks.
I"m like that.
I get a hair-brained idea and I go for it.

Chloe saw my camera near by and caught some lovely shots of my "trick" between bites of waffle.

Then Asher says, "That's a good workout for older people".

Then I hurt my back. Typical.

Then Cole rushes over to make it better. Typical. 

That was Sunday at our house.
Until next time.

Asher @ Ten

10 Things You May Not Know About Asher (who is now 10)

* Math Whiz
* A natural on the piano
* Great with babies- puts them to sleep
* Loves a new suit
* Funny
* Animal lover
* Has his father's athletic abilities
* Sleeps on a real puffy pillow
* Shares his testimony often
* Has many friends of different ages

                                           Asher assisting during a photo shoot - he was just peed on.

Smart Kid Too

I read to Cole & Aidan at bedtime.  We cuddle up in  my warm bed and spend a few minutes together enjoying a story.  Last night Cole picked the "My Little Animal Book".  It's a picture book of animals.  He loved telling me all about each animal.  When we got to the page of polar animals he started naming them off... "owl, reindeer, seal, polar bear, and then...sabertooth, & peacock."  Man I had a good bedtime laugh. 

Scriptorian

We have one of those handy little boards that tells us who is on the lesson, the treat, the song, the scripture, etc for Family Night.

It prevents bickering- usually.

Aidan was on scripture tonight- he didn't ask for any help. He didn't inquire what Asher's lesson would be about.  He just grabbed a set of scriptures and went to work.

And he read: "This is from the Topical Guide.  Love the evil."

The end. He closed the book.

There were a few blank stares and then some muffled laughter.  Turns out that is a portion of a verse.  Aidan's scripture was from Micah 3:2 which says in its entirety, "Who hate the good, and love the evil; who pluck off their skin from off them, and their flesh from off their bones."

I think I'll help him out a bit next time.

p.s. Grace had her last hospital visit today.  We're done!  She can finish healing at home. Thank you for your prayers.  

Hospital Photos

Grace was checked into UVRMC on Tuesday and we checked out on Friday.  We'll be going back every other day.  Here are some pics of her ordeal.  All nice and friendly pics as I couldn't bare to take a picture of her in pain and tears.

Loved those little outfits they put them in. She sported the pants on her head. 

Grace on my lap headed down to surgery.  I got to hold her all the way to pre-op & then again in recovery.

And her in her GIANT metal crib.  So homey.  eh? 

She is so happy to be home and run around with her brothers and sister. Everyone is doting on her and carrying her around, kissing and loving her up.

Welcome Home Pretty Baby.

Thankful

It is difficult to watch your baby be in pain.  Anyone who comes in the room that she doesn't know makes her uncomfortable. 

But, she had a fantastic surgeon, a cautious primary care physician, a pediatric infectious disease specialist, sweet caring nurses around the clock, a wound care team, and a sedation team- she has a TEAM. 

She is in good hands. 

So many children are not afforded this luxury, and endure so much more pain.

I am thankful.

surgery

Looks like we're headed for surgery after all.  Dr.O's recommendation was surgery to help Grace heal.  She'll be headed in in a few hours.  We will be here for 2-3 days more and return daily after that until the Dr.sees fit. 

Update on Grace

We are at Utah Valley Regional Medical Center.  At Grace's Dr.'s appt yesterday her Dr. thought the area may have another pocket of infection and sent us immediately to the hospital.

MRSA is a tough bug and though it may take time to heal you don't want to give it any room to grow.  From what I've learned about it from several different doctors, it is all over our world, like most germs. Many of the pediatric doctors have mentioned an increase in cases of children with this staph specifically.   It lies in wait and when it finds an open cut, sore, breakdown of the skin, it goes in and does some serious damage.  At our house we will be keeping all cuts and scrapes cleaned and covered.  I am the only one who changes her and I use gloves to be cautious.  And as they always say, "wash your hands!"  She has been through a lot this last week.  Too much pain for a sweet little baby.  She has an i.v. in and is getting a strong sulfur-based antibiotic every 8 hours.  They also put her on a fluid drip to avoid dehydration.  After an ultrasound they deemed there was no reason for surgery as they did not see a pocket of fluid that would need drained.  So we are waiting for the great Dr.O (an Pediatric Infectious Disease Speicialist) to come by and discuss the situation.  When we are able to leave the hospital Grace will still have to have the wound packed daily with gauze. It has been suggested that we may come back to the hospital to do that daily as they could administer something to help with the pain of it and the trauma of it.  She has not had any medication during any of the other times they've filled that wound and it is heartbreaking to watch.  Keep her in your prayers.  Thank you for all your help and concern. 

Love,
Amy

p.s. Wash your hands.

boo

jury duty

2nd migraine of the week

baby still sick- 7 doctors appointments in 8 days  

Pretty Baby's First Pony

This morning as I was getting ready and Grace was sitting on the counter "helping" I noticed how long her little curl on top of her head has gotten.  So I did it.

I found a little rubber band and gave that pretty baby her first pony tail.

I couldn't stop looking at her and giggling all day.

She has been battling a very nasty staph infection all week.  She's seen a doctor every day since Monday.  It's been very painful for her and painful to watch.  So, Aidan had his piano lesson today.  I opened up his new practice book and found this under "Dear Teacher",

It says, "How did Grace get sick".  I laughed so hard.  He had written that during the week and waited until his next lesson for me to read it.  I reminded him that his piano book is actually for writing questions concerning piano, and that if he has other questions he can just ask me anytime because I double as his mother.  

She's One

Grace eating snow

She's one. 

Despite my best efforts- she is growing up. 

* she walks

* she says Mama, Dada, uh-oh

* she loves veggies

 (her Dr. pointed out the lovely yellowish orange tint to her skin caused by her love of veggies)

* she goes up the stairs, and down the stairs

* she loves to play in the bath

* she has 6 teeth in

* she likes to move to the music

* she's terrified of very hairy men

* she gives opened mouth kisses

* she can give a high five

Oh we love her.