Bird

John and I decided to go out to dinner tonight without the kids. We were lucky enough to be able to leave them home with Zach, Johns cute cousin. We went to an early-bird dinner at Texas Roadhouse. Once we were done, we decided that we would drive down to the University Hospital to see Johns other cute cousin, Mandie, who is in the hospital to get her lung function levels up. She has battled Cystic Fibrosis during her life. FINALLY, we get to go see her. We made it all the way up to the U, parked, walked in, attempted to find her room, but ended up in the maternity ward. As we were searching signs for room 24(?)East, we received a phone call from Casey wondering where she should take Jensyn to repair her face. Zach and the kids were spinning around, playing when apparently, Zach started feeling dizzy and somehow let go of Jensyn during a spin. She fell and banged her face up pretty good. (I called Mandie to tell her we were there, but couldn't stay to see her. So sad...) But, about 30 minutes later, we finally made in to the InstaScare in Sandy. She was asleep, curled up, and her face under an icepack. I really had to hold back the tears once I saw her. We signed the consent to treat and the doctor got busy stitching up her mouth. She received 5 stitches. Her whole left side of her face was bloody and swollen. I still am not quite sure what would have hit her, but it was quite the traumatic fall! Luckily, the cartilage has not formed on her nose, but if it had, she would have also suffered a broken nose. She was quite lethargic until they were able to administer her some pain medication. She did not make a single sound while they injected her with the shot to numb her mouth, nor the 5 stitches they put in her mouth. She did say that it hurt though, when we tried to blow her nose out. I was so proud of her!

Driving from what I thought was the furthest place possible that we could be away from her, I did have time to think. I was nervous, but I felt like I did need to keep optimistic about her condition. Somehow I did know that she would be okay. I also felt so helpless to a little girl who had a fabulous aunt to take her for help, but I knew that she would be so happy to see her mom and dad. It seemed so surreal--this is the first accident that we have encountered as parents (unless a bee sting at the cabin counts.) I was afraid, I was unsure, it was definitely a feeling that I hope to never experience again! Would my little 4 year old have a broken nose, would her face be scarred, is she going to be okay? None of these answers would I know until I saw her myself.

I don't remember saying "a little prayer", which seems weird that I wouldn't do that. I did feel a sense of comfort, though, knowing that she was going to be okay. It is interesting how life can be fine one moment, and then during another fleeting moment it is possible that it is not okay. I am so grateful that the moment that I left her, she was okay. I am grateful that she is going to be okay. I only pray that in the future my children can be as safe and healthy as they have been. I don't think I could last a minute without any of my family right by me.

Mantua

We spent Saturday morning with John and Janice in Mantua. We had an enjoyable time. Wherever there is water, Logan is a fish, and Jensyn and Jack play around the water but usually not IN it. We had a fun time, and they talk about it a lot. Thanks to Grandma and Grandpa JJ for inviting us, and for the great hospitality.

So picture this...

(John is wearing his board shorts and a t-shirt--normal boating attire. This boating attire also includes his legs. If you have ever seen them, which chances are, you haven't, he has long bird legs which never see sun-- since he never wears shorts.)

John went into the Neighborhood Walmart to pick up some drinks to bring boating. When he came back out, he said to me,

"See that guy right there?"

"Ya," I said.

"He said to me, 'nice legs.' "

In reply and immediatly, John said, "Nice mullet."

The mullet guy just looked at John, surprised that he had such a comeback, and slightly offended.

Leave it to John for his quick wit and funny comments.

Hilarious. Who wears a mullet anyways?

Where has all the time gone?

Oh my word! The fabulous summer is drawing to and end, and we are so lucky to have had such a fun one! I really hate to see it go, however, it does mean that we are closer to a new baby. (This in itself I can't believe, either! Our family will be complete.)

We have spent many weekends at the cabin, one weekend in the Logan/Cache Valley/Sardine Canyon area, boating with Chelsey, Tony, Hogan, and baby. We really are grateful to have such wonderful people to surround ourselves with. Here is a little photo re-cap of the fun things that we do. I can't complain!

My Little GQ

I just love him! We were getting ready to leave for church and I decided that I wanted to take a picture of him. When I told him that I wanted to do this, he ran to the door, turned around and shot me this "cool dude" pose. I'm thinking he's gonna steal some hearts!

Oh, and about Father's Day...

I came across a book today given to John last year from our ward. It was a tribute to Fathers written by Vaughn J. Featherstone entitled In Honor of Fathers. (Extra special since Vaughn is in our ward.) I opened it and read a little out of it today, then skipped all the way to the end. This is what is said:

"...to each of you I leave this heartfelt tribute: your wife and your children have put you on a towering pedestal---and even when you don't achieve what you think you should, you deserve to be there."

John deserves to be there! I love you, John.

Russell Family Summer Barbeque

We had such a fun-filled night last night. The Russell family came over to our home for an evening of 4th of July festivities. We started out barbecuing the meat, then we started digging into all of the yummy food that everyone brought. I made some traveling taco dip, Aimee made her famous poppy seed salad, Sue made her fabulous frog-eye salad. We had chips, homemade ice cream, raspberry lemonade with real raspberries, the list goes on and on! The night was full of fun and a variety of events that really seemed to streamline the evening.

Dr. Smith has asked me to monitor my activities with a blood pressure monitor. My blood pressure has been consistently high, indicating toxemia. About 45 minutes prior to the party arriving, I tested myself. It was through the roof (again.) I had to immediately lay down and try to lower it. A few minutes later, John and Becca arrived to help get the party started. Once Sue showed up, she helped with the finishing touches on getting my home cleaned. THANK YOU to this amazing family, always willing to help, and always concerned with my family. I don't think I could ever ask for a better family to be married into. I was able to stabilize a lower blood pressure through the night because of them...and it sure made it more enjoyable!