Let It Snow!!

We all really enjoyed our first snowfall in 8 years!! What a fun time! It's already melted but we look forward to our next, and our next after that!!

My Glass is Half Full...Mostly!

It an economic climate of wary looks and unsteady knees I really should express my great appreciation that my husband has a job.
We are very fortunate to get a paycheck every month.
We are so blessed to have wonderful health benefits, especially with appendixes needing removal and gashes needing stitching.
I am greatful that my husband enjoys his work and feels valued and challenged there.
I acknowledge the opportunities that come from relocation and travel.
I see the benefits of being a part of a military family.
...BUT...
I'm tired of him being gone!!
Just six months of togetherness is all I ask.
Just six months of seeing his face everyday.
Just six months of not having to worry about his safety every minute.
Just six months of childhood milestones he won't be missing.

I'm tired. For now I will just keep my chin up and my glass half full, focusing on all of my blessings. In a few weeks, when he gets home he can fill up the other half.

Christmas Favorites

Christmas was a magical time! We enjoyed spending time playing and relaxing together. We celebrated the birth of the Savior Jesus Christ and we ate delicious treats! If only Christmas wasn't just once a year!

MERRY CHRISTMAS

Who Needs An Appendix Anyway??

17 hours of CRAZY!!

Sunday, December 18

5:00 am--Spencer arrives at my bedside complaining of a stomach ache. Vomitting begins!

8:00 am--Vomitting continues. He vomits alone in the bathroom with the door closed saying, "I got this, I got this."

10:00 am--Vomitting continues. He is keeping nothing down now, not even his own spit. He is throwing up every thirty minutes. He lets me sit with him in the bathroom while he vomits.

12:00 pm--He accepts a big pot, we call it a 'puke bucket' and lays in bed. He falls asleep and we are sure he will feel better when he wakes up.

2:00 pm--Spencer is awake and the vomitting continues.

I start to worry.

4:00 pm--Vomitting continues. Complaints of stomach pain increase.

6:00 pm--Stomach pain seems to be localizing to the lower right quadrant.

I start to seriously worry.

7:00 pm--Ben and I bundle up the sick boy and drive to the ER.

He really didn't want to go, he was afraid. He actually faked feeling better hoping we would turn around.

8:00 pm--IV is started, anti-nausea meds and fluids are administered.

He watched the nurse administer the IV and asked questions the whole time. He never once fussed or cried.

9:00pm--Morphine is administered and prep is done for CAT scan.

He has to drink 16 ounces of pink punch, which is actually contrast for his CAT scan.

11:00 pm--CAT scan is administered and diagnosis of appendicitis is confirmed.

The nurses and doctors were not the least bit surprised. His doctor called him a "text book case."

Sunday, December 19

12:00 am--Spencer is transported by ambulance to a sister hospital with a pediatric surgical team.

Riding in a ambulance was especially exciting for him. Not so much for me.

1:00 am--Spencer is prepped for laproscopic surgery and wheeled away.

I was frightened. Ben was calm and confident. We were both exhausted.

2:00 am--Surgery is successful and Spencer wakes up quickly from anesthesia.

He immediately wants a popcicle...preferrably chocolate.

4:00 am--Spencer and I are asleep in a hospital room.

Ben is on his way home to sleep for an hour and then to take boys to Seminary. Then to sleep for another hour and then get Emma ready and off to school. Bless him!

12:00 pm--Spencer is released from the hospital.

He pooped, he peed, he ate and he walked around he halls.

Now we all rest!!

Whew!!

Fun on Hidden Lake

September 2011

We moved to a small neighborhood way out in the country, nearly 20 minutes from the closest Walmart and 15 minutes from the closest stop light. Across the street from our little house in the woods is a lake. Is not a huge lake but it has a dock platform, a small beach and a fire pit. It's perfect for our kind of fun! We bought a couple of kayaks and the kids are loving it! Michael and Jasen are naturals at the kayaking, years at Scout camps, no doubt. We were pleasantly surprised at how well Emma and Spencer took to the adventure as well.

Now they can't wait to get out their fishing poles!

Halloween 2011