A good visit

Well, we're back in the land of the heat again. We got back from our week in San Diego at 10:30 on Saturday night. Over the duration of our 6 hour drive, the temperature changed from 72 to 107. Going from heaven to somewhere else? We sure are happy here in Vegas, but that was a bit of a downer, to say the least.

We had a fabulous time in San Diego. We came home tan and tired. . .and finally over the flu that nagged at us for snippets of almost the entire week. I'll post pictures of that tomorrow, if time is on my side.

Today I'll just report that we went to visit Livi at the hospital. It's been almost two weeks since we last saw her. She's back in the oncology department at the hospital. She's off all her machines except the TPN (basically liquified food that goes straight to her blood). She's lost most of her hair, but she looks so much better than last time we saw her. She smiled and laughed and was wide awake. She did a craft project with Todd and Ben and then played war (card game) with Todd. Somehow she always dominates Todd in every game they play in the hospital. And Todd is never, ever mean or grouchy about it. He just smiles and takes it all in stride. We took a picture of them together before we left. Todd put his arm around her and she got this silly shy expression on her face--so cute. It was great to see a bit of the Livi we first met.

Cannon Barfing

We went swimming on Saturday and again tonight for Family Home Evening. It's really about all you can do to beat the Vegas heat. Todd has developed his own signature move, the "Cannon Barf", pictured here
He really is quite the fish. Ben isn't exactly a fish yet, but we could classify him as a minnow--he's finally willing to get in the water, as long as he can choke hold me for the first five minutes until he relaxes enough that he doesn't even realize he's having fun. Ryan is still a shark. Glad to be in the water so much lately. It's nice for the bishop to have a pool!
And what of me, you ask? Since I am the trusty photographer, it would seem that I never actually participate in family activities. Never fear. I do actually get in the pool now. I'm swimming laps three mornings a week at 5:00 a.m. Keep in mind that lap swimming in my case isn't an olympic event, but I can at least put my head under water now.

Livi Update

I spent an hour hanging out with Livi and Rachel today at the hospital. She looks much better than she did on Sunday, but she's still a very sick little girl. On the positive side, she is off her heart meds, and they are weaning her off the ventilator. She was breathing on her own while I was there today.

I guess it's the mom in me, but I think of little else besides Livi and her family right now. I have stopped myself several times when I would have been frustrated with my children and just reached out and hugged them instead.

I have also had a beautiful experience watching Todd and his compassion for his little friend. A few months ago in Sunday School we were studying in Mosiah 3:19, where it says we should be like little children. I made a smart remark wondering whose kid they were talking about. Because, honestly, my children are just like everyone else's. They have moments of glory, but we also have plenty of teasing and poking and picking on each other. But as I have watched Todd's gentleness, concern, faith, and prayer concerning Livi, (not just this past week but in the past few months as she's been sick) I have truly felt the reality of that scripture. Children see and feel things that we so often forget. And they do it naturally and instinctively when they are faced with some of the harsh realities of life. I'm so grateful for my growing up boy who is such a fine example for me.

Our stake president has taught us many times that it is important to pray for specific things. So I asked Rachel what specifically we could pray for to help Livi. She said to pray that the doctors will be guided and inspired in their challenges as they treat Livi, that they will know what to do. So that is my prayer tonight.

Gender in Nature?

Ben and I were driving home after dropping Todd at school this morning. I noticed just how vibrant the colors are on the purple bushes around our development, so I pointed it out to Ben.

He said, "I don't like those princess bushes."

"Princess bushes?" I queried.

"Purple princess bushes," he clarified. "I like the green boy bushes."

So there you have it. Ben is boy to the core.

Please Pray

Well, my little friend Livi is in the hospital, and this time it's quite serious. She's sedated, intubated, on kidney dialysis, and has about a thousand other tubes coming out of her body (actually 19 different machines/tubes/things according to her mom). It was hard to see her tiny body laying in that bed. I came home and found this picture from her fourth birthday in February just to remember her lively Livi self.

I just had to write and tell you to hold your kids tight and tell them you love them. Then get down on your knees and thank your Heavenly Father that your family is healthy. And while you're on your knees, please pray for a miracle for Livi.

I told Todd that he needed to keep praying for Livi in his head and in his heart and out loud. He informed me that he has prayed for her 17 times today. Would you pray for her, too? I know our prayers are heard.

Memorable Memorial/Birthday Weekend

I'm officially 31. And it feels great. I'm healthy, happy, and I have a great family. Sunday is a pretty quiet day to have a birthday. We had fondue for the birthday treat--very nice because there wasn't a huge cake around to tempt us all for a week. The boys were very thoughtful in picking out my gifts--I loved them all. I really do have the greatest boys--all three of them.

Memorial Day was a good day for the gopher patrol. While at Lone Mountain park on the west side of Las Vegas, we had a gopher sighting! One of the little critters was digging a hole right by the sidewalk near where we were eating.

It reminded me of an incident last summer when Ben was still a wee little tyke. He was the happiest little chap all day. Then, one moment, he started screaming bloody murder. We had no idea what had happened. We picked him up, soothed him, and then he was back to normal. A few minutes later, it happened again. Again, soothing. Finally, we caught the culprit the next time when a little gopher head popped out near Ben's feet. Ben was terrified by this unknown little creature. Funny story.

But, more to the point. We had a great Memorial Day. For once, we decided to stay home on a day Ryan had off instead of traipsing off in the car for states close by. We went to the park and did a short hike up the rocks to overlook the valley. We wanted to hike to the top, but didn't park near the trailhead, evidentally, and we were too lazy to move the car. The boys enjoyed scaling the steep rocks, though, and we had a nice morning. Then, we ate a picnic in the park (packed in my cute new picnic basket--thanks Rachael and Bill). After that, we exchanged a few birthday presents.

When we got home, it was down to some serious business of Dance Dance Revolution. Todd was mainly responsible for driving my birthday present this year. He chose Dance Dance Revolution (the Disney Version). I got two dance pads and the game. He is getting to be quite the dancer. We had our first dance offs. Both of us were sweating up a storm--then we realized the air conditioning was turned off. We even got Ryan and Ben up and dancing a few times. Ryan is avoiding it so he doesn't look silly, and Ben just isn't quite coordinated enough. But I think we're going to have some fun dancing times ahead. Watch out "So You Think You Can Dance"--Steph and Todd are going to take you all by storm--hah! (some of you Indiana people remember clearly how well I can dance).

Overall, it was a great Memorial Day/Birthday Weekend.

What's Wrong With This Picture?

Look carefully at this picture. What is the first thing that comes to mind? Perhaps the fact that I am the only one in it? That's right. My delightful mother-in-law invited me to California for a girls weekend while my boys were at the father and sons campout. Actually, Todd got sick that weekend, so it ended up being an at home campout weekend for the boys, but I was already flying off into the sunset by that time.

I sure love being a mom, but a little break was divine. I got to ride on an airplane all by myself, which meant I only packed one small carry-on and carried a cute purse, not a bulging diaper bag designed to rip my shoulders to shreds. I read a book for the entire flight. I sat by the window and did not feel compelled to give up my seat so my kids could have a better view. I even sat in an exit row.

I did have one brief moment in downtown San Francisco where my heart stopped as I realized I wasn't holding my children's hands, only to remember they were not there.

Glenn, Kathy, and I went to Jeremy's graduation in SF and we spent the day with Liz and Jeremy (a little funny that I was there and Ryan was not, but so nice that I get along with Ryan's family and feel like they're my family, too).

Saturday, I slept in and felt no rush to get anywhere. When we finally got moving (Kathy is still recovering from a recent surgery) Kathy and I went shopping in Monterey and Pacific Grove. She spoiled me for my birthday with some fun new clothes and then we ate lunch at a quaint little restaurant that would not have been enjoyable with kids, but was divine without. Then we went home and I made cookies with Jordan (my brother-in-law still at home). Then off for more dining out at Phil's fish market down on the beach in Moss Landing.

By the end I was missing my family as I realized how much they would have enjoyed the trip, too. But was I sad that I went? Not even. I had a great time. Thanks, Glenn and Kathy. I sure love you.