"Kelly is getting SO MUCH ATTENTION!!!" ***pictures added

Thursday afternoon Kelly was in the other room (yes, I was posting something on my blog and neglecting my children. I keep trying to make myself feel better about it saying that "I could have been doing anything, my kids will never be able to have CONSTANT supervision". But it's not really helping, I still blame myself.) she was trying to slide down the cushions off of the back of the couch and fell and broke her wrist!!! She cried and I assumed it was another one of those "Brad took my ball" or "Charity won't let me play with her" kind of cries (this is Kelly we're talking about), so I didn't jump up (again, I feel terrible!), but when she came into the room all it took was one glance at her arm and I just knew! In the back of my head I really wanted to get a picture of it like that just because it was SO BENT! (is this confirming anyone's belief that I am the worst mom EVER!) But I refrained. It looked SO BAD though!! So anyway. Luckily Steve was home and he was able to watch the other kids while I took Kelly to the Instacare. What would we do without Uncle Steve!! He's really been a lifesaver since we moved in. Hopefully he lets us repay him soon. And can I just add right now that I am SO GRATEFUL for a husband who is so in tune to the Spirit! I was frantic, trying to figure out how to call him and see if there was any way he could get a ride home with someone, but I don't have a number to reach him, and then right as I'm about to just risk it and go-- HE CALLS!!!! Not for any reason other than he just felt like he needed to call me! I LOVE IT!!! He's so my hero. Okay, so back to the story :) Kelly and I headed down to the Instacare where they did the X-ray, and said she had completely broken her radius (wrist in lame man's terms- they obviously thought I was lame) and that she would need to go to Primary Children's Hospital and have her sedated to set the bone. This came as a huge shock to me because the whole time, I'm thinking that they would just splint it and have us come back in a few days to cast it and planning what we'll have for dinner when we get home...... Luckily Nate did have a ride home (and that was another cool little miracle, the guy was only going that one day to teach, so it was a HUGE "coincidence"- I don't really believe in coincidences in case you didn't notice). So..... long story short....we were in the waiting room for about 3 hours.....then we sat in the little tiny room for another 2 or 3 before they finally started on her proceedure....and then it was another 3 hours before they let us go. We got home around 1:00 in the morning!! It was nuts!!

a list of random things and thoughts from this experience:
- I really wasn't sure I should take her to the Instacare right away since before, I've been told to wait since they can't cast it till the swelling goes down anyway, but this time, it would have been harder for them to set if I had waited any longer....good thing Steve and Kelly were so persisitant.
- It has really been a long time since I've had to take someone to the Instacare OR the ER. I decided to be really grateful for that so that it can be a long time again :)
- I really don't like how nurses and doctors give you the grilling eye when you are trying to explain what happened. And all the writing down when I mention that "I wasn't in the room" and that "I didn't jump up and run to her when I heard the crying".....I understand why, but it's annoying.
- When we were at the Instacare, I had asked if they could give her some tylenol. They came back with 2 TABLESPOONS of Tylenol in this HUGE cup. I was confused and asked before giving her the whole thing, but "nope, that's what the doctor said....2 TABLESPOONS". So I gave it to her. Later at the hospital I find out that 2 Tbls is a toxic amount for a 5 year old and they're all looking at me like I'm crazy and they didn't believe me, because the chart said that they had only given her 2 tsp. I was SO ANNOYED!!! I am not an idiot, I know how to read 2 Tbls. AND I know what 2 TEASPOONS looks like!!!! It was NOT 2 teaspoons!! I understand there could be a different concentration or whatever, but the fact remains, whatever it was that I gave her at the Instacare, it was 2 TABLESPOONS. Can you tell I'm still irritated?? They had to draw some blood and test it to make sure she hadn't received a toxic amount and it did come out okay. It's either going to show up later with liver disease, or turn out to be yet another miracle, but I'm sticking by my 2 Tbls. I'm hoping it was just an answer to my prayers.
- The directions they gave me to Primary were incomplete and I got lost :) I don't think I've EVER driven straight to it though. Why is it so hard for me to find??

- I took advantage of the Valet Parking at the hospital....never done that before.
- Kelly was in SO much pain the ENTIRE afternoon. She could not stop crying. Everytime she moved she would let out this ear piercing, wailing cry, and it would take me 5 minutes to calm her down. And once we were in the room, she would cry everytime a new nurse or doctor would walk in the room....before they even said or did anything!! It was awful. I felt so bad for her. Especially because she's generally a pretty tough kid unless it involves someone getting in more trouble the louder she cries (if you have kids you've seen this I'm sure). I ended up just holding her in my arms as still as could be the whole time.....we decided it was some good "Kelly time with Mommy" which she loves so much. I think it was some much needed cuddling. Good thing I've got lots of padding on my rear.
- The people in the waiting room were very interesting. I didn't need to watch tv, or read a magazine, they were entertainment enough! AND it made me rethink the "bad mom" thing ("maybe I'm not that bad afterall") ....there are some pretty strange parenting techniques out there :) Not to mention the lady who let her 9 month old play with the cigarette she was MAKING.....
- One Nurse told me I could be in the room during Kelly's procedure but then the orthopedic specialist said no and kicked me out after she went to sleep (and can I just say, I get REALLY emotional when I watch my kids' eyes close!!). I had to watch her from the hall through the tiny crack in the closed blinds on the door. The nurse out in the hall said that that was better because then I didn't have to hear it. Gross. I can't believe how brutal they had to be to get that little bone back in place!! Very surprised they didn't break anything else in the process...seriously!! You should have seen it! I'm glad they knew what they were doing though...I saw the X-ray afterward, and it looked good as new! My poor little Kelly though....that's gonna leave a mark!
- Kelly had wanted to color, but with the IV in one hand and the cast on the other, she decided that watching ME color and choosing what color everything was, would be just as good :) I colored for about 2 1/2 hours!!! Holy moly :) But I did love every minute of the time I got to spend alone with her....as crazy as that may sound (I don't wish these awful things on my kids, just enjoy them for what they're worth I guess :))
- Kelly had wanted a purple cast, so ALL of the Docs and Nurses did EVERYTHING purple :) The cloth to rest it on, any utensils that had a speck of purple was pointed out....anything they could think of, and even the popsicle afterward was purple :) They are so good at that there....makes me tear up just thinking about it!! Unfortunately they didn't have the stuff for a purple cast, so they did a pink one with a "purple (coban) overlay" :) They reassured Kelly that if she still wanted a purple one on Monday they had some in the office and she could get one then :) So cute.
- The book BAMBOOZLED (I think that's what it was called) is a REALLY fun, cute children's book. We read that one like 20 times....very fun pictures!
- Kelly was SUPER shy to everyone there. If she wasn't crying at them, she certainly wasn't talking. Poor little traumatized girl!
- The Doc that did the sedation was SO nice to answer all my silly questions and gave all of my concerns so much attention!! I was really appreciative of that. I'm such a baby when it comes to putting my kids out....I just hate it! But he made me feel really good about things.
- Amazingly, Kelly showed no sign of fear when I explained the sedation to her. She's way tougher than me.
- Even though Kelly had been sitting and waiting in pain and poked and prodded and twisted and bent and questioned all night, not once did she even mutter a word of complaint about being hungry, thirsty (she hadn't eaten or drank anything and couldn't since 2:00 that afternoon) or tired, or bored. I was very proud of her for that!
- Kelly picked a 3 for her pain level :) from the pictures of the sad and happy faces. The little sweetheart....I haven't seen her cry more about anything in her whole life, but she still said 3 (on a scale of 1-10, 10 being the worst!) "Say 8!!!" (brian reagan, sorry :))
- The not so flowery smell of Kelly's cute little feet filled the room the minute we took her shoes off and didn't go away while we were there. It was a little embarrassing for both of us :) But it does make me laugh :)
- Why can't I buy Motrin at the Pharmacy drive-thru?? I had wake up Kelly and haul her into the store to get her meds. Annoying. But we did find a Slurpee machine to make up for it :)
- The crazy-haired Pharmacist at Wallgreens was a complete jerk to me until I showed him my Alaska Driver's license (don't tell anyone I haven't gone in to get a Utah one yet, I'm bad, but the DMV isn't open on Friday and that's the only day I think about it ;)). As soon as he thought I was from Alaska we were best friends.....is that not strange? I guess it's not the first time someone's been more interested in me after finding out that I had lived there, and I know Alaska IS pretty cool...... but come on people!!! I guess it's a good thing that people are friendly to outsiders....how about I look at it that way. Kind of like how ya treat guests better than your own family......or something.....
- I'm really judgemental when I'm tired :)
- My husband is the sweetest husband....he did all the obvious feeding and getting in bed for the night with the other kids while I was gone, BUT he also waited up for us, and was there to greet us when we got home! What a sweet Dad and Husband! I just love him.
- Kelly's teacher is amazing!! Today (this is SATURDAY) her teacher came TO OUR HOUSE with a stack of letters from Kelly's class and a cute, little, stuffed, get well doggie. Can you believe that!!! What KINDERGARTEN teacher does THAT?!!! Amazing....do we love her? YES!!!
- I missed out on donating blood Thursday night, DARN IT! (sarcasm included) Crazy how things just work out sometimes :) lol
- Eventhough Charity is green with envy with all the attention Kelly has received from breaking her wrist, she has been such a big helper. She has just babied Kelly to death (almost too much), which has taught me a lot about Charity and her maturity level. I love it. But what mom wouldn't!

Kelly will go back to the Doctor on Monday for a new cast and then have that one on for another 3 weeks. She's already taught herself how to color and write her name with her left hand, so I think she will be okay :)

***Follow up- she picked a RED cast at the last minute because she wanted it to match Valentine's Day :) I was shocked :)

Happy Birthday to Luke (WARNING: lots of pictures on this post!)

A little trip down memory lane (of course) Here's Luke on his BIRTHday.


First Birthday, eating his choo choo train cake.


2nd birthday cupcakes.

And now for the BIG THREE!!!

Luke's special day started out bright and early when we woke him up to take Daddy to work (hence the coat :)). Here he is noticing his birthday decorations and sign for the first time :), still a little groggy, but I just love his cute little fingers, I should have zoomed in on them....they're a dead, excited giveaway :)


This is his first good look at his present. It's crazy, but we made him wait until the evening to open it. He was surprisingly not too interested in opening it until WAY later in the day :) must be the age because that has always driven my older kids crazy.


Here is his sign (crazy tradition that started because we had a laminated poster with Nate's airspace map on one side and we were able to use dry erase markers on the other side...this is a fun little EASY tradition that my kids love). Luckily the big huge roll of butcher paper my mom gave me a million years ago was still here at my Dad's, so we were able to use it this time. I forgot to do it with the kids earlier the day before, so I made it all by myself really late the night before. I like it :)

Luke's present was too big for the birthday wrapping paper we had, so we used the butcher paper (lots of good uses) and I thought it would be fun for the kids to color it :) They were obviously in no hurry to take their coats off :).

Everyone had fun decorating it all day.

So after we dropped off the girls at school we (Steve, my boys, and I) were all going to take advantage of the "Free Grand Slam" at Denny's, but apparently EVERYONE had the same idea. The place was insanely packed. Steve had work too soon, so he treated us to McD's instead :) It turned out to be a lot of fun for the boys. They played basketball with Steve. And got to break all the rules about not climbing on the thing because there was no one else there :) It was fun to watch Luke play. He's really good at basketball. That's why we got him the gift we did.

this was right after his slam dunk. I thought I had gotten a better pic of it :(

This is how Noah enjoyed McD's. Snoozing away......so cute!

I think Luke enjoyed having his way with just about everything all day :) He got to bring the balloons with him to go pick up Kelly, and he got to watch a show while we waited :) What more could a 3 year old want :)

Here is his "Spider Cake" that he wanted. I liked it. I still wonder if I would have liked it more if I had made the whole cake into one big spider, but anyway :) I love birthday cakes :)

Nana was the first person here for the party. She had put Luke's present in a gift bag and just set it on the floor next to the couch. Well, Luke got curious and asked if he could hold the bag. I told him he could hold it, but not to peek :). He had told me earlier in the day that he wanted to eat the cake and ice cream and THEN open his presents, so I reminded him of that and told him he had to wait until after we ate the cake and ice cream. Well, his curiosity really got the best of him :) He couldn't help but peek in the bag (that's what this picture is). Nana thought I was being mean, so she told him he could just open it up. It was just so cute to see him trying so hard not to open it, but still trying to see what it was. "What is it?? Is it mine?? Is it my special game??" Just a funny little kid :)

FINALLY!! :) It had been a few seconds of pure torture!

He is very content with his new "special game" as he calls it :)

Noah got to hold the batteries :)

And a big thank you hug.

Then we played "pin the spider on the web". Luke refused to be blindfolded, but he enjoyed watching everyone else play :) he's more of an observer anyway.

Here's Kelly, don't you just love how kids tip their heads back.....hmmmm.....I wonder why??

Here's Luke doing his (these pics are out of order apparently)

and bradley :)

and Kelly

Then Charity had a second try as "Nana's turn". She's such a goofy little girl. She totally kept peeking out of the bottom of the blindfold :) I wonder where these kids get their urge to cheat!

Oh, maybe from their Uncle Brent! HA! totally kidding :) Brent was a really good sport, playing the game with the kids :) Nate did it too....and Charlie- sorry no pics.

CHarity really went all over the room pretending she was confused :) what a goof.

The old comparison of the 6 months apart cousins :) Charlie really is catching up!

I love this picture :) Noah's bending down to make him feel better :)`

Kelly made up a fun little musical balloons game....everyone had fun playing that one.

Even Charlie.....although I don't think he had much choice :)

Luke felt really special all day and I LOVE that. I really do love that my kids have a whole day to feel like the coolest thing alive :) (hopefully they have more than just one, but at least this one :))

cute little "Chawlsly" as Brad calls him :)

getting ready to get the cake.

All the lights were turned off when I took this one....you really couldn't see a thing, how cool is that!

Blowing out the candles! He did so good!!

ya have to lick the candles!

And the big present! He was so cute while opening this. It's like kids can't even begin to look at the box or tell what it is until every little scrap of paper is off :) He was way cute opening his present. I love how he gets all shy when everyone's watching him or singing to him.

He felt pretty special to have a whole plate of brownies for himself as well....thanks again Brent and Sarah...

we were really happy that Luke liked his present. The kids all played basketball for at least an hour....it's so fun to have a basketball hoop again. It's just like the one we had to sell before we moved to AK.

Love this :)

Well, I thought Luke had a pretty special day. I love that he is getting so talkative these days. We ran into the Primary music person at the grocery store and even though Luke (since he's in Nursery) has only seen her a time or two, he remembered her and shouted out to her "Hey! You're my teacher!" Then carried on a whole conversation with her about his birthday and his cake and everything else he could think of. I just love that about him.

Some more things about Luke that I want to remember:

He is very loyal to his family members...no matter what, if anyone is being picked on (unless he's doing the picking of course :)) He is right there to defend them....no matter what the cost ;)

The other night after Nate had tucked the boys in, I was walking past their room and saying good night, and Luke shouted out "wait mom! I didn't give you a hug!" He had never done that before, so it was just way cute to hear. He gave me a big squeezy hug and then told me that he loved me and giggled :) I loved it.

He loves his Nursery class. There are only a few other kids in there with him, and they are all really young and basically just cry the entire time. Luke's teacher has said a number of times that Luke is like a little ray of sunshine in that class because he is just so happy :) I love that! I guess he just bounces around playing with everything showing no sign that the constant crying might be bothering him :) (maybe a result of all the training he's had with Noah, who knows) But I think it's nice that he is so happy there and loves to go so much.

He's really REALLY good at basketball. He makes about 90% of the shots he takes. It's fun to watch him play. He's very excited for himself and very confident. He says, "I'm so good at dis!" about once every 5 seconds.

He LOVES to watch people cook. Anytime he sees me in the kitchen he comes running in to watch (and taste test) every step of the way. I think it's cute that he is interested in it.

He's very good at climbing and good at taking initiative when something is not getting done in the time frame he would like :) Sometimes it is annoying, but overall, I think it's a good quality :)

HAPPY BIRTHDAY LUKE!!! He's three!!!

A Sleepy Head and A Big Boy

Ever since Nate's car broke we have been getting everyone up at 6:30 to take him to work. The kids have done pretty well with it, but sometimes we don't get them to bed as early as we should, and things like this happen the next day :) Luke accidentally fell asleep on the couch. He's not the easiest kid to get to take a nap, so I have to wait till it just happens. He does it pretty often, and he is always in the WEIRDEST positions!! I happened to get a picture of this one :)


This one didn't turn out very well because of the lighting in the room, but I just thought Noah looked so grown up! I turned around and there he was, picking out a crayon :) He is funny because he knows how to lay down on the floor on his tummy, crayon in hand and coloring book in reach, but he still has yet to learn how to actually color :) He looks so cute when he does it. Just like his big brothers and sisters :)