Wednesday, March 23, 2011
Saturday, March 19, 2011
Tuesday, March 8, 2011
Tuesdays are CANCELLED!
So I've decided (I'll let David know when he gets home) that we need a break from Tuesdays here at our house! Most people don't like Mondays because it means going back to work, but Tuesdays have quickly moved to the most dreaded days here at our house. Last Tuesday was when David got a call from a neighbor (who I was playing basketball with) saying I dislocated my finger and we spent 3 hours at the doctor getting it fixed and a splint/brace made. I'm so grateful for great friends and family who were so willing to help! Well, today, we thought we were safe from calling David with injuries since I am sitting out for at least 6 weeks from basketball...not the case. No, I didn't play basketball, but I did have to call David with an injury report.
So the kids and I were dancing to music from our piano (it has a ton of songs programmed in). We were supposed to just dance for a minute before getting ready to run to the grocery store for a few things. We were having such a great time that we danced to quite a few songs. I had just told the kids that we'd do "one more song and then we'd need to go to the bathroom, change Stockton's diaper, and get shoes on" so we could go. I turned to turn down the keyboard a little bit, and I heard a loud thump followed by screaming (which wasn't too abnormal for our kids to bonk something and then scream in reaction). I turned around and saw Tayah on her back with blood pooling up in her eye. I scooped her up and ran into the kitchen to get some towels to slow the flow of blood and find out where she was hurt. Meanwhile, I yelled to Kadence, get me a napkin, so she could help. I quickly saw that her eye was okay, but that she had "hole" in between her eyebrows. She had such a deep cut that the skin was stretched out and it looked like a hole! I quickly yelled to Kadence to bring me the phone knowing I needed to send Kadence & Stockton somewhere because we were about to make our first trip to Instacare.
I called Jenny (neighbor) and bless her heart, she understood enough of what I was saying (above Tayah's screams, I think I said something about "Tayah has a hole in her head-can you watch Kadence & Stockton?) to run straight over and after she saw our predicament, she told me she'd drive me over to Instacare. She took us over and dropped Tayah & I off (planning that we'd call her to pick us up when we were done). They had a nurse come out and look at her gash, and then recommended that we go to Utah Valley ER. She said that at this instacare, they don't sedate, and so chances were that she'd be fidgeting and uncomfortable and with the cut right in the middle of her face, it would probably not be a pretty scar. We were better off at the ER with a plastic surgeon (she called for me to make sure one was in today).
So Jenny had to load 4 kids back up in the car to come right back to pick us up. While we waited the 5 minutes for her, I called David from the Instacare and told him that we were headed to the hospital (I hadn't called him at this point because it all happened so quick). He was really surprised and I told him to just meet us at the ER in 20-25 minutes. Poor David didn't know what to expect-I think I just told him that she cut her face open, needed stitches, and we were being sent to the ER and to meet us there. By then, her cut wasn't really bleeding, so Jenny dropped me off at home so I could get the car and Tayah and I left for the hospital. We met David at the door to the ER and they took us right in. We had to wait a while in the room for the doctor to be ready to stitch her up. She didn't like the shot in the bum to sedate her, but she did great and they stitched her right up and we just had to wait a while for her to "wake up". It was almost like she was drunk as it started wearing off. When she finally tried to talk, her speech was a little slurred and her vision was blurred. She told me, "Mom, you have 10 eyes...see, one, two, three, four" (Apparently she only really saw 4). We came home several hours later, with her still dizzy and she wanted to just go to bed. The doctor said she's fine and we just have to go back in 5 days to get the top set of stitches out (it was so deep they had to sew the tissues together with dissolvable stitches before they could sew the skin together). So when asked how she did it, Tayah said, "I bonked my head on the wall". All I can figure out is that she must have tripped/stumbled and hit smack on the windowsill...it was the right height, and was the only thing that could have made that kind of a gash. Plus, she was laying flat on her back under it after it happened.
This is a picture I took really quickly as Jenny was getting her car (I think it looked worse in person, especially before it was cleaned up).
So the kids and I were dancing to music from our piano (it has a ton of songs programmed in). We were supposed to just dance for a minute before getting ready to run to the grocery store for a few things. We were having such a great time that we danced to quite a few songs. I had just told the kids that we'd do "one more song and then we'd need to go to the bathroom, change Stockton's diaper, and get shoes on" so we could go. I turned to turn down the keyboard a little bit, and I heard a loud thump followed by screaming (which wasn't too abnormal for our kids to bonk something and then scream in reaction). I turned around and saw Tayah on her back with blood pooling up in her eye. I scooped her up and ran into the kitchen to get some towels to slow the flow of blood and find out where she was hurt. Meanwhile, I yelled to Kadence, get me a napkin, so she could help. I quickly saw that her eye was okay, but that she had "hole" in between her eyebrows. She had such a deep cut that the skin was stretched out and it looked like a hole! I quickly yelled to Kadence to bring me the phone knowing I needed to send Kadence & Stockton somewhere because we were about to make our first trip to Instacare.
I called Jenny (neighbor) and bless her heart, she understood enough of what I was saying (above Tayah's screams, I think I said something about "Tayah has a hole in her head-can you watch Kadence & Stockton?) to run straight over and after she saw our predicament, she told me she'd drive me over to Instacare. She took us over and dropped Tayah & I off (planning that we'd call her to pick us up when we were done). They had a nurse come out and look at her gash, and then recommended that we go to Utah Valley ER. She said that at this instacare, they don't sedate, and so chances were that she'd be fidgeting and uncomfortable and with the cut right in the middle of her face, it would probably not be a pretty scar. We were better off at the ER with a plastic surgeon (she called for me to make sure one was in today).
So Jenny had to load 4 kids back up in the car to come right back to pick us up. While we waited the 5 minutes for her, I called David from the Instacare and told him that we were headed to the hospital (I hadn't called him at this point because it all happened so quick). He was really surprised and I told him to just meet us at the ER in 20-25 minutes. Poor David didn't know what to expect-I think I just told him that she cut her face open, needed stitches, and we were being sent to the ER and to meet us there. By then, her cut wasn't really bleeding, so Jenny dropped me off at home so I could get the car and Tayah and I left for the hospital. We met David at the door to the ER and they took us right in. We had to wait a while in the room for the doctor to be ready to stitch her up. She didn't like the shot in the bum to sedate her, but she did great and they stitched her right up and we just had to wait a while for her to "wake up". It was almost like she was drunk as it started wearing off. When she finally tried to talk, her speech was a little slurred and her vision was blurred. She told me, "Mom, you have 10 eyes...see, one, two, three, four" (Apparently she only really saw 4). We came home several hours later, with her still dizzy and she wanted to just go to bed. The doctor said she's fine and we just have to go back in 5 days to get the top set of stitches out (it was so deep they had to sew the tissues together with dissolvable stitches before they could sew the skin together). So when asked how she did it, Tayah said, "I bonked my head on the wall". All I can figure out is that she must have tripped/stumbled and hit smack on the windowsill...it was the right height, and was the only thing that could have made that kind of a gash. Plus, she was laying flat on her back under it after it happened.
This is a picture I took really quickly as Jenny was getting her car (I think it looked worse in person, especially before it was cleaned up).
Sunday, March 6, 2011
"Mommy's Finger is Funny"
Okay, so funny wasn't the word I'd use :). As you can see from the photo above, it was bent backward. We ran the children to my parents and dashed to the doctor's (one of the women playing with them happened to have a PA husband). Turns out it wasn't a break, but a severe dislocation. He numbed it, popped it into place and we had a splint made. Four hours later, we had her home with a good story to tell.
At least she got hurt playing basketball. If you're going to get hurt, it may as well happen while doing something celestial!
Wednesday, March 2, 2011
February Nuts and Bolts
Without further adieu, here are some of our adventures from February:
· Our highlight was our second trip to Disneyland within 10 months…and this was even better! We were able to time it right, planning around the busy holidays and the upcoming Spring breaks. As a result, the lines were great…especially on one of the rainy days. We stayed at a nice hotel ¾ mile away. The children were wonderful, although Stockton was much more of a handful this time around. They met their share of friends: Rapunzel, Flynn, Mickey, Pluto, Goofy, Woody, Jessie, Chip and Dale, Jasmine, Aladdin, Aurora, and Snow White. We loved it! There is just something magical about Disneyland, especially to see the excitement of our sweet kids.
· Kadence turned five…absolutely incredible! We had a family outing to Pirate Island, a party with seven cute friends, and spent her actual day going to church and driving to Las Vegas! She loves her Rapunzel doll, her Princess piggy bank, books, oodles of toys and art supplies, clothes, etc.
· I went to the BYU Football signing day lunch with Dad.
· We took the kids to see Jimmer and the Jimmerites, a.k.a. BYU Basketball. It was Stockton’s first game. We loved it and love the way our team is playing!
· Elizabeth went to our monthly Relief Society meeting, as well as book group. She and the kids also frequent a weekly play group.
· I had lunch with three of my best friends growing up, one who was in town, the other two who also work at BYU. It was a reminder of how blessed we’ve been with wonderful friends!
· We celebrated Chinese New Year’s in style, dinner out w/ our family and a potluck with the extended, at our house to celebrate February birthdays.
· Church activities: ward baptisms, ward conference (Elizabeth and I were able to sing in the choir), stake conference with Elder Wheeler of the Seventy (I was able to sing in a Priesthood double quartet), Blue and Gold banquet, the Worldwide Leadership training (that I was not in this time!), ward high priests social
· Date nights: ward Valentine’s Day party, complete with dinner and dance instruction; wallyball with ward friends, dinner out with ward friends before stake conference.
· Two very unexpected things occurred: Jazz coach Jerry Sloan retired after 22 years and All-Star Deron Williams was traded to New Jersey. If you haven’t been reading my blog, first repent and then make amends. I usually post Wednesdays and Sundays at http://www.utahjazz360.com/.
· Stockton is signing and saying more words each day. So very fun! One more month to Nursery!
· Tayah loves writing letters, cards, and drawing pictures to give to family and friends. Ditto for Kadence.
· We’ll see if that Groundhog is right…so far, doesn’t look so!
Saturday, February 26, 2011
Recent Adventures
Although we're nearing the end of February, here are our adventures from January, courtesy of the Smith Family Nuts and Bolts newsletter:
January highlights/events
• Ushered in 2011 by all being asleep when the clock struck midnight in Utah. We felt okay about that as we had been awake for most of the world’s midnight celebrations already. Happy New Year all!
• We went about the resolution process individually and as a family and so far, so good (midway through February). These include scripture reading, temple attendance, FHE, father’s interviews, etc. Kadence has been our instigator for the scriptures goal: “We need to read scriptures Daddy!”
• I’ve gotten back into playing basketball with our ward, playing once a week more often than not. Elizabeth has also been playing basketball and volleyball with ward teams. We’ve also been going on a monthly wallyball date night with great friends from our neighborhood. Being more active? Check.
• Participated in ward sealings.
• Elizabeth has been busy with her ward missionary calling, going on regular visits and teaching gospel essentials.
• We had a great family lunch up at Darrell and Tanya’s.
• I have been a firsthand witness to the worst string of Utah Jazz basketball we’ve seen in years. Really hard to be excited about how things are going this season. Sigh…
• On the other hand, we’ve also been able to join in Jimmer mania. The excitement on campus is truly palpable. It’s been an amazing season…just need to keep it up through March!
• We discovered that Stockton has the most incredible knack for spotting a ball anywhere. A son after my own heart!
• Chuck-a-Rama with the Smith Family is always great. Happy Birthday everyone!
• Oddly enough, I had a ten-day headache that was excruciatingly painful…enough to sit out a day of work (and parts of others) and to warrant a doctor’s visit. No clear explanation, but most likely due to sinus issues (and Utah Jazz woes).
• Our bishop and I were able to be the priesthood chaperones for our Young Women winter retreat up at Aspen Grove. With all the activities, skits, workshops, etc., this was an amazing success. Unfortunately it happened to coincide with this migraine spell. Still very grateful to have gone.
• Other church things: wonderful fifth Sunday lesson about validation in marriage and families, baptism preview, annual PPIs with our auxiliary/quorum presidencies, YM/YW 2011 theme fireside, Tayah’s first talk in Primary (she did so good!).
• Kadence is getting better and better at recognizing and figuring our words. She’s on the verge of being a reader quite soon. She is such a nurturer with Stockton; she dotes on him and he adores both his sisters. She continues to love preschool, bringing home amazing projects and excitement as she talks about the things she’s learning.
• Tayah also is loving preschool and playing more and more with friends. She’s a social butterfly. She has quite a temper, which is oodles of fun. She’s doing a stellar job pottywise, as are her parents.
• Stockton’s our little communicator, picking up more words and signs. He walks around all day calling out “Mama,” which is stroking Elizabeth’s ego (not really ). He is a handful—constantly moving, full of curiosity, and never lacking on energy. Last time I checked, that was the definition of a baby boy.
• Elizabeth and I are still very boring. If anything, we love being parents to these three angels. While they keep us on our toes, they bring us more happiness than we could ever imagine.
January highlights/events
• Ushered in 2011 by all being asleep when the clock struck midnight in Utah. We felt okay about that as we had been awake for most of the world’s midnight celebrations already. Happy New Year all!
• We went about the resolution process individually and as a family and so far, so good (midway through February). These include scripture reading, temple attendance, FHE, father’s interviews, etc. Kadence has been our instigator for the scriptures goal: “We need to read scriptures Daddy!”
• I’ve gotten back into playing basketball with our ward, playing once a week more often than not. Elizabeth has also been playing basketball and volleyball with ward teams. We’ve also been going on a monthly wallyball date night with great friends from our neighborhood. Being more active? Check.
• Participated in ward sealings.
• Elizabeth has been busy with her ward missionary calling, going on regular visits and teaching gospel essentials.
• We had a great family lunch up at Darrell and Tanya’s.
• I have been a firsthand witness to the worst string of Utah Jazz basketball we’ve seen in years. Really hard to be excited about how things are going this season. Sigh…
• On the other hand, we’ve also been able to join in Jimmer mania. The excitement on campus is truly palpable. It’s been an amazing season…just need to keep it up through March!
• We discovered that Stockton has the most incredible knack for spotting a ball anywhere. A son after my own heart!
• Chuck-a-Rama with the Smith Family is always great. Happy Birthday everyone!
• Oddly enough, I had a ten-day headache that was excruciatingly painful…enough to sit out a day of work (and parts of others) and to warrant a doctor’s visit. No clear explanation, but most likely due to sinus issues (and Utah Jazz woes).
• Our bishop and I were able to be the priesthood chaperones for our Young Women winter retreat up at Aspen Grove. With all the activities, skits, workshops, etc., this was an amazing success. Unfortunately it happened to coincide with this migraine spell. Still very grateful to have gone.
• Other church things: wonderful fifth Sunday lesson about validation in marriage and families, baptism preview, annual PPIs with our auxiliary/quorum presidencies, YM/YW 2011 theme fireside, Tayah’s first talk in Primary (she did so good!).
• Kadence is getting better and better at recognizing and figuring our words. She’s on the verge of being a reader quite soon. She is such a nurturer with Stockton; she dotes on him and he adores both his sisters. She continues to love preschool, bringing home amazing projects and excitement as she talks about the things she’s learning.
• Tayah also is loving preschool and playing more and more with friends. She’s a social butterfly. She has quite a temper, which is oodles of fun. She’s doing a stellar job pottywise, as are her parents.
• Stockton’s our little communicator, picking up more words and signs. He walks around all day calling out “Mama,” which is stroking Elizabeth’s ego (not really ). He is a handful—constantly moving, full of curiosity, and never lacking on energy. Last time I checked, that was the definition of a baby boy.
• Elizabeth and I are still very boring. If anything, we love being parents to these three angels. While they keep us on our toes, they bring us more happiness than we could ever imagine.
Saturday, February 12, 2011
Kadence's Birthday!
Excuse me while I pick myself up off the floor, realizing that our little baby will be five years old Sunday. It's mind boggling. We are so, so very grateful for our Kadence. She is so sweet, caring, loving, fun and we cannot imagine life without her.
We've been celebrating all week! Thursday night, we went to Pirate Island as a family (a local children's place with a, you guessed it, pirate motif). It's not the most kid-friendly place for little ones, but we had a fun time.
It didn't take Stockton long to get the hang of these rides...gearing him up for Disneyland!
We've been celebrating all week! Thursday night, we went to Pirate Island as a family (a local children's place with a, you guessed it, pirate motif). It's not the most kid-friendly place for little ones, but we had a fun time.
Kadence having a ball!
It didn't take Stockton long to get the hang of these rides...gearing him up for Disneyland!
Arrggghhh ye matey! We love our Tayah too...
Friday was Kadence's birthday party with all her cute friends. Eight three-five year-old olds = a lot of giggling, dancing, playing, hugging, and laughing. So much fun! Stockton was astounded by all the femaleness here. I told him he'd one day enjoy it in this neighborhood (where the female to male ratio is rather stilted!).
The obligatory silly shot!
And lastly, Elizabeth's masterpiece of a cake...a butterfly as our sweet girl requested. We love you Kadence!
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