Home Again Home Again

Each time we move to a new state we attempt to take in the sights and attractions that each particular area has to offer. Steven took the week off so we decided to head out and enjoy the sights and attractions of Tennessee. Our first stop was Chattanooga where we spent the first day hiking through an area called Rock City. Along with fun trails and the steepest railway in the world they had a beautiful area called Ruby Falls. The total hike is about one mile and you walk through a cave with tight walls and stalagmites all around you. At the end of the trail you gather in a large dark area where you can hear water loudly running but unsure of what exactly to expect until they turn on the lights and streaming down before you is a 145 foot underground waterfall. It was cool.






The next day we decided to hit the aquarium. They had some amazing exhibits and great aquatic life to see and touch. Before leaving we caught a 3D IMAX film that showed all types of ocean life at a VERY up close distance. I was more than happy to be saftly in my seat instead of actually diving down below to find these animals and the best part was watching the girls reach their hands out with each new species to attempt petting them. Thatcher refused to wear his glasses and ended up falling asleep thanks to a darkened room and soothing ocean waves. With the exception of Thatcher's lack of interest in the movie I think the kids loved this place more than anywhere we visited.



From there we headed two hours north to Pigeon Forge, TN. Come on, you can't leave TN without at least visting Dollywood once. Our original plan was to try out the theme park one day and the water park the next, however, after a ride down the "River Rampage" with little Kadyn crying and screaming at the top of her lungs "I want to get off this ride", "I don't want to get wet anymore", we decided to forgo the following day of water rides and spend the time with more relaxing activities. They had a blast with the remainder of Dollywood's rides and Ryley got especially daring with her Daddy in riding the more "adult" ones as well. She was very proud of the fact that at over 42" tall she had joined an exclusive club that her sister and brother could not yet meet. I of course was more of a sideline participate this trip with my doctor reminding me that the scrambler and 22 weeks pregnant do not mix. We had lots of fun each day in the pool and our relaxing day was well spent swimming, putt-putting, and playing at the arcade. Kadyn was excited to return home but Ryley began to cry. When asked why she answered through tears, "I loved that hotel room with bunk beds and the bagels". We promised that family vacations were an annual thing and while we don't have bunk beds here at the house I could definitely buy her some bagels.



It was a great trip, with the best part being no worries and no responsibilites - just family and fun. Of course, with wonderful family fun also comes exhaustion so after returning home Steven and I snuck away Sat. evening for one last night of "vacation" and hit the town for dinner and a movie. Come on now, Mom and Dad can have a little fun too!

Girls Night Out

When I got sick at the start of last week my ultimate goal was to be better by the weekend due to some very important plans I had made. It took all week to slowly regain my health and strength but luckily by the weekend I was well enough to attend our girls night out. A local high school theatre company was performing "Beauty and the Beast" and Ryley, Kadyn, and I had front row seats. It was incredible too. I hesitate in even mentioning "high school" because there was nothing "high school" about it and truly it was one of the most amazing productions I have ever seen on a local level. The talent, the costumes, the live orchestra, the special effects, the sets; it was awesome!

Ryley and Kadyn loved every minute, and for a three-hour show, that's a lot of minutes! They could not take their eyes off the stage and tried to take in each little thing that was happening all around the set. At the end of the performance they walked into the hall and waited for 15 minutes for "Belle" and "The Beast" to change and come down stairs. It was funny to watch their reactions as different "characters" came out the door, and even though they were back in regular clothes, the girls knew immediately who each one was and together would giggle and say, "oh, that was Chip", or "he was the bad guy". When Belle and the Beast came out they waved and asked for a picture. I know it must have been a long day for these students but they were so nice and more than happy to answer questions and take pictures. I was grateful for their kindness to my little ones who thought it was the best thing ever to finally meet "Beauty" and "The Beast".

I'm Grateful For....

Let me begin by saying this past week I have learned that pregnancy and the stomach flu do not mix well! It has been a week that I hope to forget quickly and never again experience. I guess with the bitter comes the sweet and with awful sickness you are reminded of all the wonderful blessings around you. Therefore, this week I am grateful for...

priesthood blessings,

a husband who can run home and take over,

Imodium, Tylenol, and Gatorade,

little girls who slip "get well" cards in my hands each day,

a little boy who would stand by my bed and say "Mama, sick?",

the fresh air after being inside for two days, AND

a body's ability to fight off illness when necessary.

Clarification and Addition

A friend kindly posted a comment with the phrase "super mom" attached. It got me thinking about the way moms are perceived by the general public.

In my personal experience, there is a phenomenon that takes place (if you live anywhere outside of Utah or Idaho) where if you enter a store or building with more than 2.5 children you are suddenly bombarded with comments and questions that usually go something like this:

"Wow, you have your hands full"

"Boy, I'd be going crazy if I were you"

Or my personal favorite lately- "You're having another one?!"

In most cases all comments are made with humor and kindness, and there's no doubt my little ones love the attention. Nevertheless, it's a very odd thing that takes place almost daily. Now, this could very well be a personal experience that just happens to me (perhaps I look the part of a "frazzled, hair in pony tail, can't find my grocery list" mom), but I'm choosing to believe this is a common occurrence with others out there as well.

Therefore, I must say that I believe the title "super mom" applies to anyone that has the ability to juggle more than one child at a time.

So for all you caregivers out there, there is no better time of year than now to proclaim you are all "super moms"


(WARNING: TWILIGHT AND HARRY POTTER SPOILERS BELOW)
In addition, another friend posted a link on her website to the trailer for Twilight!I know ladies, no film in this world could compete with your own personal imagination and bring the emotions that one receives when collapsing on the forest floor when Edward leaves while every moment waiting for him to return, or walking by yourself into the wilderness to face Voldomort one last time, all the while your loved ones from beyond following near by to remind you of their love and that you're never truly alone. (I bawled during that part)

While those feelings can never truly be re-created I did think that the trailer looked pretty decent, and perhaps if we enter the theatre with a optimistic and positive attitude we may be able to enjoy a descent chick flick, with that large tub of buttered popcorn being a definite bonus as well!

(Trailer below)

http://www.twilightthemovie.com/

How Time Flies

May 4, 2000




She Says:
3.5 children
5 states
2 apartments
3 rental homes
4 yrs. medical school
1 internship
1 residency
1 mortgage
and countless blessing throughout

EQUALS

Eight Great Years and still a relatively good looking couple

Hospital Havoc

Throughout medical school Steven would return home and share stories or events that would happen where a child or individual ended up in the ER. I would comment with each story how if something ever happened while I was here at home I would completely freak out and not know what to do. With that response Steven has been able to coach me over the past years on what to do if such and such happens - the number one thing of course being to stay calm. Alright, good advice, makes sense, but come on stay calm - what if one of my babies is bleeding amounts more than a band aid can handle, what then? Well, unfortunately on Wed. I experienced the answer to "what then".

Kadyn has a best friend (Noah). They play together great and one of their favorite things to do is hunt for treasure with a game Steven gave me a few years ago. It has heavy "gold" coins and beautiful gems that the kids love. I hide small amounts of treasure all around the house with an "X" over it (to mark the spot of course) and they walk around with velvet pouches and a map to try and find each treasure. They had been busy playing this game for over an hour and to be honest I was just about treasured out. I left the room to hide one final "treasure" and while I was gone they had fun running "the circle". You know, the necessary circle that runs complete from kitchen to living room to dining room and back through kitchen. From what Kadyn tells me she came towards the kitchen entry and turned to look for Thatch but when she turned back she hit the corner of the wall instead. I immediately heard her cries and as I walked toward her I called out, "come here and let Momma kiss it". When I turned the corner and saw her I was in complete shock. There was blood everywhere. In her hair, running down her face, and all over her clothes. I scooped her up and ran to my bathtub where I proceeded to clean her off as best I could so that I could see the area that was bleeding. The blood was really upsetting Kadyn so I grabbed a dark blue hand towel and used that to apply pressure while I cleaned the rest of her off.

To shorten the story let's just say that my awesome neighbors, who call me super Mom, came to give me a second opinion that "yes, she would need to go to the ER". They told me they were impressed with how calm I was and it's because I'm super Mom and I said, "just give me a few more minutes and you'll witness super mom quickly disintegrate into nothing". They helped me gather everything needed and then transferred all car seats and took Thatcher and Noah to lunch while I ran to the hospital. The doctor said if the cut had not been such a perfect line he would have to use stitches. Since it would align perfectly when pinched back together dermabond glue appeared to be a better option than convincing a four year old to hold still while stitching her up. It was not one of Kadyn's finer days but she was definitely a trooper for such a hard ordeal and within hours was back to herself with her same sweet smile.

Fire House Fieldtrip

We have continued to enjoy the warm weather throughout this week. On Monday our playgroup went to the fire station. Kadyn loved climbing around in the truck and thought it was so funny when the fireman began demonstrating the stop, drop, and roll technique. Thatcher was not excited about climbing into the truck but was gracious enough to sit on the front fender to take a picture.

The firemen were telling us stories about the crazy and humorous calls they receive from individuals and I bowed my head in shame remembering not to long ago that I was one of them. I accidentally locked Kadyn in the car when she was nine months or so. It was early in the morning so the temperature wasn't bad and looking back I could have just as easily called Steven at the hospital and had him come unlock the door, but did I do that? Nope, I immediately dialed 911 and dramatically explained how my child was locked in the car. Within minutes you could hear the sirens a few blocks away, that continued to get louder until the fire truck pulled up to our house. The entire time I am frantically peeking through the windows to check on her while she giggles uncontrollably thinking that Mommy is playing a very funny game. Oh well, you live you learn. (I think I say that alot - it may have to become my life's theme!)