Splash Pad!

Today we went to a splash pad not too far from where we live.  I want to try out the other one on the other side of the town later this week.  They are pretty cool.  I like how I don't have to worry about anyone drowning and it's easy to keep an eye on them.  Plus there's playgrounds right near them too so it makes for fun picnicing as well.  Here's some pictures and a couple of real short funny videos of the evening we had.

Be Still

You'll have to pause the music player I have on this blog page to hear the song on this video.  I hope you all like it and it can bring you peace, should you need it.  It's something I felt inspired to put together last night.

Through Stormy Days

I don't know about you, but there are days when I'm just ready to quit.  I've had enough.  I can't take it anymore.  There are days when I'm just so tired of having to deal with what I've been handed out and I think to myself, why can't I just skip this part we call the earthly experience and go right on to eternity?  But then I sing songs like "Be Still My Soul", or I ponder art work aimed at Christ, or I read poems such as the one I have posted in this blog.

Some years ago I complained to a friend of mine that there must be something wrong with me, because the Lord hadn't really given me any difficult trials to overcome.  I kid you not, shortly after that, trial after trial started snowballing and hasn't stopped.  Be careful what you ask for!  But honestly, these trials, I am (in the end) grateful to have for two reasons.  One, because I know that the Lord must have tremendous faith in me and my abilities and what I can handle.  And Two, because they make me who I am.  They shape me.  They get me ready for the hereafter.  This poem is a help to me when I feel the need of words of comfort in especially down times.

What God Hath Promised

God hath not promised
Skies always blue,
Flower-strewn pathways
All our lives through;
God hath not promised
Sun without rain,
Joy without sorrow,
Peace without pain.

But God hath promised
Strength for the day,
Rest for the labor,
Light for the way,
Grace for the trials,
Help from above,
Unfailing sympathy,
Undying love.

by: Annie Johnson Flint

Goodbye Pluto

Today our family said goodbye to a canine companion we've had for several years now.  Because of circumstances beyond our control, we had to give Pluto up for adoption.  He will be missed by everyone in our family and even some friends.  We chose what we believe to be a great home for him with plenty of acreage to run and play.

Goodbye Pluto!  Thank you for being a loyal and fun-loving part of our family.  No dog will ever replace you.

Dishwasher War

So today (after having had a mentally and physically exhausting day) I was doing dishes before cooking dinner.  The dishwasher was just emptied and I was getting ready to load it.  One second, I'm surveying the dishes on the counter and the next second I hear a scream next to me.  Emery decided to take out the bottom rack, set it on the floor then, for reasons unknown, did a face plant onto the rack poking his right eye near his nose.  I quickly look down to see a little boy bent over, face in the rack.  It took a second for my brain to register just what had happened and then another second to register the possible outcomes.  I quickly grabbed him and examined his eye.

He had a big hole cut and was starting to bleed quite a bit.  I held him for a minute and he stopped crying.  Then I notice about two minutes later that blood was starting to come out of his nose.  I called my neighbor to get a second opinion on what I should do because Emery was no longer crying and his eye movement was normal.  So were his pupils.  She was gracious enough to volunteer to take me to insta-care to get him checked out.  My fear was that he had puncured all the way through and damaged something, especially since I had no idea how far he was poked.  I was also worried because he had already been experiencing his R.A.D. symptoms lately and anytime something big happens with him like teething or R.S.V. or Pneumonia or something it gets worse.  His osats today were 89/90.  About what I figured.  So looks like we get to battle with the nebulizer tonight (Emery loathes that thing).

Long story short, there is no lasting damage done.  It did not go all the way through the second layer of eyelid, just the first (didn't know there was more than one).  They were able to glue it shut instead of having to use stitches.  Thank goodness!!  A couple hours after getting home I started noticing bruises on his left side...poor thing!  Some people would say the dishwasher won.  I say Emery did.  He was a trooper!!  I hope tonight goes smoothly for him...and me.

Little Miss Naomi Update

So a few weeks ago Naomi had her two-month check-up (although she really was three months old at the time, we were in Oregon when she turned two months).  During that check-up I brought to my pediatrician's attention that Naomi wasn't lifting her head up on her own nor using her shoulder muscles.  She also hadn't turned yet.  I still have to support her head and I can't pick her up under her arms yet or she will slip through if I don't have a good grip.  The pediatrician explained that since Naomi was about a month early she has a corrective age.  So really, even though she was three months old, her corrective age was two months.  The pediatrician didn't seem overly concerned about it at time but did say to keep watch and gave me some tips on how to help Naomi out.  She did refer me to early intervention to have physical therapy come to the house and work with the baby.

Well, today she had a follow-up appointment.  She is now four months old (3 months corrected) and 12 lbs.  Having noticed that she's done a "little" better, she still has a long ways to go to catch up.  While she did show off for the pediatrician today, it wasn't what we had hoped all around.  So we have an appointment set up with the neurologist down by Primary Children's Hospital in Salt Lake.  The pediatrician wants to rule out thyroid issues or other things.  Still waiting on an appointment with early intervention too.  So it's a waiting game for now.  I'm a worry wort.  What can I say?  I hope it's nothing and that she is just a little behind and will catch up.  Socially, Naomi's doing wonderfully and even a hair ahead of what she should be, but physically, I can't help but fear it's something that is lurking inside her.  I'm sure I'm overreacting and I sure hope I am.  But prayers would be appreciated for the next month as we await our appointment downtown.

Other than that, she's such a doll.  Always smiling and cooing and even laughs at times if I'm "really" funny.  Her hair is still spazzy but we love it!  She's my little petite babydoll.