Just one of those days

I have been so busy and need to catch up on posting but for now I wanted to explain what happened today. 

We were invited over to a friends house for lunch.  Mr H. was going to help them fix their seatbealts in their van and in turn they fed us crepe's with chicken, brie, apples, and veggies.  It was so yummy!  I'm definately going to have to remember that one.  After lunch Mr H. fixed the belts, KK played with their 7 children, and us moms talked while making sugar cookie batter.  We let the kids use the Christmas cookie cutters and we baked the cookies.  We had to roll the dough out again after the dough was cut into Christmas shapes and out of nowhere KK slipped off the chair, knocked his chin on the corner of the wooden bench and fell face first onto the floor.  I was RIGHT next to him and I watched it all in slow motion...I couldn't grab him in time. 

He was crying so hard, I picked him up and I realized his chin was split open and blood was trickling down his neck. The other mom got a wet wash cloth and an ice pack for KK.  The wet wash cloth seemed to help the most.  KK had a hard time settling down. He really knocked himself good.

I thought about taking him to get stitches (he may have gotten a couple or they may have just used dermabond), but I figured that it was more trauma for him to have a numbing "shot" and see the suture coming at him than it was for it to just heal on its own. 

I did pick up butterfly closures at CVS on the way home and pulled the wound together, to help it heal better.  Also during the fall, KK bit his tongue really badly, and it was bleeding pretty good.  He's having a hard time talking because his tongue hurts so much...it's actually bruised!  I didn't know tongues could bruise...but they can!  Do you see that mark that looks like a scratch to the left of KK's boo-boo?  He did that by falling with a large book in his arms and the book's corner caught his jaw, he now has a small scar there too. 

 After the KK started to feel a little better after the fall he got to go outside and play in their tree house. which has it's very own zip line!  How cool is that!?  KK went zip lining probably around 10 times.  He totally forgot about his owie and no longer wanted to go home...he wanted to stay and play.  Mr H. even took a turn on the zip line!

Tonight we went to a drive-through lighting display.  KK was having a blast pointing to all of the different lights and such.  We had an awesome time!  And as I was putting KK to bed he asked if I could sleep with him...how could I say no!?

You see the bandaid falling off?

I'm sure there will be more bumps and bruises...I'm just glad that KK bounces back so quickly. 

My Little Artist

KK loves to draw. I mean, he LOVES drawing, painting, coloring. Everywhere we go, he has his tote with his many supplies. Currently, he's been writing letters with his drawings...titles per se. These are some of his renditions.

 

Don't I look scary!?

My sis, RR drew this

 <center>We let him paint the pizza box.  Do you see all of he words he wrote? [Mom, Dad, Poop!?]  What am I going to dowith this boy!?</center>

Attiude of Gratitude

I should be working on the Community paper, High acuity cinical concept map, and my teaching project.  But I wanted to take a little time to make a list of things that I am thankful for, because admist the chaos I have a lot to be thankful for.

My parents - As both my parents and myself have grown we have such an awesome connection.  They are so supportive of me and my education (10 + years-worth).  They love my son and I never have to worry when he is over there.  They are more understanding and more accepting of things than they used to be.  My mom makes the best apple pie.  My dad continually gets on the floor and plays with KK.  I don't remember either of my grandfather's rolling around on the ground with us grandkids, but my dad does.  And most of all he loves my mom, he's taught his children how a man should treat his wife, and in turn, us girls have tried to find men of equal quality as eternal companions.

My siblings - I love them all and they drive me nuts at the same time.  Growing up as the oldest of 6, in a 3 bedroom, 1 bathroom house made for some crazy times.  We have so many inside jokes and crazy stories (Remember the time when...).  It's funny to get together and start talking about the kind of trouble we used to get into.  One day I'm going to write a book for the family detailing these funny moments...

JEM - She is the cutest niece that I have ever met.  She LOVES KK and calls him Day-Day.  She is so super smart.  She can say, juice, mama, dada, day-day, no, and a couple other words I can't think of.  She goes at her own pace...learning to roll over, crawl, and walk.  She is so happy.  I just wanna squeeze her all of the time. 

Friends - I can count on my one hand how many close friends I have had in my life.  I value the relationship that I have with people but rarely do people get to see the real me.  I hide a lot from people...I show them a facade, I have been burned too much and I don't trust people.  But there are a few people who have gotten to know me and love me for the wy I am.  I have met some of the coolest people, who have been able to get me out of my shell and start trusting people again.  You know who you are and I lov you for that

My home - When we married we moved from a 1 bedroom apartment with 4 people to a 2 bedroom, 2 bath condo with a backyard.  We were so blessed and thankful about the circumstances which brought us to live here.  We love our little home.  It is perfect for our family right now. 

Mr H.'s job - without it we would not be able to pay bills.  My job only helps out a little, the majority of our oney comes from his job.  It'll be a good transition when I start working, then he will be able to focus on his schooling.

Food - we don't go to bed hungry and for that I am thankful

KK - I don't think words can express how much he means to me.  He has been with me through thick and thin...he has been my rock and the reason I woke up in the mornings.  He is the reason I am still persuing my education.  I love him so much he makes me laugh!  And he makes me realize that there is so much more I need to teach him while we are still here on earth.  A couple nights ago he was having a very hard time and he was very emotional (crying so much he couldn't breathe).  He was upset because he didn't want to move away for college.  I told him that he didn't have to move away that he could stay here and go to college.  I just held him and explained how college worked and then there was a knock on my door and my mom came over (she was dropping off dessert) and she helped to calm him.  Then, before bed he started crying again and worrying about dying.  He was upset about all of his fish and other animals that have died.  He was scared to be alone when he dies.  He worried about what would happen to him if I died.  We talked about heaven and Jesus and how he would never be alone.  I told him that when he gets to heaven he might have this huge house where all of his loved pets and family members are waiting for him.  He would be able to play video games and eat all of the ice cream he wants without getting a tummy ache.  Then he asked when I would die and I told him, "not until I'm really old!"  He looked puzzled and said, "but mom, old people don't like video games!"  We laughed and that made him calm down so that he could go to sleep.  I love that boy so much.

Mr H. - Have I ever mentioned how lucky I am to have him in my life?  He is a great man, husband, and father.  He treats me so good and makes me feel like a queen.  He buys me roses every so often, just because.  We enjoy the same kind of movies and he's always willing to watch a chick flick with me.  He still dates me, meaning that he still likes to plan out dates for us and keeps me guessing and makes me feel wanted.  I know that he will never be unfaithful to me.  And he loves my son. 

There are many more things to be thankful for but these are the top things am thankful for today.

My Weirdo Boy

Stomach Pains

Today was not a productive day.  I had all intentions of studying and cleaning but that didn't happen.  I had a Dr. appt today to remove my IUD, but on the way there I had extreme stomach pain.  I'm not really sure what was going on, but it hurt!  The appt went well, I didn't feel it at all, which was a relief because I almost passed out when it was first inserted. 

When I was home I tried getting something to eat and my stomach just wasn't having it.  Any time I drank or ate anything my stomach had severe, sharp, cramping, pain.  Needless to say I have hardly eaten anything all day. 

KK tried jumping up and having me catch him but I told him that my stomach hurt and he said, "Maybe you're getting pregnant!"  I just started laughing.  He says the funniest things.

And BTW, I REALLY hope it's not my gallbladder...but that could explain my heartburn.  I don't have time for that.  Keep me in your thoughts though!

Second Baby Tooth

KK lost his 2nd baby tooth today.  He showed me how loose it was and I couldn't resist.  I LOVE pulling teeth (I also LOVE popping zits...Don't judge!)!  It was SUCH a temptation to not pull it right away.  I wanted to be patient, so we put orajel aroundthe tooth and continued to wiggle it.  KK was so nervous that he wanted to wait until tomorrow.  I began begging him for me to pull it right then and there...then the begging turned into bribbing.  So far I owe him 3 new games on the ipad and a haircut.  The bribe that did it, you ask!?  He wanted to go to Mimi and Papa's.  So as soon as I pulled that sucker out we headed to my parents house.  KK did well when I pulled his tooth...he only cried when he saw the blood.  I think the orajel helped a lot, which I will be using from now on.  He made the tooth fairy a picture and asked her to keep his tooth.  My baby is growing up...I can't believe he is losing teeth when it seemed like only a couple of months ago I felt his first tooth come in.  Before I know it he'll be graduating high school!  It's just not fair!

Life

Life is so hard right now...that is all I have to say

KK's quote of the Day

We were in the car getting ready to go to Chick-fil-a for dinner, since kids eat free on Tuesday's.  KK is in the backseat and says, quite proudly, "Mom, I'm going to be the best teenager for you!"  I asked him what made him say that and he told me that he doesn't want to be bad like G, he wants to listen to his parents and be a good big brother by babysitting JEM and his other sisters. 

He makes my heart melt.  I'm not sure what provoked him to say that, other than when I picked him up from my sister's house, he was changing JEM's diaper all by himself.  He really will be a great big brother someday.  I am so lucky to have him in my life!

Star Students

Today was picture day for KK.  Mr H. needed to get him ready for his big day because I would be at clinical.  I told him to make KK look "handsome", I wanted him to have a nice shirt on and gel in his hair.  KK took his sweet time eating breakfast so Mr H. didn't have time gel his hair but told me that he made him look "handsome".

On the bus, KK was playing around and hit his nose on the window.  He said he was trying to be brave, but cried a little bit.  He began to have a bloody nose and got it all over his shorts.  Luckily, he said he didn't get it all over his shirt. 

He went to the clinic and the nurse helped him to get it stopped.  When he went back to his classroom he was told that he was a "Star Student" and he got to wear a red badge with his name on it.  He was his teacher's special helper and he even got to be the line leader.  He was very proud and happy about it. 

Today was my first day of clinical this semester.  I am currently taking 3 classes and have 2 clinicals.  This is my last didactic semester!  Spring semester I will do my preceptorship and come April 27th I will have my BSN!  I just gotta get through these classes first.  Starting with these clincials.  I am on my high acuity clinical, which means that I am doing a lot more interventions for seriously ill patients.  I am getting a lot of opportunities for experiences I have not been able to have before now.  I was able to do SOOO much today.  I learned so much from the nurses, they are such a wealth of knowledge.  Today was a good clinical day. 

During post conference with our clinical instructor, one of the nurse manager's was in there with us.  Before we got started she asked, "Who had Mrs. ABC?"  I was a little nervous as I rose my hand slowly thinking I did something wrong.  She asked me what my name was and then she told us, as a clinical class, that she is responsible for meeting with each of the patients everyday and asking them about how things are going and if there is anything they can do to make their stay better.  She then told me that Mrs. ABC was very nervous to have a student working with her.  But as the nurse manager sat down with her today Mrs. ABC told her that she was very happy with her care...that I went above and beyond her expectations.  Mrs. ABC told her that I conducted myself in such a way that showed my competency.  The nurse manager thanked me for upholding that standard of care...that I was a great example for all fellow and future student nurses.  I guess you could say that I was a "Star Student" today!  I was so elated and overjoyed to hear that.  First of all, it feel good to be recognized for the work you do.  Secondly, I am grateful for Mrs. ABC letting the nurse manager know about her care.  She could have just said that "everything was good and there was nothing more to be done during her stay".  I just hope that I didn't make my clinical instructor think that I am this really smart student nurse...because I'm not, I just show a great facade.  lol

Tonight when I came home, Mr H. had gone to the store and was grilling dinner.  I know, he loves me!  We ate, we read scriptures, prayed, and KK got ready for bed.  When I put KK to bed, I didn't feel like reading Harry Potter so I asked if he wanted to play.  So we played for a little while then I asked to wiggle his tooth.  He has 3 loose teeth and I'm so EXCITED about it!  I love pulling teeth (sounds crazy huh!?)  I pulled most all of my siblings teeth.  Why, you say, did I pull my siblings teeth!?  Well, it all started when I had a loose tooth at about age 12, it was loose but not LOOSE!  I knew it wasn't ready to come out, but I trusted my mom when she said she was only going to "look and wiggle"  Instead she grabbed that tooth and yanked.  I yelled!  She didn't even get the tooth completely out, it was hanging on barely by my gum.  Mom grabbed it again and yanked it out the rest of the way.  I took a look at he tooth and there was a bloody mess of gum on my tooth.  That tooth wasn't ready to come out and from that day forward, I stopped believing my mom when it came to my teeth...or anyone else's for that matter.  I always questioned her from then on.  So I told my siblings to NEVER go see mom with their loose teeth...come to me, because I would be truthful about it.  And all of my siblings did come to me with their loose teeth and I pulled them suckers out (once they were ripe and ready)!

So when I wiggled it tonight and it felt more loose I told myself that tonight is the night, I WILL pull that tooth out!  I wiggled it and felt a crackling and knew that I was minutes away from pulling that sucker out!  The whole time I would ask if I was hurting him and he said it didn't hurt.  We came into the TV room where Mr H. was and KK at on my lap, I told him that I could pull it out if he wanted.  He was excited about it, then scared, then laughing, then crying.  He was a mess.  I tried pulling it once and it slipped.  KK wanted to wait for tomorrow I told him that I will try one more time and if I don't get it then we will wait for tomorrow. I grabbed the tooth with a tissue and twisted and pulled and it came right out. 

 

KK looked at the tooth, smiled, and said, "it's not that big!" That's why it's a BABY tooth! I asked him if it hurt, he said no. He looked in the mirror and started to cry about his gum and how it has a hole in it and it was bleeding. I think he was just tired so we went to his room after putting his tooth in a plastic baggy. He had stopped crying once he put his tooth under the pillow. We laid down and KK started crying again saying how much he's going to miss his tooth and he didn't want the tooth fairy to take his tooth...that he didn't want anything bad to happen to his tooth. So I told him I would write a note for the tooth fairy, telling her not to take his tooth.  And she didn't, she also gave him $3 and 3 new games on the Ipad!  He's lucky, I remember only getting a couple of quarters!

Families are Forever

On the 15th we woke up and got ready for family pictures and of course G was taking his sweet time showering when there were 5 other people who needed to use the same bathroom...annoying!  But here are some of the pictures of Mr H.'s side of the family.  His family includes older sister (CC), husband (RC), son (R), and daughter (N).  He has a younger sister (SB), husband (S), and son (M).  And we can't forget Mr H.'s mom, Grandma Ruth!

 

Once the pictures were taken we needed to get G right to school, but before that he needed to go back to his apartment to change and grab his school stuff.  Once at the school, G had missed 3 classes and Mr H. wanted to meet and talk with G's wrestling coach.  Unfortunately, he wasn't available, but he got his phone number and called him later on that day, and left a message.

My sister, her husband, Mr H., and I went to Mesa around 4ish.  This was a very exciting time.  Mr H. and I were going to the temple to be sealed and to become a forever family.  Now, let me pause for a second and explain in my own words what a sealing is.  When a couple gets married, in a church, justice of peace, or in a backyard, they are married "until death you do part."  My interpretation for this is that once a person dies, they are no longer together, they're "parted."  This would sadden me if I was not able to be with my family when I die.  In the LDS temple there are ordinances that are performed which are sacred...not secret, but sacred.  One of those ordinances is a sealing ceremony, where we are married for "all time and eternity."  This ordinance helps to ensure that once we die, we will be with our family (if you have more questions about this please ask and I ill do my best to answer them).

After the temple we went to this pizza place called Organ Stop.  It has wonderful pizza, but people don't go there for the pizza...it's the entertainment.  One person plays the organ and is responsible for all of the other instruments associated with the song he is playing, such as "who let the dog's out."  This place has been openedfor 40 years and they were having a sale of 1 appetizer, 2 pizzas, and 2 pitchers of drinks for $40.  We all had a great time and ate really yummy food and listened to great music. 

 My lovely sister, RR, and her hubby. 

 KK loved the music and loved watching the guy play the organ.

We stayed until close and it was worth it.  Afterwards, we met up with Mr H.'s friends who is a Southwest airlines pilot.  He was all over the continental USA that day and had just gotten off of work.  It was great meeting him and talking, but I was getting very tired.  KK had already fallen asleep in my arms.  We didn't get home until almost midnight...which was 3am Ohio time.  It was a long but great day!

Mmm...chocolate

Woke up on the 14th and THIS little fellow was in the kitchen light.  It was running around as CC was trying to make breakfast.  It kinda grossed her out and she ran upstairs to get her husband to deal with it.  This is how he dealt with it...in a ziplock container!

 

 

 The boys were so happy to see and hold the containers.  They were debating back and forth as to who was going to throw the lizard over the wall and I told them I was, R was ok with it, but KK, now he was upset!

Even holding him like a baby didn't help!  He was really upset about it.

 After the lizard was thrown over the wall, we got ready to go to a chocolate shoppe.  The older boys went shooting on SB's father in law's property.  So the girl's and the kids went to a place called Cerreta's.  Walking into the shoppe, you can just smell the melted chocolate.  It was amazing!

Once we were done tasting and buying chocolate we went back to CC's and packed up to go to SB's, Mr H.'s little sister's house.  Since the boys were out shooting, I had to pack everything up myself...which stunk, but figured that would happen. 

At SB's, her husband made an awesome speghetti dinner.  Before the meal was made Mr. H and I had to go pick up G so he could spend the night because we were taking family pictures in the morning.  Once we got back, we ate, talked, and had some fun until everyone went to bed!

From Z to A in AZ

August 13th it was 116 degrees in Phoenix and we went to the Zoo, yeah I don't think we thought it through enough. It felt like a toaster oven but frozen water bottles were packed for us to stay hydrated. And again, CC came to the rescue with her coupons and was able to knock off some of the price which was awesome. Once we got to the zoo we saw tons of anmals including elephants, birds, tortoise, monkeys, and much much more.

 

 

 

 

 We had to get a picture with KK next to a cactus.  Isn't he sooo cute!?

 

R and KK looking at the bird.  This bird was funny.  It had a dead fish that he was just playing with it, putting it in his mouth and flipping it in the air...letting it sink then retrieving it...it was funny until another bird came by and took it from him and ate it in one swallow, then it was hilarious! 

They likes to find this stone creatures all over the zoo and sit on them and wait for us to take a picture.



Just some trees I photographed.  The sun was shining so brightly!

 

These flamingo's feathers were all ruffled and it looks to funny!  There was one flamingo that was sitting on an egg.  She stood up and we could see the egg, it was really neat!

There was an area where we could be inside the habitate with the monkeys.  They were so tiny and cute. There was one who was laying on a branch in front of a mister and he was falling alseep and trying to get comfortable but he would start falling out of the branch.  It really was very cute!

This orangutan loved KK and R.  He was following them around and touching the glass to them.  For some reason I thought that the orangutan was sad.  His daughter and her mother were in another section of the zoo and I would have to wonder if maybe they should be together or if that was the reason behind his saddness?

After going through the zoo there was a little splash pad for the kids to play in.  Which was good because, did I mention that it was HOT that day!? 

 On the way back to CC's house KK fell right asleep, he was a tired boy.  I made sure that KK was well hydrated with snacks too, but I think I neglected myself because I started getting sick to my stomach...like I was going to throw up.  I was still sweating, even in the air conditioned car!  I was really sick.  Mr H. was very concerned and told me to drink water and eat something.  Did you know that cold water will hydrate you faster than warm water!?  Yeah, learned that on The Dr's. 

My sister, RR and her husband flew into PHX soon after we came back from the zoo.  I was still so sick that Mr H. told me to rest and he would pick them up.  I'm glad he did because once I saw RR and her husband I was feel much better.  I took a cool shower, I wished that it was colder but in AZ even the cold water comes out hot...it's weird!

KK missed his aunt and didn't want to share her with R.  It was a wonderful day!