Just had to share the cuteness!

Vacation!

Last day of work today before heading out on a week of vacation! We're taking off for Utah on Monday to attend a couple of family reunions.

We'll go to Aaron's family reunion first. We have rented a big house that can hold all of us (grandparents, 4 kids and spouses, and assorted children). We're looking forward to seeing everyone, taking the kids to the zoo, and just relaxing a bit. As much as is possible when you have 4 kids to take care of, anyway!

Then we go to my family reunion. This is my huge reunion that I have reminisced about on the blog a time or two. I just LOVE going to this reunion. It's a highlight of my year. We were a little worried earlier this month that there would be a snag in the reunion plans. There has been a LOT of snow in the mountains this year. And 2 weeks before the reunion, the road to the campground was still closed because of the snow!

But as of last week it is open. But very muddy (the boys will love that). And I have to wonder how much snow is still hanging out in the trees. I may be feeling glad that we're not camping, because it could be a cold, soggy year at Iron Springs.

Regardless of the weather, I can't wait!

Things My Kids Can't Do

Thanks to accidents my children and friends' children have had, various news reports, and general paranoia, I'm becoming scared to let my kids do anything. The current list of things they can't do because mommy is scared includes:

• Ride bikes (general paranoia that they could fall and get hurt or hit by a car)
• Go to the playground (Sarah's daughter fell and was seriously injured)
• Play near a door (Preston got his finger caught in the door and badly smashed)
• Swim in a pool (Melissa's son had to be rescued by a lifeguard recently)
• Play in a kiddie pool (news reports just released that LOTS of kids drown in kiddie pools)
• Run down a hill (Melissa's friend's daughter fell and got a concussion and possible skull fracture)
• Jump from the back of the couch to the floor (just seems like a bad idea, really, but Preston tries to do this all. the. TIME.)
• Move out of my sight while we're camping on the mountain (news reports every year of kids who get lost)
• Walk to a friend's house 6 blocks away (kidnapping, sex offenders, reckless drivers... all reasons that I have to walk Haley there and back myself instead of letting her go on her own)

The list is longer than that, but those are the things on the top of my mind. All of these things bring on The Fear. (From one of my favorite blogs, Rants from Mommyland. The Fear: irrational, all-consuming anxiety that something awful may happen to the [children] (or their father). Sex offenders, drunk drivers, and enemy combatants among those who inspire The Fear. Results in statements like; "No you may NOT walk to the mailbox without a grown-up. I don't care if you are in High School." The Fear strikes Daddies and Mommies in equal measure.)

What brings on The Fear for you? What do you do to deal with The Fear and let your children live a normal life in spite of your paranoia?

The Power of Prayer

"Prayer is the act by which the will of the Father and the will of the child are brought into correspondence with each other. The object of prayer is not to change the will of God, but to secure for ourselves and for others blessings that God is already willing to grant, but that are made conditional on our asking for them. Blessings require some work or effort on our part before we can obtain them. Prayer is a form of work, and is an appointed means for obtaining the highest of all blessings." (from the Bible dictionary)

A few weeks ago I posted about my friend's daughter, Kenley (Pray for Kenley). After all that poor Kenley went through, I will admit that I was feeling gloomy about her recovery. Here is a 20-month-old child who had 3 brain surgeries and a stroke. I knew that many, many people were praying for her, and I do believe that through prayer, miracles are possible. But I also know that sometimes the answer to a prayer is No. And I was so worried that this would be one of those times.

But I see this incident now as a wonderful testament to the power of prayer. Kenley has made wonderful progress in her recovery. From her mother:

"Kenley is able to drink a bit with a sippy cup, and she has been eating some pureed type foods, although only around 6 ounces a day, and she still refuses food a lot. She also clearly favors the left side of her mouth for eating, and was able to try a few gerber dissolvable snacks today. {Most of Kenley's nutrition comes from a feeding tube right now, but they are hopeful that it can be removed eventually as Kenley's ability to eat improves.}
She is really starting to babble. Mostly just jibberish, but she did say "neigh" to a horse and we think she is saying Minnie. Occasional movements from her right side, very sporadic and extremely weak, the foot movements seem to be purposeful, but I'm not sure about the hand. Her neck control is much better, almost back to normal which is great considering the floppy newborn she was a few days ago. We have been trying to get her to sit up, but she still ends up slowly falling to her right side."

So a huge improvement from the non-responsive child she was for the first week or so!! She is doing well enough that she was already transferred from the PICU to the regular children's floor. And now she has reached the point that she can leave the hospital and move to a rehab facility. She still has a ways to go:

"We are expecting to be at the rehab center for 4-6 weeks. In order for Kenley to leave, she either has to reach all of the goals they set for her, or she has to reach a point where she is no longer to accomplish anymore goals. Doug and I will also have goals that we will have to meet, in the areas of being able to care for whatever her needs are once we go home (such as her feedings, if she is still on a feeding tube)."

But compared to what the outcome could have been, this is wonderful. I am so thankful that Kenley's recovery is going so well thus far and know that it is in answer to all the prayers that have been uttered in her behalf.

R.I.P. Kindle

Tara's Kindle succumbed to a sudden and unexpected software-related illness. Despite lengthy and heroic efforts by the Amazon tech-support staff, Tara's Kindle was unable to be revived. It was laid to rest on Saturday, June 18.

Tara's Kindle is survived by it's grieving owner, Tara, who is currently having to resort to reading physical books. Kindle is also survived by approximately 150 e-books currently floating out there in virtual space somewhere, waiting for a new home.

Thanks to Amazon Kindle Support for their kind assistance in this time of need. And especially for sending a replacement Kindle* ASAP.

* Thank goodness it was still under waranty so I didn't have to pay for a new one!

Quick Father's Day Funny

Preston just informed me that he thinks he would like to get Aaron a tattoo for Father's Day.

"I think it's just right," he told me. "Because Daddy likes the needles." Aaron might disagree.

When I asked what the tattoo should be, there was some discussion. Preston leaned toward a picture of our cat, Chairman Meow.

But Haley's suggestion was voted best. I'm sure Aaron will be thrilled. ;)

One of these days I'll get it right...

In our office suite, we're very concerned with security. To the point that to go to the bathroom, I have to go out one locked door and 10 feet later, go in through another locked door. (That, or go around the long way. Frankly, I'm like my kids. I always have better things to do than take time out to go to the bathroom. By the time I finally get around to taking a potty break, I'm looking for the shortest route!)

This has been the case for several months now, so you'd think I have the hang of it. But no. Every time I go out the first door, I reach for my key (hanging from a stylish frog clip hooked to my waistband) to open it. From the unlocked side. Oops! Don't need the key to open the door over here! But now that I've almost grabbed it here, I'm sure to remember to use it on the next door. :D

Then I exit the door. 10 feet later (Okay, I don't know the exact distance, but it's very short. It takes maybe 5 seconds to walk from one to the other.) I come to the second door. And try to open it. What! It's locked! Oh, wait... right. THIS is where I was supposed to use my key. D'oh!

But hey, at least serves as a good reminder so that I remember how it works when when returning from the bathroom a few minutes later, right?

So I go out the first door - don't need my key for that one! Walk 10 feet. Try to open the door and d'oh! Right. It's locked. I need the key. Just like I did 2 minutes ago.