Summer

It's summer vacation. Kids are home ALL day. I have no time to accomplish anything or even think about being productive. My house is a disaster EVERY day. I don't cook dinner either. After preparing breakfast and lunch for 6 kids each day I figure there is nothing wrong with them forging for food at dinner time. The pool is my saving grace. The Wii is played for way longer than what would be recommended for "good parenting".

Spring Break Day 1

I took the kids to Longwood Gardens today. It was a beautiful day and the perfect temperature. My kids no longer get excited to go to Longwood Gardens because they have gone since they were born but I still love it! After almost 4 hours there we came home to watch a movie. Michael was my biggest helper today as he cleaned the entire play room all. by. himself. It was a disaster down there so it was a huge job. So he gets to pick out dinner, his request...spaghetti. Um..ok.

We will see whats in store in day #2.

Spring Break begins

which isn't all that bad. This is about the time of the school year that I look forward to a break. There isn't any need to get up early and rush around to be somewhere at 8:30 in the morning. The kids play with friends and the weather seems to be a bit warmer for them to ride their bikes and be outside. Its still too cold for parks though. I end up spending more time at the grocery store when their home and my house resembles a small disaster on most days. This vacation started with 4 out of 6 kids awake at 6:50 this morning when they asked ME to not wake them up...they wanted to lay in bed all morning. They played WAR and UNO before I even got out of bed. We also held our annual Easter Egg hunt in the morning. The weather cooperated as a tiny bit of sun came out to warm us all up but thankfully, no rain. This is one of my most favorite activities. Its quick, its fun and it doesn't leave a mess. Perfect, right?

Matthew didn't really care too much for collecting eggs. He wanted to eat the candy.

an original email conversation

This is the conversation I had with Cara while Matthew was in the hospital.

Cara:

Why Why Why is Matthew in or was in the hospital? Could he die because that would be horrible. Since he kind of has a virus is it like a disease? I hope he sevives and tell him i love him so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so much!!!! I just want him to be okay.

Your awesome and careing and cool and nice and funny and humerous and sweet and thoughtful and kind and smart and most of all LOVEING Cara!

P.s Right now i would not want to be Matthew :(

<3 cara

 

Me:

Hi Cara! Matthew is sick but he will get better. The doctors are taking good care of him. A virus is not a disease. Hes having trouble breathing.
I love you!

 

Cara:

Well thats a relief. When are you coming home? Do you know what the virus is called? And how did you respond? Do you have your kindle or does your phone have email? ILOVE YOU! DID YOU TELL MATTHEW I LOVE HIM? -Cara

 

Me:

My phone has email and I have my Kindle. Matthew has rsv. Its an infection in his lungs. I will be home ton ight and will take you to school in the morning. Dad will be spending the night with Matthew. Matthew hopefully will come home tomorrow but he may need to stay another n ight. I can't wait to hear about your shopping spree with Oma.

 

Cara:

I'll try not to cry about it but i want him so so bad! P.S whats doesr.s.v mean? Poor matthew I wonder how hes felling this is probably the most horrilbe thought in his life. Would of he does die or hes in th hospitl for weeks ormaybe mounths? WHEN ARE YOU COMING HOME, I WANT YOU BEFORE I GO TO BED!

 

Me:

You should be in bed now. I'm coming home as soon as Matthew falls asleep. Good night. See you in the morning.

 

Cara:

Okay bye good night

 

THE NEXT DAY

Cara:

Hi mommy i guess your staying tonite since dad stayed last night. I'll miss you (tonite). How is Matthew doing? Is he breathing better? I need my little brother right now.

 

Me:

He is breathing just perfect! The doctors have done a lot of good work on him. He's coming home tomorrow! I may come home tonight. Dad said he'll stay here again. The doctors want to get him here one more night to make sure he's all well. I miss you and your brothers and Olivia. Be good. Help honey out.
Love you!
Mom

 

Cara:

That makes me fell much better. I bet he misses us and he'll forget who we are. JK <3 Cara

 

Me:

No Cara don't think he forgot who you are. He misses you all too. Do you need to get a shower? Or do anything for school tomorrow.

 

Cara:

I already got one @ 6:30 and Olivia. And i forgot my math homework (AGAIN).

 

Me:

Well Good night!

 

Cara:

Good Night mom see you when you get home maybe. Thanks for watching Matthew. Tell Dad i love him and good night. Love you both! Bye

 

Me:

Dad said he will sing you a song tomorrow. We love you too!

 

Cara:

Stop your making me cry.! Bye Hope dad has a good nite

 

Dad said he will sing you a song tomorrow. We love you too!

for my viewing pleasure

My sister took these pictures at her daughters birthday party last year.

 Aunt Britt, Matthew, and Cara

 Matthew and Opa

My handsome Sam



our hospital story

 

Matthew tested positive RSV a couple of weeks ago and was admitted to AI Dupont Children's Hospital. But he's all better now. The end.

 

 

Just kidding....

This is Matthew and I in the ER, he looks pretty normal so I was a bit shocked when the ER pediatrician said they were admitting him for a night or two.

 

RSV is a lung infection that affects the bottom portion of the lungs (unlike pneumonia which affects the top), usually affecting children under 2. If over 2 is comes out as cold/flu symptoms. Matthew had no cough. No running nose. He developed a fever the Saturday before which broke with medicine then returned again. Because there weren't additional symptoms I did not worry about him and was letting his body heal itself. Wednesday morning  he woke up with heavy short breathing so I took him to the Urgent Care Center. When the doctor there checked his blood oxygen level, they told me it was too low and I need to go to the ER. A healthy child should have 100% oxygen levels in the blood, Matthew had 88% at the UCC and 87% at the ER. Still a little unsure of what this all meant, I was informed later that the brain is being deprived of oxygen..well, duh! Yep, I am a new Mom here. Even with oxygen being supplied Matthew slept at only 91-93% so we had to be admitted. Anything under 90% was..well dangerous.

 

Matthew is his metal cage crib. Wheres does one buy this? And how obvious would it be if I rolled one out of the front door of the hospital? Just wondering...

RSV is a 7-10 day virus with the worst part being in the middle of the strain. Highly contagious but only 3-4 days before symptoms begin (sorry anyone who was around us during that time).

He got worse the longer we were there so I am glad the pediatrician saw fit to keep him. Oh, and did I mention we were in ISOLATION? Basically, we had stricter rules regarding visitors and anyone and everyone coming in had to wear a mask and hospital gown and gloves.

Though he is sitting and looking not so sick, he was very sick and laid in our arms or in the crib all day and night. So keeping him happy and contained wasn't a problem. He didn't eat for 4 days and would only drink fluids from a WAWA cup and straw but he was drinking. We didn't care what or how he got liquids we just wanted him to get them because the nurses weighed his diapers to make sure he wasn't dehydrated. They would wake him up in the middle of the night to change his diaper, which just made him mad.

Don't let the cute smile fool you. He just ripped his oxygen out and the machines were all beeping. He is a stinker! He hated the tubing and monitors hooked to him. It was all we could do to keep them on and in. He objected every time he had his temperature taken or a nurse came near him with that darn stethoscope. Matthew needed Albuterol treatments with a Nebulizer. This was the worst thing ever! to Matthew of course, to me it looked painless and maybe quite invigorating, like a mini facial.

We went to the ER Wednesday morning, he was admitted in the afternoon, and the above picture is Thursday evening. He seemed to be feeling better so we gave him a ball to throw and a few toys.. He still needed to sleep without oxygen before he could be sent home. He had a constant high fever too.

 

 

And he is Friday morning. Tube, wire, and cage free. It was the first time he actually stood to walk since Wednesday morning and though he didn't eat much, he was nibbling on a graham cracker. We were waiting for the discharge papers. We got home around 10:30 Friday morning. Matthew was still sick for 3 more days. We didn't need to be in the hospital because he was able to breath without the oxygen but he had a fever until Sunday morning. He slept most of Friday and Saturday. But Sunday afternoon he was back to himself, or at least most himself.

It was a difficult time of course. We never had a child admitted to a hospital and though I had the up most confidence in AI and the staff there, it was very difficult to see my precious little boy sick. I knew he would get better but it made me thankful for the health my children have. My deepest thoughts go out to those parents that deal with sick children on a continuous basis.

I am so thankful for friends and family that came to our rescue. My mother in law who dropped her plans for 2 nights to be at the house with the other kids, She cooked them dinner, cleaned, took them to their activities and wash, dried, and folded at least 20 loads of laundry. Our friends and family were in constant concern and I don't think an hour went by that I didn't hear from someone. I had friends offering to come sit with me so I wouldn't be alone, another offered to take my kids for the evenings, and others offered dinner. I am so grateful for them!

I am thankful for Christina who is so sweet and thoughtful. She left this under my van (in the parking lot) after I told her I needed something deep fried and covered in chocolate...a 1/2 dozen of chocolate covered donuts and hot chocolate with this note. (I just wonder what the other people  were thinking as she crawled under my van with a pile of food?) AND brought me a salad from Salad Works because, try as they may, the cafeteria food was just gross.

Cafeteria instant potatoes, green beans (which were the best part) and some type of meatloaf. This was Matthews dinner but since he wasn't even eating I would try and order something I would eat. I couldn't eat it. It was gross.

Matthew is 100% back to normal. We are all excited!

blogging totally sucks!

 

Thats my fyi today. So many things to write about. Sams pine wood derby. Cara aand Sams concert. Matthews hospital vacation. Miscellaneous pictures of very cute kids. And my Master bedroom redo updates. One day I'll get around to it but for your viewing pleasure.

Aren't these two just the most handsome?!?!

 

 

I don't do Sundays

This year we have switched our church times back to mornings so we attend from 9-12pm. Let it be known that I DO NOT like Sundays anymore! I do not like getting up at 7 (ok, well today it was 7:45) rushing around to get ready while yelling the get ready list questions.."Did you eat? Did you brush your teeth? Where are your socks? Why aren't they ON your feet?!?!? " You know, the same questions repeated to every child five times because obviously they didn't remember it do it the first four times I asked. The whole morning makes me frustrated and angry. I usually sit in silence on the way to church. Matthew naps these hours also, the last hour he's le mis' baby.

Today I told Zach was going inactive. So if someone doesn't see me there after 2 Sundays in a row you will know why. I don't like so much time in the afternoon to fill with activities and entertainment. I liked going to church from 1-4pm. That was the BEST time ever! Also, I could get so much done on my secretarial callings in the morning, now I can't procrastinate.

I know it will get better as the weather gets warmer. We will be able to go to parks and Music in the Park in the evening. The earlier church time gives us enough time to have company for dinner, which is something I did miss. Family Home Morning went back to Family Home Evening.

If it wasn't for this adorable boy and his sister I may walk out the door one of these Sunday mornings and not return.

hidden talent

I bet no one knows that I can fold paper. Not just any folding, I can make animals and objects out of paper. Origami actually. Growing up in Arizona my parents had a friend from Japan and I was friends with his daughter. He taught me how to be an Origami-ist (? totally made that word up! but it sounds so good!). I haven't made anything with paper for years, besides long grocery lists and wrapping gifts. As I was Christmas shopping this week I picked up a pack of Origami paper. I planned on having an Origami party with my children to teach them this ancient art and how their Mother knows how to do it!
 

Tonight, I sat down with Isaac and Cara and we made boxes, hats, and tables and chairs, cranes and angel fish. I had fun and I hope they did too! *These aren't my exact folding, I was too lazy to get the camera out. My crane is lime green and looks exactly like this though*

While on the subject of fish...did you know I am a great fish killer, too?

 R.I.P. Goldfish. I should not of changed their water.

And Matthew being so cute has nothing to do with my talents. He was just too funny tonight playing with Zach and this hat so I thought I would add it.

another Christmas party

Saturday evening we went to the Ward Christmas Party. Oh, and look, another Santa Claus. Years ago I told the kids that Santa isn't really at every mall, store, Christmas party, or parade. I mean he isn't THAT good. He stays at the North Pole. So they know this wasn't the real Santa either. Sam walks in as says, "hey, that's Brother Buswell." Ha!

 So on the tables were gingerbread houses that the young women made. Every kid asked me repeatedly if they could eat the houses. I told them no. They didn't look edible and who knows who touched them AND when they washed their hands. I always come up with the worst scenario. They actually weren't that bad looking.

 Matthew didn't care. Who is watching this child? Seriously, not me. I turn around to see this...

The menu included soup, salad, and rolls. Obviously, kids were not eating that so they had these adorable little lunch boxes with Uncrustables, Pringles, and Apple Sauce. They were perfect! Matthew had his first Uncrustable. He devoured it! I couldn't believe it. Shh..don't tell anyone but I snuck a few home. I will be heading to Costco first thing Monday morning to buy a box of these.

I have been hooked on Paneras French Onion soup. I love it. I found a copy cat recipe and made it. It was so delicious. I think mine was a bit more salty than I remember at the restaurant but good non the less.

The program was excellent. The primary children put on a reenactment of the Naivity. Zach sang "Oh Little Town of Bethlehem". He did a great job despite the sore throat and scratchy voice caused from the cold he was fighting for a few days.

Cara was part of the angel choir. I missed Sam because they made him a wise man and I wasn't looking for a wise man. Darn it. Michael and Olivias refused to participate.

One more party on Sunday.

Michael and Olivias holiday concert

One thing I love more than any other school activity is the music concerts. I have been so fortunate to sit through 7 years of multiple band, including the recorder, chorus, and other singing shows. I am one lucky Mom! The benefits of attending such performances is sitting in a room, usually standing room only, with other overly excited parents and grandparents....and uncles...and aunts...and cousins...and neighbors who can not wait to witness the show. Usually I sit in a row where I can't see my child. I try to take pictures but the photos end up out of focus or have someones big head blocking half the picture. I have tried to lift the camera as far as I can up and just keep clicking away in hopes of getting one (ONE!) good shot. Sometimes its very difficult to understand what the children are singing but I clap and clap and woohoo as loud as I can as if I was in the front row and there were captions across the wall.

Michael had a drum solo.

 Olivia is 3 rows up in a black dress. She did great, mostly looking a me and smiling.

 Mrs. Brooks, their music teacher.

lots of catching up

I am busy. There. Done. How funny that is when I am sitting here on the computer while a tornado, also known as children, have twisted through every room in my house. Oh, and it was in perfect order yesterday. I'm not busy. Just overly occupied.

We put the Christmas tree up this past weekend. I love my Christmas tree. After Olivia decided that ripping ornaments off the branches was no longer exciting, I took the tree and decorated it how I wanted. So all the old ornaments got packed up. Don't get me totally wrong I DO like school hand printed ornaments and pipe cleaner candy canes...on another tree. In their place I hung sparkly, glittered, glass balls, all color coordinated. Gold reindeer's and beautiful snowflakes.

Skip ahead..

Let's bring Matthew into the picture...

 

 The tree is only decorated 3/4 the way up. Four ornaments broken in the first hour. Absolutely no glass ornaments on the lower half and wear protection while in the living room, helmets, cups (for the boys), pillows, ANYTHING, because you will get hit with a flying ornament.

 

Wear protection.

Why?

Matthew throws everything

 

 

and he has an amazing throw. He's a natural pitcher. Amazing, I tell ya. He will hit where ever he aims every. single. time.

 

Olivia is still loving gymnastics. I went to parent observation week a few weeks ago. It's the one week they allow parents to watch. I totally understood why, all the children were standing, looking at their parents, and smiling. Supposedly we are a distraction. She did amazing! She twists and flips over the bars. Her cart wheels are perfect. She is a pro on the balance beam. She is working on head and hand stands right now.

Cara trotted around as winning "Miss. Devon". She is so funny. She is witty and quick like her father, with a sprinkle of annoying just added on top but she makes me laugh every time. She made her sash out of left over ribbon then walked around pretending to cry and batting her eye lashes while giving a "I would like to thank" speech. Cracks me up.

 

Isaac won his first wrestling match. He keeps getting better every week. Sam enjoys going to cub scouts every week. He is also doing fantastic in school. Michael is still so adorable. I love his smile and his laugh.