Tubeless

It's true!!
After 112 days, two stays in the hospital, one for 24 days,
another major surgery, an abscess the size of a softball,
pain, pain and more pain,
Benjamin is TUBE free.
His NJ tube
(feeding tube placed into through his nose far into his small intestine)
accidentally became dislodged one week ago today.
With some small convincing from me...
they decided to remove it instead of replacing it.
If he could maintain or gain weight it could stay out.
Yesterday he saw the GI and has gained 2 ounces
...without the tube.

Woo Hoo!!!!!
He also went back to school full time Monday. :)
He is so happy to be back in the saddle.
He is eating anything he wants, and everything he wants.
All is well. Hopefully, he is done being a sick boy.

We truly feel the Lord's blessings in our lives,
and are grateful for the power of the priesthood
and the power of prayer.

I will post a picture of the new improved, fuller faced Benjamin soon.

Seasons

Winter is fully upon us.
I for one am full of joy to finally see the snow.
We have been freezing for weeks without the benefit of the pure white stuff.

Sunday was fast Sunday.
Bailee shared her testimony.
While sharing her testimony she also shared an experience from Seminary....

Friday during Seminary her teacher showed them
slide after slide of winter scenes.
Pure white snowy scenes.
He told them a snow storm is like the atonement.
The snow is pure, white and untouched.
When it first falls or is falling it's also quiet.
You feel peace when looking at it.
The world is blanketed.
But as the days pass and people walk on it
it gets grey and dirty. Not as pure and pretty anymore.
Then it snows again....Pure white.
He then explained how this is like the atonement.
Whenever we repent or partake of the sacrament
it is like a blanket of pure white snow has just fallen.
All is perfect and calm.

She then said, "when you see the snow and feel a little frustrated
that you will have to shovel or drive in it.
Try and look at it this way.
Feel the saviors love, and peace while looking at this blanket of pure white.
And know it is like your spirit after repenting.

I for one love the white stuff.

I love the seasons we enjoy by living in this great state.

I don't love the freezing cold...

But the good with the bad right?

The "Trees"

Brooklyn performing the part of "Clara" from the "Nutcracker"

Trees, trees and more trees. Beautiful trees.

Yesterday we went to the "Festival of the Trees".
Brooklyn's dance class was performing
so we made an event out of it and took Benjamin as well.


WOW!!

I have not been since I was a Laurel.
I had always been misinformed that it was terribly expensive.
NOT TRUE!! $4.00. That's it.

Well worth the worthy cause.

Trees decorated in every imaginable theme.
Sports Teams
Princess
Winnie the Pooh
Disney
Fishing
Racing
Reading
John Deere
The Grinch
etc. etc.

Sold at huge amounts of $$!
I heard on the radio that it earns over...
One million Dollars a year for Primary Children's.

Plus add the fudge shop with many goodies besides fudge.
The gingerbread houses.
The wreaths.
All of it amazing.

You too can see this wonderful
Christmas extravaganza
until tomorrow.

I think it ends December 5th.

Load up the kids and go!

P.S. We ran into a member of Benjamin's surgical team.
She saw him first...and said she almost didn't recognize him.
She could NOT believe he was the same boy.
She hugged him and was soooo glad to see him looking so good. :)

"GLEE"

It's a craze!!

A teenage craze!!

Although I am not a teenager

I admit I have joined the throngs

and I do watch this craziness.

I have been drawn in by the teenagers,

those who live in and those who just visit my house.

It is slightly inappropriate at times...

I'm not ganna lie. :)

However, the music is awesome.

Often times they sing remakes of popular 80's songs.

I was a teen in the 80's right?

So it makes sense that these songs appeal to me.

"Can't Stop Believing" is my ring tone.

-Sigh-

The season comes to an end next week.

Probably a good thing.

We can all have a pause from this craziness.

Any of you "Glee" fans?

Any of you admit it?

Just wonderin'

Masquerade

I am a little late with my Halloween posts.
But nevertheless here they are:

Bailee had a Drama Club Social for Halloween.
It was a Masquerade Ball.
She and her guest made their masks.
Luckily for me she was fine to wear last years prom dress.
I was invited to attend for the whole night....
no not chaperoning, but asked to take candid photos all night..
It was fun. ;)

I think she looked beautiful!

Didn't her mask turn out cute?

Believe it or not, his mask was made all with Sharpie.

Yup, he drew the whole thing.

Amazing!

Brooklyn is a NERD!

Literally, well for Halloween that is.

I loved this costume because can you say...

EASY PEASY!

She carried it off so good.
Extra bonus, warm for trick or treating.

I have a picture of Benjamin on Halloween too....
He is laying unconscious in a hospital bed.

I didn't want to post it without full disclosure from him first.

22 Big Ones!

I hate putting pictures of myself on my blog...

-fyi-

but for this I will.

It seems like just yesterday and forever at the same time.
Lincoln and I have been married 22 years.
Can you believe it?
22 years on November 7th.


We commandeered Bailee into sitting with Benjamin for part of the day.
We went shopping and out to dinner.
Dinner at Ruby River Steak House, which is my all time favorite for a good steak.
Knocked out some much needed Christmas shopping.
Time is getting away from us, sitting at the hospital day in and day out.
So this was time well spent.

So to celebrate this mark of 22 years,
I want to list just a few reasons I am so lucky to have my husband.

* He works hard to provide for us.
* He is a wonderful Dad.
* He takes Bailee clothes shopping and enjoys it. (I don't.)
* He always remembers the little things.
* He appreciates the work I do at home.
* He can make me laugh.
* He can do minor fix it's on the automobiles.
* He is my best friend.
* He loves to travel. (bonus for me)
* He understands the need for girls night out. ;)
* He honors his priesthood.
* He loves me unconditionally.

I could go on and on. But I wont. It's sorta sappy. :)
So the weekend was a success.

P.S. Goal for the month...Be home from the hospital by Thanksgiving.

PLUGGED IN!!

Meet The Wicked Witch of the West!

That's what Ben calls this double tower.

At first he called it the Twin Towers,

But we felt that was not a good name, so he renamed it.
It's two towers on one wheel base.

He takes it anywhere and everywhere he goes,

which isn't very far.

When we say plugged in, we mean PLUGGED IN!

Count them, five pumps.

Each with it's own set of tubing,

plus the monitor on the wall with 4 leads and

an oxygen cannula. And let's not forget the tube in each nostril.

Seriously!

The most important pump on that stand is the little gray one at the bottom.

This controls the pain med.

This is Ben's best friend these days.

Were really hoping for a break up soon. ;)

What a tangled mess he is.

Sorry Excuses

So I sit here feeling like a rotten mother!

I can make excuses.
But in the end I feel rotten.
I have spent the last week in and out of the Hospital with Ben
Feeling stressed, worried and a little tired.

He is especially bad at night.
He spikes a high fever, his heart rate soars to the 130-150's
and his pain skyrockets.
All of this from an unknown cause.
And all of this causes me worry and stress.

Tonight when I got home at 10:00 p.m.
I had a bone to pick with Bailee about grades.
Not even a super big deal. Just an irritation I had.
Could have been a simple discussion.
I then got all irritated thinking she was throwing attitude,
when in reality she probably wasn't.
I was just tired and at my maximum overload.
Sadly she got the brunt of my distress in the form of Anger.

Sometimes I feel like sorry is just not enough.
Will they think back on their teen years and only remember the moments when the parents were angry?
I hope not.

She is such a great girl and I am lucky to have her.
She is helpful and reliable.
I love being her mom and her friend.
I guess I don't tell her often enough how proud I am of her,
how thankful I am for her,
how talented she is,
and most of all that I love her.
Maybe she will read this and understand.

I guess no one said parenting would be easy.
It's so True!!

Diet Dips

I have been on a diet.
It's true for ten weeks.
I have lost 15 pounds.
It has been going great.
My goal 25 lbs by Christmas.
Only ten more to go.
Then at Christmas...a new goal.

Let me just say hospital food is NOT conducive to dieting.
Stress is not conducive to dieting.
I have a bad feeling.
I am hoping to maintain my current weight loss during our long hospital stay.
I really don't want to have a dip in my diet.
I always try to make the healthy choice, but then the stress and worry get me.
And a chocolate chip cookie or a donut look might fine.
HELP!! :)

I am praying for the shortest hospital stay possible.
For Ben and for my shrinking hips.

Metal Mouth

We decided after much deliberation to just do it.

So to add insult to injury...

we put braces on Benjamin.

I felt really bad about adding one more thing for the poor boy.

However, the dad decided what better time to put braces on.

On Friday when he has surgery he will be on major Pain Med,

so by the time he finally gets to eat...

He should be pain free.

That's the theory.

I personally think he looks good no matter what. :)

Date Doctor

This is what I have become lately.
The date doctor.
Even though most times my skills don't require fixing so much as
advising and consulting....well and facilitating.

Homecoming: My to do list.

Help think of creative way to answer yes.
Pick out and buy fabric for jacket.
Make appointment for seamstress to make said jacket.
Take and pick up dress from dry cleaners, so it will be pressed and pretty.
Help pick out and buy appropriate shoes.
Hairdresser. Be it not take her to it.
Photographer.

Results:

The Hair. Easiest, simplest one so far.

Elegant I think.

Jacket, fits perfectly.

One of many photography tries.

Our house has terrible lighting for pictures.

Still the photographer...but mom too. :)
Enjoying the moments.
He was a cute fun date for Bailee.
Their personalities match perfectly.

It was a gorgeous day to match the couple.

Successful date. All is well.

Girls Preference: My duties...

Help think of creative way to ask boy out.

We went with a Rubik's cube. Wrote part of the question on each side of the square then mixed it all up. Put in a cute bag, tie a bow, write message: "Life is a puzzle and so is this."

That's it. That's all he got, well and a web site for solving Rubik's cube in 30 minutes. Pure evil I know...and he still said yes.

Maid. I had to clean Bailee's room because she was out of town and her date wanted to get into it to answer her.

Costume Designer. Yuck!! I loathe Halloween.

Party Planner. All the girls in the group came to our house for a meeting to make plans for day activity and dinner. "Mom, can you come in here and help us think of something fun."

Game Guru. I had to design the day activity scavenger hunt. This was a blast and I kept a copy for any who might be interested. It was a scavenger hunt for signs. Yup street signs, business signs etc. They had to solve the clue and find the sign. Then take a picture of themselves in front of sing. They loved it and it was fun.

Dinner.

Photographer: again.

The room...This picture does not do it justice

it had 800 tootsie rolls EVERYWHERE.

I think they even threw them in the closet.

One had the word yes written inside it.

Bailee and her date went as "Alice in Wonderland"

and the "Mad Hatter"

Both costumes I had to provide.

They ate dinner at the fire station...

Long story involving body bags etc.

It is Halloween after all.

Sadly the only picture I have of the couple are at the fire station

where the light isn't great. It doesn't show off how really cute and amazing they looked.

Fun cute boy too.

How lucky she is to be surrounded by so many fun cute boys.

Date successful again.

Whew.

How many more dates for this date doctor?

It keeps me busy and keeps my mind on a creative bend. I guess?

Spooktacular!!

We have just Spooktacular news!

Seriously....

Halloween is THE date.

Benjamin will have his major surgery.

When the Surgeon suggested this day,

Benjamin had a really funny look on his face.

That's kinda spooky don't you think?

I DO! LOL!

All the nurses said they make Halloween so fun

they all dress up etc.

I said, "Oh good, now he can have hallucinations while coming out of general anesthesia."

NOT! ;)

Sadly it is time to try the surgery.

He is healthy enough to have the surgery.

Also, we really want to get him in and out of the hospital

before flu season gets any worse.

The Surgeon feels we don't have anything to lose

and a lot to gain if it works.

Benjamin will be able to finally eat food by mouth.

He looks forward to the possibility of having

Turkey, Mashed Potatoes and Pumpkin Pie.

Not to mention Stocking candy.

May I also mention he has a LIST of places

and menu items he would like to eat...

When he can.

Hopefully soon.

Wish us luck!

Nothing small for us...

These were Benjamin's words.
Monday we came to our favorite place ever...
Primary Children's for a small outpatient surgical procedure.

Right? NOT!!
We are still here.

He was just getting a port-a-cath.
This is to be used for him, for longer term TPN. (his nutrition)
However, upon awaking from his slumber,
SCREAMING PAIN!!

Yup, the nitrous oxide they gave him during surgery
has ballooned up his small intestine.
So we wait...until air dissipates.
Luckily the pain is controlled by Morphine.
The itching caused by Morphine, controlled by Benadryl.
I love hospitals. :(

Hopefully home Wednesday (today), I am being optimistic...
home by Friday at least.
Meanwhile he is having a forced vacay from school, again.

The surgeon has said that he wants to talk about the dreaded surgery we have been waiting for.
He wants to firm up a date.
It's time.
Benjamin IS 19 pounds heavier than he was at Labor Day. So???
I guess we will return.

To the hospital that is.

Meanwhile, life is good for all.
Les Mis is fast approaching, ACT Testing fast approaching,
Thanksgiving Fast approaching, thank goodness I want Turkey, Potatoes and Gravy.
Life is Good.

Living on the Edge

Literally!!

This past UEA weekend we took the family to the

Grand Canyon.

You can't get more on the edge than that.

It is amazing. Lincoln and I had been about 18 years ago,

but the kids had never been.

They loved it. We took a few short hikes down to overlooks

and got a few good photo ops as well.

I just couldn't get them to stay away from the edges.

Urgh!! I hate heights.

Bailee even went so far as to fake a trip to scare me.

Brat!!

I told them it wasn't funny at all.

They were taking all the joy out of it for me.

After laughter on the kids and Dad's part...

They agreed to stop teasing me.

Standing by this railing out in this tip was all I could handle. ;)

"I Believe I can Fly"

"I Believe I can touch the sky"

That's what the kids say it really feels like.

We had a great time.

We also spent the weekend in the St. George area

visiting with the relatives.

Bailee and I also got to go to Tuacahn and see

AIDA

It was soooo good. The music is by Elton John

and was wonderful. WE loved every minute of it.

If you have never been to Tuacahn you should go.

It's great the way they don't just use a stage

but the whole mountain. Running water and everything.

Minus the obscene windy drive home it was a great vacation.

We needed it!

"Bread" Winner

• Buy Wheat-Check
• Buy Grinder-Not Yet
• Learn Bread Making Skills-Check
• Practice Making Bread at Mom's-Check
• Buy Whole Wheat Flour (since I can't grind my own)-Check
• Measure, Stir, Knead and Bake-Check
• I have skills-Check ;)

I have long wanted to learn to make my own whole wheat bread. It is healthier and makes the best toast. SO...last time I was at my parents house my mom taught me how to make bread. It was easy, with her right there guiding me the whole way.

Saturday was the day. I decided it was now or never. So I measured, mixed by hand and kneaded. I was sooo happy to see this result. It is light and fluffy and tastes delicious. Extra bonus it was EASY. NO gluten, or anything. Just whole wheat flour, honey, a little salt, water and yeast. Goodbye white bread. Hello homemade Whole Wheat!

Grinder shopping next on list. No worries I even know the one I want. I just have to order.

Now I just need to make the homemade strawberry jam. The family informs me you can't have toast without jam. Maybe next Saturday.

P.S. I really am going to try to blog more often. Especially since right now it's the only thing close to a journal for me.

Volleyball

I have forgotten how much I just love watching this sport.

Today Bailee and 5 other girls sang the National Anthem at the RHS Volleyball game.

I of course had to go film this event. But as all things never run perfectly, when we arrived the JV game was still in progress. It wound up going 5 games and I watched, enjoyed and wondered why I haven't been watching all along.

The National Anthem was awesome too. Bailee and the other 5 did a great job.

My love for watching Volleyball restored.

I might just become a silverwolves fan.

Hmmm. I think I need a volleyball schedule.

Also, it reminded me I love playing volleyball.

Good news. As it happens, our stake just started volleyball.

I will make the time.

So my Thursday evenings are now taken.

Volleyball.

A rose by any other name is just as sweet....

Or something like that?!?


I don't profess to say I know Shakespeare.
But I do know my daughter is going to rock at it.


Exciting news for Bailee.
She was cast as Juliet for the Shakespeare competition play.
She is so so excited.
It's off to Cedar City later this month to compete.
The nice thing about this competition, is that they award scholarship money to some participants. Many high schools from the Western United States attend and compete in, short plays, monologues, scenes and dance numbers. She also made the dance group that will compete there as well. She is super excited by this too, because she is only the person NOT a member of the RHS dance company that made this team.


Drama, Drama, Drama!! Really.
My sister asked her if she had to kiss Romeo? Bailee informed her because it's some scenes from Romeo and Juliet and not the whole play, he isn't even in this particular part.
So "NO STAGE KISSING FOR BAILEE"!!
I'm sure this just breaks her heart. Not being able to lip lock with any old random guy.

Fantastic Formula

This is the menu of choice now a days,

Formula that is.

Benjamin had a NJ tube placed successfully

on Tuesday.

For those of you not familiar with medical terms

this is a feeding tube placed through the nose

into the small intestine.

They tried to place it on Monday unsuccessfully.

This is how the conversation went with Ben after the

failed procedure.

Ben: (feeling face) Where's the tube?

Mom: They weren't able to get it in.

Ben: They weren't?

Mom: No.

Ben: What are they going to do?

Mom: Try again tomorrow.

Ben: Oh, Okay

Ben: Hi Stephanie, Hi Jennifer, Hi Emily.

(These are the three nurses hanging around)

-Pause-

Ben: So where's the tube?

Mom: They weren't able to get it in.

Ben: They weren't

Mom: No (smile)

Ben: What they ganna do now?

Mom: Try again tomorrow.

Ben: Oh, hi Stephanie, (looking at Jennifer)

Do you like to be called Jen or Jennifer?

(looking at Emily) Your Emily right?

-Pause-

Ben: So they didn't get the tube in...

and so on, and so on. It was quite funny really.

He repeated the same conversation like 4 times.

Wish I recorded it, he would laugh now.

Can I just say how much I love this kid?!!

I can because it's my blog and I can write about whatever I want.

He is the most amazing, positive, loving and over wonderful son ever.

He hardly ever complains.

The nurses, all of them constantly tell us how great he is.

We have nurses, residents and Doctors

dropping by all the time just to say hi

and see how he is.

Honestly, if I had to go through what he has and is

I would be grouchy and full of self pity.

Not him.

Of course he wants it to be over and to be

"A Normal Kid". (his words)

I tell him, "you will".

"Just keep having faith."

He replies: "I DO and I WILL!"

Lazy Days of Summer

The Summer of 2009 started off with a visit to the hospital.

A long one.

Because of this our summer travel was limited to

things close to home.

Day trips and short trips.

Any time spent with family is a good time.

No matter where you are.

So we'll hit a few highlights.

First stop.

Cowabunga bay.

If you look REAL close

you will see my 3 kids on top of that tower.

Next on the summer list...

A new car.

For me.

WE had been shopping for a older car for Bailee,

to no avail.

We couldn't find anything we really wanted to spend $ on.

So she got my car (which btw she loves)

and I got a new car.

A minivan!!

Yes I know, A van?!

But I'm going to own it 100%

you can't travel better and we love it.

I am a 40 year old mother...

can't change it, so might as well ride in comfort.

Not to mention I really jewed the guy down on the price. ;)

Then it was off on a day trip to

Promontory Point.


on our way out, we found a great rocket display
by ATK.
It had 30 or so rockets to walk around and look at.
A nice little stop.


For those of you who don't know
Promontory Point is home of the
Golden Spike monument.


This was a great lesson in the history of the railroad
and a lot of fun to see.
Took a great picnic and saw a snake.
Didn't download the snake Pict's. Sorry.



Here the two railroads met.
They also have a great reenactment
of the two steam engines coming together.
Blowing their horns and all.



What would summer be without the

July 4th Celebration

Here we have Ben doing pyrotechnics.

You have to have your own fireworks

after the big show in downtown Riverton.

Which I might add were awesome as usual.

The family and some little friends
watching the family works.
In their jammies no less.
Who says we don't have class?

(if you look close you can see the phsyco dog having a fit)
-fireworks aren't his thing-

The 4th of July wouldn't be the same
without...

The Riverton Parade

Here we have a rare smile from Benjamin.
His energy level depletes in the heat.
Hopefully next summer he'll be back up to par.

Bailee catching some candy and some fun.

Brooklyn and friends

standing as close to the white line as we allow.

Must Get Candy!

Next, we were off to

Palisades State Park.

One of our favorite camping spots.

Usually spent with fireman friends and their families.

A little downtime in the trailer

after a hot day in the sun.

This is Bailee's favorite pose of Ben...

She thinks he looks like a concentration camp survivor.

Sad for Ben :(

I will admit the heat took it's toll.

He decided that he has officially outgrown the top

pull down bunk

Next year it's all Brooklyns.

Palisades is all about the water.

Canoeing, kayaking, swimming,

platform diving, catching minnows and

fishing.

Bailee just had to get a pose in,

so she could have a new profile pic on facebook.

Brooklyn paddling the kayak.

My kids love these things.

One fun game we all tried.

Jump off the swim platform and see if you can

land smack dab in the middle of the tube.

Caught a great picture of Brooklyn...

Not landing in the middle.

She's about to do a faceplant.

Ben did everything possible to stay out of the water.

Very unlike him, however he is so skinny

he was freezing ALWAYS.

So one of our Fireman buddies and his sister dump him.
We also had a great time with my two of my sisters

in August.

We had a rapid, wild ride floating the Provo River.

Pictures MIA.

Let me just say. It is fun and scary at the same time

Then we had a day out 4-wheeling and shooting.
Somehow the only one I got a picture of on the wheeler

was Brooklyn.

Didn't even get a picture of the other wheelers.

GO FIGURE.

Shooting is always a blast.

Hit a few targets and go through the 22 ammo.

WE also shot Lincolns dads old pistol.

It was a blast.

Bailee doing her Charles Angels impersonation.

Ben and Cousin Alex

All business, no posing for them.

Brooklyn giving it her best shot.

Well there is a piece of our summer in a nutshell.

What began in the hospital....

Ended the same.

Benjamin made it to ONE day of high school.

Then off to the ER in the middle of the night.

Looks like more surgery.

For now we look back on the past three months with

gratitude and love for some time well spent.

I've decided to have a goal for the new school year.

Have a happy healthy son.

Wish us luck.

Birthday Brooklyn

Since absence makes the heart grow fonder and all that

I took a hiatus from blogging for the end of summer.

In this absence a lot has happened.

So I will play catch up tomorrow.

Today it's all about Brooklyn

She celebrated her 10th birthday

July 29.

Chocolate cake with chocolate frosting

and chocolate ice cream was the order.

Ten flaming candles.

Blow! Blow! Blow!
For her birthday we offered up all kinds of suggestions.
None were taken.
The only thing she wanted was a.....
Bedroom Makeover!!
Big Time!

(her room had been pink, pink and more pink since birth)
She informed us...
Pink is not her color of choice anymore.

So off to the store to pick some bedding.
Then she wanted to paint 3 walls, each a different color.
I came up with something less invasive
but colorful none the less.

And she loves it.
See for yourself.

View 2

The only thing left to do...

Sew the cushion for the window seat.

It is polka dotted and matches the sheets.

Actually the cover will be made from a spare set of sheets.

The wall not shown has her white dresser and a green mirror.

It turned out darling.

Here she is below giving us a smile of gratitude

to finally be done with the baby pink. ;)