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!