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.