Spring Time Preview

 A few weeks ago we had an amazing sneak peak of spring weather. It was up in the 60's and it was SO nice! Pierscen and I went to the park four days in a row. I foresee some major park time this summer. :)

The first day we took Dodger. I will not be doing that again. Walks are fine. Playing at the park, not so much. He is whiny and obnoxious. The answer is no. 

Pierscen loved it though! He loves the swings. He doesn't last in them for terribly long, but while he's there, he enjoys it. 

What really amazes me is that since Pierscen isn't walking yet, he has to crawl - or I should say - WANTS to crawl everywhere. That means through the wood chips, across the pokey grass and twigs, and through the gravel. If it were me, I would just sit down and cry until my mom picked me up. But him? Nope. It doesn't even phase him. 

 The next day Melody and Lyric joined us. They were pretty cute. Lyric has been walking for a while and all she wanted to do was walk around. She is not a fan of most of the play ground equipment. Pierscen on the other hand loves going up and down the stairs, sliding down the slides, and eating rocks. :)

That lovely Wyoming wind made it kind of hard to hear my narration at the beginning, but it's not like you are missing out on much. It's pretty self-explanatory. 

The following day, Pierscen and I headed to the park right after breakfast. We had the whole park to ourselves! It was just us and a couple of squirrels who seemed more than a little irritated that we had shown up so early. It was very nice and peaceful.

During this trip, Pierscen had taught himself to go down the slide backwards. He treats it just like the does the stairs. He turns around, extends his leg, and slides on down. 

After about an hour of playing, we packed things up and started for home. I was working my way up the hill to our neighborhood when Ryan called and said he was in the area and really wanted to see Pierscen do his new trick. So we turned around and headed back to the park to meet him.

Pierscen was more than happy to oblige in showing daddy his new skills. It was really cute.

This curvy slide isn't as fun because he goes so much slower - likely due to his shoes. He kind of has to push himself down, but it was still cute to watch him. After several times sliding down, Ryan took off again and we headed home.

The next day was Saturday, so Ryan was able to come with us. I have been wanting to get pictures of Pierscen in the "tube" because every picture I see of kids in these things always seems to turn out cute. However, up to this point I hadn't been able to get him to go through it. I think it kind of freaked him out. But with both of us there, I figured we had a better chance. I started him on one end and Ryan called to him from the other. That seemed to give him the motivation and courage he needed.

He was crazy excited on the return trip. He was smiling and laughing the whole way.

I think this picture is probably my favorite of all time. Drool and all. Goodness I love that boy!

The next week the weather turned bitter and snowy again. At least we know there is hope! Some of the flowers I planted last fall, as well as lot of weeds, have started to pop up. All the gardening stuff is out in full force in the stores. I am so excited! We went to a Home and Gardening show this last weekend and I signed up for a free yard consultation from one of the gardening places. Basically a lady comes out and talks me through some ideas of what I could do with my yard. I definitely need that because it's an awkward shape with not a ton of light and all that. I want it to still feel warm, welcoming, and be a place that we can enjoy... without all the gravel. :)

I think it's going to be a good summer. Busy, but good. Bring on the sun! 

The Emergency Room Is Not On The Agenda

 Two weeks ago today, we had the missionaries over for dinner. I had a piano lesson immediately following the dinner, so I had taken care to plan things accordingly to make sure it would all come out on time. I was doing a pretty good job of it too... until the missionaries actually showed up. They arrived about 10 minutes early, which is no big deal. Dinner was in the oven (Honey Lime Chicken Enchiladas - amazing by the way) and I was just working on putting the cobbler together so that I could throw it in the moment the enchiladas came out. I was attempting to open a can of peaches when the can opener skipped a small section of the lid. I hate it when that happens! No matter how many times you try to go over it, it just won't cut. So what did I do? Tried to pry it open with my fingers.

I am pretty sure that's the number one no-no in can opening. I knew it was a horrible idea. I knew without a doubt how this was going to turn out. So I did the only natural thing in that situation. I did it anyway.

The lid sprung open with a thwang. Feeling successful, but suddenly worried, I looked down at my thumb. I didn't actually feel any pain, but ya know - opening a can lid that way never turns out very well... so why should it this time?

What I saw was WAY worse than I had anticipated. 

You know this guy?

This is Beaker, from the Muppets. My thumb looked just like his mouth. A giant, deep, gaping slice flapping away from the rest of the appendage. Pretty sure my face looked just like his face too. 

"Shooooooot," I mumbled. 

"What's wrong?" asked one of the missionaries. "Did you cut yourself?"

"Yeah..." I replied, as the blood started to gush. 

At this moment Ryan walked into the kitchen.

"Hey, Ryan," I began, "You wanna get in some suture practice?"

"You cut yourself?" he asked, coming to my side.

"Um, yeah." I removed the small section of paper towel I had wrapped around it and showed him the cut. He actually jumped a little and disappeared. There was no denying the cut needed stitches. Super gluing it wasn't an option. But it wasn't in a vital area or bad enough I needed the ER. Ryan was more than capable.

Thankfully it really didn't hurt. It was, however, incredibly annoying. Of course it was my right thumb. It would have been to easy to be the left. ;) I told the missionaries that the dumb thing was I knew it was going to happen - but I had ignored the prompting. 

Elder Plitts laughed. "Well tonight's lesson is going to be on listing to the Holy Ghost," he joked.

I tried to finish the last few preparations, but my paper towel was so soaked it was started to stain my other fingers, so I relented and let the missionaries finish things. (The were very willing and very helpful, and thought it hilarious that I just kept going like nothing was wrong. What else was I suppose to do? It didn't hurt and I had things to do!)

Ryan returned with sterile gloves, iodine, sutures, and equipment. We told the boys to go ahead and start eating, and Ryan put me back together. I believe that was a first for both of those Elders! :) I don't think either of them were terribly thrilled with the blood, but neither of them passed out and hey - it gave them something to write home about! It's not every day you get to see someone get sewn back together in the kitchen. Hahaha.

I tried for days to get a picture with this stitches, but these particular ones were clear, so it wouldn't have helped much. That, and I couldn't get the camera to focus. I finally did a get a few shots, though they aren't amazing. 

It is now pretty much healed. Ryan put in about 5 stitches. My guess is that if we had gone to the doctor, they would have put in more, especially considering the cut takes a turn downward, but that wasn't very visible with the blood and iodine. The outer layer or two around it is dead and is dry and flaking off. The skin (deep layer and superficial) is now totally connected again - thanks Ryan! - and I am just waiting for the outer layer to finish flaking away. It's still a little tender if I press too hard directly on the cut, but I can now use my thumb again like normal.

I am extremely grateful for my hubby for being willing to put me back together. I am grateful for the experience he had at work doing this, but also for the hours he insisted on practicing at home with materials that were going to be thrown out. (Still sterile, but if they were part of a kit that was opened but not used, they have to toss it.) There was no infection, thankfully. There was some swelling and unfortunately the middle suture did pull through, but overall, I think it turned out quite nicely. I will still have a scar, but it won't be too bad. Besides, scars are awesome! If it was on my face, maybe I would feel differently. 

For the record, dinner turned out delicious. As did the cobbler. Nothing can touch Dutch Oven Cobbler, but for regular oven stuff, it was good. I always strive to entertain - and I think I managed that quite well. Sorry Elders! I am glad you didn't pass out! Hahaha.

Picture Book: Oh The Faces He Makes

One of the things I love most about Pierscen is that there he is definitely not lacking in the personality department - or faces to match. Here is a picture book of some of the many faces he makes.

His "I am not amused" look.

His "I was going to make my kissy face, but this happened," face.

"Blue Steel." Anyone familiar with Zoolander will know what I am talking about.

His "I am so proud of myself/You are in trouble now, mom" look.

Several messy face/"I just discovered I like this food" faces.

Kiss the cook with gratitude face.

YUMMMMMY!

And suddenly mom isn't so funny.

But he thinks he is.

His answer to "Who's the best mommy?"

His angry/sad face. It's hard to capture it just right.

His "Where did it go?" look.

His "Life couldn't get more AWESOME" look.

Unless mom lets you lick the chocolate pudding spatula...

His "Don't bother me, I'm eating rocks," face.

And my personal favorite...

Pure Joy.

We sure love this little guy. He keeps us on our toes, but is constantly doing anything he can to make us laugh and smile. He is amazing.

In Loving Memory

 A few weeks ago, we received word that Ryan's grandma on his dad's side had passed away. Her health had struggled for quite a while, but regardless of how poor she was feeling, she was always looking for ways to serve others. Near the middle of January her health took a sharp decline and she was taken to the local hospital, then life flighted to Utah Valley Regional where they felt she had a better chance. She spent about a week there, and though she definitely recovered from where she was, she had reached the end of her stay through insurance but wasn't well enough to be discharged home. They transferred her to a nursing and rehab center nearby. From there she was discharged home. Ryan's sister Jodi, her hubby and kids rolled through Casper to spend the evening with us for Superbowl Sunday. From there they were going to Utah where Jodi would stay with grandma and help take care of her. (Jodi is a CNA). Things were going well, but then dropped off horribly. We knew the time had come.

Grandma was such an amazing woman. She is known for her kind, loving nature, her desire to serve, and her amazing cooking skills. I learned from my very first visit to Holden before Ryan left on his mission that any trip to Holden meant amazing food and lots and lots of over eating. :) Every meal Grandma would say, "Are you sure you have had enough?" and try and heap up a whole extra plate of food for you. It was amazing. :) When I think of Grandma, I think of two things in particular: her incredible, always perfect rolls, and Mt. Dew. She had Dews piled up by the case, but it was because she suffered from headaches. This is something we have in common. When I can't kick a migraine, I will take a couple Excedrin and drink a Dew too. I learned during the funeral, however, that in addition to her amazing rolls and bread, she was known for her out of this world cinnamon rolls. I feel cheated. I never had one. In the next life, Grandma, in the next life. :)

The funeral was probably the most amazing service I can remember. All of the siblings except Donna gave a little talk. It was so beautiful! We laughed, we cried, we rejoiced. I was asked to do a special musical number, so a couple days before the funeral I went to a store here in Casper looking for something appropriate. They don't have an "LDS" music section here, but most of our hymns were taken from other churches anyway. I found a book that had a couple that I recognized and chose "Sweet Hour of Prayer." Man, that was nerve racking. There at the end I thought I was going to bounce my way off the bench I was shaking inside so hard, but it turned out really beautiful. I was praying my guts out and I think I definitely had help - especially since I only had two days to prepare.

(You gotta learn to drive young in the country.)

Grandma left behind an incredible legacy. She is such an inspiration and example. Grandma and Grandpa served for 9 years as temple workers in the Manti Temple and served a mission to Nauvoo. She pretty much always had a calling and gave everything her all. She will be sorely missed.

As an in-law, I would like to add that I had my own appreciation and love for grandma. Of course I didn't know her as well as the others - obviously - but from the moment I met her, even as young 17 year-old dating her then, pre-mission grandson, she welcomed me into the family as one of her own. She was always so sweet and so loving. She always asked about my family and took a genuine interest in them. To date, I only have one grandparent living, and that's my Grandma J at 94 (this summer.) I lost my Grandpa J when I was about 2.5, my Grandpa N around 12, and my Grandma N a few years ago. I felt just as close to Ryan's Grandma as I did to my own Grandmas. I love her dearly. I feel very lucky to have known her and had her as another Grandma.

Following the funeral and luncheon, we headed back to Grandpa's to do some sledding down "The" tubing hill. It is on their property, but it gets use from people all over town. Amazingly, after being part of this family for almost 10 years, this was my first time ever sledding down it.

Pierscen was totally exhausted. He had only had one 20 minute nap in my arms the whole day, so we didn't know how well he would handle it.

His first trip down was just with dad. Ryan said he got a smile out of him at the end of the hill.

Then he went with me and I am not such a great driver. We spun around backwards at the end and this freaked him out.

Then this happened:

Don't worry. Ryan had him very well protected and barely touched the snow. But it did scare him. :(

After that I took him inside where Ryan's mom watched him so I could go out for a couple more runs.

Our second to last run of the day was definitely the best. We were the only ones left on the hill, but Ryan's dad and several of the grand kids were on the other side of the field and at least saw the awesomeness... though not nearly as well as if they had been right there.

Right at the very end we spun and flipped, but the sled dumped us so quickly we both landed with our heads stuck in the snow like an ostrich with its head in the sand, our butts in the air. Neither of us could move for a bit because we were stuck so unceremoniously. By the time we were able to right ourselves, I couldn't breath I was laughing so hard. It was fantastic.

All of Ryan's siblings expect Jen and family stayed the night and went to church with Grandpa the next day. It was really great to be there with him. We stayed until mid afternoon and then headed back to Orem for dinner with my family.

We stayed until Tuesday morning and then drove home. Although the purpose of the trip was sad and we are really going to miss Grandma, I think this is one of the best trips we have had out there. Just really good balance with family time and everything else. 

I am grateful to have the knowledge of the Gospel, to know that Grandma has moved on to a better place, and that she is happy, serving, and pain free. My only sadness remains with Grandpa as she was his everything, and I know he will be lonely. But it is a great comfort to know that we will all be together again and that this isn't the end, but really the prelude to an amazing eternity.