Saturday: Joel in Children's, split his tongue on playground; attempting "tune-up" of lungs before reconstructive surgery

We're home

Joel was a very sick little boy, asthma triggered by infection somewhere...the worry is always his heart valve. Fever and coughing up blood, I took him to the Emergency Room.

Antibiotics started through IV...

Soon Joel was up and walking. And walking and walking... they said it's the steroids. He said, "All done sleeping." Above you see that he was giving the thumbs up sign to a doctor who did that to him the first walk around the floor. If someone does something once, like the nurse who said "boo!" to him, he repeats it every time after that. He loved taking my iPhone with him on the walks, singing to "If I Didn't Have You" from Monsters, Inc... over and over.

Joel looked at the menu and mimicked me, "Whadaya want?"

He flipped the lightswitches on and off and again mimicked me, "It not working!"

Joel got into his backpack and put his shirt and shorts on over his hospital pajamas and put his backpack on and attempted to escape, thinking nobody would notice...

The scariest part was when he pulled his IV in a flash! Blood everywhere, Coumadin you know. The nurses came and helped immediately, Joel saying, "What happened? What happened?"

Be still my heart!

Here we are having breakfast together right after Joel's shower on the last morning. We had grilled cheese sandwiches, yum!

It was good that we had a couple of grown children at home to help with the other little ones while Joel and I were in the hospital and Papa was away helping to give baby Garrett his blessing in New England.

We go back to the doctor today (Friday the 17th) for more blood tests. He still sounds very junky and loud when he breathes, continuing meds at home.

Thanks for your prayers and comments, dear friends!

In hospital with Joel 3 days, asthma/infection, hope to come home soon

Memory Quilt

In the midst of all of the things going on at our house, I received a most amazing gift from my cousin Julie. She made a quilt in memory of Mama. It's beautiful!!! I have no idea how she did this but I can see that she put many hours of time, talent and love into it. I'm grateful with all of my heart for this tender, heartfelt gift. I slept with the quilt and will soon hang it on my wall in a place of honor. Thank you Julie! You know just how I feel: so far away and needing something tangible.
Love and hugs,
Dolores

Water babies

Yesterday was such a nice day, the kids enjoyed bathing in tubs on the deck. ;o)

Today is our Anniversary

Mike and I have been married for 32 years today! I'm still in love.

We spent part of the day in the temple with Lora, who will be leaving in a week for her mission.

For Family Home Evening we had S'mores with the kids and a friend on the deck. The weather was perfect, nice and breezy.

It's also my Dad's birthday today: Happy Birthday, Dad! Sending you hugs from way over here to you over there.

Time with new grandson

I spent some precious time with little Garrett, Milly and Ben. I was there for about 10 days including travel time. Mikelle had visited before me and Janina followed me. Papa and Katie will visit in July, when Garrett is blessed.