Well...I'm back...

In case you were checking to see how my trip to Florida was and see pictures...sorry...not today. We had a great trip...but a very scary thing happened yesterday and nothing else matters right now...and I need to share...

Meg took a dive out of her crib right before church when she was supposed to be taking her nap. She hit her head and then landed on her back. She cried so hard she wore herself out and took her normal nap. So all seemed OK to us. Meg woke up, we got her dressed and went to Sacrament meeting. For a bit she was alright, but then she started acting funny (not herself) and she seemed irritable and very sleepy (but she just woke up from a 1 1/2 hr nap). We made it through the Sacrament and then she started coughing and almost gagging. I looked at Gary and told him "I think she has a concussion...she's gonna puke"...so I ran out of the building and she started vomiting on the grass. We went home...she was sleepy so we took a nap on my bed. At 4pm she started vomiting and pretty much didn't stop. So I called the pediatrician's office and got a triage nurse...she told me to call 911. I lost it...when you're told to call 911...it's serious...you only call them for bad things...was this really bad??? this is my baby...she's been so healthly.

So police, an ambulance, a fire truck and who/what else I have no idea shows up in our small neighborhood (and all the neighbors)...the paramedics were so sweet and gentle with Megan. Gary held her on his lap and she just sat there barely looking around...eyes glazed over...not really responding. All of her vitals were normal but they wanted to check her out "more".

So, they transported her via ambulance to Primary Childrens Medical Center (the best in the country). She had a CT scan and everything checked out normal, they pumped some juice into her via IV and Meg perked up right away. She wanted "coke" (Dt. Coke) and then ate ice, half of an orange and parts of a bagel. When we got home she downed a peanut butter and jelly sandwich (I know, I know...clear liquids and simple stuff...but this girls was HuNgRy).

Diagnosis...CEREBRAL CONCUSSION

I stayed home with her today to keep an eye on her and to make sure she was low key and rested. She is her typical self, VERY spunky and fiesty. But I can tell she has a bit of a headache, she literally pulls at her hair and just can't figure out what's wrong.

But now as I'm sitting here typing she's sleeping soundly and looks like an angel and so beautiful. I am sooooooo grateful she is going to be fine. Now it's my turn...to go sleep soundly...good night.

I'm on VaCaTiOn!!!

I'm outta here...heading to Florida with Kirbie...I'm so excited yet so nervous.

I've left my hubby at home with the kids for 2-3 days for a business trip here and there but this is the 1st time I've left for 6 days!!! It's not that I don't think he can do it...he's a GREAT dad (the laundry won't be done, but he's promised the dishes would get done...our deal is just as long as the house "looks" like it did when I left...we'll see). If you know me well enough (or if you don't you will know a little bit more about me now)...Megan's clothes will be picked out with coordinating bow and shoes and there is a schedule/calendar on the refrigerator with everything he needs to know.

Next, I want it to go on the record RIGHT now...I am NOT taking a vacation from being a Mom OR need to "get away". I'm an OvErPrOtEcTiVe step-mom and who wouldn't let our 16 1/2 year old go to Florida by herself (though we're traveling with her dance company...a total of 20 people in our group...12 girls/8 adults)...it freaked me out that she would be going so far away from home by herself...does anybody else see a problem with this??? So...I "volunteered" to go.

Most of the girls have a parent going with them, but there are 2 girls in our room whose parent are not...I just couldn't do it. But...being the responsible "parent/adult" I called each of the Moms and introduced myself so they knew my number yada yada yada...I just want them to feel secure that I'll keep an eye out for them. They weren't concerned at all...had no problem with their daughter going without them...WHAT'S WRONG WITH ME???

Nevertheless...we're gonna have LoTs of fun!! I will tell you that...one of the Moms told me that her daughter told her that Kirbie told her (ya follow??) that "I liked to stay up late and have fun". I guess I won't be getting much sleep with 3 giggly girls in a hotel room. But hey...you're supposed to be a kid at Disney World...so I might as well.

So...have a great week...we'll be in Florida with 90 degree weather...forecast for scattered thunderstorms and HuMiDiTy!!! And don't worry...there will be plenty of pictures and a blog when we return...

Saturday's Warrior

Last night my family and I went to see Saturday's Warrior. It's the 35 year Anniversary of it's production...it came out the year I was born!!!

I remember seeing it when I was about 10 years old in the theater with my Mom and Dad. At the time it was "just a play"...but this time it was very emotional for me. From the time the music started...I was in tears. Soooo many memories came flooding back about the music. Growing up my dad had a "real to real" of the soundtrack. My siblings and I would fight over who got to lay on the couch in the living room with the honkin' and I mean honkin' earphones and listen to the music. We would be singing along in our own little world ALL the words to the songs. So hearing the music...just brought all that back and it took all I had not to belt it out with the performers.

The other part that was emotional was that every bit of the play resembled something in my life and at 35 I could finally relate. I won't go into it because it's too personal, but this play was AWESOME and I am so glad I got to see it.

We took Landen (he's almost 10), just like when I was 10. He loved the music and he shyly told me that he wanted to cry couple of times. The spirit was very strong...one of those when you want to "stand on top of a mountain and proclaim to all the world"!! Landen didn't totally understand the whole story, but he got the basics. This performance was a recap with all of the songs and led into the second act...White Star...which is a new production.

White Star was the "after"...when Jimmy Flinders becomes an adult, has a family and the trial he has. The soundtrack to this was pretty good too.

The performance just started it's tour...so check out ldsmusical.com...hopefully you can still get tickets. I'm so glad we didn't miss this.

Amen

Soccer Tourney

Landen played in his first soccer tournament with his summer select team...the Eagles. He looked sharp in his uniform and proud to wear #2.

The first game, the team played tough, but didn't win. Landen played a strong goaly and he scored a GoAl...unfortunatley, 1 got through, 1 he accidentally headed into their goal while he was playing defense BUT...BUT...HE scored one on the other team (intentionally...and it was BeAuTiFuL)!!! Woo hoo. The second game was a heartbreak too...not even sure what the final score was.

There a break for a couple of hours in between the 2 games on Friday. So, we went with another Mom and her son (on Landen's team) bowling...it was the only entertaining thing we could find in BrIgHaM CiTy. I didn't know Landen could bowl so good...he kicked our tails!!!

The third game was demoralizing (8-1). The boys were pretty disappointed. We were matched up with some pretty tough teams...but the boys played their hearts out, challenged the other teams...I think they came out a strong team and next tourney will be even better! Goooooooo.....Eagles!!

I turned 35

WOW...35...I remember when I was a teenager and MY Mom turned 35...it seemed so far away and a-whole-nother world. But I'M 35...I'm a Mom that works full-time, married to a wonderful man who is so patient, 5 great kids (I don't like to call the older ones "step"). We live in a modest home with plenty of "projects" to keep us busy. I have FUN friends, not all that I keep up with every day but when we talk it's like "yesterday" and we just catch up. My brothers and sister are awesome and I adore my nieces and nephews. I try and steal kisses from them as much as I can. So thank you to those I love for blessing my life and for loving me.


Here's the lo-down on "Mirandica" (stole that from sis-in-law Krista):


SUNDAY: Great family party/BBQ.

MONDAY: Lunch at Chili's (fav) and gifts from co-workers; Gary decided to get my family together again and go to one of my other favorite restaurants Winger's;

TUESDAY (the big day) 2 of my best-girlfriends and their adorable lil' boys surprised me at work with flowers, balloons, movie bucket with coupons and drink mugs and took me to lunch at Winger's (yes...2 meals in a row, luckily the same people weren't working and I wasn't recognized) that night I played soccer (parents vs. boys) with Landen's team (yep...turned 35...body doesn't feel like it used to);

WEDNESDAY by brother Dustin took my to lunch and that night I went with my 2 best-girlfriends to see "Baby Mamma". Funnier than I thought it would be and I just laughed and laughed.


So, I was ToTaLlY spoiled by my family, friends and co-workers with AWESOME gifts and I APPRECIATE everything. Thank you I truly have felt special this week. I appreciate you remembering my birthday.


Oh...and here's me at about 1 years old...you know how you always try to find a resemblance in yourself in your kids...well all I can find between me and Megan...are the fat arms...can you find anything??

Memorial Day weekend in Boise

WARNING...long post (but hey...it's been a long time)...

We have some LONG time friends that live in Nampa and my brother, Dustin, plays Arena football for the Boise Burn. So we headed up to Boise for a couple of days. Growing up my family spent many summers, holidays and family occasions together with our friends the Tanners.

We had a great time at their beautiful home visiting and catching up on our families. "Momma Pat" was always feeding us and making sure we were comfortable. "Daddy Norm" brought out this cool "roaster oven" and cooked a delicious piece of meat. Landen had a great time playing Xbox 360, he doesn't get to do that at home...he was in HeAvEn. Thank you Tanners for a fun and relaxing visit.

Landen and Liam (nephew) had a great time at the game. They LuVd watching the game, getting autographs from the players and the dancers, and especially running around on the field after the game playing.

Megan had a good time at the game...here is her special "recap". She loves her cousin Dane (she says "baby...baby"). Poor girl was sooooo tired by the end of the game, she didn't care where she laid down...she just wanted to go to bed and sleep.

On our way home Kirbie wanted to see if she could beat Gary's record of 25 pieces of gum in her mouth. His was with Hubba Bubba, but she only had Double Bubble. Here is the result...I don't know which was grosser...watching her chew the gum or seeing the result...it was the nasty-est thing I've seen. She seriously could not chew all the pieces at one time in her mouth...it hung out. GROSS!! Kirbie had also NEVER been to Idaho...so here she is with a foot on both sides of the Utah/Idaho border (not sure if it was exact...but she felt special).

On our way home we stopped in Twin Falls for TACOS at Jack-in-the-Box. They are my favorite!!! There was this beatiful canyon or whatever you call it that came out of nowhere. AbSoLuTeLy GORGEOUS...

Megan LuVs Spagetti

Isn't it fun to watch lil' ones learn to eat. Meg is almost 19 months old, but Gary still likes to feed her so I don't know if she's where she's "supposed" to be as it compares to coordination of using utensils at her age. I think it's cute watching her trying to manuever her utensil. Oh, well, she is gettin' it. Gary does NOT like it when Meg gets messy while eating. He's AlWaYs wiping her face. I had to capture this moment with food all over her face. I just let her go at it and see what happens.