Life is Sweet

Saturday, July 10, 2010

Heart

Today's swim meet was a heartbreaker. Shilo's first meet since her injury. She didn't want to even go, but with gentle (but firm) encouragement from her parents, she went, and she competed in three of her five events. Her first event was a medley relay, and her coaches kindly switched her from the backstroke to the butterfly.

Her friend, who usually swims the butterfly, swam the backstroke in Shilo's place. They remained competitive, despite their handicap, and placed second. Shilo agreed to try her 100 Back. This is where the heartbreak set in. She had only practiced the back for one length of the pool one time since her accident, so we weren't sure how she would do. I could tell by the first lap that she didn't have the form or speed needed to win. Her leg, still unable to straighten, was a definite drag (literally). She kept swimming, though, lap after lap after lap. She placed last, but only by a stroke or two.

When I met up with her after the race, I could tell she was frustrated. Angry at her injured leg. Embarrassed by her placement. I could see the tears come as she turned away.

As a mom, I have cried for every one of my kids. They don't usually see it... I save it for times of solitude. Instead, I try to let them only see the supportive, understanding, but strong mom. The mom who can talk down the worries, embarrassments, and stresses. The mom who builds up in times of loss, problem-solves in times of distress, and soothes in times of pain. But then I cry in secret. Today has been one of those days.

But I just have to say, that girl has heart. She stuck around for her final free relay. She usually swims the anchor leg, but again, kind coaches and friends changed up the order, and she swam second.

During her leg of the race, she remained competitive. She kept up with the uninjured girl in the lane next to her. (The relay team in the far lane in this picture was boys.) Their relay team lost, but not because of Shilo. The coach chatted briefly with Bill and told him how much he admired Shilo for showing up at the meet today. At least the meet ended on a more encouraging note.

So the girl used to these this year

is learning to settle for doing her best, whatever the outcome.

And Mauri got her first DQ of the season (at the last dual meet of the season). I think she was more interested in the awesome venue (Lifetime Fitness), than in the meet. She seemed to get distracted. She wasn't too sad about it ("A guy told me I flutter-kicked, and that I should remember to touch the wall with two hands," - things she hasn't had a problem with all year), and enjoyed the meet. Afterwards, on our way to Dairy Queen (for the DQ), she asked could we please get a membership there. At that awesome place with a slide into the pool (which, funny enough, wasn't even working).
Uh, no.

Prelims are Tuesday. After the 100 Back, Shilo begged for me to tell the coaches just to scratch her from the meet, and call the season over. I told her I would. I'm hoping, however, that she might change her mind and swim at least one (or more) of the Prelim events she entered (before her injury). I am proud of her regardless of her decision.
To swim, or not to swim, that is the question.

Thursday, July 8, 2010

Checking It Off

I would call it a productive day... as ordinary days go.

Shilo tried swimming today for the first time since her accident. I took her to a regular open swim, so she wouldn't have the pressure of keeping up with the swim team. Lucky for us, it was pretty overcast this morning, a little chilly, and the pool was open early, so we practically had the pool to ourselves, relieving some of Shilo's anxiety about people seeing her leg.

She still can't get her leg completely straight, and found that the butterfly is the easiest stroke to do with her injury (can the butterfly EVER be easy?). Backstroke, her best event, was the hardest. She couldn't even make it across the pool.

We were lucky (again) that one of her swim team coaches happened to be at the pool. She came over and assessed Shilo's strokes, encouraged her participation in the meet on Saturday, and gave her some pointers. I think it was great therapy, physically and mentally.

Take Shi swimming - check.

Help Shilo overcome anxiety about getting back in the pool - check.

Have her leave feeling better about her ability and capacity to overcome challenges - check.

Once home, the girls showered and got ready to get their passport photos. At Costco.

Save money by getting the most economical price for passport photos - check.

Call and get information on where we can go to get passports tomorrow, since the price is going up next week - check.

Print out the applications so they can be ready early tomorrow morning and we can get through the process as expeditiously as possible - check.

As we waited for the photos to be ready, we selected and purchased new glasses for Mauri and me. Check.

Mauri also got her current glasses adjusted (finally!) so they won't keep falling down her nose, making her look like an old lady - check.

We also made a stop at the bank to cash a babysitting check - check,

ran by the post office to return an unrequested delivery from The Good Cook - check,

AND purchased refills for the Ped-egg (yes, I love that thing) - check.

Wednesday, July 7, 2010

A Cold Day in July

It's 60 degrees right now. Cold and rainy all day... like spring... or fall (take your pick). Swim practice was cancelled. The girls all got to sleep in.

As I was going about my routine chores this morning, I heard those girls, one by one, get up (okay, all except for Lex - we woke her up). I heard the TV turn on. I just knew it was going to be one of those get-nothing-done kind of days. I racked my brain for something to have the girls help me with (I know, it's lame when you have to try to come up with something... anything... to teach the value of work and accomplishment). I thought briefly about making it a read-your-summer-english-reading-assignment day. Then I walked into my basement. Mess everywhere. I had a growing pile of Goodwill stuff that needed to be recorded (per Bill's request) and neatly readied to donate. I had things to file laying all over the place. Unruly scrapbook paper here and there. Mauri's toys were overtaking the entire basement.

Aha! I called the girls down to help.

The excitement on their faces was underwhelming. But they came. I asked, and they came. No groaning. No loafing. When I gave Shilo and Lexee the assignment to organize the scrapbook paper, they seemed glad. GLAD! Then they recorded each item in the Goodwill pile and packed it up, nice and neat. Mauri and I tackled the toys, then swept and vacuumed. (And now we no longer have to wonder if there are mice or spiders lurking under or around the items scattered around the basement.) It looks awesome, and we have something to show for our cold day in July.

Goodwill stuff. I plan to drop it off tomorrow before we decide we want some of it back.

Random toys... back in their proper places.

Baby dolls tucked in. And, FYI, she has double that amount of dolls... I just couldn't get them all in one picture.

(Britta had almost NO interest in baby dolls, Lexee liked them until she was school-aged, then Playmobil took over -- not to mention she was terrified of dolls after seeing a short clip of that Chucky movie and KNEW those dolls moved when she was in bed at night, Shilo played with baby dolls on rare occasions, but preferred the expensive and beautiful American Girl dolls. Then there's Mauri. She has played these baby dolls to death.)

Here is how long some of these baby dolls have been around:

That's Mauri. With the dolls. For kicks one day, not long after she was born, I dressed her up in those doll clothes and took a picture. I had no idea she would play with those dolls -- all actually gifts for her sisters from their Grandma Syddall -- for over 9 years. Possibly longer.

Back to my story.

As the girls were packing away that Goodwill stuff, they ran across a few things they asked to keep.

Like these cute little books. They wanted to scrapbook. So all three girls, after being excused from their labors (a good 3 hours of work), ran upstairs and started scrapbooking. I was so impressed with what they did:

I only had 2 of the mini scrapbooks, so Shilo kindly let her sisters have them, and made a full-sized page to put in a larger book.

(Yes, Mauri has make-up on in these Glamour Shots... a make-over request granted by her big sis Lex yesterday. Obviously Mauri was very pleased with the results and proudly wore the make-up ALL day. Including to Activity Days.)

I'm telling you, those girls are way more creative than I have ever been. It makes me happy.

Really... no better way to spend a cold day in July.

Tuesday, July 6, 2010

Continued

The 4th celebrations on the 4th were subdued. In observance of the sabbath day. It was nice to have quiet, reverent time to reflect on our gratitude for the freedom we enjoy, and the price that has been paid for that freedom.

In my nursery class we made some sweet headwear to celebrate the holiday.

The weather was stormy. Thunder and lightening were added to the bright lights and loud booming sounds coming from the incessant (illegal) fireworks being lit on the street behind our house.

I was surprised that people were willing to stay out in the downpour that long (I think they went on until around 11pm).

To help the day feel somewhat celebratory, we made some home-made strawberry ice cream.

Yum-O.

On Monday, we had no real plans. We decided to take advantage of a day with our dad home, and get a little work done. Bill and the girls dug into deep-cleaning the car Lex drives, which hadn't been done since we purchased it.

Yuck-O.

To reward ourselves for a hard day's work, we went to see The Karate Kid.

Shilo was still gimping... we chuckled over Lex's choice of clothing (it's hot, you know)... Bill didn't shave... it was THAT kind of day.

And we managed to eat through our entire secret stash of candy. Sugar makes everything suh-weet.

We enjoyed the movie, even if we had to sit in the front section of seats. Even if Bill didn't shed a tear (we were amazed). Lex had allergies going strong, so she thought maybe other movie-goers imagined she was emotional as she sniffled away. After the show, Bill and I reminisced about the original, and piqued the girls' interest enough to come home and set a recording of it on the DVR.

A somewhat anti-climactic ending to a long 4th weekend. We had exhausted our energy. We lounged for the rest of the evening, and had a YOYO dinner of leftovers and cold cereal. Today we are (sluggishly) back to regular schedules.

Monday, July 5, 2010

The Never-Ending 4th

We have been celebrating, and celebrating, and celebrating the 4th. I guess that's the benefit of having the 4th land on a Sunday. It's been a fun weekend, although any spare minute I may have had to quickly update my blog was lost to the fact that the computer has been commandeered by the rest of the fam. I'm taking a brief moment today (I'm supposedly "cleaning the kitchen" while the rest of the gang is out detailing a couple of our vehicles) to post a few quick things. Seriously. I'm fast. Then I'll email Taylor AND get the kitchen cleaned, and (maybe) nobody will know.

Friday night Bill and I went to the Rockies game with our oldest friends, the Yoshikawas. They recently moved to Colorado from New York, although they live a good hour from us (up north by where Bill works).

The game was great... the Rockies won... and it went relatively quick as far as baseball games go. Not like the record-setting game of last night (over 5 hours). I guess that's what you get when you're at a game on Sunday (no judgement, just commentary). Following the game Friday they had an awesome fireworks display. We didn't go down on the field to watch, so we had a slightly limited view, but it was worth the quick departure after they were over. Here's just a glimpse:

On Saturday we went to the annual ward BBQ/Bike Parade/Water Fight. I was a little nostalgic as I realized that the days of bike decorating are nearing an end. Mauri may have one more year left in her.

We got some fun pictures of the girls with their pseudo-brother Chase (THAT'S the way to have a little brother)

Lexee and Cheyenne (our soul-sister) got involved in the water fight... can you spot them?

Mauri enjoyed the water fight too.

Shilo stayed safe and dry in the "No Water Zone."

(This was obviously BEFORE the water fight, as Cheyenne is nice and dry. That was also the last she ever saw of her beloved black flip flops, which mysteriously went missing by the time we were ready to head home. Not like there were probably a dozen pair there. She didn't want to take the lone pair we could locate, which were obviously NOT hers.)

Later that evening we went to the Leak's home for dinner and to watch fireworks from their deck.

Mauri told me three times, "We NEED to get a dog!"

The kids played with some glow-sticks while we patiently waited for the display to begin. Lucky for Bill, the Rockies game was on and clearly visible from the deck. How nice.

But that didn't stop him from having a little glow-stick fun too:

Finally the fireworks started... we watched (not quite the same as when you are up close)...

...then we went home to watch the Billats set off their fireworks.

This is what the flag in our front yard looked like as we finally went home for the night. Cool, huh?

Never-ending. I will have to update Sunday and Monday a little later... it really needs to look like I cleaned the kitchen or my cover will be BLOWN.

Friday, July 2, 2010

Rope Burn Revisited

This morning I took Shilo back to the doctor's office to have her rope burn checked. For two and a half days we have babied that injury. I have rewrapped it several times. I have slathered it in antibiotic ointment. I have been as diligent as possible in the care of that wound.

Shilo has managed to hobble around, and even made it to see Eclipse yesterday (although, she said, Lexee parked an eternity away and she had to walk a mile to the theater). What would the doctor (okay, PA-C) say? Was it getting better? Did it look good?

The nurse was highly impressed and commented on how good it looked.

Another nurse came in "just to see." They told us that this was much more exciting than the sinus infections and sore throats they look at all day. The visiting nurse said, "That looks good? I would hate to see what bad looks like. You need to milk it for all it's worth." Hmmmmm. Please, Shi, just don't milk your mom.

They wrapped it up again, and sent us on our way. Could we please come back on Tuesday to have it re-evaluated? Hmmmm. We scheduled the appointment and headed home. I'm now trying to decide IF we need to keep going back. I really think I've got this covered.

I will ponder this question until I take Lex back later today to get a prescription for her out-of-control allergies. Maybe at that time I will cancel that Tuesday appointment. Slyly, so as not to appear suspicious of the health-racket going on there. Then, and only then, if I think there is any problem in the healing process of Shi's injury, I will call when I deem it necessary. I think that is a much more reasonable approach, don't you?

Wednesday, June 30, 2010

Not for the Faint of Heart

Warning: The picture below is not for the faint of heart. Or anyone who gets queasy at the sight of blood. Or passes out watching his wife give birth.

That is why I will write the explanation for all of this before posting the picture. Read at your own risk.

Within 10 minutes of finishing my last post today (and I'm not a 2-a-day kind of gal), I got a phone call. It was the bishop, letting me know that my daughter, Shilo, had an accident at the reservoir, and was coming home early from the final youth conference activity. A rope burn. I may want to take her to the doctor. I hung up the phone, and went to change out of my cleaning clothes (into my workout clothes... stupid, huh? But then I could put on a baseball cap and it would match. No shower, no make-up). Then the phone rang again. It was the bishop, letting me know that her bruising was quite severe, and she was in some serious pain. Did I want to meet them halfway? Maybe take her straight to the doctor? He said he would have the leader bringing her home give me a call. Then my cell phone rang. It was Lexee. She was with Shilo in the car, and they wanted to know what hospital they should take her to. How bad is this injury? Is her knee injured? Is there the possibility of a broken bone? Will she need stitches? No, I was assured. I told them to continue on to our house so I could assess the situation. I called Bill. He started in with a flurry of questions I didn't have the answers to. My stress and tension elevated.
(Which wasn't helped by the fact that we are having some major issues with our land-line, making it extremely difficult to field and manage the influx of calls.)

Before I share the conclusion to this exciting episode, I need to express my views on emergency rooms. They are great for those life, limb and sight-threatening occurrences. But they are expensive, even with insurance. And most of the time they do some minor bandaging, maybe take an x-ray or two, refer you to a specialist and send you on your way. Through the numerous broken bones that Taylor and Shilo have experienced, and the stitches Britta required after a cheerleading stunt-gone-wrong, I have learned a thing or two. I wanted to see Shilo's injury before I went to any emergency room. My husband even gave me a little you-should-care-more-about-the-health-of-your-child-than-about-the-cost-of-the-emergency-room guilt. But I trusted myself and stood firm.

I called the doctor, wound unseen, and scheduled to bring Shilo in to be seen in an hour. Soon after, the car containing a sad, injured girl, her supportive sister, and two helpful friends (along with the concerned leader) arrived. She held on to me as she hobbled into the house. I looked over the damage. Ouch.

Now that's a rope burn.

We went to the doctor's office, where Shilo received the sympathy she deserved. The nurses oooooed and ahhhhhed over how painful it must be. The PA called in the doctor to take a look. Yep, it's a rope burn. And a doozy at that. They applied some ointment, wrapped it loosely, and sent us on our way. Yes, we were assured, it will hurt. It will probably get uglier before it looks better. But it will heal, most likely without a scar of any kind.

I'm glad I didn't pay those outrageous emergency room fees to be told that. So I paid a little to be told what I already knew, but am grateful it wasn't more. And it gave Shilo some peace of mind to know that she will be fine. It was an unfortunate accident. It could have been worse, and we are so grateful it wasn't. So despite the pain and resulting embarrassment ("Mom, I don't want anyone to see my leg!"), she's ultimately a lucky girl.

And, amid the excitement and confusion of the day, I still got the fridge cleaned AND made cookies for my husband to take home teaching. I feel like Wonder Woman. I wish it would last.