A Finger, A Foot, and some Tonsils

The past few weeks has our family thankful for the miracles of modern medicine. And health insurance. And priesthood blessings. And good friends and family who watch kids, cook meals, and call just to see if we need anything. We love you all.


David started it all. He was sitting on a tug at FedEx. Another weary employee ran his tug into David's. It hit the front wheel and spun Dave's steering wheel. Dave tried to get his hand out of the way, but was not quick enough to avoid the impact on his pinky. It almost took it clean off. His bone was severed. After some workers compenstation red tape, he got to see an orthopedic doctor after 5 days. I was not happy. Anyway, turns out there isn't much you can do for a broken finger. Just wear this awesome splint. He was just recently taken off "light duty" at work.




A few weeks later I had surgery on my foot. Dave informs me that I am worse than average at the crutches. I was glad to send them packing. My arms were hurting worse than my foot. I am now getting around pretty good. It still hurts, but I anticipate that it will for a while. I also get to wear this sweet shoe for 4 weeks. It goes with everything. Wish I had two. (not)





Good thing I am walking again, since Callie had surgery herself this morning. For some reason her tonsils decided to grow as big as golf balls. She was having trouble sleeping and swallowing, so they had to come out asap. We went in to see the doctor again Tuesday and he scheduled the surgery for Thursday. Callie was such a trooper. It turns out Daisy needed surgery too. Her tonsils were even bigger than Callie's. Daisy and Callie got matching surgical gowns and slippers. I hope I get to see this happy smile again sometime soon.




The surgery was really quick. Callie was NOT a happy girl in the recovery room. I could hear her sobbing, "I want my mommy!" as I walked down the hall. Once she was in my lap, she went right to sleep. It's hard to take a picture of someone in your lap, in case you were wondering.




The children's hospital here has a special toy room called the "bunny room", where the kids pick out a toy on the way to surgery. Callie picked out a baby doll. I don't know how well you can see, but Callie had a purple bandage on her arm where her IV was. When she came back from surgery, both Daisy and her new baby doll had a purple bandage on their arms too. It almost made me laugh out loud as I rocked my sad, sick little girl.




We're home now and Callie is sleeping. She wanted to stop at Chick-fil-a on the way home and get chicken and fries. I told her she would have to make do with a popcicle. She ate a whole one and then went to sleep on the couch. Hopefully her recovery will be speedy. And I pronounce our family done with doctors, hospitals, and anesthesia for a while. We can hope.

Happy Easter!

We had a great Easter. even though I am sad to say I am without a picture of my kids in their Easter clothes. We will have to reinact it in a few Sundays.

We spent Good Friday with Dave's parents and sister. It was originally just supposed to be me and the kids, but Dave broke his finger at FedEx and was given some time off to come with us. I had the bright idea that everyone should meet up in Murfreesboro for lunch. I had no idea a tornado was planning on joining us. We had lunch at Mellow Mushroom Pizza. It was a really neat place, we were actually seated in a bus. Anyway, there are no pictures, as it began hailing as soon as Dave went to to car to get the camera. The skies turned black and it was scary for a while. I was hoping to power lasted long enough to cook our pizza! Anyway, it eventually blew over and we headed to McMinnville. I don't think we knew how bad it was at the time. The tornadoes made national news and had two fatalities. Very sad.

The day turned nice enought to spend some time in Ma and Pa's backyard. Callie loves the horses!

Chandler on the swing set.

The kids opening their Easter Baskets.

If you have spoken with Callie in the past month since we have been back from our Disney Cruise, you know all about her obessison with Daisy Duck. It's all she can talk about. Vernoica ordered her a stuffed Daisy and she is rarely without it. I'll have to hold Daisy when Callie is getting dressed, eating, etc. and she will remind me not to keep her.

Chandler got some Bendaroos, a really net building set.

On Saturday, we went back to Murfreesboro to a really neat Children's Museum. The kids had a great time.

Callie found some wings and flitted all over the place. I may have joined her, but I'm not posting the picture. Or video.

Chandler building a car.

Callie even got a story in Pa's lap.

On the long drive back, away from distractions of every day life, we were able to pull out the scriptures and have a meaningful discussion on the last week of the Savior's mortal life and the true meaning of Easter. Chandler was almost tearful as we discussed what Jesus went through for each of us. He then asked what in the world the Easter Bunny and eggs and candy had to do with Jesus dying for us and then being resurrected on the third day. I really didn't have an answer for him. I tried to explain that the egg hunts and toys and candy were fun, but not the real meaning of easter. Just like getting presents and Santa Claus is not the real meaning of Christmas. We discussed how we needed to remember the Savior and his sacrifice every day, not just on Easter. I saw the light in their eyes as they talked about Jesus and his love for them. It was choice experience, one I will not be forgetting soon.

Hope you all had a Happy Easter!

Disney Cruise

We got a great deal on a 3 night Disney Cruise! The kids were even free. It was a blast! Callie is still talking about it. It did involve a 13 hour car ride to Port Canaveral Florida. But if you give them enough junk food, they'll eventually go to sleep.

We ran into Minnie in the terminal, waiting to get on the boat. Callie tried to run straight for her and skip the line.

Shortly after we got on the boat, we had the mandatory boat drill. Glad we didn't have to use these!

The kids loved the Mickey Pool! Chandler was all about the water slide. Callie was relieved you had to be 4 to go on it.

Chandler has a little waterproof camera. The resolution isn't great, but it takes some fun pictures.

Proof that Callie can put her face in

We went to Atlantis Aquarium in Nassua. Chandler loved it and couldn't stop asking our tour guide questions about the marine life.

Ask me if this was my favorite part. Especially since we were going to the beach the next day.

Castaway Cay- Disney's private island

It turned rainy and cold after this! So sad!




They did have a cool store there though. Chandler especially liked the name, "The Chandlery".

On the last night of the cruise, the kids' club had a pajama party.

Callie got to meet Snow White.

Chandler got to meet Stitch.

Breakfast, right before we got off the boat.

Disney was advertising the 7 day cruise onboard. Both kids asked when we were going. Maybe when Chandler is a famous marine biologist he can take us.

March Madness

We've had some sporadic beautiful weather lately. The kids love to play outside!

The spring time breeze also blew in some visitors all the way from Colorado. We had a fun visit with two of our favorite people, Alicia and Naters! We took them to the zoo, of course.

Callie and Morgan got to take turns bossing, um, showing Nathan around.

You may notice our Tiger gear. This was the day of the Mizzou Sweet Sixteen game. Ugh!

Is it time to open the pool yet?

Let it Snow!

Memphis is known more for its ice, than snow. But we got some freak snow storm the last Saturday in February. I remember the date, as it's the birthday of my dear friend, Sarah. We ventured out in the weather for some girl time!

The paper said it was the most snow Memphis has seen in 40 years. Crazy.

On Sunday, church was cancelled, so we had a fun family day, complete with Snow Cream and hot chocolate.

Happy Birthdays!

Birthdays offer a great opportunity for me to consume way too much frosting as I spend way too much time and energy and money on something that is just going to get eaten. I love doing it though.

Chandler turned 6 in January! He needed a volcano cake to go with his dinosaur theme.

He got a new bike! It's finally getting nice enough to ride it!

Morgan's Butterly cake (Yes, those are frosted twinkies.)

I am apparently very excited about turning 31.

A Return to Blogging

Did you know that the act of blogging is directly proportional to the location of my camera? Or knowledge of the location of my camera? I guess LACK of knowledge of the location of my camera is more accurate. The good news, it has been found. Where, you ask? Underneath my nightstand, of course. The bad news, all of the pictures from the last few months are on OTHER people's cameras. I have managed to collect some. So enjoy! I won't promise to do better. That would be a piecrust promise ala' Mary Poppins. (easily made, easily broken). But I will TRY. Much love to all.