Families

This last weekend I spent two nights in the ER as I do every 2 weeks.

Among my patients this weekend were two little girls: one was 11 years old with leukemia; she was little more than a skeleton (she only looked to be about 4 years old) and I am certain doesn't have much time left on this earth. She has probably spent mostof her life in hospitals along with her devoted parents, but she was a little angel and her parents cheerful, patient, and caring. The other little girl was only 10 weeks old and had a severe heart defect; although she appeared to be thriving, she had very poor cardiac output, and I am not sure was her prognosis will be. She also had loving and devoted parents.

As I cared for these two little girls I felt very strongly how much their Father in Heaven loved them as he does each of us. I felt so strongly that he sent those two sweet girls to earth so that they could get bodies and therefore return to Him one day as exalted beings.

I also cared for two elderly women. One was 87, feisty and vibrant. The other was 97 and quite sickly, but they shared one important similarity. They both had devoted and loving caregivers (one had a daughter and the other a niece). I could easily see how much each of these younger women loved the elder so dearly and how willingly the caregivers offered the care that now, in their later years, my patients require.

Taking care of these four patients in such a short window has made me ponder how brief and frail our existence on this earth is. At the same time, it made me realize how wise and loving our Heavenly Father is; how perfect his plan is for us to come to this earth in family units that can last for eternity. It is truly amazing. I am so grateful for my fantastic family.

On that note, Joe and I have been super fortunate to spend a lot of time with our families over the last month which has been an infrequent treat since we have moved to California. We loved visits from Joe's sister TeriAnne and her family, my parents, my brother Jeff and his wife Sam, and also loved spending some time in Utah with the rest of Joe's family.

Baby Gifts

Maggie walked up to me today and handed me a hair.

"Ooohhh thank you so much!" I said after realizing that she wasn't just handing me air.

She was VERY proud of herself.

McGrath State Park

What a beautiful weekend for camping near beachside.

Maggie had to help Joe set up the tent because I was too busy snapping pictures. It's okay. She didn't complain.

We had fun escaping just as a little family.

And we had fun playing at the beach; even though we brought bathing suits and boogie boards...

My favorite thing about this next photograph are the shuffling baby prints in the sand.

A Picture is Worth a Thousand Words

Little Stinker

Today I was standing in line waiting to check out at the store. Maggie was, of course, sitting in the front of the shopping cart. She had been really patient during our shopping trip (she usually enjoys cruising around, chewing on various things that I hand her as we navigate the isles), but now she was getting tired and hungry. She reached out for my hand, held tight to my arm with both of her hands, and laid her head on my forearm.

"Oh, how sweet," I thought as I savored her little babyish snuggles to my forearm. Just then, 4 sharp little teeth sank right into my arm. "Ouch," I yelped as I jerked my arm away.

"Whoa," said the lady behind me in line, perhaps involuntarily.

What a little stinker...

13.5 months old

Hi my crazy kid!

I am writing you this letter when you are 13 months old.

I can't believe it, but now a toddler, you are no longer a baby. You have grown up so much over the last couple of months. You are GREAT at walking! Sometimes you try to run (and usually turf it) which is why your little forehead is still constantly covered in bruises. You are also a little climber. You can make it up a step ladder or up your running stroller (as if it was a step ladder) in seconds. Yikes!

You are learning to communicate. You have been able to say "mama" and "dada" for sometime now, but you also just learned how to say "hi" and you are always quickly whip out this word whenever your daddy or I walk into the room. At church, stores, etc. you walk around saying "hi" to strangers as you pass by. My favorite though, is when you say "hi" to other babies; then you look at them expectantly; when they just stare at you, you stare back.

When you are hungry or thirsty you say "num num."

You have learned how to sign "more" and "all done." Sometimes you use these signs appropriately and it is helpful (and adorable) and sometimes you cycle through the signs so quickly (e.g. more all done more all done more all done) that you make me thoroughly confused (and you make me laugh). Sometime when you are really excited mix the sign for more in your cheering.

You try to say teeth--it comes off sounding something like "eeee." You also try to say "hot"(ot) and "uh oh" (o-o). I think you try to say a lot of other words that I am just not picking up on yet. Other times you chat on and on while looking at me intently as if I understand everything that you are saying. It sounds like you are talking in your own little alien baby language. You also learned how to imitate a monkey sound. At first you just used it for you little stuffed monkey; then you started using it forbirds; then for the cougar you saw on a camping trailer; then for dogs. Now you use it for anything you are excited to see (i.e. usually dogs and birds). You also imitate the noise that cars make; it's a scratchy gurgling noise in your throat. You get VERY excited whenever a motorcycle or bus pass by. You also notice every airplane that flies through the sky.

You have learned how to kick a ball--making your mommy and daddy very proud! You can also occasionally follow simple instructions and point to familiar objects when asked. You recently have decided that it is fun to try on mine and Joe's shoes and then try to walk; not very effective but very adorable. You LOVE eating anything that is nice and juicy (i.e. fruits and veggies).

You are starting to assert your independence and make your opinions and desires known (i.e. we are starting to see little temper tantrums); I love it that you are developing your own sense of self and your own personality; I don't love trying to put you in your car seat, but it is a small price to pay for getting the chance to be your mommy.

You are SO fun and funny. You make me laugh everyday.

I love you little cutie.

Soccer Champs okay not really

My adult co-ed soccer team just finished up a _____ season.

Our record . . .

0-13-1

Obviously I can't call it a winning season. I guess I could call it a losing season. I think I am just going to call it a fun season (although somewhat crushing to my competitive spirit. . . do I play on that team--you know, the one that couldn't win a game even if we had 14 tries to do it?)

Oh well.

Will I be playing next season?

Oh, most definitely.

Also, I will eventually mention (and get around to documenting) that super exciting things have happened recently . . . like my little brother getting married to a super awesome girl and my daughter (no longer a baby) turning the big 01. Yay!!