series of unfortunate events....

I never thought the title to a series of popular books would be a title of a blog entry, but it seems suitable. This summer has been a continuation of our little medical drama's that have occurred throughout the year. Let me preface this by saying that we in no way have had terrible, life threatening, or chronic illnesses. I know so many people are dealing with incredible health issues, and we have been so blessed in that area. It is just eye opening to know we have had more doctor's office appointment's, x rays and lab tests in the last six months than we have had in the last six years combined!

About seven weeks ago, on the first weekend of summer, Josh broke his ankle. He was just playing in the backyard with his friends, stepped funny on an uneven area of the lawn, and rolled his ankle. Me, the expert of all things medical, relied on recent history of bad sprains we thought were breaks, and decided surely this was one such case. Feeling like we could avoid another unnecessary x ray and costly doctor's visit, I decided to wrap it and treat it at home. Needless to say five days later when he still couldn't put weight on it, I decided more intelligent heads should prevail and carted him off to the doctor. Seeing the proof that my strong, agile 14 year old had indeed fractured his ankle, I felt terrible. No mother of the year awards around here anytime soon. It was tough on Josh, he missed out on a lot of fun times in the water, with his friends, youth activities and family vacations. He just recently has been able to start putting weight on it and is getting along pretty well.

Last week Ryan mentioned in passing a few times, that his ear was bothering him. Since he has been swimming with the PG swim team this summer, Dr. me just assumed it was swimmer's ear and bought some over the counter drops. This weekend the pain drastically increased until it was nearly unbearable, and yesterday once again we were making an urgent care visit to the doctor. Turns out that he ruptured his ear drum and has terrible infections in his middle and outer ear. This week just happens to be his church Moab trip with the Priests, a few days of hiking, rafting, kayaking, biking and so on. This Saturday also happens to be the biggest swim meet of the season. So of all the weeks of the summer to be down with something, this isn't the one he wanted.

It's so hard as a parent to watch your kids in pain, but it is even harder to see them disappointed when they have to miss out on things that are important to them. Life used to be easier when a kiss and a band-aid could make the world better.

Change

That word always brings an emotional response, doesn't it? Such a simple word has powerful implications--it can mean new experiences, adventures, stepping outside comfort zones or it can mean something unknown, worrisome, and terrifying. Usually a combination of both. Life is full of changes, but I've always been a bit change-o-phobic (ok, maybe more than a bit, I don't even like to change brands of toothpaste!) and like to stay in my ruts, especially when my ruts are so fun, enjoyable and predictable.

This past week I was released from my calling working with the young women. To say I was a bit heartsick would be an understatement. I remember when I was released from the Primary and felt very similar, wondering if I could feel the same attachment to teenage girls and nearly 15 months later I can't imagine not having activities with them every week and teaching them on Sunday. I love them as if they were my own. They truly have given me so much joy in my life. I even felt young again, which when you are my age is a great accomplishment!! But changes happen, and I will always go and serve wherever I am called. Kelly gets the privilege of now working in the Young Men's presidency and specifically with the 14 & 15 year olds. He will be wonderful. I told Kelly that I needed a calling where I wouldn't get emotionally involved Perhaps something with building maintenance or the library? Kelly said it wouldn't matter because I'd just find a way to become attached to mops, soap dispensers and copy machines. The greatest blessing from serving in our church, is that your capacity to love just increases. So I'm hoping that will continue to be true as I work with the women in Relief Society.

I am realizing that just because you do something different doesn't mean that you turn off the great feelings and memories from before. I still love the primary children, I can't imagine not loving the youth and now I get the opportunity to love to women in my ward. I haven't served in the Relief Society for many years, so I am very humbled and intimidated. But the new president is such a wonderful woman, and I know I will learn a great deal from her. Life is teaching me that it's important to be grateful for change--because no matter what form it takes, it will always be there and embracing something is always better than dreading it. So even though my old rut was wonderful, I'm hoping this new furrow I'm plowing with hold just as much joy.

SPASH!

We had a fun water party last Thursday with the beehive girls. A giant slip-n-slide, a bunch of large squirt guns and giggly girls and you have all you need for a wet fun time.

Happy Birthday Cassie!

Cassie was born 11 years ago yesterday. Our first and only girl. We were so excited to start buying pink, bows and all things frilly. She has always been a daddy's girl and still calls Kelly "daddy" instead of dad especially when she wants something. When she was younger she had lots of curls and a smile that stopped traffic. She still has the same smile, and spunky sense of humor. She has always been great with younger children, and can entertain them for hours. Still half of the kids that come to our house under 6 ask if they can play with Cassie. She loves to bake and help me in decorating and craft projects. She is a little daredevil and loves roller coasters and doing upside down gymnastics moves. She definitely did not get that from me. However she did inherit a love of shoes, shopping and pedicures so I guess I did contribute something to the gene pool. :) Cass I love you so much and I'm so glad you are part of our family.

Cassie had a fun day yesterday. I took her out to breakfast at Kneaders and Ry took her out for lunch and then our family went out for Dinner at Brick Oven, her favorite place. Then we came back to the house where family and friends came to watch her open presents and eat cake and ice cream. Her dad spent long hours in his workshop over the last week, making the gorgeous mahogany jewelry box for all her cute accessories. It was truly a labor of love, and one she will always treasure. Not many daughters get homemade gifts from their dad. She was so excited and gave her dad a big hug. She helped me decorate her cupcakes and made cute flowers and butterflies. Girls know how to have fun at our house. I hope you had a great day Cass!

Mark is growing up

With Ryan's busy work schedule and Josh's broken ankle we have lost our two biggest lawn care specialists. Mark has decided this last month that he is old enough to handle the yard. Kelly taught him a few weeks ago how to mow the lawn. He had a great time the first time and mowed all of it, taking between 2-3 hours. He later told me it was the "funnest most tiring job there was!" He had a lot of enthusiasm in the beginning but lately it has been waning a bit. Breaks are becoming longer and now he is counting the days until Josh can take back over. We knew it wouldn't last too long, but it has been fun to see him out there growing up so fast.

Marks Family Reunion

The Marks family reunion was held this last week in Island Park Idaho. For an entire week we had fun in the beautiful mountain weather while seeing Yellowstone, playing in the lodges, 4 -wheeling, boating and games. It was a marvelous week. I am the oldest of eight in my family, and all of my siblings except my youngest sister and her family (she just had a baby two weeks ago) were there. We sure missed the Johnson's though.

Ryan, due to our ward Youth Conference Pioneer Trek, was only there the first couple days, as was Kelly. So when you don't see much of them in the pictures that is the reason. My parents have thirty grandchildren, 28 of which were there last week, so it was a great time for cousins to play and have fun.

Island Park is so beautiful. It was a switch to go to a small fishing town of 215. No cell phones, internet access, or malls within miles. :) At first it might not be the definition of vacation, but after a few days of separation anxiety it was great to get a break from typical distractions, and figure out that you can have a good time without that. Although we did have TV's, hot tubs and pool tables so we weren't roughing it that badly. :) I finally found out the way to be in the outdoors without BEING in the outdoors. I enjoyed the comforts of the lodges but loved to walk outside and just be in the mountains.

We were grateful for my sister Rachael, and her husband Jeff. They had the great boat and everyone had a blast doing everything from skiing to tubing. We even finally persuaded Mark to try to go out in a tube if his big brother Josh went with him. Josh was a great trooper. And did what he could on his crutches. He had x rays right before we left and his broken ankle is healing but fragile. He took it easy and is gradually getting better.

I am so grateful to my parents for spending the time and financial means to schedule and organize this great vacation. It was wonderful to be able to spend time with my siblings and their families and make some wonderful memories.

4th of July

I am behind on my blogging. So forgive a few entries made today to catch up. We had a fantastic 4th of July weekend. Friday the 3rd, our family headed up to Sundance to hear the Utah Symphony play in an outdoor theater--lots of patriotic music and other fun selections. We were under the stars on blankets sitting on the grass. Despite some unwanted and unticketed spectators, namely ants and mosquito's, the night was great. Saturday the 4th we headed over to Kelly's sister Becky's house in Lindon for the annual pool and BBQ party. It was a lot of fun. Kelly's brother Tracy surprised us with showing up with his fire truck and spraying the party. That night we watched the Pleasant Grove fireworks show which proved a great conclusion to our day. I'm so grateful to live in this wonderful country. How blessed we are to live somewhere safe where we are able to celebrate all the freedoms we enjoy and take for granted.