Stitches

Last Sunday the kids were running around playing before church and there was an accident. I was upstairs putting Porter down for a nap and I heard one of those "I am hurt really bad" cries. I couldn't tell whose cry it was. Emily screamed that Curren had blood all over him, so I ran down the stairs! He had hit his head on a corner of the wall. There was blood in his hair, but not a ton. So, I began to search through his thick, blond mop to find the cut. It was gaping, so I thought it might need stitches, so I called our friend, who is a doctor. He came right over and sure enough, it needed to be stitched closed. Instead of having to take everyone over to a friend's to play while I took Curren to urgent care, Leslie went to his office to get everything he needed to stitch it here! He is such a good guy. I just couldn't thank him enough!! I was nervous about him screaming when it was numbed, but Leslie is an amazing doctor. Curren didn't scream or cry at all during the whole procedure. Miracle. A little while later it was like nothing had happened at all!
We have been so blessed to have great friends here in Texas. They have been so supportive of us during this crazy time in our lives. We so appreciate the thoughts, prayers, and acts of service on our behalf. Thank you!!

One, two buckle my shoe

On Monday morning I finally sat down with Curren to teach him how to tie a shoe. I thought it would be an on-going process, but I was wrong. I taught him using the bunny ear method and he picked it up in just a few minutes. I don't know why I waited so long to teach him. I am always amazed at how quickly children are able to learn things!

Jump for Fun

So, Lauren is here, helping me with Picasa. Here is my first collage! We went to Jump for Fun with a bunch of friends a couple of weeks ago. The kids came out all sweaty so you know it was FUN!

Adventures in mowing

Last week I was mowing our front lawn, which I have actually done a few times, and I was just about done when things got a little crazy. I was bagging it and I guess I didn't get the bag on just right, so after a few swipes, it just fell off. Then the little pieces of grass blew back at me, which wouldn't have been a big deal if it wasn't 100 degrees and humid, which made me super sweaty and covered with grass! No big deal. I just put the thing back on and kept going, hoping that none of my neighbors were looking! Then I start to go around the last tree before I do the strip on the other side of the sidewalk then I'm done. As I circle around one of the wheels falls off! No way! So I stop the lawnmower and see if I can just stick it back on. No such luck. The bolt holding it on was broken in two! How did that happen? That kind of thing never happens to James! Since I'm almost done I think I'll just mow with one big wheel in the back. That works for awhile, until I have to empty the bag again. I put the bag back on, correctly, and then try to start it up again, with the pull-string. I primed it first, and then pulled on that string over and over and it just wouldn't start. So, hot, sweaty, and with big blisters on my thumbs, I decide to quit and call Blake's Lawn Service (a 17-yr old in our ward owns his own business). First, I put everything away as I'm fighting back tears of anger and frustration until I get in the shower where I just let it out. (This is where a friend asks, "Did you cuss?" No, that didn't even cross my mind.) Then I call Blake and he sends over a couple of his guys to finish the job. I'm still trying to find a bolt to fix the wheel. Did I mention that the "good" wheel actually isn't? The hot Texas sun made the plastic spokes brittle and they have been broken for some time, which makes it all wobbly! The thing is, the mower is only like 5-6 years old!

Emily, 5 years

August 1 was Emily's fifth birthday. We celebrated by going rollerskating with friends. She did so well on eight wheels! It brought back so many memories of skating in the backyard and at Aquarius Roller Rink when I was growing up! There was music ("Oh Mickey you're so fine, you're so fine you blow my mind, hey Mickey!") and games (limbo, red light-green-light). After a couple of hours we were ready for lunch. We ate at California Pizza Kitchen because Emily had a card for a free birthday meal. It was so tasty! Curren decided to stay home with the boys and the babysitter, since she brought her brother/Curren's friend, Jake with her. So, it was a fun girls day out.

Curren lost his first tooth!

We were at the Rousseau's for dinner (which was delicious!!) and before we left Christine wanted to try and pull Curren's loose tooth. After three tries, it was out! Curren was so thrilled! He couldn't stop looking at himself in the mirror when we got home. So cute. I'm so glad she did it. I used to be able to pull my students' teeth when I taught first grade, but I guess I hate to inflict pain on my own kids! Christine also gave him two stickers to wear so that everyone would notice his missing tooth. We called James and told him, and then Curren wanted to tell Nana Jearldene who was visiting, and then he asked who else was there and wanted to tell somebody else. So, he also talked to Brian, Matt, Nana Falene, Jace, Kenah, and Alynn! He looks like a big kid now!

Amon Carter Museum

Fort Worth has lots of great cultural things to do. This museum is always free! We listened to a story, the kids drew pictures and then there were snacks. So fun, and then we went to Panera for lunch.