Mason's Appendicitis

Last Monday afternoon at about 4pm Mason started complaining of a stomach ache. He had been laying down reading/resting for about an hour prior to this.
At 4:30 he was holding his right side doubling over and softly wincing/crying a little about the sharp pain.
I almost immediately headed for the hospital. When Mason complains of pain you know it’s bad. This kid has an incredibly high pain tolerance and never complains about anything unless it’s an unfair lack of tv/video game time.
Our next door neighbor Kenzie came over to watch the kids. My brother Nathan happened to call me as I was leaving the house. He was in town and offered to help with the kids as well.
By 5pm Mason and I checked in at Cardons children hospital.  We didn’t get called back for about an hour. We were not at all prepared for the wait. Mason didn’t have his book or tablet and my phone battery was quickly dying. At the front desk they asked Mason a series of questions. One of the questions was “on a scale of 1-10 what is your pain?”. He answered about a 6. So as we sat waiting for them to call us back Mason could see all kinds of other people getting called back. He commented that certain people were going back that checked in after us. I explained to him that they probably were more sick and needed more immediate attention. Almost immediately Mason responded “I should have told them my pain was a 10. Then they would have taken us back sooner” lol. This kid sure cracks me up.
Around 6 or 6:30pm they brought us back and did some blood work, urine sample, x-rays and an ultrasound. The urine sample was pretty funny. The nurse quickly explained the process of peeing in a cup and Mason’s immediate response was “Wait. What?”
Around 10pm it was confirmed that he did have appendicitis. He’s such a funny kid. He hasn’t complained at all since we got to the hospital. But he did get a little teary eyed when I told him he couldn’t play water polo this week because of surgery.
At 11pm they transferred us to our hospital room for the night. I was helping him get ready for the night. And I moved his IV tower a little so the light wouldn’t be right in his face and he yelped “Ow!” I jumped and thought I had pulled on his IV cord too much. Then he smiled and said “just kidding!” I love his sense of humor and good attitude even when things are not going his way.
Surgery was scheduled for 9am the following morning.
There are a few things about the hospital I don’t like. I DON’T like that I can’t go back with my child while they put them to sleep. I totally understand them not wanting me there during surgery but I want to be there when my kid goes under. Mason on the other hand could care less. He is so trusting and confident. I remember when he had his first eye surgery, my little 7 yr old getting wheeled away and I started crying. He turned and waved a happy excited wave. Oh Mason.
I REALLY don’t like that after surgery they don’t let you come be with your kid until they wake up. After surgery the doctor came and told us all about how it went gave us this cool picture of his appendix and then said “Ok. They will come get you when he wakes up” ... 45 agonizing mins later!!!! Why can’t I go wait by my kid until he comes to? I should have asked but I don’t like to be annoying or high maintenance.
We hung out at the hospital all day just playing card games, watching tv, and going for walks in the hospital hallway. Mason is such a jokester and a funny kid. As crappy as the situation was I really enjoyed some one on one time with him.

Post-Op instructions: 

1. No immersion in water for a week (showers are ok) oops... we didn't quite make it a week.

2. No contact sports for an additional week (no water polo)... does wrestling with your brother count? or Dodgeball with friends? oops.

This kid is pretty incredible. He only asked for Ibuprofen 1 time after surgery. His pain tolerance amazes me. The first night home from the hospital they told me to set my alarm and wake him up every 3 hours to give him alternating pain meds Tylenol/Ibuprofen. I set my alarm for 2am and collapsed in bed soooo happy to be in my own bed and not on a makeshift cushion mattress in the hospital. I was so tired I had forgotten to turn the alarm ON! I woke at 5am and JUMPED out of bed alarmed and worried! I rushed out to Mason on the couch only to find him peacefully sleeping. I woke him up and gave him some Ibuprofen. 

After his first shower on Wednesday he jokingly told me "Mom! This is my first shower with out an appendix take a picture!" lol So of course I grabbed my phone to document. Mason took it easy for about a day and then was pretty bored. People have constantly asked me how he's doing and I have to remind myself that he just had surgery. He has begged to play water polo and get back into the swing of things. Poor kid. I don't know what to do with him. We went to Sunsplash yesterday and he said he was good. I'm really hoping that the surgeon doesn't get mad at me this next week at our post op appointment.

Callie’s magical hug

I was recently called into the Relief society presidency. While I have mixed feelings about it all I’m trying to embrace the change. I miss Primary like crazy. That by far was one of my favorite callings in the Church EVER. Working with kids (including my own) It was such a privilege to sit with, sing with and occasionally dance with little angels from heaven. 

This last Sunday I was in charge of the “RS discussion lesson” All the women in the room sit in a circle and discuss a specific topic as we share insight and personal experience. As the “lead” my job is to make sure the discussion stays on topic and I add my own insight and ask questions where needed. I was really stressed. I haven’t taught adults for years. I don’t do very well with spontaneous and not knowing what’s ahead of me. Teaching an actual lesson is so much easier because you have all the material to go over. A discussion I have no clue what people are going to say and I worried a lot that it would go off topic or the spirit wouldn’t be felt. I felt like I had prepared a great deal for this but Saturday night I started panicking and found myself crying over the stress of it all. Earlier in the week I had sent an email out to all the women in the ward with my chosen topic of discussion and a few questions for them to ponder. I also enlisted women that might not be attending the discussion to email a response if they wanted with their insight or a personal experience if they wished to share. I was blown away at some of the responses. Mostly from my friends in primary. That was a tender mercy and helped me greatly. Right before my lesson as I was standing out in the hallway I could feel the doubt and the stress creeping up again. Tears started to well up in my eyes as I fought back panic. Then out of no where I felt Little arms wrap around me. I turned and found my sweet Callie had wandered down the hallway to give me a hug. I bent over and whispered a thank you to her and her magical hug. That was just what I needed. She skipped off to primary and I turned to face Relief Society. I think the discussion went well I know I felt the spirit and I’m grateful for all of my tender mercies along the way. 

Noah at the Diamondbacks game

Noah cracks me up and surprises me on a regular basis. He’s definitely our chill kid. Stays out of drama and is very obedient. He is very task oriented and will remind me plenty that I have promised certain rewards for certain achievements. He has a texting app on his tablet and sent me a couple texts while I was out jogging one afternoon. 

The other night we went to a diamondbacks game as a family. The kids were all excited to order food at the different kiosks. Noah’s dinner choice was a soft pretzel and cheddar cheese. He only ate about half of the pretzel and so he wrapped the remaining half up to save for later. At one point he leaned over to me  during the game and asked if he could give the rest of his food to a homeless man we saw sitting outside the stadium when we first walked in. My heart instantly melted and I was touched at his thoughtfulness. I hope he is always giving and thoughtful of those less fortunate. 

Camping Trip

We planned a family camping trip with the Morris Family in our ward. Such a fun family filled with good people and fun kiddos. We drove to Woods Canyon Lake and set up camp. We mostly just relaxed, hung out and of course ate lots of food. My sweet April was kind of a pill. Anytime we walked anywhere she wanted to be held but not by just anyone... she would yell "Want mommy hold you!" "I want Mommy!" Well... mommy WAS holding her and she was talking about my friend Jeanne. (insert eye roll) Little stinker. She LOVES Jeanne. I get it. Jeanne is a pretty amazing woman with a big heart and amazing Christ-like love that just radiates from her. Plus I'm sure April likes the fact that Jeanne is Charlotte's mom (her best friend).

 April outside the Morris' tent at 6am waiting for Charlotte. (insert eye roll)

   

The boys were so cute they insisted on building their own fort. I was impressed with what they came up with. The weather got down to 40degrees and I totally thought they would come join us in the tent in the middle of the night. But they didn't! Mason was happy to put some of his scouting knowledge to work. I love how serious he takes Boy Scouts.

You know camping in theory is a wonderful concept. You get out of town away from all the crazy and let life slow down. You get a little dirty but it doesn't matter. It's relaxing and kids can run a little wild. Being one with nature can be inspiring and enjoyable. Unless... you bring a toddler! April was so sweet the first day we got there fell asleep in Ron's arms that night and slept for a good couple hours while we chatted around the camp fire. But later that night when we went to bed April had other plans. Plans that did NOT involve sleeping. She woke up in the middle of the night and just started kicking and screaming. There was no consoling her. She yelled and cried for about 25-30 solid mins. I was pretty miserable too, I was so cold sleeping at the edge of the tent so I really don't blame her. I was happy when morning finally came. 

 

Teacher Walk Out/Red for Ed

My kids have been home from school for about a week due to the state wide teacher walk out. I have mixed feelings on the whole situation so I'm not going to elaborate too much on the sensitive subject. I'll just say I do feel like SOME teachers deserve a little more compensation for the amount of work and effort they put into teaching. But I also there are better ways to go about receiving that increase. It's been a bit of a political nightmare and tricky situation I wish I knew more real facts about it all. My kids have sure been happy about the amount of free time and lack of school. Monday I took the kids to the Temple visitor center and we watched a really powerful Joseph Smith movie. On Tuesday we hiked the Wind Caves and I was so proud of my kids. No whining and complaining. On the hike back down they were asking if we could come back the next day! We enjoyed what I feel like is the very last few days of gorgeous weather. Went for bike rides and played outside lots. My sitter Jessica took them swimming and to a splash pad last week. I received a text today that school would finally be starting up tomorrow. Kids are bummed but I'm a little relieved. I am running out of things to do. This week has made me a little nervous for summer.

 

April is 3

I can't believe my baby is 3! So crazy! She is still perfect in every way. Super happy 98% of the time. Very sweet and in tune with others emotions. If you are sad or upset she quickly picks up on that and asks "You ok Mom?"
I love this little princess. She's as girly as can be and an absolute angel. She loves singing, dancing and dressing up. The perfect little sleeper. She is still in her crib. I don't get it. I have NEVER had a child stay in the crib this long (more than 2 times as long as Mason crazy kid was climbing in and out at 16 months old) I am absolutely enjoying every minute of it. Every night it takes about 2 mins to put her down. We lay her in her bed, sing a song of her choice and say "Good night April!" Her song choices range from "Twinkle Twinkle little Star" or "ABC's" or "The Butterfly Song" (a primary song called My Heavenly Father Loves Me) At night sometimes Ron would tell her "Goodnight Princess" and April would respond "Goodnight Princess" It was so adorable. She doesn't do that now. She promptly responds with "Goodnight Mommy or Daddy. I love you soooo much."

Family Snow Trip

We decided to take a spontaneous trip to the snow this weekend. I'm really glad we did. Our kids have been begging for a snow trip all winter. (This winter has pretty lame not much snow in AZ this year) When we first got to Flagstaff I was a little nervous, there was absolutely NO snow anywhere. We stayed at the Drury Inn in Flagstaff, AZ and woke up to heavy snowfall the next morning. The boys of course didn't want to ever leave the snow. My poor kids were hardly equipped for snow fun (we don't have very much "snow gear") but that did not stop Mason and Noah. Callie liked it for about 20 mins. then she was done. April was NOT a fan. She kept saying "It's cold. and Let's go inside!" I love little family trips like this, lots of together time and fun. 

 A huge milestone in my marriage was reached on this trip. On the drive home Ron stopped the jeep and asked if I wanted to get a pic with him. I was over the moon excited. This is HUGE! I love pictures. They say a lot about an experience and help you remember phases in life. Ron isn't always the biggest fan of taking them so I'm just happy he suggested it this time (hence the flip flops since I was "car drive comfy"). He's such a good looking guy! Why wouldn't I want pictures with him?! :)

Mason of course was our photographer. I really should start paying him. He does a pretty good job!