Start with the 4th!!!
It was fun to have Daddy home for part of the holiday...at least it was enough time to take some photos. We were invited to Josh and Melanie's new home for a big splash day and BBQ. The food was yummy and the kids had an fabulous time playing in the water. We talked about the blessings of freedom, life, and liberty. I hope that my children grow up being grateful for those blessings. After that we spent the evening with my parents and extended family visiting from out of town.
There were a lot of things that made this holiday special, but I think having my Grandpa home from the hospital was one of the highlights.
Irrigation fun...
It was so hot...when Great Papa got the water, the kids were quick to throw on the swimming suits and head for the yard. They ran, jumped, splashed and dunked. The best part was watching them splash Great Papa. He finally started fighting back.
Hyrum's First Haircut!
So, I was in love with his little curls (I think he has more hair then Jenna) but it was getting out of control. We finally set aside a day and took care of the big first haircut! He sat so nicely and never moved. Isn't he handsome?!?
The Hardest Week
We almost lost our little boy. Crazy, right?!? He had a viral infection. It went from a sickness to being unable to hold anything down. He wasn't eating or sleeping. We aren't big worriers, so we figured he would get over it and be fine in a few days. After 3 days of being sick, he was non-responsive. By the time I took him to the ER, the doctors were really concerned. He was very dehydrated and his kidneys had started to shut down. I was told that if we had waited 12 more hours to bring him in, we would have been saying "goodbye" to our son. They gave him 3 bags of saline in those first few hours and it was like watching a balloon inflate. He still had problems with his kidneys so we spent a few days at Gilbert Mercy Hospital. They were WONDERFUL to us. Hyrum was the best patient many of them had ever seen. He did not cry when being poked, prodded or even when they put in his IV. He bravely watched and held my hand. They kept drawing blood and giving shots and he never cried. He was the best boy. His good nature is such an example to me.
I have to mention my sweet friends and family. While I was in the hospital, I never had to worry about my girls - they were being well taken care of by my family. I was brought a care packages of goodies and snacks. My friends came to offer comfort, books, gifts and their love. I was so grateful. Words can't even begin to express how much I appreciated the kind thoughts and gestures.
His favorite visit when we were in the hospital was when Daddy brought his sisters. The girls brought him books to read and even read to him. They gave him a balloon and lots of hugs. It was so sweet to watch them take care of their sick little brother.
This was taken 5 days after we came home from the hospital. He was still struggling, but he was so happy to be home and with his sisters again. It took about 4 days of being home before he really turned the corner. We are so grateful that our little boy is still with us. It really made us appreciate everything about him. It was so wonderful to hear his laughter filling the house again and to witness his good nature influence his bossy older sisters - and make them a little more thoughtful and kind.
What do you do in the Summer Time?
Swim, Swim, Swim!
Visit the Temple...
Act a little crazy...
That wraps up our month of July. We had a few really rough weeks with Hyrum, but other than that, we felt extremely blessed. Members of our family and our ward family made sure we were taken care of and we can't thank them enough. I have much to be thankful for...
