Hospital Scenes

Here are some pics of Ruby while she was in the hospital. They were taken with my phone so they aren't very good. The first picture of James and Ruby is really sweet. James missed Ruby a lot and worried about her a lot too. He wasn't allowed in the hospital due to the Swine Flu epidemic (no one under 14 allowed) and so he didn't get to see her for about a week. We finally just brought him in because we were the only ones in pediatrics. They were so excited to see each other. They just stood and looked at each other and laughed and laughed. It was so cute. It was the happiest I had seen Ruby in a long time. She looked so cute in her little hospital gown--poor little baby.
The last picture was taken right after her first surgery. She doesn't have any clothes on because she was burning up with a 103-104 temperature.

Shows

I know this is a lame post but now that it's winter I find myself watching a bit more tv.

Some shows I am really enjoying this season are, in no particular order:

1. Modern Family on ABC Wednesday nights. Funny and original.
2. The Office, of course, but doesn't seem as funny this season.
3. Community. I enjoy this one a lot.
4. Parks and Rec. This show has really redeemed itself this season. Much, much better this year.
5. 30 Rock. Love Tina Fey and Alec Baldwin.
6. Heroes
7. Biggest Loser
8. Conan
9. I never thought I would say this but I actually enjoy tuning in to the Jay Leno show now and then.
10. House Hunters International
11. Psych. I'm excited for the new season to start in January!
12. Jeopardy

As for James, he's really into Bob the Builder these days. He goes around the house all day singing, "Bob the Builder can we fix it? Bob the Builder! Yes we can! Working together to get the job done." I personally find the show extrememly boring. At least The Wiggles were somewhat entertaining.

Happy Anniversary!

We celebrated our 5th wedding anniversary on the 27th! What a ride!
We attended the temple and did some sealings. It was nice to look at Adam across the alter and to hear the promised blessings in the sealing ordinances again. We have been very blessed .

Excuse Me While I Gag

Last night Adam and I loaded the kids in the car and headed downtown to see the annual tree lighting. On the way there, I looked back at the kids only to see James pick his nose and eat it.
"James, please don't pick your nose and eat it. It's so gross and disgusting."
"No, I'm a squirrel."
"Squirrels don't eat their boogers."
"I'm a squirrel pretending to eat acorns."
I wanted to laugh and puke at the same time. So gross!

By the way, all of my posts have been 'naked' lately as my USB cable is on the fritz and I'm too lazy and poor to buy a new one.

Thankful

I won't lie and say that 2009 was the best year ever. In fact, in a lot of ways, it kind of sucked. It kind of sucked a lot. I don't say that to be a whiner or a complainer--I know things can always be worse. But let's face it, some days are better than others and so are some years better than others. Adam has been unemployed for a full year now. In retrospect, as I think about the past year and the challenges we have faced financially, I can see huge blessings that were a direct result of him not being employed. Some of those blessings are as follows:

Adam was able to focus almost solely on school. Because of that, he was able to take more classes and will now graduate slightly earlier than expected.

When Ruby was in the hospital, Adam was able to take care of James most of the time and he was able to come and relieve me at the hospital.

We learned to rely on the Lord for nearly everything. It is a miracle to us that somehow we have managed to pay all of our bills every single month without going into debt or having to borrow money from our parents. We also never had to apply for food stamps or other assistance (other than medical) which we are grateful for. I'm very thankful to know that assistance is there if it came down to it but fortunately we were able to get by without it.

We have learned to go without even if it was something that we really needed at the time. Is it an absolute necessity or can it be put off for a few more months? I'm thankful that (hopefully) I've learned the value of money.

We have learned from some mistakes. A few years ago, we bought a car that we immediately regretted purchasing. We have prayed and prayed that we would be able to sell it but we haven't. I know the Lord understands that we have learned our lesson but that doesn't mean He's going to instantly make the problem go away. He's definitely helped us make the payments but it would have been easier if we could have sold the car or, even better, never purchased it to begin with.

The blessings of tithing are real. I'm so thankful for this divine commandment. The Lord gives us so much more in return. We are indebted to him for all that we have and all that we are. He wants to bless us and He wants us to be happy.

FHE

The other night, James was flipping through his "Jesus book" (aka: the nursery manual) and he came across the picture illustrating the story of the good Samaritan. He asked me what happened to the man. I told him that some bad people came and beat him up and left him on the ground and this nice man came along and helped him.
James: How did he help him?
Me: He gave him some water and took him to the hospital.
James: How did he take him to the hospital?
Me: On his donkey.
At this point he starts laughing hysterically and shaking his head. He finally held his hand up and while still laughing said, "I guess I just don't understand."
Me: What don't you understand.
James: (Still laughing hysterically and keep in mind he is only 3) A donkey can't hold two men it can only hold one man. And then he laughed and laughed like it was the funniest thing he had ever heard.

After Adam got home that night, I was telling him about it and I was laughing so hard I had tears rolling down my face. I love that kid. He is so stinkin' smart and cute.

Perspective

I admit there were times during the last few weeks when I felt pretty sorry for myself, for Ruby, for our family in general. For Ruby's third surgery, we went to St. Luke's instead of St. Al's. I met an 8 year old girl that was battling cancer. I saw her in the playroom a lot, hooked up to oxygen, her pale bald head bent over her art work or games. I wanted to cry every time I saw her. I no longer felt sorry for myself. My Ruby was fixable-- she would be able to leave eventually. This girl, Raegen, had been in the hospital for 27 days straight and was staying another week for chemo treatments. I can't imagine facing something like that as a parent. I had a small taste of what it's like to see my child suffering, feeling helpless and confused, the endless hours of monotony at the hospital. That was nothing compared to what Raegen and her family have experienced. We may be dirt poor, we may be frustrated with our job situation, we may feel like our situation is never going to change, but at least we are healthy and our children are healthy and for that I am very grateful.