5/30/21 Bounce House of Doom

 

5/30/21

Well what a week.  Last Thursday, the last day of school, our neighborhood had a big party with bounce houses.  Grant was on one and it went up in the air 30 feet and dropped 4 boys, 3 on their heads.  C had a broken tail bone, Grant had a severe concussion, broken tooth, and broken arm, T had lacerations in his liver, spleen, broken ribs, punctured lung, and at the moment has brain damage.  R had a broken neck, back, skull fracture, broken elbow, broken patella, and broken heel.  We continue to pray for T and the potential brain damage he received. 

 This is has been the scariest moment of my life with regards to my children getting injured.  As I ran to him at the park and saw his little eyes roll to the back of his head, I prayed that the Lord would not take his sharp little brain.  The next two days seeing him unresponsive except to pain were truly agonizing.  He slept 22 of the next 24 hours.  Gratefully, he will okay. 

 I have seen God’s hand close.  I truly was in trauma mode when reaching the hospital, and felt angels present to remind me that he would be okay and these experiences would prepare me for the future.  In addition, my other kids were immediately swept up by the members of our ward and neighborhood and taken care of the next few days.

 

Some sweet tender moments:

1)      Grant couldn’t remember what he ate for dinner, mom got worried.  He said, “ Mom I still remember what 5 to the 5^th power is" and then proceeded to tell me.

2)      Last Wednesday was a moment of stress for me as Grant wiggled his broken tooth that is leaving blood all over the bathroom, and told me his elbow may be broken.  I was feeling a little overwhelmed.  Stressed, I walked in the hall to see a sign the 12-year-old young women had put on my outdoor chair saying “Be Strong”  which was a quick reminder from God to me.

3)      Lily had a lesson in which other mothers told of their impressions not to go or keep their kids close before the bounce house incident.  At first I was feeling, why did I not receive that impression? I felt in that moment that we were meant to be the hospital for the other little boys.  Gary was able to act in his bishopric calling and help these little ones while hospital visitations were limited to everyone else. 

4)      Grandparents willing to step in for whatever is needed

5) The bishopric was able to quickly set up grief/trauma counseling as a Sunday class for the adults because over 100 children mostly from our neighborhood watched this scene unfold at the party.

6) Parties were stopped and prayers were offered all across this day.

7) A ward fast was held for these four children, and I received 100+ texts from friends, school people, and acquaintances telling me they were praying for Grant. Go fund me and other fundraisers were organized. 

Here are a few news articles:

https://www.azfamily.com/news/mesa-children-recovering-after-wind-picked-up-bounce-house-more-than-15-feet/article_4ee0a66a-bddd-11eb-908b-43e7720d0b14.html?block_id=997196

https://www.azfamily.com/news/mesa-children-recovering-after-wind-picked-up-bounce-house-more-than-15-feet/article_4ee0a66a-bddd-11eb-908b-43e7720d0b14.html

https://www.gofundme.com/f/help-the-4-brave-boys-get-back-on-their-feet

5/9/21 Mother's Day

 Well this week we are wrapping up school.  And I am ready for a little break. School has killed Gary Jr. this year.  Grant had to make an ocelot sock puppet for his rainforest presentation.  He is such a cutie! 

Charlotte and her snuggle blankie.  Can't be without it.

I was reflecting on my experience as a mother.  I have always oscillated being the highs and lows of motherhood, the companionship of having so many children and the burden of not having much freedom or free time. Seeing my baby sister have such a hard time with two and all the sisters weigh-in has made me realize how alone I was when it was really hard, and having to figure out a lot on my own.  I know how critical I had others of me in my early parenting years was so very hard,  I remember a relief society activity changing my life 

Lately, I have seen my other friends move on in their callings and interests because of their availability and I felt a little stuck.   Some growth is needed but I am just not sure in what direction.  I would love to be involved with my older children, because I feel like I am missing out a lot on my older children's growing up experience because I have according to others"my hands full".   I guess I didn't anticipate living in an high LDS population area would bring this kind of challenge.  In Houston and my mother's growing up experience you were used regardless of your family size. 

The other thing is the lack of help "babysitting" when I want to attend field trips and volunteer in my kids classes.  I don't like to pawn my kids off, but I saw the one time I had a babysitter for Charli (a mom with 2 little girls) how much she loved the social interaction.  

I remember this post, it is amazing that my body was able to do that 6 times! Have to add Charli's in....

Now I just have to raise these little people with testimonies, brains, talents, and a work ethic to rival mine. 

5/2/21 18- year-anniversary and Gary's birthday

This was our first trip since Covid.  Since Gary had to be up at Stanford this week, I tagged along and it was pretty wonderful.  Lots of beach walks, eating at Darbar Indian, Golden Gate Bridge, China town, Little Italy, and more beach walks.  I love the ocean.  We even saw 2 whales.  The highlight (of course food) was eating seafood risotto overlooking the ocean.  Well, I actually think I loved just walking on the beach the best.

The comical part of the trip was the drunk guy that sat next to Gary on a very crowded plane on the way to san Jose.  He kept leaning his head on Gary and putting his arm around him.  Talk about yuck, especially during COVID.  Ugh.  Very memorable though. 

The grandparents survived our kids crazy schedule and carpools, and it was just wonderful to be the two of us for a few days.

We came home and had a big birthday party for Gary Jr.   completely with lots of teenage boys, wet swimsuits, too much pizza and candy, and a Marvel movie while in the hot tub. Gary apparently made a bucket load of money from the party which was his highlight.  And what does he want to buy...invest in stocks.  He is a delightful and crazy kid.  He is so smart.  He is so kind to his little sisters.  He is so loyal to his friends.  He loves the group. This year has been rough on our relationship.  I hope to see the sparkle return in his eyes this summer with less homework and computer time.  I just got to get him to stay on the straight and narrow.  That kid! He got a bamboo steamer from China town for his birthday.

Also Lily's orchestra concert with her amazing friends.  Although she didn't make it into the select chamber orchestra next year (she is 3rd chair and there were only 2 spots), I hope she stay close with these girls because they are pretty stellar.  Missy plays the Viola, Jill the violin, and Chrissy the cello.