Time with Caitlin

Caitlin is off track for a month. I have thought about all the things I want to do with her during this time and how to make it fun and special. It’s the last break she will have in elementary school, other than a short summer before entering junior high.

We went to lunch earlier this week with some of my friends that she knows, and then shopping for warm weather clothes. I love that she chooses modest clothes and that she is more into Legos than make-up. On a quick errand to Target, she decided she wanted to plan an Easter egg hunt for her cousins and picked out plastic eggs and candy that she thought they would like. She’s a sweetie.

She has such a great group of school/neighbor friends. They are darling, silly, 12 year olds who make hundreds of calls back and forth trying to coordinate getting together. This week they have gone to the movie, out to lunch, and today they are doing a marathon temple trip. Yesterday, it was our turn to help carpool them around, I had to laugh to myself because Caitlin is funny and she keeps her friends laughing. It’s good to see that others see that part of her like we do at home. I’m hopeful it will be this group of friends who will help her through the ups and downs of junior high and keep her on the right track.

Our Somewhat Chaotic Weekend

We had a great weekend. On Friday night, our family went out for Thai food and then to BYU Ballroom Dance in concert. It was amazing. I can’t believe we’ve never gone before, but I know we’ll go in the future.

On Saturday, my mom and dad came for a visit. We spent the wet, cold day at the Carl Bloch exhibit, visiting a few stores, and the movie. Then we set them up in our awesome guest room (living room with an air mattress). We go all out in the hospitality department.

My dad set Clint apart on Sunday as a High Priest in our church. He was just called as the assistant to the High Priest Group Leader.

A Little Behind

We’ve been busy; too busy to stay caught up with the blog. Here’s a quick version of what we’ve been up to.

* Carl Bloch at the Museum of Art at BYU * Caleb tried out for and made his high school acapella group * We bought Les Miserables tickets * Caitlin went to Space Camp and loved it * Clint and Caleb went on an overnight camp for Jamboree * Caleb was called to be president of his crew (group of 36 scouts and four leaders going to World Jamboree in Sweden) * the kids both spent time in the temple, parents need to follow their example * Parent/Teacher conference for Caitlin * junior high registration for Caitlin * attended Saturday afternoon session of General Conference * Clint and I went on two double dates with two different neighbor couples, one to dinner and a comedy club, the other for Indian food * I have been working on a special assignment at work which has resulted in endless overtime * Work meeting * lunch with work friends for both Clint and me* church party with the High Priests that was way more fun than I expected it to be * family dentist appointments with no cavities for any of us * Caleb on the mend and feeling better each day.

Date #2

Last night Caleb was asked to the Sadie Hawkins dance by one of my cute Young Women. She will turn 16 tomorrow and the dance isn’t until the end of April, but as her mom told me, Kailee said, “It’s Caleb. I have to ask him early before someone else does.” I had no idea he was in such high demand.

She asked him by filling balloons with candy, each with a letter written on it. He had to pop the balloons, then arrange the letters to figure out the name of the person who asked.

He answered her tonight with a bouquet of balloons. He wasn’t interested in coming up with his own creative answer, but I guess that’s a boy thing.

I think they will have fun at the dance… in a month.

One-Long-Boring-Stressful-Day

Caleb had his surgery and was finally released around 9:30 tonight. It has been one long day. We were really impressed with the medical staff and felt he was in good hands through this whole yucky mess.

I’m happy we’re home. Happy the worst is behind us. Happy I increased my Flex Spending Account contributions this year. Happy we have access to a cutting edge hospital that is less than five minutes from our house. Happy for caring family and friends who pray for us. Happy to crawl into bed tonight with our little family under one roof.

Before photos of both clavicle and radius bone fractures-

After photos of radius only (both surgeries involved metal plates)-

It’s Not Our Week

We have a broken boy. Today Caleb fell during track practice and broke his radius and clavicle. He did such an amazing job breaking these bones that he will be having a double surgery tomorrow. I feel so sad that his track season is over before it began. I feel bad that the daily things he does without even thinking about them will be a challenge. He’s in a lot of pain and looking at his broken arm makes my knees weak.

And here I was grumpy about having to pay for our non-heating dryer repair…

In other news, happy birthday to my wonderful, funny, smart, beautiful sister. We hope your day has been 100% better than ours.

Caitlin

 

These photos are a gift from For My Mama, a cancer photography project. While we were watching the photo shoot, I couldn't get over how grown up Caitlin is looking these days. Gone are the chubby cheeks, the button nose, and dare I say it? This is probably the last photo I will ever have of my little girl in clothes from Gymboree. Sigh!