A Birthday to Remember

Michael's birthday was December 9th. To put it mildly it was a birthday that our family will NEVER forget!

We had a busy, busy weekend leading up to his birthday so we spread the celebrations out over a few nights. Saturday we used his coupon for a free meal to Tucanos and enjoyed a delicious dinner there! Then Sunday we had a quick birthday dinner at home before Michael had to leave to teach a class at the institute. On the way home the car died on the highway and by the time he made it home he was too tired to even enjoy his cheesecake. Poor guy! If only that was the low point of his birthday...

Monday the day of his actual birthday I had to work. We were having a Christmas Party for all our clients at Chick-fil-a so Michael and the girls decided to tag along. They had set up a tent of sorts outside with lots of space heaters in order to fit everyone. Well, in the tent poor Michael stepped back a bit to let someone through and got too close to one of the space heaters (one of the really hot propane type with a sort of open flame). It was so hot it caught his pants on fire! He was holding Eliza at the time and was only thinking about keeping her safe so I ended up putting the fire out with my jacket.

When all was said and done the fire had burned through his pants and his thermals and in to his skin. An ambulance ride, ER visit, a few shots of morphine, and painful scrubing later we finally made it home to start the healing process. He ended up with a second degree burn on his thigh that is about the size of a football! (And once again he didn't eat any of his cake because he was so sick from the medication they gave him)

I'm not going to lie it has been a rough two weeks in our house. Michael's burn is not only very painful for him but also very labor intensive. I had to drive him around for the first week (because the car that wasn't broken is a manual and it hurt too much for him to use the clutch). It's difficult for him to walk or bend down so helping our with chores or the girls is nearly impossible for him. Plus it was constant dressing changes, hunting for the right dressings, picking up medications, a repeat trip to the doctor to rule out infection, a new medication that is really dangerous for pregnant women in their 3rd trimester that I can't touch yet I needed to help him smother all over his burn, and keeping the house under control by myself while 8 1/2 months pregnant. He has been a trooper and pushed through finals for his students and himself despite how much it hurts. Interestingly enough, the first few days it didn't hurt too badly. But as things have started to heal a bit the pain has been much worse. Then this past week both Hazel and Eliza came down with the stomach flu. Whew! I'm exhausted just thinking about it.

Along the way we have truly seen many blessings though. Our family in town has stepped up in so many ways to help. Harrison and Rebecca took the girls and drove us home from the ER the night it happened. Alicia babysat when I had to take Micahel back to the doctor. TJ has helped a ton with keeping our driveway shoveled and fixing the car so Michael could start driving again. My mom (who has been battling a painful injury herself) took the girls overnight then drove them home the next day so I could get caught up on some things. Gabby has acted as our on call nurse to answer our questions and give us tips to keep Mike as comfortable as possible. Thanks to all of you!

I also feel I have been blessed and strengthened. I have never felt this good at 35 weeks pregnant nor had this much energy. I know it's been a blessing from our Heavenly Father to me. Oh, and I never caught the girl's stomach flu which was another huge blessing! As for Michael, I know he too has been strengthened to make it though all he has had to get done the past few weeks despite feeling yucky.

We survived and we're stronger for it! (Though if I never have to repeat these past two weeks I'll be happy). Michael's burn still hurts a lot and has quite a bit of healing left to go. But it is getting better. And he finally did get some of his cake two days after his birthday. So glad we went with the frozen cheesecake so it was still good!

*I considered adding pictures to this post but they're a bit graphic and I decided to spare everyone. You're welcome!*

Thankful!

This year we made a Thankful tree during the month of November. Each day we would add a few leaves to the tree as we thought of things we were thankful for. At first the girls only wanted to list things like princesses, dress ups, etc. But as the month continued some of the things they thought up to hang on the thankful tree were really sweet. In the end it made a fun decoration for our kitchen too!

Some of my favorites from Hazel included: my first time in the Primary program, Rafi is home, the new Provo temple, princess quilt, and her mermaid costume.

A few of the things Eliza came up with all on her own were: family, coloring, Ellie, and the thankful tree.

It was also a great way for me to reflect. This year I felt an overwhelming amount of gratitude for Micahel's calling on the high counsel. It keeps him BUSY that's for sure. In many ways it is a difficult and trying calling for him and for our family. I'm left alone with the girls most Sundays (and that will only get more interesting when the baby joins us next month). It fills much of  time that is left in his schedule after work and school. And yet at the same time, I feel our family has been so blessed with love, and peace, and harmony since his call. Our Stake President put it perfectly at our recent Stake Conference. He said "People keep thanking me for my service, but I don't understand why. For me it was a wonderful opportunity. It's like saying 'Thanks for going to Hawaii'."His calling truly has been a wonderful opportunity and a huge blessing in our lives.

The Thankful Tree was a great reminder of all that we have to feel grateful for each day. We are SO blessed! 

California Thanksgiving

We enjoyed a wonderful thanksgiving in California this year! It was a wonderful trip visiting family and enjoying the warm weather.

By far the biggest hit of the trip was the beach. The girls LOVED the beach this year and we went every day except one while we were there. We also visited the tide pools (a first for me and both the girls). Hazel of course loved looking at things but wouldn't touch anything and when she did she would whine and pout. Eliza on the other hand loved touching things. That is a perfect reflection of their personalities!

 

We also enjoyed all our favorite California food while we were there - Wahoos, Oh Those Doughnuts, and Ruby's to name a few. 

 Thanksgiving Day was spent enjoying delicious food at Grandma and Grandpa's house with plenty of extended family. (I didn't take any pictures that day though except this one of Jamie pampering Eliza. Notice Ellie under her shirt - she's pretending she's pregnant haha).

Then on Friday night Grandma took the girls ice skating. Hazel continues to get better and better. This time she was able to do quite a bit of scooting around the ice all on her own. Eliza did really well this time too! She's been skating a few times in the past but has never wanted to do much. But this time she loved it and did awesome! She's such a natural and was also scooting around all on her own by the time they were done.

It was a great trip! We loved having a break from everything to spend time together and enjoy seeing family!