Parting Shots

May 3rd was a day of celebration for all the fabulous times we've shared with Chip and Audrey over the years that we've been fortunate to live in the same community. The number of people gathered at Sugarhouse Park for their send-off BBQ is a testament to the value they place on friendships. It was so much fun to see all their circles of friends mixing and having a great time. I am sure that I speak for many people when I say that It was an afternoon filled with much excitement as we prepared to send them off to their next adventure in Portland, but also a sad realization of the gaping hole about to be left in our personal lives here in Salt Lake City. Chip and Audz.....you will be greatly missed!

Reflection and Renewal

What a month we've had! It seems as if it has been one thing after another.

• Finn had several feverish days (102 degrees+) where he was totally chipper but was just a ball of fire. After a few days the fever retreated and a rash covered his stomach and face. (It was then I knew he had Roseola). With a weakened system, he got an ear infection and was grumpy as could be, accompanied by the added irritability of popping his top 2 teeth. Poor boy! I guess it was bound to happen at some time. In fact, his pediatrician had commented at his last appointment how amazing that our healthy little boy hadn't been in for anything besides wellness visits.

• Next I sprained my wrist pushing Finn up a curb in the stroller. This is just one more thing that should not be done while talking on the cell phone. Yes, I do need a better story for the injury.

• In April my grandmother passed away, just one week after her ninetieth birthday. Finn and I caught a flight to Minneapolis to be with family for the funeral. I traveled lightly (or at least as much as is possible with a baby) so thankfully Amber fulfilled the role of documenting our time together with a great series of photos.

• Sunday night after my return to Utah, Chris lay doubled over in pain in bed and by 1:00 AM Chip came over to whisk him off to the emergency room. Now that is some brotherly love (and also a great comfort knowing Chip had worked at the University of Utah ER so he could vouch for the excellence of the staff)! Doctors initially feared a ruptured appendix, then possible a growth/tumor or possible another disorder, the name of which escapes me at the moment. As the morning progressed I stood by his side as Chris (still in agony despite the doses of morphine) signed form after form in anesthesiology, basically writing the surgeons a "blank check" of permission to go in and do whatever it took to fix him. The hours passed slowly as I sat in the waiting room, but finally I got word that the surgery was over, they'd repaired an internal hernia and all was well. (Of course the longer version of the story includes details such as the determination that he'd been born with a non-rotated intestine.

" The cecum is normally located in the lower right side of the abdomen. With malrotation, the cecum and the appendix (which is attached to the cecum) stay in the upper right side of the abdomen. Bands of tissue called Ladd's bands form between the cecum and the intestinal wall and can create a blockage in the duodenum (the beginning of the small intestine). A volvulus is a problem that can occur after birth as a result of intestinal malrotation. The intestine becomes twisted, causing an intestinal blockage. This twisting can also cut off the blood flow to the intestine, and the intestine can be damaged."
- www.healthsystem.virginia.edu

• Chris spent another few days in the hospital recovering and finally came home Wednesday. It is amazing how something like this is cause for pause and reflection of what is really important in life. I am so thankful for all the support from family over the phone and in person. Most importantly, I'm thankful for the safe return of my husband without whom I'd be lost.

“This is my wish for you: Comfort on difficult days, smiles when sadness intrudes, rainbows to follow the clouds, laughter to kiss your lips, sunsets to warm your heart, hugs when spirits sag, beauty for your eyes to see, friendships to brighten your being, faith so that you can believe, confidence for when you doubt, courage to know yourself, patience to accept the truth, Love to complete your life.”

- Anonymous