Meningitis not a Migraine

Joe developed a headache last Thursday evening. He took medication and asked me to rub his back but fell asleep early and so I put the children to sleep. He woke up early Friday morning with what he thought was a migraine. He took medicine for a "migraine" all day with little relief. Thinking his back was out, he saw a chiropractor and came home in even more pain. That night he had a fever and was in a lot of pain. Medications were barely taking the edge off and he slept little and restlessly. Sunday, he had a priesthood blessing and fell asleep for a couple of hours and awoke in so much pain he began to vomit. We went in the ER and to make a very long story short, there they preformed a lumbar puncture (spinal tap) and diagnosed him with Viral Meningitis. He has found some relief with Advil, Benedryl, Lortab, and some caffeine. Today brought some hope of relief as he was able to sit in on a long work call and feel more "himself." Thanks for your prayers. It has been difficult to be up with him and see someone you love and care about in so much pain. I was grateful to the sunshine today. It brought us hope. We still have more days (and even worse nights) of pain. We are learning many things through this current trial. Thank you very much for your kind thoughts and prayers. We feel your love and it strengthens us.

Escaping to Hawaii (Hospital)

Tired out, I resented being a mother last Thursday. Joe fell asleep early. I lectured children about all that I do, that is really their jobs and then put all the children to bed after scriptures and prayers. The next day, Joe invited me on a surprise date to "get away" to Hawaii. he brought home an orchid that reminded him of a plummeria and insisted I wear it behind my ear. We said goodbye to the children and enjoyed a movie and popcorn (despite Joe's "migraine"). After, he took more medicine to try and free himself from his bad headache. This weekend, instead of getting away to Hawaii, we spent many painful hours at the ER and then at home where Joe is healing from meningitis. Just another day in Paradise, I guess. I am so grateful to have another day with him.

Top O' The Morning to Ye

To a Lepercon I wold like it if you wold draw a pickcher of yoursellf. if you take a coin or gem please leave a toy p.s. do not step on the thing or you will get trapt from Jon. In the triangle box--stay away from Hannah (she doesn't believe in you.) Top O' the morning to ya! Hello Jon! We Leprechauns dress a lot like your people, humans do. We wear a button up shirt and regular old green pants. We wear better shoes than your people do though. Ours are pointy. Enjoy the Gold! From Leprechaun Sam O' Green P.S. Thanks for the heads up about the trap.

Happy St. Patricks Day

Miss R, Jonathan and Susie built a Leprechaun Trap again this year. The difference is that this year, Jonathan left a note telling the Leprechaun to leave a picture of himself and warning him about the trap. They received milk chocolate coins to share among themselves. We also enjoyed festive foods--chicken and broccoli casserole, green Jell-o, pistachio salad, and green sugar cookies. Hope your St. Patrick's was lucky too!

We Caught Ourselves a Little Leprachaun

Ahh, she has reddish hair and the Luck O' The Irish too!

Catch Up

Last night (early this morning, rather) I played catch up...through Valentines anyway. I've included a 7 Layer Cookie Bar recipe, Ballroom pics, snow day, and more about baby. Hope you are well.

Baby is Growing Up!

Our little one is now praciticing to be a full fledged toddler: babbling (sometimes quite loudly to be noticed, fed, "one of the gang"), walking along things (hopefully stable), scattering books on lower shelves, discovering doors on cabinets and items from inside those cabinets, pulling over and going through the trash cans, squealing with preschool sister, laughing when she knows something is a game, etc. She even has a nick name "Scripture Ripper." Hopefully, one day this will be "Scripture Reader."

Dating is Dangerous!

Hey all, I've got a lot to Blog about (ice skating, Fairy Tea Party, etc.). I am home fretting because today the nerves in my back are acting up. A couple of Fridays ago I went with Joe to bungee jump and on some of the flips I timed them wrong and was jerked pretty hard on the way down. Turns out I separated some ribs (T10, T11, and T12). Have any of you separated ribs and what, besides a rib belt, helped you recover the fastest? I am on four Advil currently and have these spasmodic clusters of pain when I go to sit, lay down, pick up Evie, etc. Dating can be dangerous, I say!

Fairy Tea Party Fun

Fairy pendant, pink Fairy Fluff (cotton candy), and "Pixie Dust" favors

Shy Little Fairies

Ballet Fairies Perform

The Fairy King

Mature Fairies

Grandma and Grandpa relax after the Tea.

For more on this from a local paper, see here. Campbell Fairies, Clayton Grandma, and Ashton Fairies went to the annual Fairy Tea. It was delicious, of course!

Shall We Skate?

Ahh...car rides make me so sleepy.

Miss H and school friend Nike.

Anxious, fearful, and he's up and enjoying himself!

Sweet and patient Miss R spells Joe and I

Skating with cousin Sonya.

With an hour left, Miss R watched the Zamboni clear the ice.

And she's up and happy!

Joe called this afternoon. It turns out his company is sponsoring a free family skate night with hot cocoa and treats in Salt Lake. We eat a quick picnic lunch dinner in the car, listen to Dave Berry's hilarious Science Fair audio book and before we know it-- we are there. Miraculously (and thankfully) I did not fall once.

Easy (and delicious) Seven Layer Cookie Bars

Ingredients

• Crisco® Original No-Stick Cooking Spray
• 1 1/2 cups graham cracker crumbs
• 1/2 cup butter, melted
• 1 (14 oz.) can Eagle Brand® Sweetened Condensed Milk
• 1 cup (6 oz.) butterscotch-flavored chips
• 1 cup (6 oz. pkg.) semi-sweet chocolate chips
• 1 1/3 cups flaked coconut
• 1 cup chopped nuts

Instructions

• HEAT oven 350°F. Spray 13 x 9-inch baking pan with no-stick cooking spray.
• COMBINE graham cracker crumbs and butter; mix well. Press crumb mixture firmly into bottom of prepared pan. Pour sweetened condensed milk evenly over crumb mixture. Layer evenly with remaining ingredients; press down firmly with fork.
• BAKE 25 to 30 minutes or until lightly browned. Loosen from sides of pan while still warm; cool on wire rack. Cut into bars or diamonds.
• For perfectly cut cookie bars, line entire pan with foil, extending foil over edge of pan. Coat lightly with no-stick cooking spray. After bars have baked and cooled, lift up by edges of foil to remove from pan. Cut into individual bars.

*My tip: Melt butter in a medium glass bowl and add crumbs and mix with a fork until moistened, then press into sprayed glass casserole dish. The family and Elder's Quorum (after temple sealing) gobbled these up.