Scary Night

Hayden kept getting sicker and sicker yesterday. He woke up from a late nap and was so sick. He was almost lifeless. He wouldn't walk, talk, move his neck or do anything but moan. I called Thomas, right when he got home, he picked up Hayden and we headed to Phoenix Children's Hospital. His doctor was concerned that it may be spinal meningitis. Scary.

On the way, we decided to run into PCH Urgent Care. I ran in, told them what was wrong with Hayden. Being scared that he was so sick, they told us to bring him in. They called the main PCH campus. But an IV in him and told us that they would take him there via ambulance.

They got the IV's started, gave him Motrin, Zofran and pain meds and they, too, were very concerned it was meningitis.

I was relieved that he was in medical care although I knew we were in for a long ride. As the motrin, fluids and meds kicked in, I was so thankful to watch my little boy come back. He started moving, talking, getting a little color back and started breathing normal. As the blood results came back, they determined that he was extremely dehydrated to the point his organs weren't being able to process any meds.

He kept getting better and better. The drs and nurses were amazed as this lifeless little boy came in and as his fever dropped, he started talking and talking and talking.

They were all amazed at his curiosity for medicine and the questions he asked. The doctor kept asking if it was Stump the Dr. night? He actually asked questions that she didn't know. His most wonderful moment, they used a new invention, a J-tip, on Hayden. Amazing, it basically makes you not be able to feel the iv going in. No tears. He wanted to know who invented it and how he could make it work for shots. Oh my little budding scientist is back.

We are now comfortably at home. He still has strep, the flu and an ear infection, but he is okay. I am so grateful!

Sick boy

Hayden has strep throat, an ear infection and swine flu. Yep, all at the same time! Life at our house is lots of fun... cranky boy and a mom and dad who have had no sleep. Oh, it is joyous around here.

Erin

Erin's bridal shower was last Friday night. We had such a fun girls night out. Me, Jodi and Rosie all went together and had the best time. It was fun seeing all of my cousins and aunts. Tons of fun!

I am so excited for Erin! I wish I could be there this weekend, but I am there in spirit.

I brought the camera... I meant to take pictures... it just didn't happen.

Girls

Our conversation last night with Hayden.

Hayden: Payton comes to my desk everyday and says, hi Hayden.
Me: What do you say back to her?
Hayden: Go back to your desk, you aren't susposed to get out of your seat.
Me: Why Hayden? How about you say hi back.
Hayden: I don't want to get in trouble. I don't know why she tries to talk to me all the time anyway.

He is so NOT interested in girls right now. Funny!

Boxcar Children

I loved the Boxcar Children series when I was growing up. I have waited so long for Hayden to be interested in these books. He always tells me no and wants superhero or other type books.

Saturday, I took him to Barnes & Noble and we bought The Boxcar Children. We started reading it Sunday and finished the first book yesterday. He didn't have school and when I got home from work, he ran up to me and wanted to me to read it to him. We read on/off all night. He was so cute. He wanted to know if when I picked him up from school today if we could go to Barnes & Noble and get book #2.

I love that he loves it! Hopefully, this will instill a love for reading. Before bed last night he asked me,"Mom, is this what it was like when you were reading Twilight? You just keep wanting to know what happens next?" Yes, he is falling in love with reading!

And, I loved every minute of him cuddling up next to me reading. Sheer bliss!

Christmas Shopping

I have officially started Christmas shopping. I have made my list and now starting to cross things off.

Unbelievably, I have no idea what to get Hayden for his birthday or Christmas this year. Usually, there is a ton of stuff I want to get him, but this year, I am not sure. I have several ideas for Ann, just not sure what to go with.

I can say I have completed all of the Murphy side of shopping. Done and completely crossed off. It feels good to have a start.

I need to get going because from here on out, life is crazy until January! I am so excited... bring on the maddness and fun!

Bountiful Baskets

I decided to try bountiful baskets and see if it was worth it. I brought my laundry basket and showed up at the park with my receipt and loaded my fruits/veggies in my basket. Hayden loved it and thought it was so cool! He was so excited to see which fruits and veggies we were going to get. He even ate an apple and a pear on the way home.

For $15.00, it was so worth it. We received celery, 2 bags of carrots, an onion, broccoli, 5 yummy tomatoes, a dozen bananas, a dozen apples, 5 grapefruit, a bag of grapes, a dozen pears and 8 stalks of corn. Bonus, it is all organically grown, which I have been trying to switch to.

I am sold, we will be back each week. We eat a ton of fruits and veggies here and thisw is a lot cheaper than picking it up at the store. I guess I will be at the park each week, 7am to pick up my basket. Good Times!

School Time

Liberty Arts has a facebook page. I love it! They randomly take pictures at school and of events and place them on their wall. I love getting a glimpse of what Hayden is doing at school while he is there.

Hayden and Lucas in class. Got to love that his "chewy" is always in his mouth. I must blog about his chewy. We LOVE it!!!

Hayden in the middle, during storytime in the library.

The entire 2nd grade participating in a school assembly.

McDonalds

Liberty Arts had their first fundraiser of the year... dinner at McDonalds. The kids loved it! They got to see all of their friends, play and eat at Mickey D's. They even snapped a picture of us at the event. Proof that we attend almost ALL of the school events and participate in the fundraisers. Plus, it is a great way to get to know all of the other parents and staff.

Lunchtime with Suzi

Hayden's school had their first bring a grandparent/parent/aunt to school day. Hayden wanted Aunt Suzi. Of course he did, she is so fun! She not only brought Hayden lunch but bought an entire bag of cheeseburgers in and lots of fries. Hayden was a hit! He had all kinds of friends wanting to eat lunch with him and Suzi!

Thanks, Suzi!!!! Hayden had so much fun and all those cheeseburgers made him a hit! All the kids were talking about it even the next day!

Oh Hayden

Okay, so here is a funny one. Hayden is about 6 seats down from me at the movies today (sitting by Jake's girls), when he stands up and yells, "Mom, I am telling Kaylee all the ways that Obama and Satan are the same. They are both trying to take away our freedoms and choices. Isn't that right?"

I noticed lots of eyes on me and quiet laughing. I stood up and walked down to Hayden and quietly explained that although there are many similarities, yelling that the President of the United States and Satan are the same in a movie theater, probably not the best idea.

Got to love the honesty and bluntness of kids.

Rain

I love listening to and smelling rain. It has been such a long time since we have received so much rain here in the desert. I feel very blessed for the rain. However, I am terrified of lightning. It was so close this morning that I could feel it. Scary! Wouldn't have been so bad if Thomas were here but, I hate being in a lightning storm without him. I am a wimp!

Now that the lightning has past, I am absolutely LOVING the smell of the rain. I feel the need to make chocolate chip cookies. My mom always made them when it rained. I now do the same for Hayden.

Then off to see the new movie "Shorts" with Rosie and kiddos. Hope it is good. Hayden really wants to see it. What a great rainy day!

Hayden update

Hayden has been in school for a month now. I wanted to document the progress/changes I am seeing.

According to Hayden's occupational and speech therapists, he is not the same kid that left school last May. In fact, his occupational therapists said she has never seen such positive changes over one summer.

I guess all the therapy, speech camps, daily therapy routines and daily reading and math skills paid off.

Ms. Coleman, Hayden's principal, stopped me in the hall yesterday to talk to me about Hayden. She has noticied changes in him. He is making eye contact with her and more people. He is becoming more confident and social. I am so happy!

I am so proud of my little guy and how hard is working in school. He has an amazing teacher that he loves and she is great at pushing him but knowing when to back off. He is even wanting us to time him on math facts for fun! He is doing fantastic in science, social studies and in math. Give that kid a fact or a date and he will remember. His memory is incredible! I am so happy for Hayden and his hard work! Way to go buddy!

Car Accident

Thomas had been looking forward to confirming Shelly and Megan with the Gift of the Holy Ghost on Sunday at church. Shelly and Meg are such amazing daughters of God and we were so happy for this wonderful event taking place in their lives.

On the way to church, Scott, Shelly and family were in a car accident. We were right behind them and saw a truck turn into their vehicle. It felt like slow motion and there was nothing we could do. Both vehicles were totalled.

Thomas threw the car into park and jumped out of the car. I had Ann drive the car into Walmart parking lot so Hayden didn't see what was going on. I think he would have freaked out. Everyone was okay but really hurting. Megan and Ashley were both taken by ambulance to the hospital where they were evaluated and both had pretty bad back and neck injuries. They are really swollen but okay.

Shelly was so sad, scared and all the emotions of a mom in a car wreck with her three children. She was shaking and saying, "I am just trying to do the right thing. Why is this so difficult?"

I was blessed to be able to sit in the ER room with Scott, Shelly, Megan and Ashley. Thank you Ann and Trevor for keeping Hayden and Jazzy in the waiting room. During this time, I was able to talk to all of them. And, I was able to watch my dear husband give them each blessings of comfort and healing. I watched Thomas give his brother Scott a blessing. I felt the Spirit so strongly. His love for this family is great. I realized how much I love this family and the incredible role they play in our lives. We have only recently been reunited with them and I have loved watching Thomas develop a relationship with his brother again. He has loved every minute we have spent with them. I feel like I have known them forever, not just for a couple of months.

I was able to have an incredible talk with Shelly and we talked about how much the Lord loves her and how badly Satan wants her to walk away from all of this. He sure is trying with everything they have been thru since she started investigating the church. Shelly is going to do great things in the church and influence so many people. I am so glad this experience is helping to strengthen her and not hurt her.

Our prayers are with them as they are all hurting and having to deal with the unknown of recovering. Luckily, they are all going to be okay. And, they will be able to experience the blessings of the Holy Ghost in their lives. What an experience. I am most excited for Ashley to get baptized in a couple of weeks and then be with them as they will be sealed in the temple for time and all eternity next year.