Just Another Day at the Keith's.: May 2013

Friday, May 24, 2013

Flowers Last Forever.

Mackenzie surprised me with a beautiful bouquet of flowers that will last forever.

All the 1st graders went on a field trip to the zoo. I hadn't volunteered to be a chaperone because I wasn't sure if I'd be working at the farm. Also when going as a chaperone you can't take siblings. The night before the field trip my friend Tara said to me, "hey let's go up to the zoo together and meet up with our kids." I thought about it and thought about it and decided, why not! The reason I hesitated was because I needed to get cleaning done and laundry done and Ty was flying back home that night. But, Ty hasn't left me yet, for playing with the kids instead of cleaning.
Sawyer was so excited to be able to see the animals. He kept asking to see the elephants. Guess Dawson's obsession with elephants has been passed onto his little shadow.

Tara helping Sawyer see the elephants better.

We had a blast running from animal to animal. I've discovered how fearless Sawyer really is, yet how obedient he can be too. He didn't stray too far away, but he did try and climb over every fence and 'get closer'.

He was a little fascinated by the giraffes eating.

The zoo currently has Lego animal displays throughout the park. There are some very impressive creations. Check a few out!

I wouldn't mind cleaning up after these monkeys.

A life sized polar bear.

Even the base is completely made out of Legos.

Cute penguins.

When it was time for the buses to be loaded and kids to head home, Tara and I met up with the our kids and checked them out with us. We then continued playing at the zoo a little longer. Kaydee, Dawson and Sawyer had too much fun together. We discovered when those 3 are together the volume level skyrockets!

Here are few more picture from our time at the zoo.

No kid can resist the spinning water globe at the entrance.

There's a polar bear in there

Finally, something he can touch.

I swear this leopard is looking right at Sawyer.

It's probably thinking he looks pretty tasty.

Dawson was surprised when the wooden elephant blew mist out of it's trunk.

Sawyer did not like sitting on the trunk.

Thanks Tara for inviting us along to the zoo with you!

Dawson, Kaydee and Sawyer.

Thursday, May 23, 2013

So Sick and So Brave.

On Thursday, Sawyer got hit hard from some form of stomach bug. He started throwing up at 5:20 in the morning and it continued until 8:30 that night. If you did the math, that's 15 hours of vomiting. If that wasn't bad enough, explosive diarrhea started by 12. I'm telling you I was lucky mom!
I tried to get him to drink water, eat popsicles, drink gatorade. I tried everything I could. His body rejected all fluids and solids. I knew when Kenzie gave him a blue popsicle cause he had blue puke.
As a mother I felt helpless. By that night it was apparent I (we) needed some spiritual help. I asked for Sawyer to receive a Priesthood blessing. I'm glad our Home Teacher was a little late. It gave me time to clean the puke that had just taken place.
I asked Sawyer if he wanted a blessing to feel better. In his exhausted, little, innocent, pure voice he says to me, "Yes mom, I want a blessing so Jesus Christ can help me feel better." My eyes instantly filled with tears of joy and astonishment. My precious little 3 yr old had just taught me what true Faith was. How could such a young soul have such great faith. He knew a Priesthood Blessing given to worthy men from his loving Heavenly Father would help him feel better. My testimony and faith were strengthened through my sweet Sawyer.
If that simple Faith wasn't enough, as soon as the blessing was over we experienced our own little miracle.
After the blessing, Sawyer looked at me and said, "mom, I have no more puke. I'm ready for bed now."
After throwing up for 15 hrs straight, right up until his blessing, he didn't throw-up again. I tucked him bed with a bucket just in case. But we never needed it again. His Faith got him through.
On Friday Sawyer woke up and was weak. That was to be expected, right. But, he wanted to eat. He had a little cereal. It stayed down!
By midday though, I was a little concerned. He had slept most of the day on and off. He started acting very lethargic and moaning. He refused to eat anything else. But, he was drinking some. As the day progressed he started moaning a lot more and then he started crying out in his sleep. By crying out, I mean talking gibberish and then that lead to moaning and then screaming. Painful sounding screams.
I didn't know what to do for him. Once again as a mother I felt completely useless. Xander had a school program that night that he had a part in so he needed to go there. Tyler was at work. Luckily, Mackenzie didn't have gymnastics. So I had her for help.
As the time came closer for Xander's program, Sawyer fell into a good sleep. A calm enough sleep that I felt OK. attending Xander's program. Plus I knew Ty would be home within 30 mins.
When I arrived home Sawyer was awake. Tyler said he had been moaning and had been calling out a bunch of gibberish with the only coherent word being, "mommy."
As the night came to an end, we tucked the other kids in bed and put Sawyer in his bed. Tyler and I went downstairs and tried to watch a show. I kept muting the TV. cause all I could hear was Sawyer screaming and moaning. As Ty and I crawled into bed, I told Ty I couldn't handle it anymore. We needed to do something. I said, I thought we should take him to the doctor. Ty thought he'd be OK. and we take him in, in the morning. Then Sawyer really started crying out and moaning, speaking gibberish and was hot with fever. It was just enough for Ty to check him out and me to say, "Do you really think he can last 8 mor hrs. like this?"
Ty agreed we needed the emergency room. I woke Kenz and told her what was happening. Then off we went.
As soon as we got there the doc's looked at him and immediately put in an IV and started pumping him full of fluids. Sawyer barely put up a fight when they stuck him needles and took several vials of blood. He was such a brave little trooper.

In the ER. being pumped full of fluids.

Friday night.

After a few hours in the ER. the doctor came in and said he like to admit Sawyer into the pediatric unit and keep the IV going. My response, "Heck ya. Anything!"
Sawyer was finally admitted around 4am. Ty and I now had to decide what we were going to do. Kenzie had her last gymnastic meet that afternoon, Sawyer was not going anywhere, and we had the boys.
Our first realization was we needed access to both cars. As a mother I had to face an obvious solution, but one of the hardest. We needed to leave him at the hospital while Ty and I drove home and got the other car. It might not seem like that hard of a decision to make, but given my emotional, physical and stressed out state it broke my heart.
We left while Sawyer was asleep, knowing he was in good hands and getting the help he needed. We decided Ty would head back to the hospital for the night. I was going to get the kids up and ready in the morning and get Kenz ready for her meet. I finally crawled into bed at about 5am. It had been one heck of a day!
I took Kenzie to her gymnastic meet in Orem at 11:30 and left the boys home. I bribed them with unlimited use of video games! They were in X-Box heaven. After Kenzie's meet I headed back to the hospital to check on Sawyer. When I got there he looked better.

Saturday afternoon.

Because he still wasn't eating or drinking on his own, the diarrhea was back, and his potassium levels were low, the doctor decided to keep him one more day.
During this time, I had several friends txt me or send me messages asking how they could help and offer to bring dinner in. I am truly blessed with great friends. I was the hospital a lot longer than planned and the boys were left alone a lot longer than planned. But, Tara came to my rescue. She grabbed a pizza and headed over. Then she started cleaning my house for me. While she was there, my friend, Tracey's hubby showed up with a dinner. I didn't even know! I am so blessed with so many angels in my life.
I took Kenz home, hopped in the shower and packed an overnight bag. It was my turn to sleep at the hospital.
By Sunday morning, Sawyer was a lot better. I had brought him some toys to play with and the sweet nurse brought him in some playdough, books and blanket to keep. He was a much happier boy.

Playing on Sunday.

We thought for sure we'd go home Sunday night. But, because Sawyer was still not drinking on his own once again the doc kept us overnight. I stayed again that night. Ty went home with the kids so he could get them ready the next day for school and go to work.
By Monday, Sawyer was more than ready to go home. He kept asking, "let's get outta here."
By 1:30 we received the news we had been waiting for. We were good to go! Yippee we were outta there!
Once we got home all Sawyer wanted to do was take a nap on the couch.
So I let him!

Xander's 4th Grade Program

I think we have found Xander's calling in life. Acting! On Friday night I was able to watch my little actor in action. The 4th grade classes put on their end of year program. It was Utah Pioneers through history. Very educational I must add. The kids sang several songs about Utah's Heritage and did little mini skits.
Xander's class did a skit on the railroad and the Golden Spike. Xander got to play the role of a rich banker that helped drive the stake into the ground.
He had several lines and delivered them with enthusiasm and preciseness. I'll be honest, he was so stinkin' cute.

It's like real life Where's Waldo.

Where's Xander.

At the end of the program all the students did the Boot Scootin' Boogie.
It was really fun to watch.

Dancin' Xan!

Monday, May 13, 2013

Surprise for me.

Ty was gone for almost 2 weeks on a business training in California. That left me a single mother trying to do it all. Somedays it was a whole lot easier than others.

On Friday this little surprise was delivered at my door.

The note said,

"Happy Mother's Day, Keri.

I'll see you soon.

XOXO Tyler."

He flew in later that night. It was such a sweet surprise. The kids and I missed him fiercely. We're so glad you're home Tyler.

Kung Foo Fighting.

Xander and Tyler were Kishindo sparring this past weekend. The boys had a day long Shiai event on Saturday. I was able to join them and show my support later that afternoon when my morning commitments were fulfilled.

Xander had fun participating in the blow guns and escape holds. An escape hold is what you do when someone grabs onto you during an attack. A very useful skill to have. And what boy wouldn't love blowing sharp darts out of a long tube.

Xander demonstrating an escape hold.

Tyler participated in Blowguns, Kata routines, Sparring and Board breaking.

He ended up placing 2nd in blow guns, 1st in Katas, 1st in Sparring and 3rd in board breaking.

He also ended up earning the Grand Champion. That means he came in first out of everyone that participated.

I explained it to Kenzie like this, "Dad came in first for the All-Around." I'm bilingual. I speak Kishindo and gymnastics.

Here are a few more shots of my men.

Cutest Martial Artist ever!

Tyler getting ready to do his board breaks.

Big 10 Xan-Man!

Alrighty, one more April birthday down. Xander turned 10 on April 25th. Once again we had a little family party for him. Due to our crazy lives we're delaying his 'friend' party till a later date. Xander was so sweet to agree to wait for his party as long as he could have his presents now. Deal!