Defining success

I have learned that certain experiences tend to change your perspective and expectations in life and how you determine whether the day is successful or not.
Yesterday started off like a normal day. Becky and JJ got off to school just fine and the little kids and I were getting ready to go on a little field trip to a local farm.
I was loading the car with diaper bags, water bottles, etc.
Dallin was standing in the doorway of our garage holding the door open when he lost his grip on the door and it closed behind him launching him off the narrow ledge, down the stairs onto the cement floor of our garage and knocking him unconscious. For about 30 seconds he wasn't breathing or responding. It felt like 10 min. to me! But like I said, after about a half a minute he started breathing shallowly and his eyes started to roll open, but he still was not responding to me like I wanted and I had a really hard time keeping him awake so I called 911. Weirdly enough by the time the truck showed up Dallin was fully conscious and starting to act normally. So the EMT's advised me to take him in to the pediatrician before taking him to the hospital. So we loaded up in the car and went to the doctor's office. The Doctor gave Dallin a thorough examination and told me she was positive he was fine but wanted him to have a C-T scan just in case. So we loaded up again and went to the hospital and Dallin had his first cat-scan. He was so good. I was amazed at how brave he was. I got to stand right next to him the whole time. He looked so tiny laying there on that big table. He didn't move a muscle during the scan. I was so relieved. I don't think I could have handled it if they had to strap him down. Everything turned out fine. There was nothing of concern on the scan and Dallin has been just fine ever since. (As a matter of fact he was back to his mischevious self that evening, making "toilet paper soup" in the toilet after his bath and peeing all over the floor before his second bath of the night! But I guess that's another story.)
Anyway, as long as there are no 911 calls or trips to the ER today I will consider the day a success. We'll keep our fingers crossed. ;)

Memorial Day Weekend!

We've had a great Memorial Day weekend. Joe's best friend from high school (who is also named Joe :) and his family came to stay with us. Joe and Liz are living in Tennessee right now where Joe is going to Dental school. We haven't seen them for years and it was so fun catching up with them and their sweet little girls. Becky, JJ, Abby, Emmy, and Emmy were inseparable the entire visit. We have missed them a lot. It was fun taking them around D.C. and making some fun memories.
Thanks Joe and Liz! We hope to see you again soon!

"Take me out to the ball game"

We had an awesome day today!
One of the partners Joe works with offered us his tickets to the Nationals game for today.
We took all the kids and had a blast.
The seats were great! Just 15 or 20 rows up from third base.
We watched a few innings, then I took the little kids to a playground they had in the out field.
Later we met up with Joe, Becky and JJ for "helmet sundaes" and pictures with the 4 presidents who race around the bases between innings. Dallin wasn't so sure about them but the girls thought they were cool.
I forgot my camera! Grrrrr. But we took a few pictures on our phones. (Now I just need to figure out how to get pictures off my phone.)
It was a great day! I recommend it to anyone.

Women's Conference and WICKED!

A week ago my sweet mother flew me to Utah to attend "Women's Conference" at BYU with her and my sisters. What an awesome week! Joe's Mom and sister flew our here to take care for the kids so I could go. Joe's sister Beth did a cute entry on her blog about the going's on here in Virginia while I was gone. You can read about it here.
Anyway, I've never gone on a trip by my self before, and it was so nice to have a little R&R.
I had the chance to see most of my brothers and sisters, we did a lot of shopping, :) and Women's Conference was awesome as usual! I always come away from those two days feeling like I can conquer the world! (well, kind of:) Then to top off the week my sister got tickets for all of us to see "WICKED!" Wow! It was amazing! I had never seen the show or new much about it but I was hooked by the opening number. Definitely the perfect end to a great week.
Joe and the kids were so great about letting me go for the week. I've never been away from any of them that long before. I have to admit that when it was time to get on the plane I was a little wary of leaving for so long but obviously it ended up being such a great trip!