While I was having my toe surgery, Leslie & Becky took all of the twins out for a fun day at the Lied Discovery Children's Museum. They had a blast!
Kaleb the explorer.
Jason & Mason the artists.
This story came home one day from Kindergarten to be read and written about in either Kaleb or Noe's reading log last year. I liked the story so much that I bought 6 copies- one for each of my 2 sets of parents, Leonard's 3 brothers & their families, and of course 1 to add to our family library to honor our wonderful summer of family reunions with the Reil's, Pittl's, and Lee's. It's an endearing tale with charming illustrations.
I read this book while we were in Idaho. It's about a Utopian society. It actually made me think a lot about my gospel beliefs and if this society is something Satan would create. I believe that we must experience sorrow to be able to experience joy. I really liked the story, but was left wanting so much more at the end. There are 2 companion stories: Gathering Blue and Messenger. I will definitely have to read them too.
After I broke myself on Wednesday I spent hours at Urgent Care. On Thursday I went to 3 different doctors to finally find one that would treat me. On Friday I went to another 3 doctors to prep for my surgery Tuesday. Yesterday was my first day to actually follow the doctor's orders and sit with my foot elevated all day. Can I tell you that I have dreamed of having a day to just sit and read, but when it became a reality it was so hard to do! Luckily, I read a great book to pass the time. It is actually a heartbreaking tale of 2 women in Afghanistan, but it does have a satisfying ending. I think all people in free countries need to read this book to better understand what life is like in war torn countries. It was very sad, and I hope and pray I never have to experience what these characters did. However, it also is a story of hope. As long as we have hope for a better future we can make it happen.
So, as I mentioned in my previous post I tripped over the baby gate last Wednesday. My left toes, and my right arm hurt miserably. I went to urgent care where they x-rayed both areas. Then I saw Dr. Quack. He told me that I had broke my toe and just sprained my elbow. He told me to follow up with a podiatrist. I'm American, but my husband is Canadian and we are living in Taiwan. This had made for very interesting Insurance/Payment plans. So far I've been paying out of pocket to have my insurance reimburse me later. However, the podiatrists I called wouldn't see me as I was a self-pay customer. Since when is cold, hard cash denied? My dear friend Leslie, pulled some strings with Dr. Compassion. I was able to show him my x-rays and he gave me a referral to Dr. Competent, who will be doing my surgery on Tuesday. Now I come to the title of this post. This afternoon I got a call from Urgent Care. The lady on the other end tells me that Dr. New looked at my x-rays and that my elbow is indeed fractured and I need to follow-up with an orthopedic doctor. Are you frickin' kidding me? Can I seriously file a malpractice case against Dr. Quack? Leslie (awesome friend) called Dr. Compassion for me again who will take my x-rays to Dr. Thorough and hopefully I can get fixed. When I am all fixed I will have to make a new blog post "Comedy of Errors" titled by Dr. Compassion.
Last night my mom, dad, little brother, 3 children, and I were supposed to get on an airplane bound for Phuket, Thailand, where Leonard was going to meet us for a week of lounging on the beach. Unfortunately, we are still in Las Vegas. Don't get me wrong, I love being in Las Vegas, but the reason we are still here is very painful- for me at least. Last Wednesday, I tripped over the baby gate (which prevents Gavin from falling down the tall hardwood staircase) and broke my 2nd toe on my left foot. I did a great job breaking it too, the large bone is now in 3 different pieces. I have to have surgery on Tuesday to correct it. Depending on which procedure the Doctor has to use, my recovery time is anywhere between 2, 4, or even 6 weeks. I'm praying for a miracle and hope it will only take 2 weeks to recover so we can still get to Thailand before my kids start school. Until then, I'm either doped up on Lortabs, or dealing with the pain so I don't have to deal with the nausea from the Lortabs, and I'm having a great pity party feeling sorry for myself!
Leslie, Becky, and I took the kids to Town Square to cool off in the sprinklers.
Afterwards we went to Del Taco for some lunch.
Janalyn and the kids came over to swim today. We love our cousins and are so glad for every chance we get to be with them!
I'm the oldest in my family and for 11 years after I left home, whenever I went home to visit- everyone was there. Well, for the past 4 years my siblings have been leaving the nest. I miss them when I come home and they're no longer there.
Whitney, Isaac, and Brent had to head back to Salt Lake after the weekend festivities. I'll miss you guys!
I wanted one more cousin shot, but Isaac had other plans. They're still so cute!
To celebrate Grampa's birthday we all jumped in the pool, while he played with his new toy. He was recording our play, and later when we watched it we all laughed so hard because Jack (the puppy) was clearly the star of the show.
Later that night, Brent & Kris lit up the fire pit to roast some marshmallows and make s'mores.
There's nothing like a wedding to bring together family. Eri & Tom's reception was like a mini Barlow and Lee reunion.
The Barlow siblings- Connie, Jimmy, Debbie, and Linda (Miss you Uncle John).
Conner, Aunt Susie, & Uncle Jimmy (BARLOW).
Uncle Steve, Aunt Connie, Brad, & Rachel (BARLOW).
Lynn & Sam (BARLOW).
Meredith, Robin, Kristen, Aunt Gretchen, & Uncle Tom (LEE).
Adrienne & Scott (LEE).
Aunt Linda, Bryan, & Uncle Don (LEE).
Gina, Bryan, Tracey, & Tanna (LEE).
Katie, Ryan, Brent, & Courtney (LEE).
Alyssa & Courtney (LEE).
Troy & Suzie (LEE).
Leslie & Duff (ok, they're really not family, but they feel like it).
Tom & Erika looked so cute dancing together. However, we had a little chuckle because the DJ played "The Lady in Red" as their song.
The kids were dancing machines and Grampa got some great footage on the camcorder that I can't wait to show their future dates.
Gavin didn't do much dancing, but he loved hanging out with all of the Barlow Aunties and Uncles. He snuggled up with Uncle Jimmy and fell fast asleep. What a sweetie!
On July 18th, Tom & Erika headed to the Las Vegas Temple to get married...
...and now they are!
The following day they had their reception at the Rio Secco Golf Club.
It was a fun party with a dinner buffet, dancing, and yummy cake! (I took this picture before they brought out all of the platters with cut sheet cakes, there was so much beautiful, delicious cake.)
Their colors were brown, ivory, and orange (in shades of tangerine, peach, and apricot). Their flowers were stunning!
The Lee fam- Jen, Gavin, Brent, Isaac, Whitney, Steve, Kaleb, Linda, Erika, Tom, Noe, Kris, Mandy, and Coleman. I really wish Len could have been here, and so does he!
The Fagergren fam- Annie, Starr, Ty, Erika, Tom, Kathryn, and Mark.
Me and my girls.
Me and my kids.
Tom and Erika with the big party behind them, ready to head off on their Caribbean cruise honeymoon!
