Memorial Weekend in Arizona

It's always interesting to think on a time that you thought you'd never get through, only to realize you're looking on it from your rear view mirror. The first week after my accident, I missed my kids terribly. So much so, that Sunday night, I cried myself to sleep and called my mom in the morning to basically tell her I was going to be on my way to Arizona. She reassured me that while my kids love me, they were fine and even having a great time with all their cousins. She encouraged me to stay resting and give it another week. Travis concurred, so I settled down and told my heart it was going to have to hold on, 4 more days. I asked Trav to take another day off work so we could leave Thursday night to get our kids. I think the only thing that got me through that week was a new plan. I've spent years debating on how to print my blog. I finally decided to print it through Blog2Print, with small pictures, and make Shutterfly books of the most important pictures of each year. So that second week I averaged 12 hours a day on our lap top, making photo books. It was tedious, but fun to look back on the years.
 I got 2008-2011 done!

My hours of being stationary left me restless and unable to sleep at night. So once I finally fell asleep, I was bound to sleep in and awaken to this scene that Travis left me. I'll be honest, it made me feel loads better.

Marcie's sweet package also made me feel better!! Her note literally made me laugh out loud.

I was also surprised by pizza delivered one day from Rachel. I have the most thoughtful friends!

Megan had us over for dinner and dropped off smoothies and muffins.

Brinn brought over strawberries and cream and homemade bread. 

I was spoiled. Rotten.

When I couldn't stand to lay in bed any longer, I'd work on craft kits. It was something I'd wanted to do for my kids this summer and now that I had the time, I decided to do double and give the second set to my sister who had my kids for much of the time I was down.

Finally, Thursday night came and my life altering nightmare was almost over. I was feeling immensely better compared to a week earlier. I was beyond ready to snuggle my kids! We got a little behind and drove into Mesa around 8:45pm. I was so happy that Olive was still awake. My mom had had Olive the majority of the time and said it was like taking care of me as a baby all over again. She was so loving and good to her! I guess she attempted to put Olive to bed that night at the Evans, but the second she walked out to the car, my mom started crying and just couldn't do it. She couldn't give her up just yet! That seriously warmed my heart. I wasn't supposed to run, but the second we pulled in to the driveway, I didn't even wait for the car to turn off before I was out of the car and hustling up to the front door. My mom was holding her in the living room and when I walked in, she looked at me and locked eyes on me and wouldn't look away. I wondered what her reaction would be. And while our eyes were connected I was trying to read her facial expression. It was almost like puzzlement. Like she didn't know if she could believe her eyes. I grabbed her and she immediately snuggled her head against my chest and I started crying. I cannot describe how good it felt to hug my baby again!! I also can't describe the gratitude I had for my mom and all she did for me and my kids over the previous week and a half. It's a debt that will never be repaid. I was also so grateful for Shelley. She had my boys for 4 whole days and 3 nights and also took care of Olive for a day or two. That's a ton of work! Marcie, Karen, Carrie and Paula also had our kids. I was just so overwhelmed with love and could never express my immense gratitude enough. The boys were at Paula's so we hurried over there and I got lost all over again in hugging my boys, smelling their hair and figuratively shaking myself that we were finally all together again. It felt SO good. 

Then I'll tell you what DIDN'T feel good!! Getting stung by a scorpion that night in bed! BAHHH!! EVIL, WRETCHED CREATURES!! I hold back no hatred for those vile spawn of Satan. It's a long story, but I had actually been in bed with Weston, when I woke up and got into my own bed around 2am. The second I laid down, I felt the prick and it took a second for my brain to process what had just happened. Then, broken back and all, I'm climbing over Travis, whispering, "Scorpion! Scorpion! I just got stung!" I ran to the bathroom, blind as a bat (I hate wearing contacts!), while Travis scoured the sheets and ground. He found it on the ground at the foot of the bed and killed it. I wish it could die a thousand deaths! Then Travis had the brilliant idea to get some oils on it. We rubbed lavender and Melaleuca on it and I thought it might be getting a tad better. Then we rubbed Frankincense on it and felt instant relief! Seriously, miracle oil! I was sooo grateful. In the morning I felt almost 100%. No numbness and no tingling. In fact, because we got the oils on so fast, the numbness never even traveled down my arm at all. 

So this was really helpful knowledge when Collin got stung the following night!! Seriously!! I was ready to drop all kinds of bad word bombs. Bug!!! I freaking HATE those things!!! He stepped on it, walking from the house out to our room. He was screaming something fierce, but the oils and some ice really helped calm him down. It was time for bed, so by morning he seemed mostly all better. 

Then on Monday I was stung by a bee in my Mom's pool. It was NOT our trip for bugs, that's for sure!

The next day was Friday and we spent it mostly driving around town, running errands. Travis needed new garments, I dropped off my imaging CD to my cousins husband who is a radiologist. Got us some Backyard Tacos. Then visited Grandmother.

Blackberry season was almost over, but Grandmother took us out to her bush to rustle up some stragglers. I LOVE fresh blackberries and all my memories of picking berries off her bush. One day, I'll have my own bush. One day. :)

That night, all the Evans girls went out to Gecko grill and the Sweet Tooth Fairy for a belated, Mother's Day celebration. Lots of fun!

 

The next day we had to make a Costco run. Obviously. Too bad we couldn't remember to get the baby formula and had to go back a second time!

I wish I could live at my mom's backyard pool. I'm always pestering Travis to give the boys swimming lessons.

 Saturday evening, the Evans got together for their Memorial Day BBQ. Josie came too and performed a little known talent of hers.... playing the piano upside down. For reals. I didn't even know she could do this! Never a dull moment, I swear!

Sunday dawned less than ideal. Travis had the stomach flu really bad. He made it through sacrament meeting, then spent the rest of the day throwing up and lying lifeless in bed. I wasn't any help with the kids, so my mom took the boys back to her house for the afternoon. Totally saved us. My back was still hurting and it was good to rest most of the day.

I just love this beauty and can't help myself when she's lookin' all cute and ready for church!

I grew up going to the Phoenix cemetery with my Udall family on Memorial Day, but this was the first year they met at the Mesa one instead. Uncle Sam just died this year, so we met at his grave.

Then we visited Travis' grandparents' grave, CJ's grave, my Grandddad's grave and my sister, Melanie's gravesite.

That afternoon we got together at my mom's for a BBQ.

Fabio showed up, then scared the freakin' crap out of me, jumping off the roof and flipping into the pool. BOYS!!!!!

Steve brought his new girlfriend, Maelyn over, and we STUFFED our faces. YUM.

Later that night, LaRee and James came over to hear about my accident and maybe give me some advice. James works in physical therapy. When he heard my diagnosis, he admitted that in 13 years of working in physical therapy, he'd never seen even one person with a broken transverse process. Ugh. I had read that it was a really rare break. It takes so much force to break those bones, that it's usually just in severe car accidents or gun shot wounds that you break them. Awesome. Well, despite that, we had a great time chatting and catching up til 1am!! Who do we think we are?! :)

Collin was begging for their picture to be taken for some reason.

Tuesday was EPIC.

That morning, I got my blood drawn to finally complete my food allergen test that I've been wanting to do for YEARS! I was so excited! I had met with a Dr. Janet Reinhert in Mesa on Friday to pay the arm and leg for the blood kit. Now the lab will send off my sample and I should get the results in a couple weeks! YeeHaw!!

Thennnn, we FINALLY got the Waffle Truck!! I've been wanting to try these suckers for months and months. Every time we come to town, we try to track them down, but for one reason or another, never sealed the deal. Well, today was my day! There was no line and we got them right away. Pretty tasty. But I'm afraid the months of anticipation may have given them too much hype. Yummy, but not life changing. :)

Then I got to meet one of my closest friend's SIXTH baby!! Yes 6!! This crazy lady is the most phenomenal mother. It was so fun to meet and hold sweet Miles. Congrats, Jenni!!

Finally, it was time to hit the road. One last snuggle with Grandma before we go!! I think this picture speaks volumes. Two weeks after this, I got a picture of my mom on my phone and showed it to Olive. Her face literally lit up! No joke, there was instant recognition and she was pawing at my phone with happy giggles. I think these two formed a bond. Such a sweet effect of a terrible accident.