Basketball Injury

On September 3, Doug managed to injure himself while playing basketball with the other "boys" at the church. I knew as soon as the door opened that something was wrong. He came directly into the bedroom with his garbage bag full of ice. My innards sunk and my mind starting racing a million miles a minute. We decided to wait to go to the E.R. until the next day. Doug was trying to be optimistic and thought maybe it would be something that he could just "walk off". Well, here we are three weeks later and there hasn't been any change.

We went to the E.R. the following afternoon. Thanks to a neighbor's knee brace Doug had been able to go to class in the morning. A friend watcher the girls because we were afraid we were going to be at the hospital forever. We were pleasantly surprised with the short amount of time we had to wait. Granted, by the time we were done we'd been gone for a couple of hours, but much better than the five or six hours we thought it would take.

The only thing we learned from the visit was that it wasn't broken (x-ray's proved that), which Doug had already figured out. They gave him crutches and an immobilizer to wear until he could get in and see his primary care doctor.

Last week we went to our primary care physician and he gave the order to get an MRI. We went to another hospital and had the MRI done. We got the results a few days ago. It wasn't good. I don't really understand it all, but he has at least one tear in the ACL and a possible tear somewhere else.

We went to a specialist today and he said he wants to wait another three weeks until we decide on if Doug needs surgery. It sounds like it's something he'll have to have done, but they usually wait six weeks after the injury to make sure there isn't any more swelling. In the meantime Doug is supposed to start walking without a brace and to try and wean himself off the crutches. The doctor also wants him to work out on a bicycle machine. Thankfully there's one at the school Doug can use.

So, after hoping for three weeks that we would finally know the outcome of Doug's injury, we are still waiting to know the end result. Hopefully in another three weeks we'll have the final diagnosis and we can move forward.

Here are some pictures I was able to get of Mr. Gimpy. I thought I had some others but I found out Doug deleted them. I think I'll try to make him recreate them because someday he'll be able to look back at this time and laugh at himself.

At the E.R.
I wanted to get a picture of him in the wheelchair while I was pushing him, but he absolutely refused. I'm sure it looked really funny, a man sitting in the wheelchair while his weak wife pushed. I'm laughing just remembering how we must have looked. Notice his face in the picture, he did NOT like me taking the picture. Don't worry, the room was empty when I pulled out my camera. I wouldn't have been brave enough to do it otherwise.

Immobilized
I had to snap these in a hurry because he didn't want me to take them, but I thought it looked HILARIOUS!!! I love the immobilizer over the pants! Now just picture him with crutches and you've got the whole picture.

Asher Christopher Parke

Sierra and Conan had their baby boy today!

Asher Christopher Parke arrived via c-section today. He weighed in at 10 lbs. 1 oz. As of 8:00 p.m. Sierra has not heard his length. She was able to hold him for the first time 45 minutes ago (around 7:00 p.m.). After he was born he was taken to the nursery for a bottle of formula because of the high blood sugar.

His APGAR score was an 8/9 so he is one HEALTHY little boy!

We are SOOOOOO happy for the Parke family! I remember the day Sierra told me she was expecting and I can't believe how fast the time has flown. I'm sure not as fast for her as it was for me, but that's life---literally. Ha, ha! I crack myself up.

Moving on, Sierra would love visitors. She's thinking she may try to go home early Saturday evening. If you're going, please let me know, I'm up for seeing a baby anytime. Especially when the little one isn't coming home with me.

I'll try to get my hands on a picture soon, but until then, just picture an adorable BIG baby boy with brownish hair.

September 11, 2001

History has always fascinated me. I love hearing personal accounts from people that have been there, done that. I never thought I would live through something that someday I could tell my children, "Yes, I lived then, and I remember exactly what I was doing when it happened." Well, much to my heartache, seven years ago it happened. Everything that happened that day is still fresh in my mind. Even though I was located in Rexburg, Idaho; my heart hurt like I was standing in downtown New York City.

I'm not sure what else to write, I just wanted to acknowledge the day so "We Will Never Forget".

Washington D.C.---- August 16, 2008 (Day 1)

It only took two years, but we finally made it back to Washington, D.C. We haven't been there since moving to Philadelphia in 2006. My brother and his family live there, but we just haven't had the time and money to go until now.

We left around 7:45 a.m. on Saturday, Aug. 16. This time we had our GPS so we arrived safely at the park where my nieces were having a combined birthday party. We arrived early enough that I was able to do hair and some last minute touch-ups on the girls. Doug then played with the girls on the toys while I helped my sister-in-law set up for the party. My niece that is a year younger than Miriam kept insisting that she wanted to sit and play with Miriam. It was nice to see that they enjoy being together. Part of it could be because they don't see each other often enough to get sick of each other. It reminds me of my cousins and how we used to write letters to each other. I especially loved writing and receiving letters from my cousin Kendra.

All Gussied Up

This is the life, especially after being in the car for three hours!

Shaylynn's new way of throwing a fit: "Stop looking at me, fine, I'll turn around and not look at you!"

Shaylynn was happy because there was a stray dog wondering around the park. Thankfully my children have not inherited my fear of dogs. Yes, I am afraid of dogs. Always have been, always will be.

After the party was over we stuck around and helped clean up and then visited for a little bit. It was too early to check into our hotel so we were trying to kill time by deciding what to do next. Finally we decided to go to the hotel and see if they'd let us check in early. Thankfully they did, so our next step was to get unpacked and relax for a minute.

After sitting down for a few minutes and getting our shoes changed we decided to go to Arlington Cemetery and the Washington, D.C. temple. The plan was to walk around the Cemetery first because we could rest our legs on the drive to the temple.

All of our trips until now have been for Doug and me. My favorite part of this trip was the fact that Miriam could understand some of the meaning behind what we were seeing. She was fascinated and saddened by the tombstones at Arlington Cemetery, and tried to stand very still during the Changing of the Guard. I was so proud of her for trying to understand our country's history. It was enjoyable trying to answer her questions about war, death, and a plethora of other things.

The rows and rows of grave markers!

The Eternal Flame at the John F. Kennedy Gravesite

Each time I've been to Arlington Cemetery I have a hard time keeping my emotions in check. Not only do my legs burn from all the walking (part of the reason for the tears), but I am just so grateful to those who have served and are currently serving our country. The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier always brings a flood of tears.

Tomb of the Unknown Soldier

After visiting Arlington Cemetery we headed to Maryland to see the Washington, D.C. temple. We got stuck in a little bit of traffic, but didn't mind too much since our legs were still burning from the aforementioned walking.

We walked through the Visitor's Center, debated on watching the Joseph Smith movie, but decided against it because of the time. One of the sister missionaries is from Rexburg and knows two of my brothers. We found all this out while she was taking our picture in front of the Christus statue. I felt sorry for her, she kept trying to get one with Shaylynn smiling, but that would have taken a miracle.

Washington, D.C. Temple

In front of the Christus Statue

After driving back to our hotel we spent about on hour trying to find somewhere to eat. Our GPS kept saying there was a Subway near us, but we never could find it. Finally we settled on Pizza Hut and bought cups and plates at a nearby 7-Eleven. Had we gone just a little farther down one road, we would have found a McDonalds. Sheesh!

After eating it was time for baths and bed. We had a big day planned for the next day.

Washington D.C.---- August 17, 2008 (Day 2)

Our hotel room had a very nice king size bed that we knew all four of us would end up in. It started out with the girls on the floor, but it was too cold for the girls on the floor so both of them ended up in the bed at some point during the night.

Wakey, wakey!

We knew that we had a day of walking ahead of us, but we were prepared. We had snacks, water, and I was wearing my tacky, I mean, practical, tennis shoes. I'll let the pictures do most of the talking for me in this post because we saw so much, and didn't say much (mostly because I was out of breath). We walked from one end of the National Mall to the other. Then we started walking towards all the Smithsonian Museums and the Capital. Actually, we didn't walk all the way to the Capital Building, but we did get close enough to take pictures. It was enough for us; we didn't have the energy to walk all the way down there just so we could get a closer picture. Oh, I forgot to mention that it was HOT!!! Notice how I capitalized each of those letters? It's for emphasis. Yah, it really was that HOT!

Washington Monument

Just Starting Out---Oh goodie, Shaylynn is already grouchy!

I kept waiting for Jenny to come running out of the pond (Forrest Gump)

WWII Memorial

Trying to peek through to the fountain.

See, the view is better on this side!

Home, Sweet Home!

Our Current Home

Lincoln Memorial

Miriam was the only one willing to get in this picture with Doug. Well, I would have, but someone had to take the picture.

Korean War Veterans Memorial

One of the few complete family pictures from our trip.

I was amazed at the detailing on these statues. Look at the holes in the tarp at the bottom. It's amazing how realistic they were able to make these!

Vietnam Veterans Memorial

I don't like taking pictures in front of these types of things because I don't feel like I should smile, but yet, if you don't smile you look like you're in a bad mood. In this picture I went for a serious look, but it came out looking more like a scowl.

White House

Doug did a good job not getting the other bazillion people around us in our picture.

Break Time!

After walking the National Mall we sat down and took a much needed break. Shaylynn made herself comfortable while I studied the map to see where we wanted to go next.

Air and Space Museum

This place was kind of a disappointment to us. It was packed with people so we really didn't get to read about much, but we got some pictures to prove we went.

The Capital Building

See, we got a good enough shot from here!

Miriam's Picture Taking Talent

Shaylynn's Fit Over Not Being Able to Take a Picture

Happy Because We're Heading For The Car (I love the hand holding!)

Doug and I really wanted to see the Holocaust Museum, but didn't want to take the girls inside. We had just decided to take them anyway when my brother and his family drove by. They had come to find us so Doug and I could go in and they could keep the girls. We were so grateful for them taking the time to do such a kindly deed. We had to hurry since they needed to be to their church meetings in two hours, but it was still an amazing experience.

Thanks to Doug we were able to get in to the tour just about to go up; otherwise we wouldn't have been able to see it that day because the next available tour wasn't for another hour and a half. But, because Doug asked, and because I'm a public school teacher (or at least I'm certified), they let us go. I guess if you're an employee of the government you get to have special privileges there. I would have just left because it said military personnel on the sign, but Doug put on his puppy dog eyes and used a disappointed voice, and the lady at the desk took pity on us and found a way we could go. Nice one Doug! It's nice to know it's not just me he uses that trick on.

We saw horrific things, but one of the two things that really stand out in my memory was the wall of pictures. It was a large room filled with pictures of Jewish people living their lives. They were happy pictures with family members, weddings, etc. The room was covered on all sides with these pictures. There were spaces between the wall and the floor and the pictures went from one level to the next. It was heartbreaking, but it was a great way to emphasize that the death toll of the Jews isn't just a number; these were people with lives that were forever shattered.

One other thing that grabbed my attention was a little plaque that told of how Denmark, when they realized the Germans weren't going to keep their promise to not harm their country's Jews, smuggled them out of the country. They were able to save all of their Jewish population except for about 55. Maybe it's because my brother served a mission in Denmark, but I have a fascination with that country that I just can't explain. I hope someday Daniel will take me for a visit.

After a VERY long day full of LOTS of walking, we returned to our hotel room. We changed and headed up, yes, I said up, to the pool. The pool was located on the roof of the hotel. It felt good to get in the cool water and soak for a little while, that is until a large group of people got in and started splashing like crazy. We were only in for about an hour, but it was enough to cool off.


We had leftover pizza for dinner and then headed to my brother's place for a visit. I'm sure we overstayed our welcome, but the girls had a great time playing and we enjoyed visiting. I've only seen my brother a few times since we moved here. His wife is great about stopping by when she's on her way to Jersey, but I miss seeing my brother. It was a great chance to catch up.

It was then off to bed at the hotel for some shut eye and then a visit to the National Zoo and a long drive home after that.

Washington D.C.---- August 18, 2008 (Day 3)

On Monday morning we were all exhausted so we got a later start than expected. We met at my brother's place and went with my sister-in-law to the Smithsonian National Zoo. I will freely admit that I was a tad grouchy when I realized how much walking we were going to have to do in order to see the "cool" animals. It was a VERY hot day and my legs felt like they were going to explode. I'm going to reveal something now so that you don't all think I'm a big wimp (I am one, but not as big as it sounds). I have varicose veins in both of my legs right in the area behind the knees. It makes walking for long distances very painful. At this point my veins were bulging (yes, it is possible for them to bulge even more than they do on a normal day). I'm not going for sympathy here; I just want you to understand why I'm such a pansy about walking long distances. Now you know; I won the genetic lottery and got "grandma legs" before I hit puberty.

I'm not much of an animal person but Doug and my children love them. I felt bad being a party-pooper, but just couldn't make it too the elephants, pandas, and other more exciting animals. We did see the Kid's Farm (cows, donkeys, and goats), the Great Cats (a lion and tiger), the Reptile Discovery Center (snakes, turtles, alligators, etc.), and the Orangutan Crossing (ropes draped above the walk-way where two orangutans could cross to get from their play yard to their home).

Reptile Discovery Center

Orangutan Crossing

Cooling Off In the Mist

Miriam really wanted to see the pandas, but they were clear on the other side of the zoo. Someday I'd like to take her back and see the elephants, pandas, gorillas, and other fascinating animals we didn't have time or the energy to see. If anyone is considering the National Zoo as something they want to see, I recommend planning on being there the majority of the day. We only had about two hours there and it just wasn't enough to see everything.

Since we were on vacation I bought each of the girls a stuffed animal. Miriam chose a panda and I picked out an orangutan for Shaylynn. She loved it when they were crossing their ropes, and tried to speak orangutan to them. Even now she likes to walk around with her stuffed orangutan and say, "ooo, ooo, eee, eee".

Our last stop was the Pizza Playground. The kids had a blast jumping on the big rubbery pizza toppings. Shaylynn was exhausted at this point and broke down in sobs when a large mushroom fell on her. Miriam, being the good sister she is, pulled it off her. Doug and I, being the bad parents we are, sat and laughed while taking pictures. Don't worry, eventually we went over and picked her up.

Pizza Playground

After the Zoo we went back to the apartment to pick up our car. We loaded up a sleeping Shaylynn and a tired Miriam. After a debate of whether we should stop and eat or just get on the road, we left for home. It was a very long three hour drive home, but we arrived without too much wear and tear around 5 p.m.

It was a great trip, but it was depressing to load my empty laundry baskets with our dirty clothes. Oh well, it was well worth it. Thanks to the Andersons for showing us such a good time! We miss you and wish we could see you more often. Hugs and Kisses!