Monday, January 25, 2010

Uh oh...she's on the move!

Chloe is crawling! Ok, she's barely crawling, but at least she's moving on her own now. She gives up easily tho, and waits for someone to come get her. It's gonna take a little practice, but soon she'll be all over the place...and life will never be the same!

Wednesday, January 20, 2010

Just a thought...

In case you didn't know, Massachusetts elected a Republican Senator yesterday. This is big news around here. Anyway all the talk of how this now takes away the Democrat's filibuster proof majority and makes the health care reform bill harder to pass got me to thinking. I think every state should have to elect one Republican and one Democrat senator. Ok, before you write this off, hear me out. If there was no majority, they would have to work together. If the Republicans or Democrats wanted to pass something, they'd have to compromise, and work out something that makes both parties happy. Seems like this way, the majority of Americans would be happy. I mean really, who is 100% Republican or Democrat, both parties have things going for them, and most people, I believe, align with Democrats on some issues, and Republicans on others. No one should vote for or against an issue, just because the party they identify with says they should. And if there is no majority in the Senate, everyone would have to work together.
In addition to forcing compromise, this would ensure every voter in every state has a say. For example, here in CA, there are two Democrat senators who've been in the senate for many terms. Every election I vote for whoever the Republican Senator is, but it's a waste, because no matter who it is, the Democrat is going to win. If there had to be one Republican at least there would be a choice for us too.
So, one Democrat and one Republican from every state, compromise is the name of the game, and every voter gets a voice. Sounds like a good idea to me...

Friday, January 15, 2010

Operation Love the Children of Haiti

My cousin (well technically its my mom's first cousin, but that still makes him my cousin) runs an orphanage in Haiti with his wife and son. From what I understand the orphanage survived the earthquake but it's the only house on their street still left standing. They cannot go into the house because of aftershocks, but they are all doing well. They have supplies, but need prayers. Please keep them in your prayers, that they may use this tragedy to witness for Christ's love. For their website go here (although even in good times it is hard to keep up to date). Go here for their facebook group. Here is a video of a man who was volunteering in the orphanage when the earthquake struck. Watch the video and hear about how God kept them safe. Again, what they need most is prayers, so please include them in your prayers for Haiti. Thanks!













ps...the pics are from their facebook group page. there are also more on the website.

Thursday, January 14, 2010

Snow fun!!!

Last weekend we went to Utah to play in the snow. We left here at 3am and drove to Vegas where we picked up my cousins kids. Then we drove another two hours and met up with my brother, sis in law and niece. Another hour drive after that and we were in Brian Head, Utah! There was so much snow. We had such a good time playing in all of it. Chloe wasn't too sure what all the fuss was about though. She thought we were all crazy. Next year though when she can walk and play in it, I'm sure she'll love it!


Getting ready to race innertubes



snow bunny



just chillin'



so cute!


Chloe and Auntie Jen!



There was so much snow, I just sank into it. It was so hard to walk in it.



Chloe in the snow



her first Diet Pepsi



Her first piece of candy...sour licorice



Who needs sleds when you can slide down the hill on your butts



the boy scouts made an igloo for us!



my snow angel

Tuesday, January 5, 2010

Tales from the ER

A note to my patient last night....

Because I know you don't remember what you did, allow me to refresh your memory. You are a young girl, probably very pretty, but it is hard to tell, because I have only seen you covered in your own vomit. The police brought you in, hog-tied because you kicked out the police car window, and your face, hair, and clothes were soaked in vomit. The police said that you had taken a bunch of tylenol trying to kill yourself, and yup, there was evidence of partially digested pills in your vomitus.

I'm sure you are wondering why you are so sore this morning. Well that is because we had to tie you to the bed. You were kicking and swinging at us, and we just can't have that now. We tried to tell you to lay still, but you just wouldn't listen. When we tied your hands and legs you were laying on your back, but somehow you managed to twist yourself around so you were laying on your stomach, I'm sure you're feeling that pain in your shoulders today. Oops. Next time listen when we say lay still.

The pain in your throat is from the large tube we had to stick down there to wash out your stomach. Let me tell you that was an adventure. It took two cops, two nurses, and a tech to hold you down enough to get that done. I was the lucky one who got to shove the tube in your throat, and had to hold it at the lip while another nurse dumped a bunch of fluids into your stomach. The unfortunate result of dumping all those fluids in, is that they must come back out. So, while we were trying to suck them back out, I guess we weren't fast enough for you, because you promptly vomited again. And because I was the lucky one holding the tube, you vomited all over my hands. Good thing I was wearing gloves.

I'm sure you're also wondering why you have blood around your nose. Well that is your own fault. After we took the tube out of your mouth, we had to stick another one into your nose that goes down into your stomach. (The tube in your mouth can't stay in, this one can, so thats why we had to do both.) Anyway we got the tube in, and gave you the charcoal (more on that later), but when we had to untie your hand to move you, you immediately yanked that tube out. Again, we told you not to do it, but you just didn't listen. We told you it would hurt, but I guess you're just one of those people who have to see for yourself.

So back to the charcoal. What people don't know, is that tylenol is one of the worst drugs to overdose on, it won't kill you, but it will ruin your liver. Seriously. So we had to give you charcoal, it binds with any undigested pills and prevents them from being absorbed into your system. This was given via the tube in your nose. Charcoal is thick, black and nasty. Not fun to give. But you took it like a champ. Of course you didn't have a choice, because, again we gave it via the tube. The unfortunate side effect of charcoal though, is it makes you really sick to your stomach. About half hour after you yanked out the NG tube, you started to vomit that charcoal back out. You were laying on your right side at this time, so there wasn't much risk of aspirating. After you vomited, you laid your head right back down into it. We tried to tell you not too, but again you didn't listen. And this time you fought back a bit. You rolled around in that nasty stuff and got it all over you, so we moved you to a clean bed, but you vomited all over again. This time it was projectile. It splattered everywhere, including on me. Now my cute green scrub pants are permanently stained with your charcoal vomit. Thanks for that. So anyway you kept rolling around in this nasty stuff. And the thing is, charcoal vomit is horrible. It is black and chalky, and well, it stains. I'm sure you would be aware of this, if you could get to a mirror, but I know you can't so allow me to tell you what you look like. Your face, arms, chest (yes, your chest, you wouldn't keep your clothes on either) are smeared in black. Your pasty white face, looks like an african american. And it's in your hair too, mixed with the vomit from earlier. If I were you, I'd plan on getting a haircut when I left the hospital. You'll never get the black stains out from your blonde hair.

Anyway, the main point of this letter is to let you know, that while we were doing all of this to try to save your life, and your liver (although you'll probably kill that by drinking, the police said they found you in a room littered with beer bottles), YOU BIT ME!!! Yes, you read that right, you bit me. So I just wanted to know if your vaccinations are up to date, or do I need to get a rabies shot?

Thanks.
And by the way, you're welcome for saving your life.