The June Bug

June was a VERY busy month. School got out the 11th/12th and we had one thing after the next right up to that point, and after. Levi and Calder had Baseball right through all this and by the time it ended I felt like revolting......"No more baseball" that was my mantra. To top this all off, Kaelan got really sick for two weeks (vomiting and Diarrhea) and had to be admitted into the hospital for 2 days because of dehydration. Poor baby. What an awful experience. The IV was the worst part, they spent 25 minutes trying to insert it, his veins were collapsed because he was dehydrated. When they moved on to the second hand and then the foot, Kaelan was beyond consolable. He was in so much pain, and looking at me frantically. Just then, I had a very strong impression to pray, that hit me right between the eyes. It was basically "Pray! Kaelan can't pray for himself". I felt like an idiot. Why hadn't I prayed yet?! I guess I was just too involved with the drama of it all. I immediately prayed, and as soon as I said the words, even before my eyes opened, I heard the nurse say "It's in!! Finally". It was like Heavenly Father was anxiously waiting to bless Kaelan, I just needed to ask, and as soon as I did he acted. I felt so unworthy, and then I realized that I was just the messenger. Kaelan was worthy and he was my responsibility. I had a realization of what it means to be a steward over our children, and how much Heavenly Father loves us and wants us to succeed. I felt Heavenly Father's love for Kaelan, so strongly.

The rest of the stay at the hospital was fine, especially after they gave Kaelan a shot of morphine. It was the Doenbecker's Children's Hospital in Portland and they took very good care of us. I even had a bed. Kaelan had to stay in a cage, but he was, surprisingly, okay with it. He had to stay there until he was eating again and not throwing up. When we were finally given the green light to go home, all the nurses were so sad. They kept saying "you can't take our smiley baby away from us!" He was that, too. He smiled and played with every one of them.



The first week in June, Levi had his piano recital. He is taught by his great-grandma Severson. How many kids can say that?!?! She is a real fire-cracker, and if I am blessed live to be an old lady, I really hope I am as productive and spry as she is. Here she is with all of her grandchildren and great-grandchildren that she teaches piano to. Quite amazing, isn't it?! (sorry, grandma, I didn't mean to get you with your eyes closed!) And don't ask me why Levi had that weird expression on his face, because I have no idea what he was thinking!





And yes..... here it comes....... another hike with the Severson clan. This time we went to Wahclella Falls up the Gorge. It was AMAZING!! Unfortunately my camera died half-way through so you don't get to see the best part. But, just look at these photos!


This water fall was so cool, like a water slide. The bridge crossed it right at the foot of the falls. And this was only a side feature, we hadn't reached the real falls yet.



Really neat ferns that have black stems, they almost look unreal, and you have to touch them just to make sure!


We saw a bunch of wild life while we were hiking. Several huge banana slugs, a bald eagle, an alligator lizard and this snake:





I volunteered for the school's field day the last week of school and I was in charge of passing out Otter pops. Kaelan got to try his first Otter pop and was very intrigued. He was so cute. He had a very intense look on his face the whole time he ate it, and he ate the whole thing and then kept sucking on the wrapper just to make sure there was no more.




One day that week, we had a dog for a few hours. I went to go get the mail, and this very beautiful Golden Retriever was sitting on our front porch. As soon as I opened the door she made a break for it and ran into our house, like she owned the place. She acted very anxious and it was clear that she was lost. I took her out into our backyard where she instantly bonded to our boys. They had a great time playing with her. She kept whining at me, though, like she was saying "please help me find my home". I looked on her dog tags and called Animal Control, who then looked up her info and gave me the number to the dogs owner. Whom, it turned out, just lives around the corner. I immediately called and left a message and a little while later I got a call back, from a very grateful dog owner. The dad came over when he got home and took her off our hands, the boys trailed her to the front door with very sad faces. They were so hoping they got to keep her!




The last day of school was spent going from one kid's class party to the next and back again. First I went to Levi's class and watched his skit. It was hilarious. They performed "The Three little pigs" Levi was the smart/hardworking little pig and he and the wolf really played off one another well. It was great. Well, I can't get the video to load, so I am going to do another post with it in it.




Next was Calder's party (fortunately their classes are right next door -- how is that for convenience?) They had pizza and then were going to do games outside.


Here is Calder and his Student teacher Ms. Olsen (on the left) and his real teacher, Ms. Scheitinger (on the right).


After I helped out with the pizza, I ran down the hill to Levi's party (oh, did I mention I had Ansel and Kaelan with me too?!) Levi's class had a water balloon fight and pizza in the park. Here is Levi with his wonderful teacher, Ms. Gates. He had her for two years and we will really miss her. She is a fantastic teacher.


Then I helped get all of Levi's class back up the hill into the school and ran out to the playground to help out with Calder's class party, which had moved outdoors.

Kaelan loved drawing with chalk

Ansel loved hitting the ball.

These two girls, in Calder's class , loved Kaelan. They played with him the whole time.

YAY!! Home from school for the summer!!!!