handsful

Other than the fact the photo is blurry and full of red-eye.  (the person who took the picture shall remain anonymous) 

Here you see 3 young men, smiles on their faces, ready for a quick dip in the lake. 

The lake we’re referring to is currently 45.5 degrees.  Air temp?  33 degrees.  Makes you wonder why they’re smiling, eh? 

The boys had a friend over today who thought it would be cool (ahem) to jump into the lake…just for the fun of it.  The boys lost all their mental faculties and said yes.  No shot of the actual jump…they jumped quickly so no one would chicken out. 

Here they are, running as fast as their little frozen legs will carry them up to the shower in the basement.  Three guys in swim trunks, standing together in the shower, trying to convince their hearts to start beating again. 

We took video of the whole thing, and if I knew how to post it, I’d share.  Maybe Randy can show me how?  Anyway, the guys were extremely proud of their little adventure today…maybe they’ll do it again on Monday, when we’re expected to get snow?  Or, maybe snow angels in their swim trunks?  We’ll see.

Dylan had a follow-up visit yesterday with the pediatric orthopedist who casted him.  They took another x-ray and everything is lined up just like they want it. 

They scheduled him for cast removal on 1/26…THREE weeks.  I can’t believe it…that x-ray didn’t show any healing that I could see, but these guys are the best so I guess they know what they’re talking about. 

In the meantime, Dylan is doing better and better everyday.  He’s becoming more active…actually flipped himself over on our bed tonight.  He spends his days in his bean bag chair (awesome idea from another BTDT mom!), in the Ergo carrier with mama, or just sitting on the floor with one of us for back support.  He fits in his booster seat at the kitchen table (but not the highchair!), and is doing fine in his car seat (that’s a tight squeeze, but thankfully works).  He’s sleeping well most nights, and mama is excited to not have to wake up as often during the night for pain meds…yawn. 

In other news, Abbey started Drivers Ed on Wednesday.  The class is held at the local high school, and when I dropped her off for her first day it felt really strange.  After 2 days, she’s even more firm in her decision to continue being homeschooled.  I know high school has changed a lot since I went….those kids looked scary!  :)

So, what else?  Marley enjoyed getting back into horseriding today, sporting her new riding pants she loves.  Payton and Ethan are lamenting the starting of school, as usual.  Well, mostly Ethan.  And, Lainey is still working out the kinks of not being the baby anymore. 

Life is anything but boring around here.

Saturday, after he was casted, and transferred to a regular room.  Going in and out of his drug stupor.

Baba can bring out a laugh.

Same night he came home (Sunday), the kids couldn’t wait to sign that huge cast.

even, Baba!

of course we chose a RED cast.

So, a quick run-down on the last few days. 

On Thursday, we drove about 2 1/2hrs to a Christmas get-together with Randy’s family…lots of fun, Dylan met tons of extended family members and did great.  We dropped 3 of the kids off at their cousin’s house to stay till we could pick them up today. 

Today, we were scrambling to get ready for another 2 1/2hr Christmas get-together trip  – this time with my extended family.  The little kids were playing on and around the stairs, I was packing a bag of things we’d need for the trip.  I heard Dylan jump and cry out a little, Randy grabbed him up to give him hugs…and, then took off his pants to check out his leg. 

No, it’s not supposed to look like that.  And, for some strange reason (I think we were both clinging to denial), we decided that I should go ahead and drive towards our planned destination while he took Dylan to the ER to be checked out.  He’d drive over as soon as they were done. 

About 1 hour into my drive, Randy calls to say Dylan has a complete break of the femur in his little leg, they’re transferring him via ambulance to a children’s hospital, and he’ll most likely need surgery to set the leg.  I make an immediate u-turn to drive back home. 

Arriving at the hospital, I’m thankful to learn that they don’t need to do surgery, and can set the leg during the casting process…we choose red and he’s wrapped from the bottom of his little leg (with a hole at the bottom), up to his hip, and then around his waist and up to his chest all around. 

I stay until 9:30, then drive back home to be with the other kids – Randy and his dad, (who drove the other kids back home for us), will be staying with Dylan through the night. 

He’ll be in the cast for 4-5 weeks. 

 I realize this isn’t life-shattering, very far from it.  But, life sure can change on a dime.