Not because they can’t get a loan, not because they don’t have the down payment, but because Bank of America never return phone calls.  They locked in their loan thinking they were just days away from closing on their home, only to learn they couldn’t get return phone calls from Bank of America.  What started out approved by Bank of America as a normal close has now been changed to a short sale (which always takes longer then a normal sale.)

Back in March when my sister’s family was ready to close everyone (Realtors, loan officers, etc…) tried contacting Bank of America and for over a week no one, not even supervisors returned phone calls.

In April as phone calls were finally returned no one could find the information.  I would ask my sister how it’s going and she said, “still no news….”  My sister went from excited to hopeful.  When some answers finally came the answer they received was we should have it closed in 2-4 days.  When asked what kind of loan they had an FHA Case # 521-651549.  They were immediately told it would take 2-3 weeks.

Well, now it’s 3 weeks later and they still haven’t heard anything.  I have seen my sister go from excited, to hopeful, to disappointed.  Thinking they were close to closing they told their landlord they would be moving in the next couple weeks, so of course the landlord found a new renter.  They had to move out of their basement apartment and move in with family, because their apartment had been rented.  They thought by now they would have the house closed and even after 5 different people call Bank of America daily regarding this matter they have yet to return one phone call!  When the representatives voice mail message clearly states calls will be returned within 48 hours.

Someone at Bank of America needs to get on the ball and help out this family who has been displaced and will soon be out of a loan, because they haven’t closed!!!

While Jason was in Utah I worked, went to school, cared for our daughters, and all the other things that are required of mom’s.  I juggled Activity Days, Choir, and Jammin’ Jumpers along with my school schedule.  Also doctor, dentist, and other appointments.  On February 16th our oldest daughter celebrated her 11th birthday at home with a quiet night.  Planning to have friends over for an overnight birthday celebration we kept it simple.  Unfortunately, all of her friends were busy and the sleepover never happened.  In March we celebrated our 12th Wedding Anniversary while over 500 miles away from each other.

The greatest event happened in April when Jason was able to come home for the Easter weekend.  A much too short visit (two days), but much needed time together was spent at home doing nothing!  Between Jason’s visit and my birthday (May 5th) we were super busy finding little to no time to pack.  So for my birthday we had a packing party and successfully got the packing going in our home.  Each day we pack more boxes and prepare for our move.

On Saturday May 12th Jason moved into our new home in Utah.  Thanks to the help of my sister Emily, we have a place to live and Jason’s settled in already.  Today is Mother’s day 2012 and I have been spoiled with Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup pancakes (it sounds better than it tastes) and orange juice for breakfast.  Singing by my girls and all the primary kids at church.  Pie during Relief Society served by the Young Men of our Ward.  Lizzi made me a roast beef sandwich for lunch and Nikki made some fish filets for dinner.  Also I got two beautiful handwritten letters from my girls, balloons, and Nikki made me some coupons.

I am looking forward to our move, but I am going to miss so many wonderful friends.  I don’t allow myself time to think, but as the school year comes to a close I know each day is going to become more emotional.  I have been in this wonderful area for almost 6 years;  made many friends, and love the beautiful scenery.   All will be missed.

To our Black Hill Ward Family:  I want you all to know how much we love you.  We are thankful for the friendships we have made with so many of you.  We are thankful for the many hours of service that you have offered on our behalf.  We will miss the sweet spirit that abides at our meetings.  Most of all we will miss you, our friends!

We will miss having Grammy and Papa so close to us.  I know the girls will miss sleepovers at Grammy’s house.

However, we look forward to living near my sister Emily and her family.  I can’t wait for the fun that we will share together.  We will be living in another beautiful state and look forward to the incredible journey that we have there.

On Friday he was potentially offered a job in Provo, Utah that he had to be there for by the 20th to do drug testing.  I figured since we had a three day weekend and it was going to cost us almost $300 to fly him one way there I could drive it and help him get settled.  We left on Saturday morning, January 14 on the way, just outside of Kanab, Utah we saw a frozen river and waterfall.  We arrived in Provo, Utah at 7pm.

Jason and I started making phone calls about available rooms to rent.  I told Jason it was very likely that we wouldn’t hear from any of them until Monday.  Sunday we drove around looking for “For Rent” signs, but didn’t find any.  Jason found one room for rent to look at, but it was a bit out of our price range.  Emily, Brady, and the girls drove down to met us.  We had lunch together and decided that to save money we would drive to their house (1 and 1/2 hours away) for the night.  Jason had one more call out for a room and the guy texted him back and said he would contact him that evening since he was up in the mountains.  We were less than 20 minutes from Em’s when he called.  Jason almost made us drive back down, but I told him to wait and we could see it in the morning.

We drove back down to Provo and met the guy at 8am.  Jason decided he would stay there so he signed a month to month contract.  We drove to Springville for the drug screening and then we helped Jason move into his bachelor pad!  I didn’t want to leave and it was so hard when Lizzi started crying.  Nikki was being brave, but soon we were all crying and really didn’t want to leave.  We had to get on the road because it was starting to snow and I don’t drive in the snow.

From the Payson, Utah exit until Nephi there were eight vehicles either off the road or in wrecks.  I was so thankful that we weren’t one of them and when we got to Beaver we were out of the snow finally!  We stopped in St. George for dinner and to stretch our legs.

From St. George we had another 7 hours to home.  It was a very long, much too quick trip!  I think next time Jason can just fly…

On Wednesday, January 18th I got a call from my neighbors that our dogs were out and that animal control was at my house.  I rushed home from work to find no dogs, no animal control, and no neighbor.  So I knocked on the neighbors door and he explained things as we were talking I saw Bumble at the end of the road so I took off after her.  A community patrol car went by and when I got closer I saw that they stopped.  The officer was able to get Bumble in the car.  I then saw Bebe and called her to me.  She came to me, but knew she was in trouble.  I brought her home and closed the gate and then went to find the community patrol officer.  He was still at the end of our road, but when I got back he drove Bumble to my house along with the two Animal Control officers.  Apparently my dogs like to run and that’s what they did so the three officers chased them around our neighborhood, but couldn’t get Bebe to ever come to them.  I put Bumble in the backyard and talked with the Animal Control Officer.  I’m still hoping I don’t get a ticket/fine.  I am also thankful that neither dog got hit by a car.  Then I rushed back to work….

Also on Wednesday it was my first class at the college.  It is an English 101 class and I hope that I do well in the class.  It was fun to meet my instructor and classmates.

Friday, January 20th I hurt my hip and had shooting pain all the way down to my calf.  It’s now Sunday and it’s still sore, but I am managing.  Life has been interesting as we have scurried through January, but it’s not over yet and we will see what other fun things are in store….

Shultz Family Year in Review….

2011 Started out with Nikki being biten by a dog (Jan. 3rd). Thankfully it wasn’t bad and she was treated and back to her old self in no time at all. So soon in fact that two boys at school decided it would be a good idea to bully her (Jan. 14th). Jason and I made sure to take care of it as soon as we knew about it. That same weekend she came down with the flu. Then Lizzi had the flu and strep. On Jan. 19^th Lizzi became a published author. She wrote a book called “The Best Friends.” It’s a cute story about a scorpion, coyote, roadrunner, and tarantulas and the friendship they share. I attended a two day Deafblind Training in Tucson at the end of January.

In Feb. we bought our first new car. We had our Neon for 7 years and the week after we got our new car it died. Lizzi was baptized on Feb. 5^th. We celebrated Nikki’s 10^th Birthday.

In March Lizzi and I attended Art Classes together. It was a three week class teaching the techniques of portrait art. Jason and I celebrated our 11^th wedding anniversary.

Throughout January, February, March, and April Nikki was involved in Jammin’ Jumpers a jump rope team at her school. Lizzi was very busy afterschool in a Music Appreciation Class and also on the Sport Stacking Team. She also was part of the Recycle Team at school. Emptying the recycle bags and “reusing” many items tossed out.

At the end of March first part of April Jason traveled to Utah for the LDS Tech Conference and the bonus was he was there for General Conference too. We got to enjoy a photography exhibit of Mark Mabry’s Reflections of Christ.

May was busy closing out the school year. We celebrated my birthday. Nikki had a Talent Show at school where she joined with her Jammin’ Jumpers team to show off their moves. We attended another friends baptism and the next day Jason and I got to be with their family in the temple as they were sealed together for time and eternity. I am so thankful for Eternal Families! The girls finished off the school year with a two week Art Class.

June we watched as our church broke ground for a new temple. The Phoenix Temple when completed will be our temple. We took a trip to the Grand Canyon with Jason’s friend from the UK. We also drove him down the Oak Creek Canyon into Sedona.

I think 2011 will be the year of the doctors visits for our family. I thought it was bad in 2010 when I was in often, but 2011 takes the cake. Nikki had chronic ear infections, sinus infections, and sore throats, Lizzi had kissing tonsils, Nikki had an allergic reaction to Amoxicillian, Lizzi had her tonsils and adenoids removed all by June 10^th. It didn’t end there….

On July 5^th Lizzi was in a bike accident. She was going down a hill near our home and lost control of her bike. Thankfully there were no broken bones, major head trama (yes, she had her helmet on) she did have a closed concussion, but no lasting problems.

At the end of July we had a visit from Jason’s mom and brother. It was nice to have them visit us for a week. We also got to met Jason’s cousin Zane and his family while they were here. The day after Jason’s mom and brother left we headed to Utah to visit my sister and her family. While there we went on Mrs. Field’s Factory Tour and the Olympic Cauldron tour. We also toured Temple Square and went shopping. Jason and I had dinner at The Roof and then went to the Salt Lake Temple. While in Utah we also went to Park City and our last day in Utah was spent at Lagoon.

In August we started back to school for the girls and work for me. I somehow injured my shoulder and had to do physical therapy 3 times a week for 5 weeks, visited the Orthopedic Surgeon twice, and had a cortizone shot too.

In September Nikki’s class said the Pledge of Allegience at the School Board Meeting. Jason celebrated his 37^th birthday (Sept. 30^th) with his annual trip to the Prescott Rally. The wind tore things up and destroyed our easy-up. He and the girls had fun anyway.

October included my physical therapy visits. The Cottonwood Airfest was fun for the whole family. The girls got to fly paper airplanes. We looked inside a WWII bomber. Plus we got to spend the day together. I spent three days in Phoenix at Deafblind Training. While Jason and the girls enjoyed spirit week at school and helped with the Cottonwood Stake Service Project cleaning along side the streets of Cottonwood. We ended the month with Trick-or-treating and the Primary Presentation at church.

November was a fairly quiet month. We helped friends move (sad day) and attended the baptism of a new friend. I registered for classes at Yavapai College and will start working toward my degree in Education on January 18^th, 2012.

December was again spent at doctors offices for more ear infections, a sore throat, and a gardener’s wart what Lizzi calls it (aka planter wart). Also Lizzi was part of a Children’s Choir that was invited to perform at the Verde Valley Voices Christmas Concert. They sang three songs and it was terrific. We celebrated Lizzi’s birthday with bowling and cake. Lizzi turned 9 this year. On Dec. 23^rd Nikki had her tonsils and adenoids removed. Christmas was a quiet day at home with Nikki vegging on the couch while Lizzi and Jason played on the Xbox. We finished out the year with Nikki’s follow up appointment on Dec. 29^th with her Dr. in Flagstaff. While there we returned some clothes, played in the snow, and visited Jason’s cousin.

All the while Jason was busy working for himself, plus he took a second job for a few months, and fulfilled his calling as the Ward Executive Secretary. I am still working for Arizona State School for the Deaf and the Blind as an Educational Assistant. I was also a teacher in Primary.

]]> http://ourincrediblejourney.com/2012/01/02/shultz-family-year-in-review/feed/ 0 http://ourincrediblejourney.com/2011/11/13/veterans-day-2011/ http://ourincrediblejourney.com/2011/11/13/veterans-day-2011/#comments Mon, 14 Nov 2011 03:33:31 +0000 stephyc http://ourincrediblejourney.com/?p=1506 Today we went to the local VFW post and had a SOS breakfast.  The girls had pancakes and sausage.  Now that I have tried it I never have to have it again.  It wasn’t horrible, but I could get tired of it real quick and definitely don’t eat it cold.  After breakfast we looked at the display area of the VFW post.  We had fun looking at pictures, uniforms, and other memorabilia.  One of the girls was saying something about loving to get something for free.  I had the opportunity to explain to my daughters and one of their friends that nothing comes free.  Someone at some point had to pay if it be with money, sacrifice, time, or even with their lives.  It was a great opportunity for them to learn a valuable lesson.

At 11am they had a flag raising ceremony.

It was neat to see 15 Veteran’s from many different wars lined up together saluting our flag.

I am proud to say that I have several Veteran’s in my own family:  a Great-Grandmother who was a riveter

a Grandpa who served in Korea (the man on the left is my grandpa)

and my other Grandpa who served in WWII in the Asiatic Pacific Campaign

Plus my husband’s dad served in Vietnam.  I am thankful for each who willingly…

…at one point in his life wrote a blank check Made payable to ‘The United States of America for an amount of up to and including their life.

To all Veterans I thank you for your service!  I thank you for the freedoms which I have an opportunity to enjoy because of your sacrifice!  I pray that God will continually watch over and protect you all!

Jason celebrated his 37th Birthday at the end of September with his annual trip to the Prescott Rally race.  He took the girls with him this year and the wind tore things up.  They didn’t get to camp out and I didn’t get the house to myself.  Oh well, Happy Birthday Honey!  I know he and the girls had fun, even with the huge gusts of wind.

I have been undergoing physical therapy 3x’s a week for the past oh…5 weeks.  Today my Orthopedic Surgeon released me from his care and physical therapy.  So this evening when I went to physical therapy, I gave them the bad news.  Guess what I graduated!

We are currently on Fall Break so extra time for things….like blogging.  I know we are doing something fun on Saturday, but other then that just relaxing.

Jason and I are doing an internet challenge.  Little things to do once a day to be a little healthier.  If you are interested you can find it at meyouhealth.com  It’s fun and you can invite friends/family to join you.  Today’s task is make a playlist for your walks/exercise.  See really simple!

The girls are busy being kids.  Enjoying school…most of the time.  Playing with Barbie’s, Littlest Pet Shop, and their latest craze Paper dolls.  They printed tons of paper dolls and backgrounds from the computer and cut them out.  Yes, they made a huge mess, but they also cleaned up.  Now if I could get them to clean their room…..

That’s us in a nut shell.

Many people were called upon to bear their testimonies.  Thankfully I wasn’t one of them!  I thoroughly enjoyed each one.  The members of our stake have very powerful testimonies of our Savior Jesus Christ, our living prophet President Thomas S. Monson, the restoration of the gospel in its fullness, and their personal witnesses of how each of these have inspired and lifted them in their lives!

The Area Seventy that came to our Stake Conference is Elder Villarreal.  I was impressed as he shared his testimony of the importance of the sisters in helping the work progress.  He said, “Never let the thought enter your mind that you sisters don’t matter!  You help this work progress.”  In some ways it was almost as if he were reading my thoughts, because the day before I thought about how Jason is always doing so much and I’m just sitting at home.

Elder “V” as he was kindly referred to by some reminded us that we must have JOY in our service in the church and that the service shouldn’t be a burden on our families.  He also reminded us to “Safeguard our homes and marriages!  Don’t waste time being angry!”  He quoted Mosiah 3:19

19 For the natural man is an enemy to God, and has been from the fall of Adam, and will be, forever and ever, unless he yields to the enticings of the Holy Spirit, and putteth off the natural man and becometh a saint through the atonement of Christ the Lord, and becometh as a child, submissive, meek, humble, patient, full of love, willing to submit to all things which the Lord seeth fit to inflict upon him, even as a child doth submit to his father.  Elder “V” reminded us that the commandments are meant to save!  He spoke so much more, but these are where my notes ended.  I was so involved in his talk that I forgot to take more notes.

Then we were privileged to hear from Elder Baxter of the First Quorum of the Seventy.  He said that Heavenly Father and His Son know us!  Elder Baxter said, “If we are open and ready we will receive the blessings we need at the exact moment we need them.  If we will pray in faith and ask him for the blessings we need, He will answer.  You are known to Christ and He knows our thoughts.  Salvation comes through knowing the Savior.  He already knows us.  We need to take the time to get to know Him!”  I know from personal experience that this is true.  He answered my prayers in the exact way I needed them answered when I asked in faith!

Elder Baxter reminded us that the showdown between good and evil is coming.  Satan is working on our self-worth.  He said something to the effect that we all know that other people are important in the eyes of Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ, but we can’t see that in our own lives.  Don’t let Satan succeed in making us feel we are not of worth.  Elder Baxter said, “Satan brings darkness and misery.  Don’t stay in the dark!  Christ is light and love.  Move into the light!”  Count your many blessings!  He then quoted Elder Maxwell:  He said, One-Practice your smile….try to look happy.  Two-The Lord is concerned with our growth more then our geography.

Elder Baxter told us to Attend the temple.  On Saturday last week they dedicated the 135th Temple.  With all the announced and under construction temples when completed there will be 158 temples!  When he went on his mission there were only 15 temples in the whole world.  He reminded us that the temple is a place of service, but it’s also a place of healing.  Go to the temple to be healed of our trials and problems.  We need to remember that it’s not temple work….It’s temple service!  It will bring us closer to heaven.  “Go, go, go!  As often as you can go!”

Elder Baxter suggested that we use a temple voice in our homes and to share with our families the spiritual experiences we have in the temple.  Return home from the temple happy and relaxed, not tired and worn out.  Our children will take note of our actions when we do (either good or bad.)  He quoted President Hunter: “Hasten to the temple!  Share with our children and teach them about the temple.  Going to the temple is important and it matters where you are married.”  I don’t know if I got the whole quote or not…

Elder Baxter compared our temple attendance to a forcefield….”Maintain the spiritual forcefield that will keep us energized, by attending the temple.”

Finally Elder Baxter reminded us that “Angels are around us to bear us up!”

I was so well fed spiritually that I thought I couldn’t top this night, but Elder Villarreal managed to make the night even better.  Jennifer and I were talking and she noticed that Elder “V” was talking with President Taylor so we interrupted and introduced ourselves to him.  He asked Jennifer what the most significant part to her was.  She was stumped and asked me, to which I responded.  “Probably the reminder that If we are open and ready we will receive the blessings we need in the moment that we need them if we will ask in faith.”  Elder “V” said, “Stop changing the subject.”  We laughed and Jennifer gave her thoughts on the topic of the Atonement (one of the parts I didn’t write down.)

He said, there is so much more to it.  He then took a few minutes to talk with us about the sacrament.  He told us that he only gets to partake of the sacrament 2-3 months out of each year, because he’s usually at Stake Conferences.  Jennifer and I were amazed and realized that we most likely take it for granted that we get to partake of the sacrament almost every week!  He said to us, “I truly hope you don’t take it for granted!”  I thought about it for a minute and I think that many times I do.  He then asked us, “How do you feel when you eat after fasting?  How would you feel if you fasted for a whole week?  That’s how the sacrament should be for each of us every week!”  What a powerful testimony to the importance of partaking of the sacrament with the right attitude!  It was during this time that I knew without a doubt that this man has been called of God!  Elder “V” took the time to share with us something that we need to remind ourselves and our children (our own and Primary) of the importance of the Sacrament.  Another way that I know is because I looked briefly at my lesson for next week and it’s about the sacrament…coincidence?  I don’t believe it is!!!

Then on Sunday July 10th I got a phone call from my sister-in-law telling me that they were taking their 18 month old to the hospital.  I asked what happened and she informed me that he collapsed and they had to call 911.  They transported him by ambulance to the hospital around the corner from my house.  I was relieved when they arrived and he was sitting up in his Dads arms.  I took their two other children to my house to hang out with Uncle Jason and our girls.

The doctors took x-rays, EKG, and more, but decided it would be best for him to be monitored overnight.  Since our hospital doesn’t have a pediatrics unit they decided to send him to Flagstaff.  After talking with the physician in Flagstaff it was decided it would be best for him to go to Phoenix Children’s Hospital.  I offered to drive down with them.  My brother Keith rode in the ambulance with my nephew and my sister-in-law Mandy and I drove down. After a quick pit stop at their house to get clothes for the next day or two we were on our way to Phoenix.  It would be just about a two hour drive.

We arrived a little after 1am to Phoenix Children’s Hospital.  Security didn’t have them checked in yet so I called Keith on his cell phone.  He told us they were upstairs on the fourth floor.  We went up and found the nurses asking medical questions.  Keith and Mandy answered their questions and we inspected the room.  We found a fold out chair, hard hospital chair and what we refer to as “The cage”.  Unfortunately, we had to share a room with another family.  Fortunately they were very nice and understanding.  Lucky for us we had the window side of the room otherwise I don’t know how Mandy would have got Issac to go to sleep that night.  She kept telling him to look at the cars.

The doctors decided to wait until morning to make any real assessments.  So, Keith slept in a office chair (I still don’t know how he didn’t fall out of it.)  Mandy slept on a hard hospital chair, and I slept on the fold out chair.  Of course all of this is implying that we actually slept.  Nurses were in and out of the room all night and the neighbor had a rough night too.  Mandy and I watched as the sun came up.

With less then four hours of sleep we waited all day for doctors to make assessments.  They took more x-rays and watched him all day.  At 2 or 3pm they told us that we might have to stay another night.

We asked what we could do about a place for all of us to sleep and they suggested the Ronald McDonald House.  A case worker was brought in and explained it to us, she also made the necessary arrangements for us.  Basically if you have a medical need for a place to stay they can set it up.  You are responsible for cleaning up after yourself, both in your room and in the community kitchen.  They give you a place to put your food and each night a group provides dinner.  It is a wonderful program and I can see how if you had to stay for long periods of time this would be very helpful.  For that matter it was helpful for us and we only stayed one night.

Keith and I left for the RMH just before 6pm.  We had dinner and then went to our room.  Mandy stayed at the hospital with Issac.  Keith was asleep by 8pm at the very latest.  I watched a movie and chatted on the phone with Jason a couple times.  I stayed up until about 11pm.

Keith woke me up at 4:30am….I nearly yelled at him!  In all honesty it was so nice to sleep without any interruptions, except Keith!  We were at the hospital by 6am.  We sat in the hallway waiting area for about an hour and a half.  The doctor came in and told us things to watch for and that they would be discharging Issac soon.

Just before 9am we left the hospital with no additional answers then we had when we went in…..So frustrating!!!

***We are now preparing for a visit from Jason’s Mom and brother.  School starts in less than 4 weeks.  Our crazy life is just going to get crazier…..***

I will add a couple pictures when I upload them from my phone.  I didn’t really take a bunch, but I got a few.

Tuesday, July 5, 2011 was a crazy day!  I drove from our home in Cottonwood to Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport.  Waited around there for over an hour for my nephew’s flight.  Then we went from the Airport to Prescott so he could see his Dad.  From there we drove back to my home.  Then from Cottonwood to Lake Montezuma and back to Cottonwood.

When I got home I was completely exhausted.  Jason and the girls decided to go for a bike ride while I relaxed and read a book.  Lizzi couldn’t find her helmet and they almost didn’t go, but she found it.  She asked me to help her fix her helmet because it was broken.  I asked how it was broken and she told me it didn’t fit.  I had her show me how it wasn’t fitting and found that it was too loose.  I helped her tighten her helmet and then they were off.

I was just starting to read my book when the doorbell rang.  I wondered who it could be….

It was a man I recognized from church….his name isn’t coming to me.  I opened the door and said, “Hi!”

He looked at me for a couple seconds and said, “It’s not good!”

I was thinking…What are you talking about.  Tell me what’s going on……

He said, “Your daughter was in a bike accident.  If you leave now you will probably get there at the same time as the ambulance.  I’m not sure what your husband did with the bikes.  Maybe the fire department has them….”

I was thinking….Which daughter?  Was it a bike and car?  Why didn’t Jason call me?  …….UGH!!!!!

I said, “Thank you” and closed the door!

I ran to get ready and checked to make sure I had my phone and then I was out the door and to the hospital in less than 2 minutes.

When I arrived Jason and Nikki were with the Firefighters taking the bikes off the back of their truck.  They had already moved Lizzi from the ambulance into the hospital.  Jason hassled me about not answering my phone….again.  Honestly I never heard it ring.  I don’t know if the volume was down, a book was covering it and muted the ring, or if it was because my phone was on one side of the house and I was on the other….I don’t know!  I told him get me a house phone….anyway….We loaded the bikes into the car, then I parked it, and we went inside.

They allowed us to bring Nikki into the room with Lizzi which was good to let her see that her sister was going to be okay.

The Doctors and Nurses were checking her back, neck, and head when we went into the room.  She was on a back board with a neck brace.  The most noticeable thing was the large road rash on her right cheek.

The photo above is after x-rays had come back and things were looking good….

We went through the steps of calming her down and explaining things to her.  One of the first things she said that I could understand was, “I wish I had just stayed home!”  She had a hard time talking because her cheek was so swollen and I’m sure it added to her pain so she didn’t talk much.

Meanwhile, Nikki was starting to go into shock from watching her sister wreck and wrecking her bike too.  She had a few scrapes and scratches too, but not too bad.  So I had to leave Lizzi and help calm Nikki down.  She was crying and so worried about Lizzi.  It nearly broke my heart to watch her trying to process all that was happening.

They took Lizzi (Jason went with her) for a CT scan and x-rays.

While they were gone the nurse brought Nikki a blanket to warm up with.  I held Nikki in my arms and we talked a little about what had happened and what was happening.  Then I told her we could hug each other and send all that love to Lizzi (((hugs)))…. The nurse also brought Nikki the remote for the TV.  She started watching Star Trek.  I got tired of waiting (they must have been gone for over a half hour…) and asked the nurse when they would be back.  She said soon….

When they got back Lizzi took a much needed nap.  Nikki and Jason watched TV and I stood beside Lizzi.  Suddenly, she puked…all over the floor and me!  That quickly changed our plans from waiting for doctors to…. go home and change, plus get Nikki something to eat.

Nikki and I left to go home.  We ran into Brother Sparks a member of our bishopric as we were leaving.  I explained a couple things and then left.  When we got home I immediately ran and got showered and changed.  Nikki got Jason’s phone (he had left it at home….) and made a sandwich.  I unloaded bikes and then we went back to the hospital.  I think we were gone for about 10 minutes.

When we got back to the hospital they were finishing cleaning up Lizzi’s puke.  The doctor informed us that all of Lizzi’s x-rays showed no broken bones and he wanted to double check the CT scan to make sure there was no visible concussion.  He said because of the vomiting she definitely had a concussion, but it was looking like a closed concussion.  He wanted to check again on a better monitor and to get the nurses in to clean up the wound on her face better so she will not end up with a big scar.

A nurse came in to clean the wound on her face and got it as clean as she thought it could come.  Later the doctor came in and said it wasn’t good enough it was going to need to be scrubbed.  They decided that sedation would be best to clean the wound.  They allowed only one of us to stay in the room while they did this, since I can’t watch this stuff Jason stayed.  My dad took Nikki home to get some rest it was just after 9pm.  A little later the doctor came in to the family waiting room and told us she did great and was dreaming of flowers and unicorns.

They continued to monitor Lizzi and finally released her just before midnight.  When we got home I was completely drained.  Lizzi slept with me on my bed and I had my alarm set to go off every two hours.  I would wake her up and ask her a few questions then we would go back to sleep.  It was a long, long night…..

We are already seeing the healing process happening and we are so glad for that.  If she continues to heal like she has been I would venture to say that she will have almost nothing on her cheek by Sunday….

More to come….

Each of us are responsible for our bedroom/bathroom.  Then each day we trade off the other 8 jobs in our house.  The Kitchen and Dining Room are one.  The Laundry and Garbage/Recycling are another.  The Family Room and the Craft Room are another.  Finally, we have the Office and the Parlor.  Each day one of us takes one of the four grouping of rooms.  We tidy up the room and sweep or vacuum.  The biggest job is the Kitchen and Dining Room because it’s an all day job, but we have three days between and we might make it more, because the rooms are staying neater everyday.

I’m hoping by Friday if we all work together we can take a break and Saturday do touch ups and another break on Sunday.  That will give us all day Friday, part of Saturday, and all day Sunday to spend together doing fun things.  I’m not saying if there is something that needs to be done we ignore it.  I’m just thinking if we don’t have a ton of work on Friday it can become a fun day for us or perhaps Wednesday so we have a fun day in the middle of the week.

Each of the rooms has a card that lists the tasks that need to be finished before the room/job is complete.  After all the daily tasks are done we can move our magnets into our column and show that the task is complete.

The girls are somewhat excited about this new way to track our progress.  Plus I know who is doing their tasks and who isn’t and can reward/not reward appropriately!