Sunday, May 25, 2008

Hannah's Mishap


Hannah went out bike riding with her friend, Annelise on Thursday night. Next thing I knew, Annelise was running in the door yelling, "Hannah's hurt! She can't get up! She crashed and she can't get up!" Knowing how dramatic Hannah can be, I assumed it was a little mishap, so India and I rode our bikes the two blocks to where she had fallen.

When we got there, I knew immediately that something was wrong because it was very swollen on one side and she couldn't put any weight on it, at all. I sped home, got the car, and took her directly to the emergency room. After 4 hours, 3 x-rays, and a splint, they said, "fractured tibia" and sent us home with instructions to see an orthopedist the following day to get it cast.

At 1:30 on Friday we arrived at Children's Hospital. The doctor had seen her x-rays and came in telling us that surgery would be necessary because of the type and location of the fracture. Hannah was NOT happy to hear any of this. David, Sam, India, and I sat with her before the surgery and waited together while she was in. She came through great but with a big boot surrounding her foot. oh, and crabbier than ever but okay!

We were hoping to go home on Saturday but the doctor said he'd like to see her foot elevated for at least one more night. Hannah was ready to explode but it turned out well because she's feeling markedly better today (Sunday) and after she walks the halls on her crutches, we will, at long last, get to go home!

It's looking like she'll be in a cast for somewhere between 10 and 16 weeks! So much for summertime softball and swimming...Fortunately, Hannah's concern has moved to what kind of birthday party she'll have without swimming. Her plans had been for a "Survivor" party! Now, who knows...

P.S. I am so thankful for Children's Hospital. They are amazingly wonderful and awesome!!!

Monday, May 19, 2008

Springtime Camping

Late last Friday, we drove up to Yosemite for a weekend of springtime camping. We camped at Wawona, just steps from the Merced River. It was a treat to hear the rushing water as we fell asleep. The weather was warm and sunny. In fact, it was over 90 degrees in Yosemite Valley!

We started our day by driving down from our campground to Bridalveil Falls. It was amazing! After taking in the misty beauty of the falls, we went on to McGurk Meadow, another incredible sight to see. From there, you can see the entire valley and imagine the valley completely filled with glacial ice 30,000 years ago! We toured around the valley looking at the sites and then headed back to Wawona.

India and I took a hike down the river and encountered swarms of ladybugs. India was delighted when dozens of ladybugs were landing all over her. That is, until they started biting! It was hard not to laugh...

Hannah, Sam, and India spent quite a bit of time looking around by the water and David and I got some much needed relaxation time...time to just sit.

Yosemite National Park is a place like no other. I really liked this quote about it. "Not just a great Valley...but a shrine to human foresight, strength of granite, power of glaciers, the persistence of life, and the tranquility of the High Sierra."