Darn Cashews

• Sept 17, 2017
• On our way out the door to church Spencer got one of my Lara Bars for a snack. I usually put them on the top shelf which is off limits to the kids but in my haste to get to work Saturday I got the box down and didn't put it back up (and yes, I feel like a horrible mom). The bars have cashews in them, which Spencer is very allergic to. Within a couple bites Spencer realized something was wrong. We immediately gave him Benadryl and had the Epipen ready but his breathing seemed to be OK. I called and talked to a nurse through our insurance hotline and since he was showing some signs of an anaphylactic reaction he recommended we take him in  to the ER just in case. It was a 25 minute drive to the hospital and Spencer's symptoms hadn't gotten any worse. We knew with the type of insurance we had we were looking at a $2,000+ hospital bill if we took him in, so we were debating if we should just stick around and see what happens or not take the risk and bring him in. We were sitting in the parking lot, Steve and I both on our phones reading about anaphylaxis. We were reading different articles but at the exact same time we read the line and told each other, "Don't wait for the symptoms to get worse to bring them in." We took that as a sign and took him into the ER. After they admitted him it had been close to an hour and a half since he had ingested the cashew the doctors said he wasn't that bad but they would get medicine ready just in case. We were second guessing our decision to bring him in and then suddenly he threw up, broke out in severe hives from head to toe, started coughing and wheezing then started turning purple because he couldn't breathe. I'm tearing up right now just thinking about. It is terrifying being a helpless bystander when your kid is in danger. But they got epinephrine in him, which immediately opened up his airways, got him on oxygen and steroids and more benadryl and he was out of danger. It was also torture watching as 3 different nurses made 6 attempts to get 2 IV's into him. He was trying to be so tough but you could tell he was in so much pain. The mama bear just about came out before they finally got the second one in. We had to stay for several hours to make sure he was stable, but he rested, watched tv, facetimed family and was finally discharged. He was back to his old self by the time we got home. He has to take steroids for the next several days but he'll be just fine. I'm so grateful for modern medicine and medical staff spending their time away from their families on a Sunday afternoon to help those in need. Especially grateful for Spencer today ❤️

This picture was about 5 minutes before he took a turn for the worse.

  The only smile we got out of him was when I took that picture and showed him he looked like Darth Vader. He thought that was cool.

Cancun Sept 5-10, 2017

Steve had a work trip for Modere in Cancun. Modere said I could come as well, if I paid for my ticket and helped a little with the event. We were staying at an all-inclusive resort and I had never left the country before so we said yes. Steve had also never left the country before so we were excited for this new adventure.

 

View from our room.

Volleyball Tournament. We were a team short so Steve played on the "Executives Team". They got 2nd place.

This is what Steve did the majority of the time. He's not actually a camera guy, but that's what the company brought him along to do. He took pictures and video and then edited them all together for a video montage to show at the final dinner.

It was actually a lot of work and long hours, but we still found time to relax, eat good food, and laugh our guts out at a show where they called up one of Steve's bosses to help/embarrass himself.

We got to release some rescued baby sea turtles into the ocean. So adorable!

Checked off one of my bucket-list items. Eat Sushi. I loved it!

Steve had his birthday while he was there. His co-workers had talked to the resort and asked if they could order a birthday cake that said, "Happy Birthday Steve" on it so we could sing and wish him happy birthday. They were imagining a big cake that all of us could share. This is what they sent. We all got a good laugh out of that.

 Steve spent all day Saturday in the hotel room editing the video but needed a little more footage so, the loving wife I am, took the camera and went all over the resort taking pictures and videos of the Modere guests for him.

These were a lot of the people Steve works with for events like this. They were so nice and fun to hang out with. Left to Right: JQ (Justin Quinn), JQ's mom Sandy, DeeDee, Michelle.

Not quite the relaxing get-a-way one usually goes to Cancun for but all-in-all it was a great experience.

 The boys stayed with the Wastlund's while we were gone. I can always relax knowing Amber and Garrett will take amazing care of them. During the day, while Amber and Garrett were working, Grandpa and Grandma Woodstock took the boys out on adventures. Steve's co-workers kept asking me if the kids missed us. I always said, nope! They are having so much fun they won't want to come home. I was right. :)

Life's little joys

Dad and Amy were in the area for BYU education week. We met them and they treated us to dinner. Grandma came prepared with these amazing capes she made for the boys. They LOVED them. Every little boy and girl needs a cape.

 Tomatoes and Cucumbers from out Garden.

 Rod found an injured Dragonfly. He wanted me to take a picture before he put it in the garden. I don't know if it's the hair or the facial expression but it kind of creeped me out.

 This kid.

 Crazy toddlers always climbing up on things.

 He didn't really climb up there...Steve put him up there.

 Rod wanted a turn too.

 Rod is always such a good sport at my PTA meetings. Tries to keep little brother happy and keep himself entertained.

 Spencer finally lost his first teeth...kind of. His adult middle bottom teeth were growing behind his baby teeth. But his baby teeth would not budge. We finally had the dentist pull out his baby teeth.

School Starts

Back to school night for 2nd Grade. Spencer's teacher this year is Mrs. Burnside.

 First Day of School

 Second Day of school: Cowboy Day

 First Day of Preschool for Rod. We're coming for you Kindergarten!

Had to add this second picture because it's hilarious.  He made this face every time except once (the one above)