Monkey bars are lame...

I lasted exactly 11 years and one day as a mom with no broken bones. Those were glorious times that I will remember with fondness. Friday changed all of that and I'm still kind of in panic mode.

I was in a meeting with one of my students and my cell phone started ringing, but I didn't recognize the number so I clearly didn't pick up the phone. We wrapped up our meeting and being the responsible adult I am, I actually listened to the voicemail informing me that Emersyn had fallen from the monkey bars... it was bad...looked broken...blah blah blah... when I immediately went in

HOLY COW GRAB ALL THE THINGS I NEED TO GET TO SCHOOL NOW 

mode. You know calm. 

I called her teacher back, spoke to the nurse and made the 4 mile drive as quickly and safely as possible. Luckily, Gigi was in town for Grandparents' Day lunch and was able to turn around to grab Landry and just be a momma, too. (#Godthings)

The office staff had me all checked in before I even arrived, standing with my nametag so I could see Emmy as soon as possible. (#myschoolisamazing).

Before I could go back, I had to find out how bad it was...

Me: How bad is it?

LH: Pretty bad... definitely broken

Me: Yes, but like, am I going to see bones or just crazy arms? I need to know because I'm an overreactor.

LH: Oh... no bones.

Me: Ok, I can proceed. 

I made it to see my girl and y'all...

SHE IS NOT MY CHILD.

There were no freak outs. There were no screams. There was like one stoic tear streaming down her face. SHE WAS SO CALM. I had to follow her lead. 

We loaded her in the car and headed to the ER where one of my pledge sisters works. We were able to talk on the phone and she had the staff ready for us so that when I pulled up to the facility, they were there waiting. Emersyn sat so still and so brave and so patient and listened so well. I told her I had to go park the car and I would be back as soon as I could and then they wheeled her into the ER.

At this point, I let myself cry a little. I knew she was going to be ok. I knew that this could be so.much.worse. but I also knew that my sweet girl was in pain. And that is never any fun to see as a parent. I briefly thought about how I wished a team I serve on at A&M existed for schools... I needed another adult to be there to calm ME down. I was worried I went to the wrong ER because there is another one nearby that's all "TRAUMA ONE" or whatever and while I knew this wasn't a trauma, I was second guessing myself. 

As I made my way back through those sliding glass doors I looked up and saw one of my teammates from that same A&M team. Y'all. God is so gracious to us. He knew exactly how to make me strong when I was feeling so weak. I hugged my friend and she let me cry and I was so much better from that quick and meaningful interaction. I made my way back to the room and she was still being so brave.   

The nursing team got straight to work and let us know Heather had called about us. One nurse knew us from soccer - Ryan had been her son's soccer coach a few years ago and her son and Radley shared a birthday. (#Godthings). They got to work and made everything so easy and quick. Gigi had managed to pick up Landry and make it home to get Prince Naveen/Bunny who saved the day during the blood draw/IV insert. (One stick y'all...this team was magical). 

Xrays came back and looked exactly how Reeda (CHE nurse) had predicted... broken in two places... surgery was going to be necessary because of that pesky break at the elbow. Can I remind you that she has only cried like 7 tears through all of this and more out of annoyance than anything. 

Emersyn was so worried about Landry - she didn't want to make her upset, but we finally convinced her that it would be okay for Landry to come back to the ER. I sent Ryan home to shower and change and grab things for me since we knew we'd be staying the night. Cindy made her way up there to sit with me and Landry and Gigi made their way home to grab dinner and Radley. We were all over the place but I was never once worried about who was getting where - our village had us covered. 

As Landry was telling Emmy bye, she kind of lost it. I mean, great big tears of worry and concern, but she held it together long enough to get to the hallway where Emmy couldn't  see her. Sisters are pretty darn precious. 

We finally got wheeled up to our room and they gave her some pain meds to calm her down and let her sleep.  Her two complaints were wanting water and not being able to write. 

Her sweet teachers came to visit her and her bestie wouldn't go to bed without making a trip up to the hospital, too. There's really nothing better as a parent than to know your kids are loved and God showed us all afternoon just how loved, cared for and prayed for they are. 

The only person Emersyn demanded she had to see before surgery was Radley. She was so worried she wasn't going to see him and she needed him to get up there and tell her she was going to be okay. Y'all. 

WHY DO KIDS FIGHT SO MUCH WHEN THEY LOVE EACH OTHER SO MUCH? 

Anyway, her brother was on his way along with her entire crew of family. This crew lifted her spirits and got her first real smile of the afternoon. 

Surgery was initially scheduled for 8pm but 8pm became 8:30...9... and finally at 10pm, they made it back to our room to wheel her into pre-op. Ryan, Gigi, Rad and I walked down with her (and bunny of course). Landry had left with the Munsons because, she's 6 and probably didn't need to be up all night, and spending the night with the bestie sounded more fun than spending 12 hours at a hospital. 

At 11pm they wheeled her back to surgery. And y'all. I'm not sure how I held it together. Maybe it was because my friend, Katy, was going to be in OR (#Godthings). Maybe it was because I was in shock. Maybe it was because God gave me super strength. Maybe it was because my momma was there. Maybe it was because Ryan was losing it. Mostly it was because my girl needed to hear my voice be strong and confident and sure. She had been brave enough and tough enough all day... it was my turn to do the same. 

At 11:58pm, her surgeon came to report that everything went perfectly well and we could go see her. 

She woke up long enough to let us know that Princess Anna helped put her arm back together and fell quickly back to sleep. 

Ryan helped wheel her up to her room and we settled in for the night. 

By 9am the next morning, her hair and teeth had been brushed and she was begging to go home. 

Radley and Landry arrived with new goodies, big hugs and then headed to Waco with Gigi for the day so Emmy could have some peace and quiet at home. 

Thank God for Gigi's and Mommas. We happen to believe we have the best of both.

And this is where we've been the past few days. Happy to be home and healing. Getting pampered, growing stronger and more confident with that heavy cast and sling and ready to get back to normal in the next 5-6 weeks. 

I learned a few things since Friday.

My kids are the bravest, greatest, most amazing people on the planet. 

Husbands don't deal well with injured babies. ;)

God is gracious and kind and giving. He equips us in the big and small of life with the exact tools and people we need. He really never forsakes us. 

A momma always needs her momma. 

It's never too early for cookies, popcorn or ice cream.

Monkey bars are lame. 

And the Awards Goes to....

Another fun part of the end-of-year-madness includes annual awards for each grade. I appreciate the our school keeps each ceremony to one hour while still recognizing every single kid in each grade. They have it down to a science and I'm impressed every time. 

First up:

Emersyn King

A/B Honor Roll

Future Teacher Award

Radley King

A/B Honor Roll 

(poor kid, got one 89)

Excellence in Math

High Achievement in BOTH languages

Third Place Boy in number of laps run for the year 

(276 laps!!)

Landry King

Creative Problem Solver Award

It's such a fun way to celebrate their achievements and each kiddo leaves with a smile. My favorite part is watching their friends celebrate each other - I love when people lift each other up! 

And I couldn't be prouder to be their mom each and every day. 

Emersyn is EIGHT...

This tiny tot went to bed a precious seven year old and woke up making us the proud parents of a darling eight year old. Y'all. How in the world did we get so lucky? 

At eight, Emersyn is creative - she comes to life when she is making something. A new piece of art, a fancy recipe or even a board game. I hope we can keep nurturing this gift in her to use in the best possible ways. 

She is kind - she senses when one of us is sad and needs some extra attention and is so quick to offer an extra hug. She's also not our snuggler so hugs and attention from her is extra sweet!

She is so quick to forgive - Landry isn't the easiest baby sister... she retaliates in the typical physical 6 year old ways like shoving when we aren't looking and Emersyn simply turns the other cheek. 

She is ours. And that's my favorite part of her. 

She wanted to celebrate at Freebirds which I think is funny because I feel like the only time we ever go there is on her birthday. Maybe we should go more often!

Her special request was to bring her cake (that she decided she didn't want at her slumber party) and share with the crew. 

 And what an awesome crew we have. Seriously, I love that we have a village that shows up to celebrate the big and small of life. That no one complains when they hear the restaurant of choice and shows up all smiles! 

No one's smile was as big as hers! We had so much cake that the kids decided to ask other customers if they wanted some, too. Y'all. Some of these college kids had the best reactions to FREE CAKE - some even opted for two pieces.  

Most importantly, our girl felt loved and celebrated by friends that are family...

family that added to our crew... 

people she idolizes... 

and people she's stuck with whether she likes it or not.

Eight years of loving her is one of the easiest things I've ever done. 

Party patrol...

As soon as we got back from picking Landry up at camp, we went straight into birthday mode for Emersyn. She couldn't decide between a pool party and a slumber party, so we decided to do both. Her friends met us at the pool late that afternoon so they could swim and work up an appetite before dinner. 

One of my favorite childhood memories include slumber parties. At my house or friends' houses it didn't matter... the evenings were filled with giggles and being goofy and all the girlie things. Too much make up, licking icing off cake and maybe sometimes freezing bras and undies. 

I still love the noise and the silliness and the make believe. I love the cooking challenges and the make overs and the movie marathons. There is just something so beautiful when you are in the company of other women... women that lift you up and know your secrets and simply just make you laugh. 

And on top of that... pick out the perfect gifts to celebrate you!

I have a little tradition of taking a sleeping picture the night before the kids' birthdays... my attempt at remembering them just as they were at that age. This picture is a total fake because I wasn't about to stay up as late as the girls to get one. 

I'm not sure what time they actually fell asleep - when you come from the school of Gigi you learn real quickly to just put away all the breakables and hope for the best. Regardless, they were all ready for some morning "cake and ice cream." I ordered her an actual birthday cake, but at the last minute she decided she just wanted her friends to sing to her the morning of her birthday with donuts and ice cream. Well... 

This may be the best birthday cake ever!

They all had the best time... even this guy... who was the hero of the party and survived an 8:1 ratio for 16 hours. 

Can't wait for the next (no) sleepover!

First Communion...

Emersyn got to experience a major first in her journey through the Catholic faith last weekend. After months of preparation and prayer, the time for her first communion had finally arrived. I was so proud of how well prepared she was for this sacred step in our faith. 

When people meet Emersyn, they are instantly struck by her beauty. That long hair and those deep brown eyes just pull people in; however, the beauty that lies within her far outshines any beauty she projects without.  She is whole heartedly kind. She sacrifices. She cares deeply. She sacrifices and puts herself last...especially for her baby sister. She works hard. And most importantly, she loves God.

They hold a complete dress rehearsal before the big day and I loved watching her silently prepare for what she was about to do - she gets really shy and serious... she deflects the attention at the biggest moments almost frightened that she may disappoint someone because she so badly wants to make others proud. In these moments is when we talk about Christ's love for all of us. How we have already gotten the only approval we ever need in Him. How even through the times we disappoint through actions and words, His grace was ours long ago. 

In the biggest of moments when most people want to be seen...she looks straight ahead... focusing on what matters. 

But no matter how hard she tries to blend in.... this sweet child of mine was absolutely born to stand out. ;) 

Bless. 

I love that she got to experience this big first with one of her first friends. Caleb has been in her life since she was a baby and I'm so proud of the big kids that they have become. 

The big day finally arrived and we were up and ready to celebrate with her early enough for some pre-church pictures. 

Of course Gigi and Pops were there...

we were all ready to walk right next to her in this next big step...

and she was ready, too!

I love that the first time she walked down the aisle in a beautiful white dress was to receive Him. I love that she knows what it feels like to be excited and nervous while trying to prepare for an important day that focuses on being closer to Him. I love that she wanted a little blush on her cheeks and curl in her hair. I love that she picked out high heels. I love that all of this time and energy was spent preparing for Him. Because in preparing to receive Him and recognize Him in what we do, we are then prepared to live a life that honors Him before any others. So when the time comes for her to walk down that aisle in another white dress, her foundation has been set. 

Catholicism is a mystery to most non-Catholics. We sit and stand and kneel in unison. Our songs of praise are more traditional and we seem to say the same things every week. But the reverence and respect that is intertwined in mass is beautifully holy. The same words have been spoken for 1000s of years. The same actions taken. Over and over again. 

I'm so honored to share this with them. 

If we do one thing in this journey of parenting, our hope is that we teach each of them how precious and holy His sacrifice is for us. 

And we are so lucky and grateful for the village that supports and shares in our journey of teaching the story of Christ to our kiddos. 

Regardless of where they go to church or how they choose to worship, our village is one unit in teaching Christ's story and showing His love. And that is most precious gift of all. 

I am so proud of this sacred first in her journey and I am eager to see all the firsts that are yet to come.