Catch up...

Wow, it's going to take me like, ten new posts to catch up on what's been going on with us! We have had a crazy week or so, some of it great, some awful...(Warning: this is long, sorry.)

Two weeks ago today, my 4-year-old nephew Rhett had an accident on his bike and punctured his pancreas. Yes, his pedal bike. Yes, his pancreas. After having surgery to remove part of it (the pancreas), he was making steady progress down the road to recovery when he developed a bad infection around the surgery site and has since had another surgery, with at least one more in the future. My heart has just been aching for him, his mom and dad, and whole family. Last Sunday night I took K & H and headed down to Riverton to stay with his brother and sisters while Mike and Kim were at the hospital. We were able to visit him in the hospital (where Hudson enjoyed taking him for scary wheelchair rides) a couple of times during the week I was there, and I am so very proud of him. He is being so tough, and I can't wait to see him up and running around again. Rhett, we love you and are so happy you are getting better!

Despite the horrible circumstances, I had a great week with my nieces and nephew. Luckily, world's-best-baby-sitter/sister and soon-to-be-drivers-license-owner Jami was able to come with me and help out...3 one & 1/2-year olds, and one each 8, 6, and five year olds (counting my kids too) is more than enough for one person, even two people. Kim is a rockstar mom and I am even more in awe of what she does every single day.

My Charges...

We had a quite a good time while in Utah, catching "Kung Fu Panda," hitting the "Kangaroo Zoo" in Provo and then meeting Dustin in Logan on Friday night. We went to his 10 year High School Reunion on Saturday, and it was surprisingly fun...even though Jeff and Jill backed out on us...I forgive you. We ran into good friends Cole and Mindy there, and it made it all worthwhile...so great to catch up, guys!

We had a great Father's Day Picnic with Dustin's family, and I totally failed and didn't get one picture of Dustin, or his dad, to commemorate the day.

I know this deserves a post of it's own, but I've been thinking about Dads, so here goes: A tribute to a few of the awesome Dads I've been inspired by lately:

I am completely surrounded by amazing daddies. First of all, my own. He is an amazing person, fun, funny, and completely the reason I have such an amazing husband and father of my kids. My dad has always set such high standards for the way a father should be, always putting his wife and kids first and honoring his priesthood, and then being the best Grandpa imaginable. I had no choice but to settle for nothing but the best...

Dustin: What can I say? Definitely my better half and best friend. He makes my life fun and happy and easy. I am the luckiest girl in the world to have found my perfect match. There is no one I'd rather talk to and hang out with, and he is the best kind of Daddy: hands-on and helpful, fun and strong. He had a great example, though...

Grandpa Steve-o: He taught Dustin everything he knows about being a gentleman and all-around good person, all by example. Thank you for being such a great listener and giving me Dustin. I know, you warned me! :) Kennedy and Hudson love their "fuzzy" Grandpa!

Jeff and Garret: My brothers never stop surprising me...in such a good way. You both absolutely excel at everything you set your mind to, and I couldn't be prouder! Also, the two funniest people on the planet, hands down.

Wes: Your endless patience inspires me, as does your tolerance for noise... :) You are giving it your all right now, and your family will never forget it. I know Dustin loves to joke that the second brother is the better-looking, but the first has grit and integrity that we all admire. Glad that handsome smile is still intact.

Nate: For turning Jenna into the great mom and wife she is today, and for patiently waiting for Preslie to stop screaming (SO worth the wait, by the way)...you know you have your ticket to heaven.

Mike: For being the rock that you are to your family, and for being so "chill" in the eye of the hurricane, you definitely inspire me. After spending a week with your kids, you are obviously doing something right. Keep it up.

Darin: For chasing your dream. It's never too late to do what makes you happy. What a great example for McKenna, and all of us.

Kennedy and Hudson are so lucky to have all of these great guys in their lives, and I want to wish them all a (late) Happy Fathers Day!

Stay tuned tomorrow for "the deer vs. Pretty Boy" and "Kennedy, AKA Babe Ruth"