Happy Halloween

from the 4-year old

Liam: Mom, did you know that River's heart has a hole and Jesus has to watch out so he doesn't fall down in it?

this is what i'll cling to

10 days ago, my brother was hit by a car while walking across a street in California.

We flew, my mother and sisters, to be with him, and he is still here despite the odds. Ruptured aorta, lacerated liver, shattered leg, fractured face. And they expect a full recovery.

It's easier to be positive on this side of the ordeal, but getting here was harrowing.

Yesterday was the first day he really woke up, asking for a Jamba Juice.

Of course he got one.

It was the most wondrously magical moment of my life. Molly and I sitting with him, grinning at him slurping up his drink, bobbing his head to Mumford & Sons playing from my phone.

It was beautiful.

a late summer hike

there still is mud

trains

We spent another afternoon at the old train station in Eureka springs. We've been there before, remember?

 

The boys all enjoyed exploring the various train cars, walking up and down the tracks, and occasionally stopping for some pictures.

 



 

 

 

Attempts at portraits of the three boys are always hilarious.

 

Especially when there are train whistles in the distance, concerning some more than others.

 

Their favorite train was this little car, just the right size for little boys to explore and play.

 



 

Because we make the most of it

River and I spent 5 hours in the ER again last night. He had another asthma attack, multiple attacks, that just weren't resolving with all the extra inhaler puffs we tried throughout the day.

It turns out that he has bronchitis. And an ear infection. But the happy ending to this little story is that it didn't cost us a dime. Last week, we received ARkids cards for the boys, which is a very very big deal for our finances. And, it covers July's ambulance ride to Little Rock. Woohoo.

ER trips are still no fun, and River still has to work through the bronchitis, but knowing that we don't have to add this to our already sizable stack of medical bills is a relief all on its own.

And because he's no stranger to an ER, River wasted no time making himself comfortable and jumped right into the sillies. He thought modeling my glasses was great fun. I agree.