It was silent out in the family room. I thought Gage was playing while his big brothers were at a friend's house. Why was it so quiet? He usually jumps and runs while playing. I guess the wii had gotten the best of him. He was wiped out! And, to top it off...the video game was still going.
We took Mallory to the doctor Wednesday and after having that bandage on for 3 1/2 weeks, I was a bit hesitant to see what was underneath. She was a trooper. The doctor just talked to her while he cut it off and she didn't even move. Initially I was a little afraid of her fingers because the one nail was totally black (and there just for show - not attached -ohhhh) and there were a few stray stitches still hanging around her fingers. But, once I looked closer, I could see they were pink and healthy and no visible scars. It was AMAZING. They x-rayed the fingers and saw that fractures still remained in both, but they would eventually heal on their own. So, he sent us home black nail and all and said it looked wonderful. I am trusting them that it is all wonderful and hopefully the nail situation will be taken care of when the new one grows back. Zane asked if I had black nail polish so that I could paint the other nails to match! Whatever!
I took my mom to the airport early this morning, so life is going to get back to normal. No more being spoiled and I can live with that - barely. My mom and dad came in to town last week and stayed a few days before they headed to Cincinnati to visit my brother's family. Before they left we took them to the Frazier Arms Museum. My dad loved looking at all the weapons and exhibits and I would have too if Mallory and Gage wouldn't have been as crazy as they were. But the museum did have one exhibit for kids - Survivor Jamestown - which they loved. You go around making decisions like the early settlers did in Jamestown and see if, by your choices, you could survive your first year in Jamestown. They got to rock climb and zip line. That was the funnest part for the kids although the older boys did love the English swords upstairs too. My parents came back Monday night from Cincinnati and on Tuesday we took them to Squire Boone Caverns in Corydon, IN. It's my goal to go to all the caves in the area -Mammoth Cave and Squire Boone are it so far with Carter Caves, Marengo, Wyandotte, Cub Cave, Lost River, KY Down Under, Hidden River, and a few others still to go - and take whoever is visiting with us. Anyone who wants to help me on this goal can! This was so much fun for everyone although the metal winding stair case you have to go down to enter the cave is a bit freaky. I got a little vertigo going down and just had to take one step slowly at a time. Once down, it is absolutely gorgeous inside. It is said that this is where Squire Boone hid out when he went to rescue his brother, Daniel, from Indians. He and Daniel came back there and built a grist mill near by. They also have a little village set up with candle making, soap making, etc. but that was a little lame and I felt like I was back in Gatlinburg, TN all over again. But, the cave itself redeemed the visit and we all loved it. Mallory fell asleep in my dad's arms and he had to carry her around the entire cave and up many flights of stairs. His arms will remember that trip fondly. My dad left Wednesday and my mom stayed. The two of us got in a few outings on our own for the remaining three days she had here to Hobby Lobby, Panera, Target, TJ Maxx, and to see "Mamma Mia." She also made me a beautiful apron from this pattern. I was spoiled and it was so nice. I have been a little sad because we had no plans to go anywhere this summer and if you know me (a Travel and Tourism Major - yes, it's a real major), then you know that I always have a trip planned or at least one I am hoping to take, but it was so nice to have them here and not have to pack our suitcases and just go around the area. Now, they are back in the glorious non humid weather of San Diego, but I sure did enjoy having them here and so did the kids. 
Just an FYI - Mallory is totally feeling good. She still has another week and a half with her fingers bandaged, but her spirits are so good (too good at times actually). She has already attempted to climb up the same chair and rock it a bit - so someone is always on the lookout for that. She is up to no good, which means she is feeling good. So, now we just wait to see how it heals.
Zane and Abe Gilbert's company, Urbane Homes, is in the paper and the article is awesome. Check it out - Courier-Journal Article. We needed some great news this week - whewhoooo!
This week Trevor and Boston spent their mornings at the S.Oldham High School Gym going to B-ball Camp. Boston was technically too young, but the coach said he would take him and both he and I are so glad he did. They loved it and I think they learned many new skills this week. I went to their 5 on 5 championship on Friday and it was great to see Boston (the littlest on his team) jumping up and down trying to block the other players. They might have thought, "Who is this kindergartner? He's like a jumping bean?" He was great. Trevor improved so much on his dribbling and as his mama knows - that's where it is at. Dribbling and passing. I was great at making lay ups, but don't let the ball come to me! The best part of all is that their team won the 5 on 5 Championship and they got medals. They wore their medals all day and this morning I see the medals on again this morning. Don't be surprised if you see them wearing medals at church.
That little girl keeps ticking and isn't bothered much by her hand it seems. Although when we got her out of her crib yesterday, she had pulled the dressing off of her hand. Aghhhh...I could see stitches and blood and knew that it would have to be fixed. Zane put a makeshift wrap of gauze on her hand and we headed down to her hand doctor. Two and a half hours later she was getting it re wrapped. This time the doctor (a different one than the one that performed the surgery) wrapped it in three layers of an even stronger material, leaving her thumb, forefinger and pinkie out so that she had some freedom. Since the wound had been exposed, they cleaned it and were able to see that it seemed to be healing nicely. And, now they want the bandage kept on for three weeks instead of two. Thank goodness this bandage is a lot better and harder to get off, so maybe it has a better chance of lasting three weeks. I was wondering how that other was going to make it the two because 24 hours after she got it on, she was biting at the tape and trying (although playfully) to get it off. So, wish us luck with the new one and also with keeping this girl out of water. She has already tried to climb in the pool outside and the bath while it was running!
As I was making lunch for the kids, Mallory climbed up on a kitchen chair and the next thing I remember seeing was her chair falling down and her hanging on for dear life. The boys say she was hanging on the back of it and rocking. It went down and when I picked her up there was blood everywhere. I thought it was her mouth, but when I looked closer it was two of her right hand fingers. One was severed (almost completely), but still there and the one next to it was bleeding and cut badly. I started to freak out a little not knowing who to call, what to do, or where to go. I loaded the kids in the car with them carrying their plates of food and we headed to the Urgent Care. I wasn't sure we would make it to the ER without Mallory touching it and causing more damage. I asked Trevor to watch her and when we could see that she might pull at it, he said a prayer that she would leave it alone and we just DROVE. When I got there, I could see that they weren't going to be able to handle this and I really needed to head to the ER. I almost felt dumb for thinking the urgent care would be enough, but the nurses there wrapped it for me and I realized it was a blessing we stopped because I don't know if we would have made it in our condition the entire drive to downtown. The nurses had also called Kosair Children's Hospital to let them know I was coming as well. Did I mention that I couldn't get a hold of Zane this entire time? He had left his phone in a house that he was building and I was able to talk to a Hispanic worker who could only tell me that this was Urbane Homes phone! Aghhhhh! Finally, on the way to the hospital Zane called me as we were actually pulled over on the side of I-71 because Gage had a bathroom emergency!!!! Once we were at the hospital I felt a lot better. They gave Mallory some pain medicine which made her a bit loopy, but happier. When the doctor finally saw it he said that she would need a hand surgeon and they would call one over from the Jewish Hand Clinic right away. After x-rays and consulting with the hand surgeon, it was determined that Mallory had several fractures in each of these two fingers, her fingernail would be lost, and with minor surgery there was good hope that her finger would be saved and long lasting damage would be very minimal. They would sew up her finger and this would help the fractures heal and the nail bed looked good and was most likely not completely damaged. Grandma Betty came and got the boys at 4:30. This had been a long day for them so far and Trevor and Boston were so worried for Mallory. Betty said they wouldn't eat after she had bought them dinner because their stomachs were upset. I think they were stressed and didn't know what they could do to help, but they said many prayers the entire time and were brave when they needed to be brave. That was so much help. Zane and I stayed and watched Mallory's surgery. It was amazing that I wasn't grossed out by it all and really wanted to watch and make sure she was all right. I was impressed by Zane because he can't even stand getting his blood tested or taken and he was right there along side me. I guess you are strong when you need to be. When she finally woke up at 7 pm we were able to take her home. They wrapped it really well and told us to avoid getting it wet. She will see the hand specialist in two weeks to have it unwrapped and looked at. It will be then that we will know what to expect in terms of healing. It only took about an hour at home and she seemed like she was back to her old self. She has been running around bonking people with her wrapped hand and laughing. It is her right hand and she is learning to do things with her left hand and having the right assist. I was amazed that she slept through the first night just fine and that she continues to act as though nothing happened. What a strong little girl. The doctors and nurses kept commenting on how amazing she was. She rarely cried and put up with many people unwrapping her hand and looking and it. I am so thankful for modern medicine and that Louisville is THE place to go for hand injuries. I am most thankful that she is running around and smiling again. I am thankful to the friends who thought of Mallory and the gifts and good wishes. If she doesn't realize it, we do and I like playing with her new dolls and reading all the new books!
A rare smile while waiting for the doctor.
With the pain medicine she was a little loopy. 
Me and Mallory after surgery.
Mallory's hand wrap. 
Eating icecream the next day.
We had a rainy 4th of July. If you know me, then you know that I am a weather watcher. I can relay to you the 7 day forecast because I think it means so much to me to know when the sun is coming out. Well, my friend the weatherman, Tom Wills, said it would stop raining around noon and there wasn't a chance for rain again until the next week. Well Tom, it looks like you were wrong. We had thunderstorms all day long. We went to a pool party and we were in and out of the pool like a bunch of crazy people always waiting 15 minutes after the thunder to get in and then at 16 min. (swimmers in for 1 minute) it would thunder again and sometimes down pour. But, despite the rain, we had fun with friends and even managed to make it to Hunting Creek for fireworks. It finally stopped raining by about 7 pm, so it was a great show and the kids love it. I love going there because it is a small town feel - jumpy jumps for the kids, firetrucks, free glow sticks. Grandma and grandpa had sent each of the kids tubes of glow sticks as well and they shared them with all of their friends and made giant necklaces out of them. It's nice to have them because then you can always spot your kids. Mallory wanted to just walk up and down the street and I did almost lose her, but thank goodness for the glow stick around her neck like a necklace. Our neighbors, the Williams, did some fireworks on Saturday night in front of their house. The boys thought it was better than the fireworks the night before. They kept asking me to call them and see when they were going to light the second half of the fireworks. I think this holiday has moved up on Boston's list because it's all he could talk about for many days before and the few days after.
Last night was spent lighting sparklers and catching fireflies. Now that's what I call a great night!
This morning we got a break from the hot and humid weather. We went outside to eat our popcicles that we made from here and it was so breezy and nice. The kids were actually a bit cold from the wind and the popcicles. But, I told them to take it and enjoy since it won't be like this long.
*ps- to those who commented on how girly Mallory looked in the last post - this is her first thing in the morning with crazy hair and usually quite dirty. And, Gage's hair always looks like a child who had scissors taken to him when he wakes up. Don't worry, I chase him around the house with a spray bottle and brush and at least get the rooster tail down in the back!
The older boys went out to collect bugs in their newly made t-shirts. In the spring we made ones with the iron on crayons, but after a few washings, they faded which disappointed the boys. This time I had them draw with markers on a sheet of paper. I scanned them in to the computer and then printed them out on the iron on transfer paper from HP. Much brighter and they love them. Plus, I don't think they will take a hit in the wash like the others did.
We attempted to make our own pudding pops today and lemon was first up. The boys want chocolate next because they weren't too impressed with the lemon. Mallory on the other hand, doesn't care what the flavor is. She just wants to eat it and even the stick. She screamed like a maniac when I tried to take the stick away even after the pop was gone. That's a girl for you or is that just a Mallory for you? I am sure I will find out in time.
Let me preface this by saying this isn't my proudest moment, but one I want to remember (and learn from).
Last week I got quite frustrated with Gage. It was late at night, he shouldn't have been awake, but he just wouldn't go to sleep. Zane was at Scout Camp for the week and I had just had it. I said something to him which I am sure was not in a nice tone and he just stood there and stared at me. Then, he started to cry. He looked up at me and said crying, "you made my heart go away." Can you say crushed? And, I am not talking about my son, but me. I was so sad and I couldn't believe I was the source of not only a broken heart, but one that had completely left his body. It really was so sad to see. But, we hugged and made up and I had since forgotten that cute, but sad phrase until yesterday. Gage came in crying after playing outside with the boys. He was dripping wet and crying. Trying to catch his breath he said, "Trevor made my heart go away." I guess we all have the ability to do it to him and I felt bad again for this little guy because he was again so distraught. What amazes me the most is ability to go from such a feisty, energetic and slightly crazy guy to a tender hearted, sweet little boy who can easily get crushed. I guess the benefit of his wonderful personality is that he is as sensitive as he is outrageous. When it comes down to it, I will take the whole package and I will work really hard at not making his heart go away.
One day a friend came over finger knitting and I asked him how to do it. I liked it so much I made 4 that same day. And my friend conected his all togther and if u've been to are house it went from the fireplace to the top of the stairs! Then I taght boston then my mom! Want to learn? Click Here.
My apron from the Sassy Apron Swap arrived last week and I was so excited. I love getting packages anyway, but this one was especially fun because it was a surprise. You don't know who your partner is (or at least, who has your name) or where they are from. The woman that I got my lovely apron from is from South Carolina and her name is Jennifer. She made the prettiest reversible half apron with colors that I just love. She embroidered my name on one of the sides and told me that even though it's a half apron, she wears hers like a baby doll dress at the top so that she can keep more of herself clean. I love it like that as well as around the waist. What a cleaver idea. She sent a hand towel with it that she embroidered a flower on as well. What an amazing seamstress and person. Love it!
So, Trevor asked if we had anything exciting planned for today. I said, "No, unless you plan it." Well, it looks like he did, but he will never admit it. We were outside filling up the blow up pool just before heading to Costco when I realized that someone shut the door (it was Trevor) and the handle was locked from the inside. At first, I said, "who locked the door?" Trevor said that he shut it, but didn't lock it. I realized that I must have done it the night before. Then, as I went through the thought process of how the heck we were going to get in, I realized there was no other way. We hadn't opened the front door yet (it was about 10:30 am) and it had a dead bolt and a child lock. I hadn't opened the door out to the garage yet and it had a dead bolt and the knob was locked as well. Okay, I started to go around checking all the windows. Nope - they were all locked up. We were sure safe last night and I didn't even realize it. Okay, on the plus side, everyone was dressed (except for me) and fed so we could last a little while. I was determined to find a way in and not bother any neighbors and not let this turn in to a "thing." Well, 3 hours later - okay, let me back up....after carrying my kids around with me to 3 houses, we finally found our backyard neighbor home. She let us borrow her phone. Zane's cell was dead and he wasn't really available to come help anyway, but I still wanted to call him to complain. That was a no go. My mother in law was at work about 1/2 hour away and she really isn't supposed to leave because she is a house sitter in a model home. I did call her just to see if there was even a slight chance that she could save us. After thinking of a plan, she managed to get out of there and come to us. But, once she arrived, she realized she didn't have our key on her key chain anymore. I sent the older boys with her to look at her house for the key and just prayed the whole time that they would find it. About an hour later (it was probably just 45 minutes, but in this case I get to round up), they came back with the key. We were saved and I was so grateful to be back in this messy house. It was 1:30 so Gage needed food and Mallory was sooooo ready for her nap. While outside, the boys filled up the pool, they swam in their clothes, we played baseball, we swung in the hammock, on the swings, and dodged cicadas. We did just about everything we could possible do and even checked all the raspberry bushes for fruit with no luck. All in all, I guess someone had something exciting planned for the day, it just wasn't me.
You know how it is in Kentucky...not too many privileged with in-ground pool access. So, we love our blow up pools. Since ours still needs a good scrub down, Boston had an all day pool party at Tanner's house and they both were so sunburned that night. I guess we needed to reapply more often. Zane will tell you it's because I am from California and think we all just need 15 to get a good tan, but really it's not. I do care about my kid's skin. Of course, I probably won't ever put anything over 15 on myself, but that's my problem. We have a lot of going no where planned for this summer (I guess it's more like unplanned), so we will be living in the backyard, at the neighbor's house, and around town. Anywhere that doesn't break the bank. So, blow up pools, here we come!
Zane's company is building their first house. It's in Middletown and I would recommend it to anyone for purchase except for the fact that I don't want anyone moving out of our ward, so sorry. But, if you have any relatives or friends who I won't want to become friends with and might be moving in to the area, then it's a great house. Zane and his cohorts (Abe and Abe's brother, Dan) have been framing for about a week and it was so cool to see their progress yesterday. The lot that they are building on has room for two other houses, which are to come. Gage loved visiting dad and wanted to stay. Mallory wanted to walk everywhere, but with nails and red clay dirt, not the best for her.
Yes, Pokemon is still loved here in the Underwood home. Something that I thought was just a phase back in 2003 with Trevor has remained strong in the hearts of my little guys. There was much resistance at first by me, but then as other things came (Yu Gi Oh!, etc.), I realized that Pokemon wasn't so bad after all. I found some Pikachu fabric on ebay and finished up their pj bottoms last night and they took them for a spin (swinging to be exact). Looks like they passed the test. Phew!
