Memorial Day Camping

May 29, 2011 was a Sunday. It was a regular old Sunday except that the next day was Memorial Day, so Corky was excited for a day off from work. We got home from church that afternoon and Corky said, "Let's go camping tonight. Let's just grab our 72 hour kits, camping box, and go!" So we did. Of course, we prepped a little more than if it were a real emergency.

As you can see, the girls were ready the quickest. They were in charge of getting their own bags packed and their pillows gathered. They were ready and waiting. We just went about 10 minutes away to Elk City State Park and prayed that there was a campground still open, with it being Memorial Day weekend and all. We would have had two very disappointed girls if there wasn't. Lucky us, there were still quite a few to choose from.

We had a great time that evening sitting around the camp fire and eating dinner. We used some freeze dried meals from our 72 hour kits that you only need to add boiling water too. We were all very pleased, the Mountain House Beef Stew is actually really tasty.

The next morning we took a little walk to the lake. It was a little windy but it wasn't too cold. Gracey tried her hardest to get Buster in the water but he was not having it. In fact, I have on my video camera Buster nipping at Gracey behind when she wasn't looking and knocking her straight to the ground. It was all very playful and HILARIOUS! Buster was in heaven.

We returned to the campground, had breakfast, and determined the freeze dried dinner and much better tasting the freeze dried breakfasts. Now we know!

The girls also played on the playground and Corky practiced with them how to use a two-way radio.

We all had a great time, despite getting ticks, Buster included, and look forward to cooler weather so that we can go again in the fall.

Who'd needs the pinkie anyway?

Gracey has had staples, stitches, knocked out teeth, goose eggs the size of a golf ball before, but never had a broken bone! That is, of course, until the very last day of her kindergarten school year! They had an activity at the playground that day and were having a blast. Emily and I had to go to Tulsa that morning so we joined them at the park about lunch time. I was taking pictures of the kids on the playground, even teasing them as they went down the tube slide in groups, that they were going to get stuck like Augustus Glup in Willy Wonka. The very next picture I took captured the moment perfectly. Gracey came out of the tube slide, staring at her hand, knowing that something was not right!





She said to me, "My finger is crooked and I can't move it!"

Off we went with a crooked finger and an ice pack to urgent care.


From there we were advised to go the Emergency Room for xrays.

When it was confirmed that the pinkie was broken, we were told to hurry to Parsons, KS (a 45 minute drive) to meet quickly with an Orthopedic Surgeon who will be between surgeries.


Oh my gosh, I was so tired of driving that day.

We could not leave town on the last day of school without stopping by her classroom and saying goodbye to her beloved teacher, Mrs. Springer. Every child's teacher should be as wonderful as her! I am not kidding. She really set the bar high for what I want for my kids.


In Parsons, we met with the doctor and he was concerned about where the break is. It is within millimeters of the growth plate and so he wanted to set it while Gracey is sedated so that he can manipulate it just right. So the was date is set and we will go back to Parsons Saturday morning for her finger to be put back into place.

Saturday (5/28/11) rolls around, and Gracey and I head out bright and early to Parsons once again. I figured the earlier the better since Gracey needed to be fasting since she would be sedated. The whole morning went very smooth. Gracey was a little nervous but was very brave too. She was all smiles to the nurses and techs that were helping us, even after I couldn't proceed with them. The anaesthesiologist said she was smiling big up until the second she went to sleep.

Pre-naptime


She was all smiles even just minutes after waking up, I was hoping for some funny stories to tell, but she was alert and feeling good!


We are glad to say the pinkie is doing awesome! It was put back into place perfectly and the growth plate was not damaged! She is a lucky-duck!

Oh, Happy Day!!

Corky is finally an M.B.A. graduate of the Arizona State University, W.P. Carey School of Business. We all managed to get through the last two years with our heads on straight. Of course, Corky is the one that did all the hard work, but we as a family had some sacrifices. Corky managed to be successful in his career, move half way across the country, survive hours and hours of homework each week, on top of his 60+ hour job. Most importantly, he was still be a devoted husband and father! I honestly do not know how he did it!

Congratulations, Corky! You are a great example to so many, especially us!