Swensen Sentral

I’m going to miss my house this year for Christmas. It’s just so Christmasy!

We took a trip to the ER tonight to get stitches in Sawyer’s eyebrow. He was twirling he says and ran into the corner of the wall. It happened around 6:30pm and I was sleeping and Rick was gone visiting ward members for Elders Quorum. He woke me up from a dead sleep wailing with blood running down his face. When I saw the wound I knew it was stitches worthy. Luckily Rick felt inspired to cut his visits short and come home early, so he walked through the door a few minutes later. Together we took him to Mercy Children’s ER. Amelie came with us because he wanted her to. It was so sweet how she was trying to help him feel better in the back seat in the way there. They really have a special bond. He ended up getting 7 stitches from Dr. Ranke. The numbing medicine didn’t seem to work all the way and he kept squirming and breathing deep from the pain. He was so tough. It’s the second set of stitches he has had, both in his right eyebrow.  He says he has learned his lesson not to twirl an...

Took a trip to the ER tonight with Sawyer for some stitches. Apparently he was spinning around and knocked his face into the corner of the wall. It happened while rick was gone and I was sleeping. I was startled awake by his crying and blood dripping from his forehead. Rick walked through the door shortly after thank goodness. Together we took him to Mercy Children’s Hospital and he wanted Amelie to come with us. It was so sweet how she was helping him in the back seat and he wanted her there.  (I started this 10 Dec 2017 and never finished, but wanted to post anyway to document.)

Sawyer: rockets are real Soleil: no they aren't Sawyer: yes they are Soleil: no they aren't  Sawyer: yes they ARE real. Who taught you that? Soleil: me. I taught myself that.   This girl is strong and confident and I love that about her. Hopefully we can mix in a little bit of humility with time and she will be a force to be reckoned with! Soleil and her new friend McKenzie Rodriguez

It's mid October and I'm finally starting to see some vibrant colors on the trees here in St. Louis. Oh how I just love this time of year! The earth is so beautiful and colorful like a canvas. How beautiful is the art that God creates. (Post started 19 Oct 2016 but never finished. Wanted to post for documentation.)

Amelie (speaking to Chase who is currently brawling with Sawyer): Chase stop!  I'm trying to talk to Sawyer! Chase (not stopping): Well I'm trying to beat him up! Lesson learned: When you're trying to beat up your sibling, talking can wait I bought Amelie her first deodorant.  Sawyer lifted it out of the shopping cart and upon placing it on the conveyer belt at the checkout stand said, "Here's Amelie's puberty stick." Lesson learned: Kids listen to what you say I recently started paying the kids for some (not all) jobs around the house. Trying to teach them about working and saving, as well as motivate them to work. Yesterday Sawyer did a job. I asked him afterwards if he got his dollar. He said no. I said "well go get it so you don't forget." To which he replied "that's ok I don't need it. My life isn't about money."   Lesson learned: kids are wiser than we think. 

Sawyer has been big on mom and dad time lately. He's always asking Rick or me if he can spend time alone with us. We try when we can, but we remind him that we have other kids too and other responsibilities so we can't always spend alone time with him. Yesterday he was trying to get Rick's attention so he wrote this note.  "Ha dad You are osum."  Translation: Hey dad, you are awesome.  He melts my heart.