Kids and Trampolines don't always mix!

My kids love to jump on our Olympic style trampoline. It is rectangle and really bouncy. They have learned to do many tricks, double bounce each other, and flips. They've gotten pretty good. Yesterday, around 6:45 or so, Marti did her front flip. She's really very good at landing them. This time was no exception. Unfortunately, when she took a step back, she was too close to the edge. She fell. One of the teenagers from down the street held her, while another teen came to find me. They thought she just knocked the wind out of herself. But then, she screamed. I came walking around the corner, looked at her wrist, and knew it was broke. We rushed to the ER, they did their thing, and sure enough, she broke it right in front of the growth plate. That's a good thing. The doc said it would heal itself within 4 weeks. She's in a plaster cast, her dad and I have already signed it. Did I mention the first day of school my youngest, Toby, feel on the play ground and I had to go get him, take him to the doctor to make sure he didn't need stitches? Yeah, my oldest is going to be wrapped in bubble wrap for about 2 or 3 weeks!

Growing Up

As a kid, I can remember not being able to wait until I was an adult and could make the rules myself! And there are parts of it I actually do enjoy. I love love love being a mom. I enjoy being married, having someone with flesh to lean on. I love my job, my role as a minister's wife, and I mostly enjoy being a daughter-in-law.

What I DON'T like is watching my parents declining health. My dad has too many medical issues to get into. My mom has been relatively healthy most of her life. She's had a few surgeries over her lifetime, but nothing drastic. So yesterday, when my dad called to tell me they had taken her to Bailey Medical here in Owasso by ambulance, I was shocked. Chest and back pain. Come to find out, she's been having anxiety attacks, numbness in the left arm, and pain in and around the "female" region. She's been ignoring her symptoms for awhile now. The ER doc asked if she was willing to stay overnight for observation, and then testing for cardiac complications in the morning. She hesitated, and I jumped in. "YES! She is willing!" Her and my dad just looked at each other and then at me. "I want to know what's wrong! Don't you!?" Yes, of course they did. So she stayed.

I'm the oldest kid. It's so strange that they are looking to me. It's stranger still that her brother's are calling me for updates, and not calling my dad. I don't know that I'm ready for this new responsibility. I will take care of my mom when I am able and when she is willing. But selfishly, I am raising my own family. Do I have time for this? I know she will be okay. They are going find out what's wrong, medicate her properly and send her home to rest. This is just a warning sign to her, and a glimpse of what's to come for me I suppose.

Family Fun

Today was an awesome day for the Tibbles' family. We have all been so busy, and going in different directions for so long. Since we couldn't afford to go on a real (or even mini) vacation, I decided a day trip was in high order!

I remember many summers growing up when my family would go to local state parks here in Oklahoma, my favorite being Woolaroc. So I found Woolaroc online and told the hubby he would take the day off on Friday, August 1st because, "We are going on a field trip!" And we did.

I packed the cooler and a basket with a great lunch of sandwiches, chips and cookies, mini cans and bottles of soda, juice pouches and water. It was wonderful, and everyone had a great time! The picture is in the lookout tower on top of one of the buildings.

If you live in Oklahoma and have never been to Woolaroc, you NEED TO GO! woolaroc.org Check it out! Some of my other childhood favorites are the Phillips 66 museum and mansion in Bartlesville and Will Rogers birth place in Claremore. All these are related in time to the oil boom. Actually, Phillips 66 is the same Frank Phillips who created Woolaroc!

What are some of your favorite day trips? And if you don't have any, create some! It's a wonderful way to build your family connectivity!