Simple Joys

The kids and I have taken several walks around the neighborhood lately with Robby. It's one of the things he can do. Miles has very reluctantly let Robby use his stroller, leaving him scurrying the sidewalks, gutter and often middle of the road on foot. Yesterday, as I was chasing Miles out of a neighbors backyard, he stopped suddenly and looked up and said 'airplane der t iz.' Airplanes always stop him in his tracks, he looks up, locates the plane, (or thinks he does) and his face lights up. He also gets excited when he hears a train, a fire engine, (any thing with lights is a fire engine), birds, and today I explained what a wood pecker sound was. He repeated 'kecker' over and over. One of my favorite's is our dear garbage man, he waves, and has even asked both of my boy's names. He acknowledges them. This sweet man has no idea how these kids delight in his coming. We had a replacemnent this past Monday, and oh how I am hoping our regular friend was taking the day off. What a miracle my not-so-little Miles hears these things. As I picked him up to come inside I found myself thinking there is nothing more wonderful than a 2 year old that delights in the sound of an airplane. These small moments I wish I could hold on to forever; these sound are simply a few of the many, MANY things that I treasure as things in my life that are simpler and HUGE, events.

April

April means birthdays in the Crist family, not just ours, but lots of cousins as well. April also means spring break, this year we had snow, a lot of snow and I refused to shovel. We went to the Mayan restaurant and the aquarium in Sandy on Maya's birthday. The kids loved the Mayan, the aquarium made me have some cruel thoughts about humanity because everyone in Utah was in that small building the same time we were. Robby is adjusting to his broken leg/femur, he is such a sweet boy. I asked him if he was tired of the cast and he said, "It's ok, I like it." It does stink, and can be revealing. My mom made him several 'custom' made pants with velcro so he doesn't have to wear a huge t-shirt for 2 months. Yes, we are down to 8-9 weeks of spica, that's the name of the cast.
Max update; great news, he is headed home today. The La Sal mountains will definitely help him heal. Thanks for keeping him in your thoughts, to know more click on Jeanne VZ name over on the side.
Enjoy the pictures.

Robby

I don't have a lot of time to write about Robby, he broke his femur. He is in this huge uncomfortable cast and still in a lot of pain. He pretty much needs me to be right next him ALL the time. I am putting up a few pictures. He is a brave little guy and so far hasn't complained to much. He is very pleased with his green cast, he LOVES GREEN! He turned 5 yesterday which means I am the mother of two, five year olds for the next 7 days.
This boy, he truly makes me smile. He says the funniest things ever, like when this happened he wanted to know if "President Obama knows my leg is broken?" When I told him no, of course he wanted to know why not. Well, I'll get right on that letter to the white house. After all, a spica cast on Robert J. Crist is something our president should know. He also makes me a little crazy, the week this happened he brought a snake in my house, and then a day later scared the bejeebees out of me by undoing his seat belt and showing me a baby one as I was driving down our street. Luckily we were right out of our drive way, because any place else I would of wrecked the car. Now, most of you know how I feel about snakes, if you don't read past post on snakes and brothers. Regardless of Robby's attempt at having me face my phobia I love this little guy, he truly has my heart.

Max

This is Max von Zastrow. He is the son of our dear friends Dave and Jeanne von Zastrow who live in Moab, Utah. Jeanne is the older sister of my best friend Heidi who passed away 7 years ago. From the time Heidi passed away, her family, including sisters, nieces and nephews and parents have truly become family to me. Yesterday, Max was assaulted with a baseball bat to his head by a kid at his high school. He is currently in critical condition in a hospital in Grand Junction, Colorado. The next 48 hours are crucial. I am asking anyone who reads this to offer up a prayer for Max. As mothers, can you imagine what Jeanne must be going through? I can't. I am truly having trouble wrapping my mind around violence like this. Emotions are high and very mixed. I am a believer of the power of prayer in numbers. I also know the handful of you who check in and our mothers, and sisters will empathize with the agony this family I treasure so much is going through.
We love you so much Max, get better and make us all laugh again soon.