Happy Birthday, Julene!

Julene's endured yet another birthday this week. It seemed that there were a lot of things that were in the way of preparing a birthday celebration for Julene: I was attending a seminar on health law at the Palazzo Hotel, I was trying to finish my rehabilitation of the yard at our old house, I needed to put together a talk for Sunday, the kids had tons of homework, Josh had scouts, etc. In other words, just a normal week at the Ballards.

On Julene's birthday, I was able to go shopping for a present for her during a break at the seminar. After the seminar I had to return to the office to get a few things in the out box. When I left the office, I made my way to a few stores to round up a some cards for the kids to give to Julene, candles, an ice cream cake from Baskin Robbins, and some flowers.

One of the true pleasures was seeing how excited the kids were to write on birthday cards for Mommy. They were sneaking around, trying not to let her know that they were working on cards for her. As is evident from the picture above, Angelina was especially thrilled to be able to give Mommy a card.

The payoff came as Julene was brought to tears with the surprise of her little birthday party. Julene, who had been somewhat miffed with me all day, was completely caught off guard by this celebration, which made it so satisfying to know that she was truly touched.

SuperAaron Returns

Note: This is a sequel to the “SuperAaron” story about my little brother, Aaron. We all enjoyed the first one by his wife, Carolyn, found on her blog. I felt that I needed to write yet my own chapter.

Joseph came home from school two weeks ago with pink eye. It was such a mild case that it went away in two days. I completely forgot about it until I woke up a few days later with pink eye. I thought that it would go away in about two or three days, just like Joseph. However, two days later, my eye was so swollen that I could only open it half-way, and it had started to discharge yellow goop. I went to the first hour of church and decided to go home. Monday came around and my eye seemed to be getting worse. I spoke to my mom and she said, “Call Aaron.”

I had forgotten that Aaron is a doctor, specializing in ophthalmology. I called him and he said, “It sounds like an eye infection. Give your family doctor a call.” I already had a doctor’s appointment scheduled for the next day, and when I saw my doctor, he said it could be bacterial or viral conjunctivitis, and he prescribed me eye drops.

I went home so excited because I thought my problem was minor and would heal quickly. I started the drops right away, but as the days passed, my eye worsened. My friends said that I looked like Quasimoto and my kids said I reminded them of Mad-Eye Moody!

Joshua said that he was praying for me so that my eye would be better for the Fifth Grade graduation ceremony. He finally said, “I think you need a blessing.” I called Aaron in a panic. I told him my symptoms and he said I needed to be seen by an ophthalmologist. I told him that my insurance required a referral from the primary care provider and that it would be a week before I can see a specialist. He said, “Hold on. Let me get my cape and I’ll call you right back!” (Okay, I'm embellishing just a little.)

SuperAaron came to the rescue!!

SuperAaron called back and said, “My friend will see you today. She is an ophthalmologist and will take good care of you.” In minutes, I had an appointment set and I saw her that same day. The doctor gave me different types of drops to clear up my infection. My eye quickly started improving and after about a week, the infection was gone. I was so grateful that Aaron had connections here in Las Vegas. Thanks, SuperAaron!

Combing for Cackleberries (aka Rooting Roe)

Okay, Easter Egg Hunt

Or if you prefer, Pagan Fertility Celebration of the Vernal Equinox!

We went back to Summerlin for the annual Easter Egg Hunt. It really does not involve much searching and seeking, as the workers go out onto baseball fields with garbage bags full of food and candy. They tear holes in the bottom of the bags, pick up the bags by the tops and start spinning in circles like a Whirling Dirvish. The result is that clusters of goodies get strewn everywhere. It is up to the "hunters" to go and start scooping the largesse into their bags.

Josh and Allyse were geared up for the sweet safari.

Angelina with her bucket at the ready.

Joseph's pre-hunt ritual includes trying to cram his 7-year-old body
into a stroller built for children who are about half his size.

She's so hot that she's listed as a significant contributor to global warming.

The "hunters" are lined up at the edge of the baseball infield,
looking earnestly for clues to help them find their prey.

This is more of a "Where's Waldo?" photo, only the object is to find Joshua.

All that truly matters is that she had a pink bucket and that her pink skirt
wasn't in the dirty clothes hamper when she got dressed that morning.

Benjamin was shouting words of encouragement to siblings.

The successful hunters showing off their kill.

What Easter Egg Hunt would be complete without a faux train ride?

Julene's Lithotripsy

As you might know, Julene has been having kidney stone problems again. At first, she thought she was having trouble passing a stone. However, when she had imaging done, it showed one very large stone and a slightly smaller stone in her right kidney, neither of which had even a prayer of passing, as they were both so large. The solution – lithotripsy.

In extracorporeal shockwave lithotripsy (ESWL), shock waves pass through your skin, until they hit the kidney stones, which break down into small, sand-like pieces and pass out through the urinary tract. It typically takes a few days of recovery. Some complications are possible – blood in the urine after the treatment and brusing are very common. Some have described the after effects as feeling like you suffered a series of kidney punches.

Julene underwent lithotripsy today at a local surgical center. Naturally, Julene is feeling pretty achy about now, but she seems relieved to just be done with the procedure. We have been very fortunate to have great help from the Grandmas watching the kids and from our ward bringing meals.

On top of it all, Benjamin started a fever and a cold today. He has been uncharacteristically unhappy, which is obviously indicative of how rotten he feels. I feel like we are recycling the last few months. This, too, will pass (I hope).

Joseph's Polar Express Birthday Party

Allyse, the Conductor, took the tickets at the front door.

Joseph and the other children built small train sets.

Ethan and Corbin worked on their trains, too.

After enjoying hot chocolate, Julene read the The Polar Express to the children.

The highlight of the party was a visit from Santa Claus.

Angelina decided that Santa was okay.

Allyse was so happy that she could hardly contain herself.

Josh is almost big enough to have Santa sit on his lap.

Benjamin didn't know what was happening, but at least he didn't get upset
when the man in the big red suit and the funny beard held him.

Julene seemed to have at least as much fun as anyone at the party.

No birthday of Joseph's would be complete without Lego.

Gingerbread House

Angelina got right in the middle of building a gingerbread house.
Just in case there is any question, Angelina chose her own outfit.

It appears like this is a government project as it takes five
workers to do the job of one person.

Overdue

The baby is now six days overdue, which is the longest for any of our children. It is especially odd since by the fifth child, everyone expects the baby sooner rather than later.

I was thinking of alternative titles to this post:

• AAAARRGG - already used it
• No News is Good News - no way
• All's Quiet on the Western Front - maybe
• I Got You Babe - not yet
• I Want My Baby Back, Baby Back, Baby Back - eewww
• Close, But No Cigar
  

In any event, we expect to provide news soon, but nothing yet. Julene did run to the hospital in the middle of last night due to some light bleeding, but it turned out to be nothing serious, just as we expected. We will keep you posted.

Update:

If the baby has not come by Sunday, Julene will be induced that morning.

Moulin Rouge - Vegas Style

Star in Your Own JibJab! It's Free!

Julene's Jubilee

Julene suffered endured celebrated her birthday on Monday. It's hard to have too much fun when you are 8 1/2 months pregnant, so we had to keep it low key this year.

We dropped the kids with Grandma Kathleen and went to dinner at Rosemary's Restaurant. As usual, the dinner and service were fantastic. By coincidence, we were seated next to an older couple that we've known for many years, but whom we didn't know very well. We had a great time talking with them about their family and their experiences.

This couple was celebrating their 38th Wedding Anniversary. It started me thinking about how far Julene and I have come in [nearly] 14 years, and where we will be in 24 years. The thought blows my mind, like a fast forward through some of the most important parts of our lives, i.e., childbirth, teething, first steps, terrible twos, preschool, kindergarten, baptism, scouts, young women, priesthood, braces, crushes, dances, sports, SAT/ACT, college, mission, graduation, marriage, grandchildren. I get exhausted just thinking about it.

Fortunately, it all comes one year, one month, one week, one day, one hour, one minute, one second at a time. The beauty of it is that I get to spend it with a wonderful wife and some pretty good kids. There is truly no one else with whom I would rather spend it.

I don't want to seem as if I am taking my life for granted, as if it is something owed me; to the contrary, I know that all can change in a heartbeat, which makes each second that much more precious. I am stating that I am so grateful that I have so much, and that I have so much to look forward to with this lovely lady whose birthday we just celebrated.

Rosemary's 2007 Awards & Accolades

"Restauranteur of the Year" awarded to Chefs Michael & Wendy Jordan by the Nevada Resaturant Association.

“Best Gourmet Restaurant." Awarded by the Las Vegas Review-Journal

ZAGAT 2007 - Rosemary’s Restaurant keeps #1 spot in the Top Food, Las Vegas category. 2007 Best of Las Vegas Awards; Eight Years Running!