Like Trying to Put the Brakes on a Freight Train...

Lisa and I live very busy lives. Most people do that have children with therapies, are attending graduate school, have a demanding job (a military one at that, which you can’t say “no” to when asked to do overtime), and that are active LDS members with callings. They have to look at their days and see if they can’t squeeze more time out as best they can. So when illness comes, it is like trying to put the brakes on a rapidly moving freight train. Substitutes have to be found for callings, therapies have to be cancelled, emergency leave has to be arranged and school counselors informed. A longing for the good old days of minimal chaos sets in, instead of the huge chaos that follows a massive surgery with infection quick to follow.

Metroplex Hospital became Lisa’s home for a brief period. This was rough for the kids, but I was never more impressed with my sons than how they rallied to the call to help pick up the house and to try to keep contention out of the equation. So, with life being a little chaotic, it was with great excitement and anticipation we greeted the arrival of Lisa’s sister Becky and two of her kids, Weston and Noelle. Having them visit for a few days made it exciting for the boys. 

(Lisa is now taking over this blog post.) The boys were thrilled to have a cool older cousin visit and were by turns fascinated and indifferent to having a baby. Miles was mostly fascinated with Noelle’s face and the various things on it (eyes, nose…mostly the eyes). 

By the time the Johnston trio got home it was late evening on Friday. Saturday we took a trip out to see the First Cavalry Museum on the main post. After touring the tanks and helicopters we went to Zoomerang’s (the local bounce house) and jumped for a couple of hours. Miles, Noelle, and Matt stayed behind for a nap. Once the older boys had bounced themselves out we came back to the house to meet up before hitting up a planetarium show.

On Sunday we took it easy as Becky was heading into Austin for her WGU conference. Weston was pretty worn out from hearing Noelle all night, and opted to respect the day of rest.

Monday Liam and Ian went to school. Weston, Noelle, and Miles went around doing whatever Weston wanted. Weston’s choice was to go to Toys R Us for a Hobbit sword and ring, go to the mall and get a cookie, pick out some souvenirs for siblings at home, and eat at Wendys. Weston did ask if he had to eat all of his French fries or chicken nuggets. I told him that since none of it was good for him, I didn’t care if he ate any of it. After our morning out Weston wanted to play some computer games/wii games, I think he enjoyed not having to share any of the media game outlets. 

Tuesday saw us heading back to Austin to pick up Becky and go to the airport. I was sorry to see them go, but no one could have been happier to see Becky than Noelle. 

Noelle was a remarkably good natured baby, and Weston was a wonderfully well behaved kid. I loved having them out to visit and was only sorry that my health prevented me from taking them out more. We all hope the whole Johnston family will make it out for a nice long visit in the future!