FIRST GRADER

My little man is OFFICIALLY a FIRST grader. Is he old enough for this? I'm still in disbelief. His school last year closed so we switched locations to Somerset Losee. He is quite proud to be a Losee Lion. It's located on Craig and Losee so it's quite the drive but with my work being located near Town Square--it's not too bad of a commute (all freeway) and it's kind of in the middle for his dad and I. His teacher this year is Ms. Sowers and we have been very impressed with her. Matix has learned so much so far this year. He is becoming quite the little reader--although he still gets frustrated with himself and wishes he could read everything with no struggles. One day little man. Ms. Sowers says Matix excels at comprehension. He can regurgitate any story he's heard and understand so well--I'm not surprised. He's loved book reading since he was a little tot and especially loves more complicated stories. Matix also tells me that the girls in class tease him but his teacher told me it's more of a "crush" tease. All the girls love Matix--he just doesn't quite get it or feel the same way

With me working full time and school being so far he has to go to Lion's Den (Safe Key) 3 days a week after school. So the days are quite long for the little guy. He doesn't love it but he's adjusted well. It's always a treat when grandpa gets off work early and surprises him with an early pick up. My dad sure misses Matix when he's not home. We all do. He's such a loveable little boy. 

Matix's First Crush

  Remember how a few months back, a little girl gave Matix her number on a little piece of paper? 

Well that same little girl, Rayne had a graduation party at her house after the school program. Well, to my surprise she lives literally around the corner from us and she and her family are some of the nicest people. Needless to say, we have had many, many playdates with Rayne this summer! It's been so fun (and convenient) to have another friend in the neighborhood! (and they have a pool. Score!) The two play so well together and Rayne even told Matix that she was in love with him. He thinks it's just friend love but made me swear to secrecy. So don't tell ANYONE! Shhh. But of course I have to document it! Oh, young love. (Don't worry, Matix assured me that he doesn't like her back...but he did tell me one day that she has yellow hair so she's probably the yellow-haired girl who the psychic was saying he would marry! hahahah)

Kindergarten Graduate

My sweet baby boy has graduated from Kindergarten! I know it's not that big of a deal, but it kind of is. Isn't he the most precious thing you ever did see? He absolutely loved kindergarten. He went to Somerset Academy and had Mrs. Montreuil as his teacher (half day, pm). It was super convenient that Somerset was right around the corner from our house and all of his friends from church went there. We had a good little carpool system set up with the neighbor (church) friend Riley. Matix excelled in school. He especially loved all the extra classes...PE, STEM, Music etc. They had a talent show near the end of the school year and Matix was so excited to audition for it. So excited that he forgot to even tell me that he did it! He decided that he was join to tell jokes and came up with his whole skit by himself. I can't remember what jokes he used except one, which happens to be his favorite. 

"What did the horse say when it fell over?"

"Help! I've fallen and I can't 'giddy-up'!"

I'm sad to report that he didn't make it into the show, I can't quite figure out why. But his music class didn't perform a song in it, and that made him happy enough. (Although I do think he was a little bit disappointed) 

Matix is such a happy, well-behaved kid. I seriously can't be grateful enough that he is the way that he is. He has such a good nature about him. He never intentionally does something wrong. He hates getting in trouble. He is very intelligent and always asks questions about how things work and why's and what words mean. I am always impressed with how well he comprehends things and how interested he is in learning. He had lots of friends and two bullies (they bullied everyone in class, not him specifically) We always talked about those dang class bullies and how we should turn the other cheek. At the graduation, a few kids came up and asked to take pictures with him with moms telling me that Matix was their favorite friend in class (kids I'd never heard of). It felt good to know he was well-liked among his peers, but I'm not surprised. He's such a lovable kid. Animals are still his favorite subject. He watches National Geographic shows regularly and loves learning about animals, especially the more violent ones. He and grandpa have a new love for "Dual Survival" (some wilderness type show). He is such a little cuddle bug and loves to cuddle before bed and first thing in the morning. Video games are also a favorite...so they have to be limited. He is still the favorite cousin (according to all the cousins). And recently he started reading ME bedtime stories, to make up for all the stories I've read him over the past 5 years. I love it! :)

I'm so grateful that I was blessed to be this little boys mama. He is the best kid I could have ever hoped for and I'm so glad he's mine forever. 

BRING ON FIRST GRADE!!!

Matix is SIX.

Completely out of character for him, Matix changed his birthday theme after he made the initial decision at his last birthday party. He had initially chosen to do a jungle theme, but as his birthday approached (like 4 months early) he decided he wanted a laser tag party instead! Usually, once his mind is made up, it's mad up. And that's still mostly the case, he just had a little change of plans. 

Anyways, this laser tag party was very much anticipated but Matix, Matix's friends, Matix's cousins, and me and my friends! It was a hit all around. It was a little more expensive than I normally spend, but not much more. It was totally worth it! We had a private party so we were the only people there! The games were awesome!! I highly recommend Laser Quest if you want to have a laser tag party. So accommodating and so great!

We also had pizza, cake and presents! AND Dylan and Kelli gave Matix his very first pet (at mom's house). A FISH! It's a Beta and we named him Bluey. Matix has been really really great about taking care of him. All I have to do is change the water whenever Matix tells me it's time. In fact, I forgot we had him until this very minute. Hope he's still alive! This is why I don't have pets. haha. Note to self: check on Bluey. 

AND the best part was that Devin (Matix's best friend in the whole world, and my ex bf) came! Matix couldn't have been more excited to hang out with him again! Boyfriend met ex-boyfriend and it was just glorious. JK. It wash't super awkward, maybe a little but whatever. It was Matix's day and I wanted it to be perfect. 

We also brought donuts to Matix's class the Friday before his birthday! (His Birthday was on Sunday) The class loved it but I think Matix loved it the most!!!

Sunday morning we had homemade Cinnamon rolls that my mom bought from a lady, went to Matt's ward and then went to my friend Chaz's college graduation and party. My parents were up in Utah at my cousin Camette's sealing and Emily Jacobsen's homecoming. 

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MATIX!

I can't believe you're six and too cool to smile in pictures. 

LOVE YOU!

I suck at disciplining.

Matix has been peeing his pants lately. I can't really figure out why he is struggling with it so much. He won't stop playing to pee. He won't stop the video game to pee. And we've resorted to Pull-Ups at bedtime in the recent weeks. He's almost 6 years old! What the heck?

Yesterday I took a Sunday afternoon nap and when I went to grab Matix he had peed his pants again while playing a video game. Didn't even budge. He tries to claim he can't feel it but I finally got him to admit that he just is so addicted to the game that he won't pause it to stop and pee. 

I spank his bum, make him change and have a little chat and cll his dad to tell him what happened so he could enforce a punishment since it was time for him to go to his dad's house for a few days. On the call, Matix's dad tells me that he's going to put him in time-out and take video games away. Dad's are good at disciplining. Us mom's just aren't. And guess what my little 5-year old did when I got off that phone call? With his folded little arms he looks at me with almost teary-eyes and says..."Mom, he's right. My dad will make me not pee my pants anymore. He's a professional at it. You need to take away my privileges and put me in time out more. That will work."

Yes. My five year old just said that to me. 

I gave him the biggest hug--

a. Because I am so grateful that I have the world's best kid ever. 

b. Because I didn't know what to think of this little experience. 

I responded with a little spill about how much I love Matix and I know I'm bad a discipling but it's just because I love him so much and I hate getting him in trouble or putting him in time out. It hurts my heart.

His response: 

"Mom you just need to love me a tiny but less and make me get in trouble a tiny bit more or I'm never going to stop peeing my pants."

And just like that, I was again put in my place by my child. He knows that I suck and disciplining and follow through straight up told me how to be a better mom. Most children would use such a flaw to their advantage, but instead I lucked out and he's teaching me how to be a better mom. 

And on the way home from dropping him off I cried like a little baby overwhelmed with feeling of love, and gratitude, and under-qualification, and frustration, and humility. 

This single mom stuff is hard stuff. 

family pictures.

 I finally splurged and had my favorite photographer take pictures of me and my boy in the fall. I have never paid for pictures before and figured it was about time I did. Chantel Marie does great work and I just love her style so much. Plus I finally got to meet her cute little Aussie hubs. She seriously gave me hundreds and hundred of pictures, but here are just a couple of my favorites. I will treasure these pictures just like I treasure this time in our lives where we truly are best little friends.

Kindergartener.

My little boy is officially a kindergartener! He started K at Somerset Oakey a couple weeks ago. Tell me he isn't the handsomest little kindergartener you ever did see. I was really nervous about Matix starting school, because we had some serious PTSD problems over the summer. He was very paranoid about being left alone or going to a babysitter (any babysitter, even my sisters). He would go crazy! But luckily, it was just a phase and he's totally fine now.

He walked right into that room, and didn't look back!

So far he has loved it! He's learning so much and is making friends. He has been having some behavior problems, basically just due to excitement. He gets so excited and speaks out out of turn, especially in music class. That's my Matix for ya. He gets so excited about everything! But he's been working really hard at improving, and is succeeding! His little buddy from church is in his class, which has been a lot of fun. Riley and Matix are two peas in a pod. Mrs. Montreuil noticed their connection and immediately moved their seats to across the room from each other. When those two get together, they are seriously out of control funny. We car pool with Riley on the days I have Matix, and listening to their conversations kills me. I'm so glad Matix has a fun little best friend to go to school with!

He still wants to be a paleontologist, a whale trainer, but has now added scientist to the mix.

I love watching my little boy grow up.
He's still my snuggly little mama's boy and I couldn't be more grateful for that.

The Accident.

On May 30, 2013, Matix, his dad, and his dad's girlfriend Faith were in a head on collision rollover accident on the 215 and Skypointe. To say that was the scariest day of my life would be and understatement. Every mom's nightmare. Here is a recap of everything up to date. Warning: Some of these pictures and details may break your heart. 

I was at work, on my lunch break when I got that dreadful call. Jon's mom was crying and told me that Jon and them were in a car accident. It was a rollover and Matix is alive but he broke his arm. My tears started flowing and I was kinda freaking out. I asked if Jon and Faith were okay but she said she didn't know. She said someone on the scene who had helped pull them out of the vehicle had called her and didn't know their status. He just said get to the hospital quick. By now I was borderline hysterical. My coworker Heidi drove me to UMC Trauma immediately. My dad got there at the same time as us and we beat Matix's ambulance there, so this was the first thing I saw...

Such a hard thing for a momma to see. He was covered in blood. Oh my gosh, there was so much blood. They told him that his mom was here and that everything would be okay, and then he started screaming and crying for me. He never opened his eyes though, so he didn't see me. I started to cry even more, but Heidi reminded me that I needed to keep it together for Matix. So I sucked it in and was strong. They wheeled him behind closed doors and all we could do was wait. 

Family and friends started showing up, texting and calling right away. I hadn't told much of anyone at this point, but word started spreading and people started showing up. It was hard because at this point we didn't know what was even wrong with anyone involved. Finally, Matix's nurse came out and told me that he wasn't properly restrained, and he has a laceration across his face that needed to be stitched and that he broke both bones in his forearm all the way through. She also said that he had some cuts and bruises on his shoulder and stomach so he was in line to get a cat-scan to make sure there was no internal bleeding. About 10 minutes later she came back out and got me so I could be with him until he went back for his cat-scan. 

Seeing him that first time was so sad. Luckily they cleaned off most of the blood, but he was heavily medicated so he kept slipping in and out of consciousness. We talked to him and he told me that I was his mom. It melted my little heart. I held his hand and kissed his little face as much as I could. I was so glad he was alive! While I was there a plastic surgeon came over and stitched his face. That was hard. First of all, his laceration was huge. I could see every layer of his skin, muscles, everything. So much worse than I imagined. But his doctor (who was a girl that looked about my age) assured me that it looked bad, but it was a straight slice so it would stitch up really nicely. And it did. The hardest part was holding his little hand as he screamed bloody murder at the top of his lungs while they gave him 3 shots to numb his face. My tears we streaming down my face. I couldn't help it. No mom wants to see their kid in so much pain. He almost immediately fell asleep and was out through the whole stitching process. Which was great because that little boy was so scared of getting stitches. He cried at any mention of stitches and even told his doctor that he didn't need them, he just needed a band-aid. Cute boy.

Then it was time for his cat-scan. It came back negative...no internal bleeding! I got to stroll around the Trauma E.R. a little bit and see Jon and Faith. Jon and Matix actually ended up being in beds right next to each other which was both convenient and not convenient. It was convenient that they could see each other, well Matix was in a neck restraint forever so he couldn't see his dad, but his dad could see him. But not convenient because it was hard for Jon to see and hear Matix's pain and frustrations. He broke down a few times and the guilt was heavy. Devin came around 6 and was a great distraction. They talked and told stories and had a funny pee adventure. Dev helped him pee in his jar and it ended up shooting up to "outerspace" (the ceiling) and Dev closed the lid on his junk. Quite the memory! But it sure gave them a good laugh!

in and out of consciousness after they set his arm the second time

These are all the stuffed animals he accumulated. A police bear from the social worker. The flag bear from the firemen/ambulance ride. The brown teddy from the orthopedic surgeon when they set his arm. And dinosaurs that I went home to get to keep him company :)

Story time with Devin.

We were in the E.R. until 10 something that night when a bed in peds opened up. Our nurse up in peds, Janie was the cutest sweetest thing we could have ever hoped for. We had a rough night. I couldn't sleep because of the adrenaline and craziness of the day. I was still in shock, disbelief, and was so grateful that I still had my baby boy to love and smother. Matix woke up ever 30 min or so in pain and discomfort, peed the bed, and threw up. So it was a long night! But we made it through and Janie was so helpful! We met our roommate the next morning, Edward. He was 12 and had major leg surgery a few days before. The boys watched morning cartoons until Matix was released around 11 a.m. He was so excited. He did not want to be at the hospital anymore. 

Getting transferred up to peds.

This was the first time I saw his laceration ofter his stitches. He threw up all over his bandage so Janie changed it. 

The next morning looking defeated. It was a long, hard night!

Finally getting to go home!

We finally got more information about the accident itself. Faith remembers everything from start to finish. Jon remembers bits. And Matix remembers quite a bit as well. (sad)

Jon was dropping Matix off to my mom who was babysitting my sister's kids out in Aliante. They were heading east on the 215, I believe between Durango and Skypointe when a car swerved into oncoming traffice and hit them head on. (a 70 year old man...rumor has it he was drunk/or a suicide attempt/or both/or neither...who knows??) The impact occurred mostly on the driver's side (Jon was driving Faith's Toyota Tacoma) which caused them to drive up onto the other car (a Lexus car) and roll twice. Neither Jon or Faith were wearing seatbelts (which actually saved their lives) because they flew out of their seats (luckily not out of the vehicle). The engine went up into their seats and would have pinned them/cut off Jon's legs. In fact Faith's dad went to the truck in the junkyard and doesn't quite understand how Jon still has legs or is alive. Faith was thrown into the back with Matix (who was in the middle with a lap belt on) and Jon was thrown into the area of the passenger's seat. When it stopped rolling Matix was hanging by his seatbelt above Faith. She started to smell gas so she immediately went into survival mode and did everything she could to get Matix out of the truck asap. His seatbelt was jammed so her and Jon had to pull on it to release it, Matix fell on her and she used her dislocated arm to open up the back window to get him out. It was very apparent that Matix's arm was broken, but Faith just told him he needed to do clib out the window anyways. He was brave and when his little head stuck out of the window a bunch of people came over and helped pull him out. They then had about 7 guys open up the passenger door to safely out Jon and Faith out of the truck. Luckily the truck never blew up. Everyone on the scene, police included, do not know how they made it out alive...it was that bad. 

We got these pictures from 2 separate random people who did not know we were the ones involved. They simply took these pictures because of how awful of an accident it was. They later discovered it was us and texted them to us. 

Their injuries are as follows: Matix broke his radius and ulna in his right arm, got stitches across his face and had bruising along his stomach and neck, had a couple of glass cuts on the back of his head, a cut on his ear and a cut on his tongue (super minor). He stayed in the hospital overnight. Jon broke his L2 (spine), ripped all the tendons in his left middle finger and broke his nose. He also got tons of stitches all over his hands and legs. He was released after a few hours. Faith had bleeding in her brain, a hemotoma in her lung, dislocated her right shoulder, broke 2 ribs, broke her L5 (spine), broke her sacrum (where her spine and pelvis meet), broke her pelvis, and has a 5" hole in her left leg (mostly likely from her shifter). She was in the hospital for 7 days and they predict she will be in a wheelchair for 4-6 months. Both her and Jon have a long road of physical therapy ahead of them. 

Matix's first time seeing Faith after the accident. She got out of ICU!

Faith's first time sitting up. On day 5 in the hospital.

We had lots of visitors once we got home, that all came bearing gifts! It was like Matix had a second birthday! He was loving it. He layed around watching movies and napping, until my mom got home with Shelby and the twins. Then he finally perked up and didn't want to be left out. Brian did a great job helping them play with some of his birthday toys and he even tried to ride a bike! I about had a heart attack but he convinced me that he only needed one hand to ride--boys will be boys! After about 10-15 minutes he said "man, riding a bike is hard now." I held him while he watched the kids ride some more. On day two he was almost back to his normal self. He decided to stop taking his pain medicine and was adjusting to one armed life pretty well. Nights became the hardest because he couldn't get comfortable and the pain was greater. During the day he was distracted by friends and cousins. And then the itching started. Curse that itchiness! It's so rough to watch your baby suffer and cry knowing there's nothing you can do to help. It's also been hard to hear his occasional, "Mom, I just want my arm back." "Make my arm better." "Just take off this cast....well part of it." "It itches!!!!!!!" "I can't get comfortable." "My day was great, except that my arm is still broken!!" "How am I gonna read books with only one hand???" With tear-filled eyes. The frustrations are never ending for a five year old boy, but he has been such a trooper. 

posted up at home

His stitches after a few days. Super bruised. 

At our follow-up orthopedic appointment, Dr, Wulff showed us his X-rays and his bones weren't lined up, like at all. They were 100% displaced, so he took more X-rays to be sure and told us we needed to do surgery, tomorrow morning! We rushed to get everything in order, and registered at UMC for an 8 a.m. surgery. Matix was nervous, but he never once cried. He was very curious about what exactly they were doing and why. 

Plan A was to just be able to manipulate the bones into position. Plan B was to successfully manipulate but that it wouldn't be secure and so he would need pins. Plan C was that they couldn't manipulate so they would have to cut him open and figure out what was in the way.  That night he prayed for Plan A and slept like a champ. On the way to surgery he asked me to make sure I hold his hand while he goes under. He was being such a brave boy! His aunt Roni (on his dad's side) met us there and stayed the whole time. So sweet of her. 

Surgery went great! They did Plan A! Matix woke up in a lot of pain, which was hard and sad to experience all over again. But he was strong. We were in recovery for almost an hour and then we had transport wheelchair him up to see Faith before we left. She could sit up on her own now...which was amazing to see! Faith is one strong, positive girl! We stopped by Quizno's to get Matix some soup for lunch before going to his followup plastic appt for his face! The doctor released him from treatment. He said his face was healing great and that we didn't need to come back! Yay!

Now we are back home, taking it day by day. Matix seems to be doing great! He hardly complains about the pain. Itching is the worst of it, and one-armed fristrations. It's going to be a long 5 weeks, but we are going to entertain this boy as much as we can so he won't be sad about not being able to swim for a while. We've mastered bath time. And we've invested in some tank tops (his arm doesn't fit into his regular shirts). He is more clingy and definitely paranoid about cars. He is quite the backseat driver nowadays, bless his little heart. Today he told me that he knows why he is still alive...because he always prays that he will be safe. I think he is right. We were truly blessed to have survived such a horrific accident. I am so beyond grateful. Thank you to everyone who called, texted, visited, and prayed. We love you guys!

His first signatures on his cast.