Wednesday, September 28, 2011

A Day of Beauty and Distraction

The 6 healthy legs overlooking Zion from the top of Kolob
 There was enough UGLY last weekend with Jack's injury during a football game on Saturday.  Thankfully, Bobbi and Grandpa John Kerr were in town to watch the game and looked after the surviving members of Team Cook for the remainder of the weekend.
The idea to take a hike to enjoy one of God's gifts to this region was a great way to get the kid's minds off their concern for their brother.  These photos were taken at the top of Kolob, the northwest portion of Zion National Park.  What a beautiful way to look after our family.  Nature and the beauty found there can definitely heal the soul. Thanks Mom and Dad!
Sam took his sketch pad and came home to paint an landscape inspired by Kolob

Charlie, checking out the Tarantula


What an added BONUS! A Tarantula.

Monday, September 26, 2011

FOOTBALL..The good, the bad and the UGLY!

Last Saturday morning the Cedar 3rd graders played in Hurricane.  During the 4th quarter Jack was carrying the ball and was tackled and through a weird fluke his femur was seriously fractured.  I guess all fractures are serious and most femur fractures are really tough due to the large bone and large muscle groups around it.
An ambulance came to the field and the EMTs used scissors to cut Jack's cute #81 uniform off of his little broken body.
We were blessed to have had Bobbi and Grandpa John at the game to help with the other kids and the nerves.  They brought the other kids back to Cedar while Brad and I spent the day and night and day and night with Jack recovering from surgery.  They put 2 titanium rods through the lower end of this femur up into his hip, capturing the broken bone like a skewer and putting it all back together.
We have had so many people reach out to help us and send love already.  It's amazing how people come from everywhere right when you need them (or even if you didn't think you did.)
As I type this, Jack is still in the hospital in St. George recovering with Brad by his side.  I'm at home getting the house ready for a wheel chair and our new version of normal for the next few months.

 Charlie running off the field after a play.  Jack..running on 2 solid legs. Trying to hold up his pants.



 Jack taking a hand off from the QB
 Charlie is the defender center of photo, closest to and facing the camera...containing the offense.  Jack, #81 just to the right. Charlie is a defensive monster, just like his dad was.  Jack plays offense and defense.

The tackle that broke the leg.
Brad and Charlie look on and lend support as the EMTs work on Jack.

Sam and Charlie..Charlie has felt this as much as Jack has but in a very different way.
Coach Hirschi reassures Charlie that Jack will be OK and that Charlie played a great game.





Post-op. Bionic leg and Jack in recovery.

Monday, September 19, 2011

Charlie #79 Defense
Jack has the ball...running for a TD

Jack, #81...his first TD coming up..




Jack scores 6

Celebration!!!

Tuesday, September 6, 2011

Best Wishes

Sam's a TEENAGER! Happy 13 to Sam

Everyone at the party wrote a birthday wish for Sam's next year on this Chinese Wish balloon.
We lit the balloon's fuel source and just like a hot air balloon it sailed off into the skies..Hopefully all those wishes will rain down on Sam.
Some of the wishes that people wrote: To win the film festival contest Sam entered last month, To get a 4.0. To get straight A's,To stay strong, stay happy, stay cool. That he will get to go on the wish trip of his lifetime...Greece to visit all the historical sites that he has studied so much about.




Sam's party was simple. He wanted pizza, chocolate cake filled with homemade chocolate pudding and to have an Airsoft war with his friends. They also ended up having a video game marathon in the basement. He's a simple guy.