August 4, 2009

JFR 2009

We have a Jewkes Family Reunion (as in extended Jewkes family) about every three years. We missed it last time around because it was a few weeks before Oliver was born. So, we made the trek out to St. George, UT for the much anticipated event this year. My Mom even convinced us all to come out a few days early to hang out with just my immediate family in Brianhead, UT (just a couple hours from St. George). Brianhead was so beautiful and we stayed at a great cabin at the resort that actually housed all 40 or so of us. We went running together a couple times, had some great meals cooked by Jenn, Rachel, and Jessica, spent the afternoon at Navajo Lake, and even managed to catch The Batchelorette.

Some of the grandkids posing in front of a lookout point at Brianhead. It was sooooo pretty up there.

Oliver and me overlooking Brianhead.

Hope this isn't too WT for ya'll, but Christian stripped (here he's pictured with his shorts on, but those were soon shed) so he could swim across Navajo Lake and back. It's a lot further than it looks.

Oliver was being very daring in the water and his shorts were actually soaked by the end of the afternoon.
Introducing the Jewkes Joggers!!! Jim, Jenn, Dagmar, Jessica, Julie, and me. Except for Dagmar, we're all training for the St. George Marathon in October. Jim is the mastermind behind all of our training and he keeps us motivated with tips and advice. Anyway, while we were in Brianhead, we ran to the top of a mountain. Yes, you read that right. 3.5 miles up and 3.5 down.

Christian so generously drove to the peak to bring us something to drink.

Taking in the view.

This looks a lot more dangerous than it was.

Oh, so picturesque. This is the view from the top.



Now, on to St. George. We got there on Thursday afternoon and spent some time in the pool at the resort we stayed at. That night we went to Footloose at the Tuacahn outdoor theatre in St. George. It was a really well-done performance and an amazing venue. The next morning Christian went on a four-wheeling excursion at my uncle's golf course. That afternoon we spent some more time swimming at the pool. Christian and I were watching Oliver swim around in the little kiddie pool area when oliver slipped on a ledge inside the pool and went under. Christian jumped in, hero-style, and saved him. He was only under the water for a few seconds and seemed to be fine when we got him out. He coughed a little and then wanted to get back in. My cousin, Jill, who was sitting there as well, mentioned something about dry drowning (rare but potentially mortal side affects of inhaling water into the lungs) and so we had him cough a few more times and didn't think much more about it. Well, at the same time, Oliver was getting a little cough that was going around among all the kids. Later that day when it seemed his cough had taken a turn for the worse, Christian decided to cover all his bases by calling a few nurses and doctors in our ward to ask for signs of dry drowning. As it turns out, the signs for dry drowning and his cough were about the same. So, we just kept a close eye on him the rest of the night. Christian woke up about every hour to check up on Oliver that night and he noticed around 1am that Oliver's breathing seemed fast, but again, this could just be from the cold he had. I woke up around 4am and shook Christian awake to alert him again to how fast Oliver was breathing. We both knew this was more than just a cough so Christian drove Oliver to the nearest hospital right then. In short, Oliver spent the next 2 days at Dixie Regional Medical Center for pneumonia. It was so incredibly heartbreaking to watch him go through the pain he went through. He begged us to take him home and to help him stop hurting. It was so heart-wrenching. Christian and I had to swtich off at the hospital so one of us could be with Amelia because they wouldn't allow her in Oliver's room. My brother-in-law, Dave, came and gave us all incredible, inspired blessings and Oliver recovered shortly after that. I know it was only pneumonia, not something life-threatening, but it was so hard to see my sweet little baby hurting. It gave me so much more sympathy for parents who have to go through this with their children for much longer periods of time and for much more serious illnesses. It also made me so grateful for people that donate toys and quilts to children's hospitals. It made his stay there so much easier. Also, he had outstanding nurses and it made me appreciate that profession so much more. Nurses can be such compassionate, caring people. Anyway, I'm glad it's over, but it sure made me realize how grateful I am for my little guy and also how we are all at the Lord's mercy. I know that He watches over us, loves us, and answers our prayers.

23 comments:

Kristie said...

Rebecca, I am so sorry this happened. I can't even imagine how scary that probably was for you guys. I am so glad he is all better now! He's a strong little guy! On a lighter note, you are one crazy woman running up a mountain! Maybe someday I will be as cool as you!

Eliza said...

oh my word that is so sad and scary. that last picture is just heartbreaking. looks like the other stuff was fun though, I'm so sorry you guys had to deal with that. so glad everything is okay.

Ashley said...

I am so glad he is ok! Just reading your post brought back memories of when Meg sick, I too am so grateful for the toys and blankets and such great care from the nurses and doctors. I am so glad he is ok now.

Lindsey said...

Oh my gosh! Poor little Oliver! I know how hard that is! Hazel had pneumonia last year and had to go to the hospital and have an IV and all that jazz. It made me SO sad and I wanted to strangle someone....but I don't think that would have helped. Hope he is all healed up and back to normal.

Stop looking great in spandex. Not fair.

That pic of Amelia on the 4th is ADORABLE! So cute.

Andrea W. said...

Oh you guys that is the saddest thing poor little Oliver and you guys had to go through. I totally relate to what you wrote about even though it could have been so much worse it just breaks your heart. I too always think so empathetically for those who have kids with chronic or life-threatening issues. I'm so glad he's okay and you all made it through the ordeal. Other than that, it sounds like a great trip.

Andrea W. said...

Oh you guys that is the saddest thing poor little Oliver and you guys had to go through. I totally relate to what you wrote about even though it could have been so much worse it just breaks your heart. I too always think so empathetically for those who have kids with chronic or life-threatening issues. I'm so glad he's okay and you all made it through the ordeal. Other than that, it sounds like a great trip.

Amanda said...

I didn't know that Oliver was so sick during the family reunion. that is really sad!
Sounds like the reunion was fun...up until Oliver get sick. Good luck on your marathon training. In a weird way I totally wish I was running/training with everybody.

Jenn said...

Poor little Oliver. What a scary experience. I am glad that he is all better now.

Ryan@dontdodumbthings.com said...

Geez, that is a tough experience. It is definitely no fun to have a kid struggling like that. I'm really glad you got through it.

THat looks like a really fun trip. Brianhead is a great place. And it's always better to go on a trip to a place where your uncle . . . owns a golf course? Wow.

(By the way, tell Kook that he doesn't have to be naked to swim)

christian@dontdodumbthings.com said...

Actually I did have to be naked. I was making a dangerous, long open water swim and couldn't have the extra drag of my cargo shorts. You're so ignorant.

Kara said...

That picture of Oliver in the hospital is just heart breaking, I can't imagine being there and having to hear his pleading and crying. Poor little guy! At least he'll probably never remember it, just you guys will! (darn it, right?)
Anyway, besides that, the first part of the trip sounded and looked amazing. BTW, I can't believe you are doing a marathon, you are NUTS!!! :)

Jo said...

Great post, Rebecca. I loved hearing about your reunion. What a neat family you have.

Loved the pictures too. That looks like such a beautiful place.

I'm glad you took a photo of poor sick little Oliver, so y'all 3 will remember it. I think seeing my kids suffer was (and still is) probably the hardest thing for me about being a mom. We get so used to solving their problems, and when we can't, it's such a helpless, painful experience. I'm glad you felt so blessed. What a sweet thing.

LOL Ryan and Chris! I'm just glad that picture was taken before the final attire iteration.

just another day said...

I feel so bad you practically missed the reunion b/c of that ordeal. Glad he recovered and everything was fine though.

Jana said...

oh that picture makes me sad. i'm glad everything is ok. and i'm actually talking about oliver and not the picture of chris and his farmer tan.

carrie said...

Soooooo sad. I'm so glad to hear he is okay. There is nothing worse than having a sick child and not being able to make them feel better:(

Lindsey said...

hey- where exactly do you guys live? we were planning a little road trip in september and talking about making time for a visit with you guys!

KRISTIN BELL said...

That is scary stuff! You guys are great parents! What a trooper, I know how hard that is on everyone, physically, emotionally and mentally....hope you are ALL recovering well. Sounds like the rest of your reunion was amazing though!

Jake and Emily Hutchings Family said...

those views really are pretty! i would say the scariest thing about christian's pic is how white his body is!

Aubrey {All Things Bright and Beautiful} said...

That is the saddest and scariest picture!!! Thank goodness he is okay...I haven't checked blogs in forever and had no idea!!! I'm so glad he is doing good, you are a good woman, Rebecca, I would've broken down!

Andrea W. said...

We miss you guys and your blog! Time for a new post.

Eric said...

Christian, this comment doesn't relate to your post, although I am glad to hear that little Sharkman's gills are recovering.

Yesterday, I was listening to a little NPR on my way home from work when they started talking about a Senator Bell that had been assigned to replace the lieutenant governor. I wasn’t entirely sure it was your dad until a senator they were interviewing spoke of how much they would miss him, and how the senate floor would now be shy a few thousand words of the English dictionary; and that they would be losing one of the greatest orators he could remember.

At that point I laughed out loud and realized the connection; and realized that at least one apple, hadn’t fallen to far from that tree. Way to carry on the family tradition!

Freddie said...

HI Rebecca and Christian, Im so sorry it took me so long to comment on this.. but I just want to tell you that even though we didnt come to the hospital and check on you all ,, we definately had you in our prayers. Im so sorry this happened and Im so happy that your sweet little boy is doing good now. You have a darling family and it was so nice to see you all at the reunion. Im sorry we were not too attentive to your problem,, things were so busy and crazy at the reunion with us being in charge of it, that we just couldn't get over there. Sure happy all worked out and sorry you had to go through seeing your little guy in pain and sick,, i hate that as a parent. Take care

Ryan and Andrea said...

We enjoyed seeing you & are glad to hear that Oliver is ok. We should plan a trip to come visit you!