Nuts about our family

Ever since Krista began the RN program at BYU I've been calling her up and asking her advice at all hours of the day and night on all sorts of health issues including constipation (Sage's), IBS (Mark's), and goiter growth (anonymous). She's always gone out of her way to provide over-the-phone-diagnoses, check up later on our conditions, and even consult medical books and professors for additional information.

As grateful as I was at 2 a.m. for Krista's suggestions for helping Sage get over her constipation, today I found myself offering a most fervent prayer of thanks for Krista's medical training and willingness to share her skills. I was babysitting a friend of Sage's today when we decided to make some Whatchamacallits. Forgetting about the friend's peanut allergy, I let the girls spoon the dregs of PB rice krispy mix out of the bowl while I washed the other equipment. Before I was done filling up the sticky dishes to soak Sage's friend told me her throat hurt. With horror, I realized my terrible mistake. I rushed to find some Benadryl and call her mom.

In the next half an hour (which seemed like an eternity), the poor girl's nose began to drip, her eyes began to swell, she threw up several times, and she began to have difficulty breathing. And I made 4 frantic phone calls to Krista. If Krista ever decides to bag the NP thing, she'd make a great 911 phone call answerer. She helped me stay calm, know what signs to watch for, and what dosage of Benadryl to give. And she called me back a few times to check on the girl's symptoms.

Tonight I was gratefully contemplating Krista's contributions and I realized that I rely on every family member for certain things. Just today I forwarded Danielle a friend's questions about a piano they are considering purchasing. And thanks to Kim, our computer runs faster now that the .ds virus has been eliminated. And Rebecca racked me up a whole bunch of compliments on Sunday by agreeing to play a musical number with me in my ward (even though she's pregnant and has no more than 1/4 normal lung capacity by the looks of it). And Suzy is always good for administering an intense back and shoulder massage with the world's strongest fingers. And Rich is the only one who knows how to get the internet to work on the slower computer at Mom and Dad's house. (I know because I accidentally disconnected it, thinking it was my USB, three months ago and it hasn't worked since). And Heather is always good for dancing the tango with and making me feel like a dunce with her high ACT score, and for getting something fun going. And Dad always has a log of Cheddar cheese to dole out on my way out the door. And Mom always seems to know exactly when I need a nice email or I'll quit. And Jordan never complains about how often we ask him to help move us (and spearhead the process). And Bryce is always willing to share his handheld Tetris game that he keeps in the bathroom (as long as no one brings down his average). And Adam makes the most delicious nachos and tries to say that anyone can make them that well. And Mark is always willing to help me with my immigration problems and intercede when I'm about to get deported.

In the words of Dash, "I love our family."