Mommy blogs are notorious for always putting a shiny, happy glow on day to day life. It's tempting to leave out all of our not-so-proud moments and let people think we are great mothers at all times. Maybe we worry that people will know we aren't perfect. So here I go... I'm not perfect-- far from it.
This week I got distracted. Shane and I were cleaning out cars and I was in and out of the house. Bella wasn't feeling well and I got out the ibuprofen. I took a dose to her in the bathroom and left the bottle open on the counter. I went outside and brought some more items in from the garage. I saw the medicine bottle on the counter and went to put it away when I realized all of the medicine about 4000 milligrams was gone and Bella was standing in the kitchen. Panicked, I questioned her,
"Did you drink this?"
"Yes Mama, but don't cry Mama, I'm sorry."
My heart sank, Shane walked in the room and we called Poison control. Poison Control called the hospital and told us to get her there as fast as we could. We were both terrified.
I could barely get the words out, but I called my friend Tawni to pick up my poor boys who were completely distraught... moments after arriving at the hospital, two more friends, Allison and Shannon showed up. A member of the Stake Presidency also came only 10 minutes after we got there to help give Bella a blessing. It was a HUGE comfort to have the support of so many friends.
They gave her an IV and she didn't even cry, she also had to drink charcoal. It was black and gritty and terrible. They mixed it with chocolate milk, and she did a fantastic job drinking it. But by the end she was saying, "No, stop it. I hate chocolate milk" Our friend Dr. Wild, bribed her with a barbie princess and got her to drink the rest. His wife and my friend Allison delivered BIG TIME on the barbie promise.
Here she is after drinking her charcoal like a big girl with her barbie doll princess as promised.
She had to stay the night at the hospital, they were watching for kidney function and electrolyte imbalance. Isabella did fantastic and we came home the next day with no serious side effects.
I'm thankful for a loving Heavenly Father who is merciful to us, who knows our hearts and our intentions.
I'm thankful for priesthood blessings.
I'm thankful for loving friends who drop everything in a time of need to just to hug you and sit with you, and tell you it's going to be alright and that you're not a terrible mother.
I'm thankful for friends who are there in a moments notice to hug your kids when you can't, and feed them pizza, and make them laugh.
I'm thankful for the phone calls and texts and prayers of family members far away.
I'm thankful for the power of prayer and especially for forgiveness.
