Well, I am writing this blog tonight with a very heavy heart but a happy one too. Friday, July 24th Amanda McKamey had a pool party at her mom's house, Tammy Carlson. She and I had planned it several weeks ago and we were excited to get everyone together to swim and have lunch. It was weird but not very many people had RSVP'd and I was wondering if we should even go through with it. However, I thought it would be nice to just swim anyway and get out of the heat. So, as the days got closer I still hadn't had many responses so I sent a reminder email. The day of the party, KC was home from work and decided to go with us. The kids were excited and I was happy to have the extra help. We got to Tammy's house and started getting the kids ready to swim. Amanda and I were in the house the longest getting the babies ready.
Soon enough though, I too was in the pool with Hanna and ready to cool down. I hadn't been in for more than 3 minutes when Jeri Lamp (who was already there with her 3 girls and 2 other friends) started yelling and grabbed Makenna (Amanda's daughter) out of the water by her lifejacket. It was a scene I will not easily forget and one that I hope to never see again.
I will tell the story from my angle or point of view: I saw Jeri pull the lifeless Makenna out of the water. She had been facedown in the water and was as limp as a doll. Jeri put her on the side of the pool and started yelling for KC to help. Of course, KC was out of the water by now and was getting Makenna's lifejacket off. He also told Amanda to call "911". Amanda said, "are you serious?" and KC responed "yes". Amanda got on the phone with 911 and was having a hard time explaining the situation but it kept her preoccupied. Meantime, Jeri got the kids out of the pool. She stood by KC and Makenna and started saying a prayer. Her faith combined with those that were present was amazingly strong. Strong enough to feel. I stayed by KC's side for moral support and love. I could literally feel the weight of his burdens and the pressure he was feeling to save this little girls life. He started to administer CPR and was trying to find her pulse. Her face was blue and lifeless, she looked dead. Her eyes were a very dark blue and her mouth matched her eyes. It was a very scarey image to be seeing on a little child...a friend's child. I yelled at KC several times to do something, to save her. He was doing his best and I knew that but I felt this need to say it out loud. It took several minutes but eventually Makenna started to cough and show signs of life. Her eyes started to come back and she was starting to move around. She then started screaming and we knew she would be ok. Jeri started to get the kids inside and out of the way. KC kept Makenna in his arms for a bit longer and then insisted that Amanda hold her. He instructed her to talk to Makenna and give her a familiar voice to focus on. All the while poor little Makenna was screaming and calling out to "mama". The paramedics got there and were relieved to see a breathing a child. They took her vitals and soon after rushed her to Children's Hospital.
She was released that night and given a good bill of health. It was a miracle and all due to the amazing team of a few moms and most importantly KC. He saved Makenna's life and reminded us all of what is most important. He will forever be Makenna's hero and mine too.....
What a fun day!!! We had Seth and Cali's birthday party at the Santee YMCA activity pool, Sat, July18, 2009. Seth turns 7 this week and Cali turns 5 in a few weeks.....wow, how time flies.
Hanna has been taking a swim class with 2 certified swim instructors from our ward. She is not sure about going under the water but seems to like everything else okay. The pictures show her swimming with KC, who was able to come to a couple of lessons. The kids are also in a picture "helping" her to get in the water. It is so cute how they always rally around her. She must feel the incredible love our family has for her. 
What a fun night!
Although the circumstances for KC being home on the 4th of July were not what I would have wanted (his internal bleeding ordeal)....we were happy to have him here. We first started the day with the annual Grossmont Ward pancake breakfast. It was yummy and the kids got to play some fun games and make paper airplanes. Then, with the Jenkins family, we braved it and went to the beach. We were going for a short bike ride and they were going for Ab to fish. We luckily found parking spots and got in our short beach visit on the 4th....with all the other crazy people. Then, we went home and cleaned up a bit to head over to the Schallocks for a BBQ. We had your traditional hot dogs and hambugers and all the fixins'. Last, we walked over to a nearby baseball field where we watched the fireworks. Above is my crazy family in the dark watching the show. It was a fun-filled day that we got to spend with KC...all day...a rareity.
KC was in the hospital last week for internal bleeding, due most likely, to too much Motrin...crazy, huh? Anyway, my mom sent him an edible bouquet of chocolate covered bananas and strawberries. So, of course the girls and I dug right into it and you can see the results of it on Hanna's face. She is so cute and LOVES to eat.